Who do we like for 2011 optic slide milling these days?

[ECK]

I’ve been toying with the idea of having one of my OG 2011’s milled for Limited Optics division. Looking for recommendations on who to do the milling and which plate.

Slide is a pre-Stacatto STI slide circa 2014 chambered in 9mm. The slide started out as a blank from STI that a local gunsmith tri-topped and milled for a Bomar rear sight. The slide is fit to a 1911 frame as well as a 2011 frame, and for a while it was my do-all pistol for everything from USPSA SS minor, to IDPA ESP, hi-cap 3-gun pistol, Steel Challenge pistol, etc. Unfortunately aging eyes eventually caught up to me and now I’m a dot shooter.

Being an original STI slide, it’s a “series 70” with no FPB so I’m hoping as a result the optic pocket can be milled fairly low. Local gunsmith who built the gun is no longer in business, otherwise I’d be hitting him up. This is intended as a comp gun, no rear sight is needed.

As far as which optic, I mainly have Trijicon and Holosun sights, so will probably stick with that optic footprint. I did consider going to a RDS with a narrower mounting footprint such as the Leupold DPP so it can be direct milled without a plate, but I like the SRO for comp and already have a pair of Shadow 2’s with SROs that I run in Carry Optics.

Ideally I’d like the optic to sit as low as possible. I have considered an EGW dovetail plate for the Bomar cut, but I’m ready to do a full-send to convert this gun to an optic so I can shoot it again rather than be a safe queen.

So far I’ve looked at CHPWS, Vulcan Gunworks, and Impact Machine. Any others?

TIA

[Norther]

I’ve been toying with the idea of having one of my OG 2011’s milled for Limited Optics division. Looking for recommendations on who to do the milling and which plate.

Slide is a pre-Stacatto STI slide circa 2014 chambered in 9mm. The slide started out as a blank from STI that a local gunsmith tri-topped and milled for a Bomar rear sight. The slide is fit to a 1911 frame as well as a 2011 frame, and for a while it was my do-all pistol for everything from USPSA SS minor, to IDPA ESP, hi-cap 3-gun pistol, Steel Challenge pistol, etc. Unfortunately aging eyes eventually caught up to me and now I’m a dot shooter.

Being an original STI slide, it’s a “series 70” with no FPB so I’m hoping as a result the optic pocket can be milled fairly low. Local gunsmith who built the gun is no longer in business, otherwise I’d be hitting him up. This is intended as a comp gun, no rear sight is needed.

As far as which optic, I mainly have Trijicon and Holosun sights, so will probably stick with that optic footprint. I did consider going to a RDS with a narrower mounting footprint such as the Leupold DPP so it can be direct milled without a plate, but I like the SRO for comp and already have a pair of Shadow 2’s with SROs that I run in Carry Optics.

Ideally I’d like the optic to sit as low as possible. I have considered an EGW dovetail plate for the Bomar cut, but I’m ready to do a full-send to convert this gun to an optic so I can shoot it again rather than be a safe queen.

So far I’ve looked at CHPWS, Vulcan Gunworks, and Impact Machine. Any others?

TIA

My research indicates that Bomar and LPA sight cuts are too deep to be removed by milling for a red dot. This leaves the EGW plate that fits in the sight cut the only option. I hope this isn’t true.

I did get an email from Impact Machine that seemed to indicate they would try it, but I haven’t pursued it yet.

[rhino on INGO]

Maybe start with a new slide without any dovetails cut?

[ECK]

My research indicates that Bomar and LPA sight cuts are too deep to be removed by milling for a red dot. This leaves the EGW plate that fits in the sight cut the only option. I hope this isn’t true.

I did get an email from Impact Machine that seemed to indicate they would try it, but I haven’t pursued it yet.

The Bomar/LPA thing is a bummer if true.

Its on my list to contact Impact Machine, so good to hear they may have a fix for the Bomar/LPA conversion. I’ve heard good things about them (CZ related) but figure their craftsmanship and business dealings ought to translate over to 2011s. I’d be curious if they would do their RDOMS cut on a 2011/1911 slide so the optic could be direct milled instead of having to cut it for a plate. RDOMs is the optic cut that Fire4Effect developed to deal with the narrow CZ Shadow 2/SP-01 slides, and Impact Machine bought the patent when F4E went out of business (or so I’ve heard). Both my Shadow 2’s have the RDOMs cut and it’s solid.

[ECK]

Maybe start with a new slide without any dovetails cut?

The whole point is to re-purpose an existing slide that I already own. If I was to start over I’d go with a Vudoo Priest.

