1911 Milling, BUIS & Compact Red Dot Choices

[Jay585]

I've got a few 1911's I'd like to put some red dots on.

My question about using irons:

I'd very much like to get a usable, low profile (~1/16th of irons showing in the window) irons sight picture using a Harrison Yost front sight blank (https://www.harrisoncustom.com/yost-001) . On my factory G19 with FCD plate & RMR the Ameriglo GL-429 provided the sight picture I wanted.

As for rear sight options, I prefer the rear sight behind the optic but am not hard set on it. All options being available I'd choose the Harrison Retro rear sight (https://www.harrisoncustom.com/hd-003-retro-rear-sight) to go behind the optic.

Is this do-able? If not, what's the closest I can get to that particular configuration?

My question about RDS:

I want to avoid using a plate (because I don't like the Trijicon rear sight plate option), I'm thinking a direct mill for a compact RDS is my best option. To the best of my research/knowledge my options are a Trijicon RMR CC or a Holosun 507k. What is the P-F opinion on which is the better optic?

On milling:

Knowing what I'm hoping to go with, whose services do you suggest?

[HeavyDuty]

Following. I had Rolls Royce (Nighthawk) give me a quote for their system on one of my ECPs, I’d like to see what normal options are recommended.

[Elwin]

I’d recommend anything using the K footprint over the RMRcc just because it’s more likely you will have new optics available to you as technology improves. That footprint isn’t going anywhere, whereas the cc footprint is proprietary and will likely stay that way. I also personally would (and did) take an EPS Carry over an RMRcc regardless. No removing the optic to change batteries, enclosed emitter, reticle choices.

I think the optic is going to occupy the space where a 1911 will already have its rear sight, but maybe it’s possible to put a new mil spec dovetail in behind it for the Harrison sight. I think it would only need to have enough room between the back of the optic and the firing pin stop.

I’d recommend looking at Impact Machine, who did my work, or Green Tick Tactical, CHPWS, or Vulcan Machine Werks.

[Exiledviking]

I’d recommend anything using the K footprint over the RMRcc just because it’s more likely you will have new optics available to you as technology improves. That footprint isn’t going anywhere, whereas the cc footprint is proprietary and will likely stay that way. I also personally would (and did) take an EPS Carry over an RMRcc regardless. No removing the optic to change batteries, enclosed emitter, reticle choices.

I think the optic is going to occupy the space where a 1911 will already have its rear sight, but maybe it’s possible to put a new mil spec dovetail in behind it for the Harrison sight. I think it would only need to have enough room between the back of the optic and the firing pin stop.

I’d recommend looking at Impact Machine, who did my work, or Green Tick Tactical, CHPWS, or Vulcan Machine Werks.

How timely this thread is as I'm looking at options for red dots on a couple of my 1911s.
Does the Holosun K footprint offer the most options for different red dot sights like the EPS?
What other sights fit the 507K pattern footprint besides the EPS and 507K?

I'm looking at the Chambers Custom RDSM plate system and they offer plates for RMR, 507k, ACRO, and 509T separately. That seems like a good option for future optics.

[Jay585]

How timely this thread is as I'm looking at options for red dots on a couple of my 1911s.
Does the Holosun K footprint offer the most options for different red dot sights like the EPS?
What other sights fit the 507K pattern footprint besides the EPS and 507K?

I'm looking at the Chambers Custom RDSM plate system and they offer plates for RMR, 507k, ACRO, and 509T separately. That seems like a good option for future optics.

I looked at that one too, but...


RDSM™ Plate is not compatible with the following:

-Pistols with an external extractor.

-Pistols with a firing pin safety.

-Slides cut for other manufacturers red dot plates.

Bummer for me that my main carry 1911 has the Series 80 FPS (which I view as a good thing as an AIWB carrier).

[Elwin]

I’m not aware of anyone who can mill a 1911 and keep the drop safety. Impact and Green Tick will work on those guns but they’re clear that you’re ditching the S80 safety when you send it to them.

