The invention of the 1911 semi-automatic pistol revolutionized the firearms industry, and its sights have been a major part of that success. 1911 sights are designed to provide fast target acquisition and improved accuracy. The 1911 sight uses two components: the front sight, which is a blade or post that sits on top of the slide, and the rear sight, which has a notch cut into it.
The front sight needs to be aligned with both the rear sight and the target in order for accurate aiming. These sights can also be adjustable depending on what type of ammunition is being used or what distance from the target you are shooting from. Many aftermarket manufacturers make higher-quality versions of these sights with better durability and more precise adjustments for more consistent accuracy. Regardless of whether you choose an OEM or aftermarket version, 1911 sights are essential for achieving maximum performance when shooting at a range or in competition.
How We Choose
If you're looking for the best 1911 sights, our expert team has done all the hard work for you. We've scoured the market for only the very best products so that you can be assured of getting value for money. With our guide, you'll find it easy to choose a set of high-quality sights that will make your pistol even more accurate and enjoyable to shoot.
TFX Tritium and Fiber-Optic Xtreme Handgun Sights for 1911 Pistols 270 Front, 500 Rear
The TRUGLO TFX Tritium and Fiber-Optic Xtreme Handgun Sights are a great choice for any shooter looking to improve their accuracy. These sights feature fiber optic material that provides maximum light transmission, making it easy to see your target in low-light conditions.
The front sight is also focus-lock, which allows you to easily align your sights with the target without having to manually adjust them. The rear sight on these handgun sights is adjustable for windage and elevation, allowing you to shoot accurately from different distances or angles. The dovetail mount on these pistol sights makes it easy to install and remove them on your firearm, so you can quickly swap between different guns without having to purchase new sights each time.
These handgun sights come equipped with tritium inserts for added brightness in low-light situations, which helps ensure that you have clear visibility when aiming at your target in the dark. They're impervious to oils, chemicals, cleaning solvents, and ultra-sonic cleaning processes so they'll hold up well against wear and tear no matter how often you use them.
Trijicon 3 Dot Front And Rear Night Sight Set for Colt Government with .055 Narrow Tang
Trijicon's new RMR sight is a great option for anyone looking to mount their optic on an AR-15 pistol. The Trijicon RMR is designed for close-quarter engagements, and it does not disappoint.
The sight features a bright green Tritium illuminated aiming point that helps you acquire your target in low-light conditions. It also has three different brightness settings so you can adjust the intensity to suit your preferences. This makes it ideal for use in situations where you need to be able to see your front sight without dazzling potential threats with light from the front of the sight.
It comes with a Picatinny rail interface which makes mounting other sights or accessories easy if you wish to add additional functionality to this pistol build. If you're looking for a compact and lightweight way of mounting an optic on top of your handgun, then this is definitely worth checking out!
Kensight LPA TRT 1911 Sight White Dot with Beveled Blade
The Kensight TRT 1911 sights are a great option for anyone who wants to upgrade their handgun's sights without having to do any gunsmithing. These sights feature a wire-EDM machined body from solid billet 4140 chrome moly steel, which gives them durability and strength.
The beveled blade is designed for snag-free operation and quicker draw times. The white dots are painted on using our Arctic White paint giving them an extra bright appearance. They fit certain model 1911 slides with adjustable sight cut so you can use your existing hardware if you already have a pistol that has those specs it will work perfectly fine with these sights.
They're made in the USA and backed by a limited lifetime warranty so you know they'll hold up well under heavy use. Overall, these Kensight TRT 1911 sights are a great option for anyone looking to upgrade their handgun's sight without having to do any gunsmithing or filing of dovetail cuts.
TRUGLO Tritium Handgun Glow-in-The-Dark Night Sights for 1911 Pistols 260 Front, 450 Rear
The TRUGLO Tritium Night Sights are designed for use with a handgun that has a fixed rear sight. They feature a square-notch front sight and tritium inserts in the rear sights to provide low-light visibility.
These sights are machined from solid steel and assembled in the USA, which provides peace of mind when shooting at night or in low-light conditions. The Swiss tritium gas used is very bright, making these sights easy to see even in the dark.
The cut on these 1911s is slightly different than other models, so they may not fit perfectly on every gun - but they will fit most without any issues. These sights come with a limited lifetime warranty, so you can rest assured that if anything happens to them you'll be able to get them fixed or replaced quickly and hassle free.
MEPROLIGHT MEPRO TRU-DOT Fixed tritium Day and Night Sights Compatible with Colt Government and Commander .125 Tenon, tritium dots Green /Green-Set
The MEPRO TRU-DOT sights are a great option for anyone looking to upgrade their pistol's sights. They feature tritium inserts that provide daytime and night visibility, making them ideal for use in low-light conditions or when shooting at night.
The rear sight is fixed, while the front can be adjusted for windage and elevation using a dovetail mount. The front insert is also removable, allowing you to swap in different colored inserts if you prefer a different color of dot during daylight hours. This makes it easy to quickly change between daytime and nighttime scenarios without having to remove your front sight each time.
