February 6th, 2020
0:14 runtime
Iwas fortunate in my younger years to have exceptional vision.
And my sharp vision has actually lasted longer than most peoples.
For that, I cant complain.
Rob has found that a red dot like this Shield RMS is a great addition on his 9mm 1911.
Though hard to accept, my vision is finally suffering.
And with this change, I have been installing optical sights on my pistols more and more frequently.
Mostly because of the vision thing, but also because I like messing with new projects.
Rob’s double-duty 1911 is a 9mm with two slide assemblies — one for optics and one for iron sights.
My current pistol project involves a Springfield Armory 1911 from theCustom Shop.
It has two slide assemblies that allow me to switch back and forth between iron sights and optics.
Check out the video above of me running the gun at the range.
The 1911 is chambered for 9mm, which really helps Rob keep on target during rapid fire.
Its a cool setup because the frame is the same for both configurations.
And the frame is the part you hold onto and feel.
So, I get the same familiarity and tactile feel with each slide assembly.
The pistol was built by Springfield Custom for Rob and is a real performer.
Eeny Meeny?
I almost consider my 9mm 1911 a cheater gun because of how easy it is to control.
Both pistol configurations are as accurate as the ammo Ive chosen and as reliable as the magazines I use.
Forward cocking serrations on the slide allow Rob to operate the slide without disturbing the optic.
The load is quiet and soft and more importantly, easy to shoot.
What you cant see is how smooth and slick the slide operates or how clean the trigger pull is.
These are major pluses of the 1911 platform, and done properly, there is nothing that compares.
This one is my favorite of all the optical sights right now due to its simplicity and ultra-light weight.
With heavier optical sights, I can feel the added mass when the slide moves during firing.
The Shield RMS minimizes this almost to the point of being unnoticeable.
The sight is always on/auto adjusting, so I can just mount it and forget it.
On the optics-mounted slide, there are serrations on the front.
This design allows for an over-the-top hand position to operate the slide.
I always want to stay away from the optics lens if possible.
You may have noticed that there are no iron sights on this slide.
For a CO competition gun, I have had no need for the irons.
Not as back-up or anything else.
With further testing though, I may like the addition of the iron sight.
But thats okay because I like it better.
Easily changeable blades allow you to try different notch configurations.
Which is very nice.
This way you’re free to get exactly what you want.
These sights are a good compromise for all-around use.
Loose enough for going fast and also tight enough to be reasonably precise.
The real magic in this gun is how it fits and works.
Usually one fit is much better than the other.
And often the other slide isnt fit well enough to shoot accurately.
Thats not the case with this gun.
Nice work, Springfield Custom.
My 1911 uses a specific slide stop for each slide assembly.
Both setups lockup perfectly and are very accurate and reliable.
Optics Revolution
We are in the infancy of optics-mounted sights on pistols.
Without a doubt, optical sights are much harder to initially create alignment.
And they are frenziedly moving the gun in all directions in a panicked effort to find the dot?
Yep, thats a problem…a big problem.
Seeing Clearly
Its true that an optical sight is not always needed.
Some shots are not difficult enough to require their level of precision.
However, having capability and not using it is better than needing it and not having it.
For me it is simple.
Will it replace my iron-sighted guns?
Not all of them.
Go to forum thread