The Holosun 407K and 507K, both EPS versions, their new K footprint SCS, the RMSc, some Sig optics, and various other compact size dots all fit the K footprint. Basically everything in that size class that isn’t the RMRcc.

[Jay585]

Elwin

I didn't know that about the S80 FPS + milling, thanks for that tidbit of info!

[Elwin]

Elwin

I didn't know that about the S80 FPS + milling, thanks for that tidbit of info!

No problem. For what it’s worth, the new Sig 1911x comes direct milled for K footprint optics and is S80 - I assume Sig was able to do this because it’s designed from the ground up to be an optics gun, but I suppose it may be that someone else could mill a gun for the compact optics and keep the S80 bits. Also for what it’s worth, I have no qualms personally carrying a 1911 AIWB using an extra power firing pin spring. A 9mm firing pin is nice too but obviously not an option for all guns.

[HeavyDuty]

No problem. For what it’s worth, the new Sig 1911x comes direct milled for K footprint optics and is S80 - I assume Sig was able to do this because it’s designed from the ground up to be an optics gun, but I suppose it may be that someone else could mill a gun for the compact optics and keep the S80 bits. Also for what it’s worth, I have no qualms personally carrying a 1911 AIWB using an extra power firing pin spring. A 9mm firing pin is nice too but obviously not an option for all guns.

Tokarev, does the underside of your 1911X slide look like a typical S80?

[Tokarev]

Tokarev, does the underside of your 1911X slide look like a typical S80?Yes.

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[Tokarev]

Tokarev, does the underside of your 1911X slide look like a typical S80?The S80 parts are not visible through the top of the slide when the optic is off.

I haven't pulled the spring and plunger out of the slide. I don't know if SIG is doing something different with these parts. Making them shorter than usual, etc. I assume someone can replicate the depth/style of the SIG cut to retain function of the S80 plunger.


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240416/5976e04ab51dd759a7bf1130f9c5cada.jpg


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[PNWTO]

Matt Little (Greybeard) had Vulcan (Vulkan?) do his Taurus 9mm Gov so I’ll be sending mine their way in a few weeks.

Just need to delete the S80 stuff first.

[HeavyDuty]

I’m looking at alternative ways of getting a low mounted RDO onto a 1911. I had forgotten my Ruger LW 5” .45 is Series 70, so that is a possibility.

Has anyone done or seen the CHPWS direct milling service for a RMSc footprint? (EPS Carry, Romeo-X Compact, etc.) I’m curious how low it rides.

[Tokarev]

https://youtu.be/e0mz1lEsuzM?si=73seJu_4JcGgfXXh

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[sff70]

Chambers posted on his FB a few weeks ago that he is working on a RDSM plate for S80 guns . . .

[Elwin]

I’m looking at alternative ways of getting a low mounted RDO onto a 1911. I had forgotten my Ruger LW 5” .45 is Series 70, so that is a possibility.

Has anyone done or seen the CHPWS direct milling service for a RMSc footprint? (EPS Carry, Romeo-X Compact, etc.) I’m curious how low it rides.

Didn’t Joe in PNG get this done?

[walker2713]

On milling:

Knowing what I'm hoping to go with, whose services do you suggest?



Scott Milam at Impact Machine….West Monroe LA

[Joe in PNG]

Didn’t Joe in PNG get this done?

Sorta- I used CHPWS for a 507K direct mill. I like it so far.

[HeavyDuty]

Sorta- I used CHPWS for a 507K direct mill. I like it so far.

How low is the cut? They don’t have a gallery on their website that I can see.

[Joe in PNG]

How low is the cut? They don’t have a gallery on their website that I can see.

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[D-der]

I personally have no experience with them but, have read good things about a company called Green Tick Tacticle, their pricing and turn around certainly looks reasonable. I'm interested in having my Stingray milled.