[ECK]

I found these guys:

https://twosee.us/?page_id=283

Sent them an email and ended up talking to the owner for a bit. 2C is kinda a small milling shop, not really looking to be big. But quick turn around and reasonable prices. What I like about their 2C-XX11 optic plate system is it mounts the optic pretty low and far enough back that the hood of a SRO doesn’t overhang the breach face. It costs you room for the rear sight but for me that is a non-factor.

I did ask about the Bomar cut, and he said that’s not going to be a problem. 2 main reasons: they mill the optic cut deep enough, and far enough back that the Bomar/LPA cutout is removed. I think if you want to have a dovetail for a rear sight the Bomar/LPA cut messes with leaving enough meat for a dovetail unless you use a plate that has a built in rear sight like the Trijicon 1911 plate.

[virgilmerk]

What kind of lead time did they give you for an optic cut?

And I'm also interested in getting a Bomar cut on my 2C. Can you provide any more details about how 2C mills the optic cut deep enough and far enough back to remove the Bomar/LPA cutout?

[YVK]

I found these guys:

https://twosee.us/?page_id=283

Sent them an email and ended up talking to the owner for a bit. 2C is kinda a small milling shop, not really looking to be big. But quick turn around and reasonable prices. What I like about their 2C-XX11 optic plate system is it mounts the optic pretty low and far enough back that the hood of a SRO doesn’t overhang the breach face. It costs you room for the rear sight but for me that is a non-factor.



Did you ask what screws they use, and if it is flat on the bottom or has some sort of interlocking design?

[LukeNCMX]

Another option is ATEi (https://ateiguns.com/product/1911-2011-slide-milling/#milling-for). They mill 2011 slides for the Trijicon mount (https://www.trijicon.com/products/details/ca428-c-600757).

[Tokarev]

Another option is ATEi (https://ateiguns.com/product/1911-2011-slide-milling/#milling-for). They mill 2011 slides for the Trijicon mount (https://www.trijicon.com/products/details/ca428-c-600757).This shop is far less expensive for the Trijicon plate. Also offering other sight cuts for the 1911 or 2011

https://www.namelessarms.com/product-page/1911-machining-for-trijicon-rmr-adapter

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Street Survival]

ATEi took almost 5 months for L.E. turnaround time. Never again. In the future I will never use anyone else but Maple Leaf Firearms. They did an AWESOME JOB and had a super quick turnaround time.

[Elwin]

I’m about to head to the range with slides I just got back from Impact, one previously having a Bomar and the other whatever Kimber uses for their adjustable sights. Both are direct milled for the EPS footprint, but I believe these can also be milled for plates. At the very least, I know I’ve seen an adjustable sight gun on 1911 Addicts milled for the Chambers Custom plate. Also, the Staccato/Dawson plate itself uses the DPP footprint, which is the K/RMSc footprint with extra space, so those plates may also be an option.

The optics sit very low by necessity due to how they mill over the previous cut.

111327

[Tokarev]

I’m about to head to the range with slides I just got back from Impact, one previously having a Bomar and the other whatever Kimber uses for their adjustable sights. Both are direct milled for the EPS footprint, but I believe these can also be milled for plates. At the very least, I know I’ve seen an adjustable sight gun on 1911 Addicts milled for the Chambers Custom plate. Also, the Staccato/Dawson plate itself uses the DPP footprint, which is the K/RMSc footprint with extra space, so those plates may also be an option.

The optics sit very low by necessity due to how they mill over the previous cut.

111327Did Impact install a new front sight that's short enough to work with the EPS rear?

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Tokarev]

In the future I will never use anyone else but Maple Leaf....

Does Maple Leaf cut 1911 slides? I don't see 1911 options on the website.



Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Elwin]

Did Impact install a new front sight that's short enough to work with the EPS rear?

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

Nah, that was me with a file. I didn’t even ask so I don’t know if they would or not.

[ECK]

What kind of lead time did they give you for an optic cut?

And I'm also interested in getting a Bomar cut on my 2C. Can you provide any more details about how 2C mills the optic cut deep enough and far enough back to remove the Bomar/LPA cutout?

Sorry, just seeing this now. Turn around time is a week or two at the most. Small shop, not back-logged yet. I didn’t get into how exactly they do it, just that a Bomar cut is a non-issue. You might reach out to them with your question, they are pretty responsive.

[Norther]

Looks like Nameless Armament is one that won’t do the deeper adjustable sight cut slides.

Another I hadn’t heard about until recently is Green Tick Tactical. Reviews look good, price is good. I think I’ll send one off to them.

