1911 scope mounts

[TheFireArmorer]

I just purchased a Springfield range officer for NRA bullseye matches and would like to mount a red dot on it eventually. I've been browsing scope mounts on the web and it looks like a lot of them require some gunsmithing. Does anyone have experience with the process or know of a solid mounting system that does not require any smithing?

 

[1911ly]

Contact AllenM on here. He might see this and even chime in.

 

[sloughfoot]

If you want a solid mount for NRA Bullseye, it requires a good machine and an experienced operator. Jerry Johnson has built plenty of NRA Bullseye pistols.

 

[ROLEXrifleman]

the only mounting options I have ever seen that don't require any special tools or machining are the grip panel replacements. And those are nothing more than compromise mounts. They are dependent on the grip screws being tight, on the grip screw bushings fitting properly, that recoil doesn't open up the holes on the grip panel. They are functional at best.

 

[churchmouse]

here is a mount that takes the place of the right grip. It is easily installed. I have one on my GSG that I teach folks to use a hand gun. Made by Aimtech. Look in brownells

 

[AllenM]

for a bullseye gun i would use a rail type that screws to the top of the slide like what clark custom guns sells. i dont know of anything solid enough for bullseye that doesnt require some gunsmithing, i have installed the clark mounts befote and can help if you want.

 

[Twangbanger]

Fire Armorer,
I am running the same gun as you for the same purpose, and I'm sorry to say, there is nothing worth having that doesn't require gunsmithing. A lot of older bullseye shooters use slide mounts, but they also usually use good scopes like the Ultra Dot (ie, $200 range and up). I had Ray Saltzman put a Weigand frame mount on mine, 10 screws into the frame, very solid and I am very happy with it. (Note: this still will not allow you to use a cheap scope...$80 ones will still crap out on you after a year or so, even without the extra slide movement). You'll need to have him do a good accuracy job also, especially with a frame mount.

Pretty much nobody in bullseye uses grip mounts.

 

[TheFireArmorer]

Thanks for the replies guys, I've seen the grip panel mounted rails but didn't think they'd be solid enough. I imagined gunsmithing would be required and I don't have any opposition to it, just didn't know what all the options were. At this point, no extra funds in the bank, as I bought the range officer 3 days ago. I've been shooting bullseye for the past year with borrowed guns and now I'm just trying to put together a game plan for getting this thing competition ready. I appreciate the offer of help AllenM, when I figure out exactly what I want, I'll give you a shout.

 

[Twangbanger]

Just an aside from someone who's been where you are: although the dot definitely helps at 50 yards, if you're just getting started, sometimes it can throw your timed + rapid fire in the toilet for a while...and that's 2/3 of your match. If you don't already have one on your .22, that might be a safer place to start & save your .45 money for a good accuracy job. (A dot sight on an un-accurized .45 is more than my brain can figure out & cuss-words waiting to happen).

Best of luck & let us know how it turns out.

 

[TheFireArmorer]

Just an aside from someone who's been where you are: although the dot definitely helps at 50 yards, if you're just getting started, sometimes it can throw your timed + rapid fire in the toilet for a while...and that's 2/3 of your match. If you don't already have one on your .22, that might be a safer place to start & save your .45 money for a good accuracy job. (A dot sight on an un-accurized .45 is more than my brain can figure out & cuss-words waiting to happen).

Best of luck & let us know how it turns out.

I've just been shooting irons on my buckmark. I have limited experience with dot sights and know what you mean about lowering my score on timed and rapid, I've got first hand experience with that lol. But, I've seen what people can do once they figure it out and with my eyesight it will hopefully do the trick.

 

[stormryder]

Try Sight Mount Home

 

[AllenM]

Thanks for the replies guys, I've seen the grip panel mounted rails but didn't think they'd be solid enough. I imagined gunsmithing would be required and I don't have any opposition to it, just didn't know what all the options were. At this point, no extra funds in the bank, as I bought the range officer 3 days ago. I've been shooting bullseye for the past year with borrowed guns and now I'm just trying to put together a game plan for getting this thing competition ready. I appreciate the offer of help AllenM, when I figure out exactly what I want, I'll give you a shout.

just let me know. I will be glad to help, I can install either frame or slide mount.

 

[451_Detonics]

Frame mount works well, been using one for years on my 38 Super. Newer ones are lower weight than mine and the small dots are great. Mine is a mover dot for Action Pistol but I have stopped shooting that so a smaller dot is being considered to lighten the gun up.

 

[churchmouse]

The smaller optics like the Fast fire in the pick work well enough once you get used to them

 

[dennymac]

Greetings. I, too, would like to have an optic sight mounted to my Springfield 1911A1. I have some hesitation about having holes drilled and tapped into the frame of the pistol. I am just funny that way. I am liking the mount on the gun in the above post. Could any of you fine folks suggest a qualified smith that could do this work and do a target grade trigger job on the Springfield 1911A1? Thanks in advance. DennyMac

 

[Psode27]

Churchmouse, that is a sexy 1911! I havent before this thread thought about putting an optic on a 1911, Now i'm thinking I need to find a way to justify it!

 

[D K]

Resurrecting or re-visiting this thread -

I'm considering scoping my Kimber Pro CDP II - the 4 in barrel makes it "more legal" for deer than my 3in bbl .357 (since the chamber counts for barrel length on the semi, where it doesn't for the wheelgun).

I see rear sight replacement dovetail mounts, but can't imagine a scope holding up to the slide battery (not to mention counting on that dovetail to take the abuse of the moving scope weight).

Is the WEIG-A-TINNY still the the recommended path? Would the aluminum Kimber frame take the abuse?

 

[AllenM]

Resurrecting or re-visiting this thread -

I'm considering scoping my Kimber Pro CDP II - the 4 in barrel makes it "more legal" for deer than my 3in bbl .357 (since the chamber counts for barrel length on the semi, where it doesn't for the wheelgun).

I see rear sight replacement dovetail mounts, but can't imagine a scope holding up to the slide battery (not to mention counting on that dovetail to take the abuse of the moving scope weight).

Is the WEIG-A-TINNY still the the recommended path? Would the aluminum Kimber frame take the abuse?

I have not found a dovetail mount I like. Some hold up but the optic sits to high for my taste.
RDO's are surprisingly tough.
Certian ones can be direct mounted to the slide without buying a mounting plate.
Leopold and Holosun K models work but you do have to have the slide milled.
So that may be a turn off but the optics will hold up to the slide action. Dovetail mounts not so much.

 

[D K]

I’m thinking more along the lines of a 2x scope (plus or minus 0.5x), so it would have to be a plate big enough to accept rings, right?

All of the optics plates I’ve seen are for the smaller holo-sight types (two holes for a sight).

 

[Bigtanker]

Would putting the weight of a 2x optic on the slide cause the gun to not cycle? The MRO are a few ounces. Magnified optics are a good amount more.

I had seen these before.