[Jay585]

Was reading the .32 vs .38 thread and GJM mentioned D&L sights for the j frame. I went to the website and saw he does red dot milling.

https://www.dlsports.com/red-dot-sights-on-1911-pistols.html

Somehow he's figured out how to mill a slide for a full size RMR/SRO without using the Trijicon plate:

https://www.dlsports.com/pics/2020-02-19-ss-pro-1911/2020-02-19-1911-02-large.jpg

[Jay585]

I'm unable to tell, is this a full size RMR or the RMRcc?

https://www.dlsports.com/pics/2021-12-02-pro-model-1911/2021-12-02-pro-1911-1590-large.jpg

[HeavyDuty]

I'm unable to tell, is this a full size RMR or the RMRcc?

https://www.dlsports.com/pics/2021-12-02-pro-model-1911/2021-12-02-pro-1911-1590-large.jpg

From the width, I’m pretty sure that’s a RMRcc. Stick an IRDS on that and drive on.

I still like RMR and RMRcc…

[DDTSGM]

Was reading the .32 vs .38 thread and GJM mentioned D&L sights for the j frame. I went to the website and saw he does red dot milling.

https://www.dlsports.com/red-dot-sights-on-1911-pistols.html

Somehow he's figured out how to mill a slide for a full size RMR/SRO without using the Trijicon plate:

https://www.dlsports.com/pics/2020-02-19-ss-pro-1911/2020-02-19-1911-02-large.jpg

Found the order form, couldn't find the price list or description of footprints. Is this a call to get the price thing?

[Jay585]

Found the order form, couldn't find the price list or description of footprints. Is this a call to get the price thing?

I sent him an e-mail. Quoted $375/slide, but I mentioned I had 4 slides I wanted to (eventually) put dots on.

[Norther]

I personally have no experience with them but, have read good things about a company called Green Tick Tacticle, their pricing and turn around certainly looks reasonable. I'm interested in having my Stingray milled.

Maybe read their Facebook reviews first.
I sent them a slide. USPS tracking said they got it Feb 26. I finally got it back April 12. Not at all the 2-3 weeks they said. Their communication in that time was terrible; they won’t answer the phone, or return calls or emails.

The price was good and the work seems good too, but I was starting to think I’d need to buy a new slide. I had them mill for an EPS Carry, which fits well. The cut is so tight that a Romeo X won’t fit, even though it’s supposed to be the same cut.
My slide was cut for an LPS adjustable sight, so they had to cut deep. It’s so deep that there’s no way to make a BUIS work. I like it so far.

[Sensei]

A couple of thoughts about milling - deep, tight cuts where the optic body is fitted into the pistol may prevent you from using other optic brands with the same footprint. For example, someone on another forum mentioned that there Romeo-X Compact wouldn’t fit into milled area for a Holosun that shared the RMSc footprint because the geometry of the slide walls around the optic. Thus, milling may marry your gun to one or 2 optics; not just a footprint. Rear sight options also seem to be more limited.

Thus, I’m leaning towards a plate system for my DW Specialist. Here are some options that I’m considering that have the ability to convert back to non-optic configuration:
1) NH IOS: The most expensive retrofit plate system at roughly 800-1000K but very elegant and secure. NH is a known entity with minimal risk of a hack job.
2) Dawson Precision Optic (DPO) system: https://dscgunworks.com/ This guy can retrofit your 1911/2011 with the DPO found on Stacatto pistols. Dawson Precision is a well known entity. A mid-tier price at $350-450 for the cut plus cerakote the cut area only
3) Atlas Plate System with the slide milled by Green Tick Tactical. Similar price point to the DPO/DSC. Not sure if Atlas will be around in 20 years to provide plate.

I think that Wilson has a system that they can retrofit to a 1911.

[Elwin]

Just curious, why no consideration of the Chambers/Charyn plates?