GTT and Impact look like the best bets so far for removing a Bomar cut from a slide.

[Elwin]

Looks like Nameless Armament is one that won’t do the deeper adjustable sight cut slides.

Another I hadn’t heard about until recently is Green Tick Tactical. Reviews look good, price is good. I think I’ll send one off to them.

GTT and Impact look like the best bets so far for removing a Bomar cut from a slide.

That makes sense. Green Tick was the other company I was looking at.

It’s a proprietary footprint, but I know from browsing their site that if you have them mill a Bomar gun for the RMRcc, they can give it their screw posts that extend up above the slide for extra thread engagement. They can’t do that with other optics because the Bomar cut leaves insufficient material back where their screws go.

[Tokarev]

DSC is offering the Atlas plate cut now. Pricey but maybe a good option.

https://dscgunworks.com/products/atlas-gunworks-optic-cut-package

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Tokarev]

Off my Girsan slide goes to C&H for the 1911/2011 cross plate.

I had sort of decided on the DPO cut offered aftermarket by DSC. Then I changed my mind and went with CHPWS.

Decision was based on cost to cut. The C&H is about $100 less expensive. The DPO appears to be better supported with plate options but the C&H has plates for the common optics.



Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Gmac]

Chambers Custom rdsm plate. They do not do the work but have a select few smiths around the country they allow to provide the cut and plate install. I went this route with my 2020 iron sighted Staccato P. I had Dave Laubert from Defensice Creations do the cut and plate install. Highly recommend both the Chambers RDSM and Dave’s work. Communication was fantastic and turn around was like two weeks (2021 time frame).

[Tokarev]

C&H just called. My slide has arrived. The work should be done in about a week.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[pumpedTSI]

GUNCUTS.COM

[Tokarev]

I just got a call from the fellow who will be machining my slide. The existing optics holes will interfere with the new holes needed to attach the cross plate. He's going to move the placement back to clear the existing holes. He says this shouldn't cause any issues but it will require the removal of the little back wall that can be seen here.

We'll see how well it works. Will the deletion of this buttress cause issues or will the four attachment screws and the cross pattern interace be enough to hold everything tight?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20231129/9595d3b79ec00e290773eb1f32f85f6b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20231129/cd1fe8770dd5f079b5cc2c30b82b49d4.jpg

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Tokarev]

My Girsan 2011 copy slide is back. Door to door I guess was right about 10 days. I would have had it yesterday but it got delayed in Atlanta.

The work looks good. The rear sight is kind of towering but it should look fine with a corresponding taller front sight and a 509 clamped on.

It will be awhile yet before I have the gun all put back together. As mentioned in the Girsan thread I'll probably send the gun to Marty Enloe in Phoenix and have him fix a few issues.

Note that the screws are witness marked. I'd pull the plate off to see what the machining looks like but I don't want to goof up C&H's mounting work. Not just yet anyway. Also note that the rear sight sits flush with the back of the slide instead of being inset with a wall to brace against fore and aft movement. The tech at C&H said it should not be a problem.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20231208/0f5ff59aeb51133b607587c0a6fa8403.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20231208/16b1524901b20d83b0691c47e9ae05c5.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20231208/cc999130a74731cf35fad4dfcc35e450.jpg

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Elwin]

Also note that the rear sight sits flush with the back of the slide instead of being inset with a wall to brace against fore and aft movement. The tech at C&H said it should not be a problem.

I did some research on that before sending my slides off, and from what I can tell that's correct, just based on seeing that it happens with other systems. As a quick example, Nighthawk's IOS leaves RMR footprint optics without a back wall. Not the same as the plate itself being un-backed but similar.

[Tokarev]

I did some research on that before sending my slides off, and from what I can tell that's correct, just based on seeing that it happens with other systems. As a quick example, Nighthawk's IOS leaves RMR footprint optics without a back wall. Not the same as the plate itself being un-backed but similar.

The cross plate itself has a recessed section that sits on a raised section on the slide. I assume this interface and the four mounting screws are what provides the majority of the mount stability. At least I hope that is the case.

[Tokarev]

Here it is slide on frame. This helps sort of put overall size in perspective.

I did test fit my 509T. The recoil lug seems to fit fairly snug into the plate. If the plate itself doesn't work loose it should be a nice setup.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20231209/9f84b0252f573d1e5bfa6bf6c08fd39a.jpg

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Tokarev]

Here is a source for the Atlas plate cut:

https://www.abprototype.com/slide-milling-atlas-optic-plate-system-for-1911-and-2011/

I haven't used AB Prototype for machining but I have bought parts from him previously. No issues in this regard.