Rib with open sights - what options are available?

Well, after my absolutely horrible shooting at Perry this year I made a decision to retire all my fancy European guns and red dots and go back to plain old 1911 and irons. My wad gun slide does not have any sights cuts, so I'm wondering if there's anything similar to those extended Bomar ribs still available. I was looking at the Rock River rib but it looks a bit heavy to me. Is there anything else available out there?

just ask around and check eBay for the old bomar ribs.. lot's of them still out there.

as far as current production the Aristocrat rib for the 1911 is available from Brownells.. no extended front sight

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/sights/sight-sets/1911-sight-rib-with-adjustable-rear-sight-prod24664.aspx

if it has a dot rail on the slide by clark or marvel then you can get one from rock river that will bolt to existing holes that has adjustable sights and rib for red dot too. I think its 125.00

Off topic sort of.... But (since there's a lot I don't know) what is the reason or purpose of an iron sighted rib? Why not a separate rear and front sight? What's the advantage?

Tim:H11 wrote:Off topic sort of.... But (since there's a lot I don't know) what is the reason or purpose of an iron sighted rib? Why not a separate rear and front sight? What's the advantage?

The reason is simple - my slide does not have any cuts for sights, but it does have a red dot mount, so I would much rather prefer just to unscrew it and bolt the sights rib on

here is the link;

https://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=519

DavidR wrote:here is the link;

https://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=519

Yes, I saw this one, my only concern is that it's a very heavy one. I have one on my long slide and it doesn't cycle well with my wad loads because of the weight. I thought old Bomar ribs are somewhat more lightweight.

You can have it machined from the bottom to lighten it if you have function problems because of the weight. Pretty simple.
Jon

Jon Eulette wrote:You can have it machined from the bottom to lighten it if you have function problems because of the weight. Pretty simple.
Jon

Yes, I think this is what I'll end up doing if I won't find a used Bomar rib.
Thanks everyone!

The RRA is a great idea, but it is heavy. The rib alone with open sights is not as heavy (or as high up) as a rail and dot, but the extra weight was noticeable compared to my service pistol with dovetail sights. The dual rail plus 30mm Ultradot is really threw the gun around in recoil.

The Bomar ribs pre-dated dots and the idea was to add weight to the slide (5-6 oz) to slow down and smooth the action compared to a plain 1911.  It works.  Almost everyone shot a rib until the dots came along and replaced the 5-6oz rib with 5-6oz of dot sight.

Jon Eulette wrote:You can have it machined from the bottom to lighten it if you have function problems because of the weight. Pretty simple.
Jon

or change recoil spring to lower or up your loads a tenth or two. Its no different than putting a heavier dot on a gun you just adjust to compensate.

Jon Eulette wrote:You can have it machined from the bottom to lighten it if you have function problems because of the weight. Pretty simple.
Jon

Good idea. I think I'll try and this.

Dewey,
I picked up one of the RR open sight/rib combo's last year at Perry & put it on my backup wad gun.  I wanted the option to practice with a dot or open sights with the same gun without having to remove & reinstall a scope rib.  As it's the one I leave at the range for practice sessions, it get's more rounds/year than my primary wad gun.  I didn't have to change anything on my indoor or short line loads for 100% function. (12# spring, slide mounted dot, 3.5gr Clays behind a 196gr H&G 130).  I have weaver rings that have been lapped for this mount & dot, so they come off & go back on with no loss of zero.

I really like having the option.
Al