The potential problem with a direct mill makes sense. One of the vaunted advantages of direct milling is the optic being tightly hemmed in front and back by slide material. If it’s that tight, I’m not surprised to hear that optics of the same footprint may not fit.

[Norther]

No, my Romeo X Compact won’t fit into the footprint milled for an EPS Carry, but it is so low that the dot height is just about identical with the original sights, which is exactly what I wanted. And it’s so close to fitting that if I really wanted it to I am confident that I could remove the 0.010” necessary either off the slide or the sight or both to make it happen. I mostly only wanted to because the rear sight on the Romeo is better, but once I realized that I’d have to change the front to something impossibly short for it to zero I decided against it. I’ll just remove the front sight.

[Sensei]

Just curious, why no consideration of the Chambers/Charyn plates?

The potential problem with a direct mill makes sense. One of the vaunted advantages of direct milling is the optic being tightly hemmed in front and back by slide material. If it’s that tight, I’m not surprised to hear that optics of the same footprint may not fit.

I’ve considered them. There are a couple of limitations to the chambers system:
1) There is no plate to convert the gun back to standard irons like in the IOS, DPO, and Atlas systems
2) All of the Chambers plates are BUI forward of the optic and their ACRO cut has no BUI option. I generally prefer a BUI behind the optic and recognize that this is a limitation with most of the IOS plates.

I suppose that I should mention WC’s True Zero plate system. It looks to sit a little higher, but is probably a great option for the EDC X9 and other external extractor guns that cannot get the IOS.

[HeavyDuty]

No, my Romeo X Compact won’t fit into the footprint milled for an EPS Carry, but it is so low that the dot height is just about identical with the original sights, which is exactly what I wanted. And it’s so close to fitting that if I really wanted it to I am confident that I could remove the 0.010” necessary either off the slide or the sight or both to make it happen. I mostly only wanted to because the rear sight on the Romeo is better, but once I realized that I’d have to change the front to something impossibly short for it to zero I decided against it. I’ll just remove the front sight.

That’s unfortunate - I was convinced a Romeo-X Compact wouldn't fit my LTT 92C’s EPS plate, but I looked at it under magnification with good light and found it pressed right in. The curved end makes exact positioning essential.

[Elwin]

No, my Romeo X Compact won’t fit into the footprint milled for an EPS Carry, but it is so low that the dot height is just about identical with the original sights, which is exactly what I wanted. And it’s so close to fitting that if I really wanted it to I am confident that I could remove the 0.010” necessary either off the slide or the sight or both to make it happen. I mostly only wanted to because the rear sight on the Romeo is better, but once I realized that I’d have to change the front to something impossibly short for it to zero I decided against it. I’ll just remove the front sight.

I have a similar setup on two guns with a very low direct milled EPS Carry that requires a very short front sight. I just filed on plain black front sights to get them zeroed with the EPS rear "sight." I wouldn't say it's impossibly low, just vestigial, which is fine for backup irons.

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[Norther]

I could try that. At least I wouldn’t have an empty dovetail. The sight on it is a narrow fiber optic, but I’d be cutting it off below the fiber so it could work. I think it would be a little shorter than that though. I have a flat topped slide and the bottom of the window is even with the top.

[Gmac]

2) Dawson Precision Optic (DPO) system: https://dscgunworks.com/ This guy can retrofit your 1911/2011 with the DPO found on Stacatto pistols. Dawson Precision is a well known entity. A mid-tier price at $350-450 for the cut plus cerakote the cut area only.

Interesting. Do you have confirmation the DPO iron sight plate on a Non-Staccato pistol, would still fit? I’d imagine so but I’d be interested in seeing just how well it matches up.

One of the most attractive things about the IOS system is the ability to swap back to irons and still look relatively stock. It’s also a positive about most plate systems from manufacturers that often gets overlooked. I think the ability to return to irons, even if the probability is very low once you embrace MRDS, is very valuable.

