Target Sights for Oddball Pistols?

Have you ever fitted some sort of adjustable rear sight (Bomar, LPA, etc.) to a pistol for which no dedicated target sights were available? If so, did you modify the sight, the slide, or both?

I have had the itch to try some of the less popular service pistols on the CMP's list but the lack of suitable sights is a major obstacle. I am wondering if there is some sort of gunsmithing solution to the problem.

I have done ‘D’ all of the above at some point. Helps to know what your starting with to plan the appropriate sight you are going to use. I’ve had to drill a pocket into sights for the firing pin blocks, etc.
Jon

Anyone done a bomar into a xdm? The factory rear sight is goofy looking

I have a Browning HiPower that my father had modified by having a S&W revolver rear sight inset into the rear of the slide.  It looks great.

Chris,
Springfield would install Bomar sights on an xd as a custom shop option at one time. For a few years they had a 5" tactical model with an action job and an accuracy job (welded barrel) with those sights on their table at Perry. They had a $400 price tag on it but it was in .40 S&W so nobody ever bought it. I talked to the guy that had done the machining work for the sights and he said it was very time consuming so they weren't going to offer those any longer. In fact he went over the costs involved in that pistol on the table and it was over twice what they were asking so it was a good deal but not in a popular caliber for our sport.

John

What I've been considering is an FN FNS-9 5". The dovetail for the rear sight is wide and shallow, which makes me wonder if there isn't much steel to work with underneath it. Sevigny makes a 0.240" patridge front sight that looks like it would work.

Chris Miceli wrote:Anyone done a bomar into a xdm? The factory rear sight is goofy looking

Hello Chris,

"Springer Precision" (http://www.springerprecision.com) can hook you up with adjustable sights.  I believe that they use a LPA sight.  I've seen their work and it is quite nice.

Jim

Orpanaut wrote:What I've been considering is an FN FNS-9 5".  The dovetail for the rear sight is wide and shallow, which makes me wonder if there isn't much steel to work with underneath it.  Sevigny makes a 0.240" patridge front sight that looks like it would work.  

have a machinist make an adapter?

I thought about an adapter of some sort. A dovetail in a dovetail would be possible, but because the inner dovetail would be deeper than the outer dovetail, the sight would wind up sticking 0.1" or more above the slide.

If I can't find the FNS dovetail dimensions online I might just drive the rear sight out of my FNS-40C and measure it. I will also look at a Ruger Mk II sight because I recall that also has a wide, shallow dovetail.

I have a 1911AI with NM barrel & bushing, tightened slide to frame fit and a S&W micrometer rear sight from a revolver milled into it after first filling in the rear sight slot. A real work of art performed by a master gunsmith in the early 1950's when parts were more expensive than labor.

Orpanaut wrote:I thought about an adapter of some sort.  A dovetail in a dovetail would be possible, but because the inner dovetail would be deeper than the outer dovetail, the sight would wind up sticking 0.1" or more above the slide.

If I can't find the FNS dovetail dimensions online I might just drive the rear sight out of my FNS-40C and measure it.  I will also look at a Ruger Mk II sight because I recall that also has a wide, shallow dovetail.

Unless you’re trying to make an EIC gun, contact Evolution Gun Works in PA about a custom base for a dot.  They can make you one for most of the major brands if you’re ok with a reflex or can fit a picatinny rail for a tube type.  Cost is about 125 plus the mount blank and all they need is your slide.  Ask to speak wit Cody if you call, he helped me.