The sights are made from steel and have an integral mounting system that makes them suitable for both handguns and long guns alike. They're also shockproof, making them resistant to drops or other impacts that could cause damage or wear on the sight itself.
LPA TPU Adjustable Rear White Outline Sight Set for Colt Gov 1911-A1
The LPA TPU45CT18 Compact Tactical Red Dot Sight is a great option for anyone looking to get into the world of red dot sights without breaking the bank. It's a simple, easy-to-use sight with both elevation and windage adjustments, as well as a 1/3 MOA click adjustment for horizontal aiming.
The sight comes with both Weaver and Picatinny mounts, so you can easily mount it on your handgun or rifle if that's what you want to use it with. The battery life is decent too, lasting around 300 hours in low power mode before needing to be recharged. This is powered by either two AA batteries or an included AC adapter.
Overall, we think this is one of the best tactical red dot sights out there right now - especially considering how affordable it is compared to other options on the market today!
TRUGLO Fiber-Optic Front and Rear Handgun Sights for Kimber 1911 Models with Fixed Rear Sight
The Truglo BRITE-SITE Sight Set is a great choice for anyone who wants to have a set of front and rear sights that are both visible in low-light conditions and also glow bright enough to be seen by the shooter's eyes. This makes them ideal for use when hunting at night or during dusk or dawn.
The fiber optic technology used in these sights means they can gather light from all directions, making them extremely effective even in poor lighting conditions. The front sight is red while the rear is green, which helps to make it easier to see what you're aiming at.
These sights fit on Kimber 1911 pistols with fixed rear sights and are easy to install, though they may require some minor fitting if your pistol has been modified in any way. Overall, this is a great option for anyone looking for a durable set of fiber optic handgun sights that will help them achieve their aim no matter the lighting conditions.
Trijicon, Fiber Sight Set, 1911 Novak Low Mount Dovetail Cut Models
Trijicon's low mount fiber optic sights are a great choice for those who want to keep their sight set on their handgun but don't want to sacrifice the ability to mount them on a low-profile dovetail.
These Trijicon sights feature an innovative front post design that is both thin and highly visible, allowing you to acquire your target faster and more accurately. The front post also has a bright fiber (0.060 inches) for improved visibility in low light conditions, making these sights ideal for hunting or shooting at night.
The dovetail cut models fit 1911 Novak pistols, while the fixed Low Mount Carry rear iron sight sets are designed for use with Glock handguns. The front sight's .330-inch width allows for precise aiming in various environments, while the 0.110-inch thick metal construction ensures durability and withstands rigorous handling - perfect if you're planning on taking your handgun hunting or competing in shooting events!
1911 Sights FAQs
Are Adjustable Sights Best For A 1911?
In most cases, a fixed sight is preferable to an adjustable one. Adjustable sights give you the ability to make quick and significant adjustments that can change your point of aim significantly in an instant. However, this isn't ideal for a self-defense pistol because it makes it harder to aim precisely under pressure.
Many experts will argue that adjustable rear sights are best suited for target shooting, while fixed sights are better for self-defense applications. This is because there's more time available to line up the front and rear sight correctly on target when you're shooting recreationally compared with having an actual gun pointed at your head.
What Sights Are Best At Night?
While most people would probably consider night shooting a form of low-light shooting, it's important to remember that you'll have far less light coming from your gun than you would if you were doing a daytime range session. Because of this, we'd recommend keeping your distances fairly close in order to keep recoil manageable. If possible, shoot indoors using just ambient lighting and some lower wattage bulbs to help simulate outdoor conditions.
If you're looking for more of an extreme challenge, go with flashlights or even infrared paintballs and laser guns in total darkness. Of course, these techniques are best left to professionals unless you want to end up on the six o'clock news!
Do I Need A Sight Pusher To Change 1911 Sights?
You can certainly change the sights on your 1911 handgun without a sight pusher, but it's not easy. If you're handy with tools and don't mind taking your time to do it right, you might be able to manage. If you're not that skilled or patient, though, we recommend getting a sight pusher so you can get the job done in minutes rather than hours. A good quality aluminum sight pusher is well worth the investment if you have any desire to work on your 1911 pistol yourself in the future. These little tools are also extremely handy if you want to switch out some of those other handgun sights – like Glock front sights – as they won't mar up metal finishes like metal screwdrivers might!
Are Night Sights Good For Shooting In The Daylight?
For the most part, yes. The reason is that there is no backlight in front of the tritium vial like there is on a laser sight. This means that sunlight will not wash out your night sights like it can laser sights. Still, you should always make sure to test your handgun's sighting system in direct sunlight before you find yourself in an emergency situation with low light conditions.
Conclusion
Night sights are a great option for anyone looking to increase their accuracy in low light conditions. Whether you're using Rock Island, Novak style, or fixed Low Mount Carry rear iron sight sets, these features will help improve your aim and ensure that you have the advantage over any target even when it's dark out.
Additionally, fiber optic sights can be beneficial as they provide improved visibility in low-light environments while still being durable enough to withstand rigorous handling. With all of this considered, night sights should definitely be something worth considering if you want to take your shooting game up a notch!