[Sensei]

Interesting. Do you have confirmation the DPO iron sight plate on a Non-Staccato pistol, would still fit? I’d imagine so but I’d be interested in seeing just how well it matches up.

One of the most attractive things about the IOS system is the ability to swap back to irons and still look relatively stock. It’s also a positive about most plate systems from manufacturers that often gets overlooked. I think the ability to return to irons, even if the probability is very low once you embrace MRDS, is very valuable.


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Here is a picture of a DPO plate on a Dan Wesson ECO that has been milled from the gunsmith’s website. I don’t see a reason why the irons plate wouldn’t also fit.

[HeavyDuty]

I’m very happy with how my SIG 1911X-FULL is working out, so I decided to send my most frequently carried 9mm 1911 to CHWPS to direct mill for a Romeo-X Compact - a Ruger Officers. Let’s see how the front sight height works out, I removed a Dawson FO front that worked with the Wilson adjustable rear I mounted and suspect I’ll need to go lower than that.

[HeavyDuty]

The Officers slide is back from CHWPS and the threadlocker is curing - a Romeo-X Compact mounted right up. I think I’m going to be looking at a very low front blade on this one, I laser aligned the dot and the front is really high. I’ll file on a spare front I have and see how it goes.

[HeavyDuty]

I never thought I’d say this, but the CHWPS direct cut for the Romeo-X Compact may actually be too low to support practical backup irons. The front was temporarily left high subject to shooting in, I’ll clean it up after the final height is determined. It will probably be 0.060” or so when all is said and done, it’s about 0.080” right now. The milling was perfect, and the work was very clean with no damage to the rest of the slide finish. Gorgeous work.

I wonder if I should stick a shim under the RDO?

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[TOTS]

I never thought I’d say this, but the CHWPS direct cut for the Romeo-X Compact may actually be too low to support practical backup irons. The front was temporarily left high subject to shooting in, I’ll clean it up after the final height is determined. It will probably be 0.060” or so when all is said and done, it’s about 0.080” right now. The milling was perfect, and the work was very clean with no damage to the rest of the slide finish. Gorgeous work.

I wonder if I should stick a shim under the RDO?

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Looks great. Im very seriously considering doing this to my DW.

[HeavyDuty]

Looks great. Im very seriously considering doing this to my DW.

I’m hoping I was way off on calculating the front sight height and I can replace it with something bigger than a booger. I can live with it no matter how it turns out, though.

CHWPS was great to deal with, fast and the work is immaculate.

[CSW]

About two years ago I had CHPWS mill my commander sized Springfield for a direct mount RMRcc. It's been bulletproof, and even with a yearly dismount for batteries, and a hot blue refinish, the mount has been solid and true.

Because they milled out the rear sight, I've installed the PMM independent into the optic, and installed an appropriate front sight, which was a special order from Dawson.

https://chpws.com/product/pmm-independent-drop-in-rear-sight-idrs-for-trijicon-rmr/


The whole setup has been stellar.

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[theJanitor]

I never thought I’d say this, but the CHWPS direct cut for the Romeo-X Compact may actually be too low to support practical backup irons. The front was temporarily left high subject to shooting in, I’ll clean it up after the final height is determined. It will probably be 0.060” or so when all is said and done, it’s about 0.080” right now. The milling was perfect, and the work was very clean with no damage to the rest of the slide finish. Gorgeous work.

I wonder if I should stick a shim under the RDO?

120575

What's special about the Sig1911 that allows them to have regular sights?

[HeavyDuty]

About two years ago I had CHPWS mill my commander sized Springfield for a direct mount RMRcc. It's been bulletproof, and even with a yearly dismount for batteries, and a hot blue refinish, the mount has been solid and true.

Because they milled out the rear sight, I've installed the PMM independent into the optic, and installed an appropriate front sight, which was a special order from Dawson.

https://chpws.com/product/pmm-independent-drop-in-rear-sight-idrs-for-trijicon-rmr/


The whole setup has been stellar.

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I’m slightly regretting not having them cut this for a RMRcc, I really like the IDRS sights I have in a few Glocks. If I do another, I may go that route.

[Tokarev]

I never thought I’d say this, but the CHWPS direct cut for the Romeo-X Compact may actually be too low to support practical backup irons. The front was temporarily left high subject to shooting in, I’ll clean it up after the final height is determined. It will probably be 0.060” or so when all is said and done, it’s about 0.080” right now. The milling was perfect, and the work was very clean with no damage to the rest of the slide finish. Gorgeous work.

I wonder if I should stick a shim under the RDO?

120575This is why I ended up having my Girsan milled for plates. That gun, as shipped, came milled for an RMSc. The rear iron sight was part of the optic cover plate and came off with plate. Using an EPS Carry with its built-in rear sight wasn't practical because the rear sight was way too low and not intended for use on a 1911.

One option may have been to have the area in front of the optic cut for a Glock 43 rear sight. You may want to see if someone like DSC can do this on your Ruger. Otherwise you're going to need a front sight about as tall as an original front sight from 100 years ago....

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[Tokarev]

What's special about the Sig1911 that allows them to have regular sights?Nothing, really, other than making the slide optic ready from the start by setting the rear sight dovetail farther back on the slide. That and using the RMSc Holosun K pattern that's got a very low deck height.

I'd guess essentially the same setup could be done with a bald Caspian slide since there's no existing Novak rear sight cut to machine away for the optic install.

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[Exiledviking]

Next week I'm shipping my Guncrafter .50GI 1911 slide off to Impact Machine in Louisiana to be milled for a SRO and to be coated in black DLC. I'm going with the "race cut", no rear sight as this is purely a competition and fun gun. A gratuitous "before" pic of the pistol included.120657

[Tokarev]

Next week I'm shipping my Guncrafter .50GI 1911 slide off to Impact Machine in Louisiana to be milled for a SRO and to be coated in black DLC. I'm going with the "race cut", no rear sight as this is purely a competition and fun gun. A gratuitous "before" pic of the pistol included.120657What's he using for plates? His own design or an existing setup?

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[Exiledviking]

What's he using for plates? His own design or an existing setup?

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His own design. From what I've seen on Instagram, it looks well executed and provides a snug fit.

[Tokarev]

What's special about the Sig1911 that allows them to have regular sights?Here's a Staccato that's milled for a Holosun. Note the use of more traditional height irons. In fact the sights pictured here could be lowered a bit.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240705/124355817109e987e06c3511e2b736b7.jpg

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[theJanitor]

Here's a Staccato that's milled for a Holosun. Note the use of more traditional height irons. In fact the sights pictured here could be lowered a bit.

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Gotcha, But the Sig uses the Sig optic, just like HD, but they have normal height irons. Is CHPWS milling the slide too low for the SIG optic?

[HeavyDuty]

Too low only if you’re trying to use the built-in BUIS that the non-enclosed Romeo-X Compact has. I’m wondering if I have enough room behind the RDO for a Glock-style rear dovetail.

[Tokarev]

Too low only if you’re trying to use the built-in BUIS that the non-enclosed Romeo-X Compact has. I’m wondering if I have enough room behind the RDO for a Glock-style rear dovetail.

I don't think the rear sight on the Holosun Carry would be tall enough to work with any of the usual .200-ish" tall 1911 fronts. Not with the optic recessed into the slide by any amount, anyway. The SIG rear sight is a little taller but not by much.

The only way it might work would be if Holosun or SIG made some sort of gunsmith blank rear sight that could be machined to an acceptable height after the optic had been installed.



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[theJanitor]

I don't think the rear sight on the Holosun Carry would be tall enough to work with any of the usual .200-ish" tall 1911 fronts. Not with the optic recessed into the slide by any amount, anyway. The SIG rear sight is a little taller but not by much.

The only way it might work would be if Holosun or SIG made some sort of gunsmith blank rear sight that could be machined to an acceptable height after the optic had been installed.



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i saw this on the addicts forum. Holy cow that's low:

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[Tokarev]

Here are a few pics that hopefully help show just how tall a built-in rear sight would need to be or how high the optic would need to be mounted.

I didn't bother measuring the height of the front sight but would guess it to be about .185" tall.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240705/0e778c4ab456a04da2eda1c159cba7e2.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240705/66acda1770953d06f3c80fcd84019927.jpg

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[HeavyDuty]

I ended up sending the Officers back to CHWPS to be recut for a RMRcc - the RomeoX Compact was just too low to have a usable front sight. It came back yesterday and I stuck the old front sight back on to sight in and see what height I need to work with the PMM IDRS, I’ll go with plain black.

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[js475]

I see Dual Hammer Industries is now offering an IOS cut on their website. No pictures on their webpage, but I'm assuming this is Nighthawk's IOS? This is in addition to the Staccato DPO cuts they've been offering. I wonder if Nighthawk licensed their design to them or they otherwise got permission to use the IOS cut. If so this would be awesome, as I really love the IOS cut I have on one of my 1911s, but the cost and lead time from Nighthawk were a tough pill to swallow.

[Sensei]

I see Dual Hammer Industries is now offering an IOS cut on their website. No pictures on their webpage, but I'm assuming this is Nighthawk's IOS? This is in addition to the Staccato DPO cuts they've been offering. I wonder if Nighthawk licensed their design to them or they otherwise got permission to use the IOS cut. If so this would be awesome, as I really love the IOS cut I have on one of my 1911s, but the cost and lead time from Nighthawk were a tough pill to swallow.

I reached out to Dual Hammer Industries and confirmed that the cut is identical to that offered by NH Custom. I did not ask about licensing arrangements with NH Custom. Here are pictures that they sent of their work:

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[Tokarev]

cost and lead time from Nighthawk were a tough pill to swallow.



Speaking of price there's conflicting info on the NH site. One area indicates it is $350 while another area says $450. Maybe one is price for the work purchased with a pistol and the other is price after the fact?



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[Gmac]

I reached out to Dual Hammer Industries and confirmed that the cut is identical to that offered by NH Custom. I did not ask about licensing arrangements with NH Custom. Here are pictures that they sent of their work.

Did they mention if their cut also retains the ability to go back to irons as well? I’d assume so, but it’s worth asking.

Also interesting their page says it requires you to send in the optic.

[Sensei]

Did they mention if their cut also retains the ability to go back to irons as well? I’d assume so, but it’s worth asking.

Also interesting their page says it requires you to send in the optic.

Didn’t ask, but it should fit all IOS plates if it’s identical to the NH cut.

[Tokarev]

This is from AB Prototype:

At the moment AOS is being offered by request only. It really depends on the current slide you have and the rear sight configuration.

The AOS Prodigy cut can be milled into slides with Bomar, Novak and A1 rear sights. Other rear sights may not leave enough material. Also we cannot mill 80 series slides.

Let us know.

Thank you.

AB Prototype, LLC.
07 FFL/Class 3 SOT
Oak Ridge, TN.
contact@abprototype.com
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www.abprototype.com

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[maximus83]

I'm looking to get my C&S custom 9mm commander (series 70) fitted with an optic plate system. Mounting RDS on a 1911 is a whole new ball game for me, could use some input from others here who've done it or at least checked into it. What I'm looking for is a full solution where I send my slide, they mill and fit the plate (I'll probably go with RMSc footprint), mount sights at the right height to low-witness, and refinish the slide.

Reading up on this and other threads, I see 3 plate-based systems that look super interesting:

Nighthawk IOS
Springfield AOS
Chambers Custom


Apart from cost, can folks who've compared these help sort out what are the significant differences, or pros/cons, between them?

[theJanitor]

On a pistol that can no longer be replicated by C&S, my opinion would be to utilize a system that allows for a return to iron sights, like the Nighthawk IOS

[Tokarev]

I've no experience with this company but I like that they're making their own version of the old original RMR plate. Maybe they'll consider making plates for the 509T or ACRO that fit into this slide cut.


https://youtu.be/juTQh_hFw6U?si=iL9Ou054SdkhAEMd

This video is a year old so apologies if we've already seen it and/or I've already linked it. I'm pretty sure I've seen it before but it popped up today on my YouTube for whatever reason.

[Sensei]

Did they mention if their cut also retains the ability to go back to irons as well? I’d assume so, but it’s worth asking.

Also interesting their page says it requires you to send in the optic.

I reached back out to Dual Hammer to clarify these points. It’s been a couple of days and I may not get a response until after the holiday. Their website is a bit confusing. The Dual Hammer price for an IOS cut + DLC coating is $370 - roughly 1/3 of what NH Custom charges at $977. However, the quote from NH clearly specifies that the work includes a cover plate with Novak rear dovetail and 1 IOS plate. I’d put the value of the cover plate as roughly the same as an IOS plate which is $150. Thus, the Dual Hammer cost is more like 2/3 of NH Custom if you factor in the cost of an IOS plate and value of an irons cover plate. Then, there is the fact that a NH Custom cut carries the full faith and backing of their company.

[Sensei]

Speaking of price there's conflicting info on the NH site. One area indicates it is $350 while another area says $450. Maybe one is price for the work purchased with a pistol and the other is price after the fact?



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NH quoted me $450 for the retrofit IOS cut. That includes a cover plate with rear Novak sight cut; the owner must add the sight which is $30-100. NH charges a premium for DLC finishing of the slide at $275 which is at least $150 more than any other optics cut quote that I received. For example, Dual Hammer advertises $120 for DLC refinishing after an optics cut and Green Tick was only $85.

NH also charges $70 to “test fire and zero” regardless if you’re supplying an optic. If I’m just supplying a slide and not supplying the optic, I have no idea how they are “test firing” or what they are zeroing. Of course, add in a ton more in shipping and insurance if they are making you ship them the whole gun for their test fire and zero. Then, each plate is $150. Before you know it, it’s $978 - minimum. The NH cut would be a no brainer if their DLC was no more than $150 and they omitted the charges to “test fire and zero.”

I went with the Altas Gunworks cut from Green Tick. Just the cut and DLC refinish of the slide was $211 with tax. Altas plates are $90 for an optic and $110 for a fixed sight cover plate. That is $410 for the Atlas cut, DLC refinish, 1 optic plate, and 1 fixed sight cover plate. I can test fire and zero the gun myself.

[Sensei]

***Atlas***

I don’t know what the hell autocorrect was thinking.

[Sensei]

Just an update and a potential problem. I got a call from Green Tick Tactical that the milling was done on my slide but they were having issues with their DLC refinishing provider. Specifically, the company wanted them to ship the slides to a facility in Chicago rather than continue to use a local facility. They’ve had my slide for a month.

Green Tick has offered Cerakote or leave it in the glass beaded stainless steel condition with a discount in price. Alternatively, they can keep the slide while they try and sort out a deal with a new or the existing DLC applier. I told them to keep the slide for now and try to find a new DLC provider since I have no immediate need for the gun and the major reason for going with Green Tick was their ability to do the Atlas Cut and DLC refinish.

Normally, I would take this in stride and most post anything for a couple of weeks so the GT has a chance to get it right. However, I just checked on their website and Green Tick is still advertising DLC without caveats. Be sure to contact them to verify their ability to DLC if you want that service.

[Exiledviking]

Looking at this thread I realized that I did not post pictures of my .50GI No. 2 Guncrafter after it came back from Impact Machine in Louisiana. Excellent work. 129542