1911s and Red Dots: Pros and Cons
No one is going to argue that John M. Browning very nearly invented the perfect pistol when he released the 1911. However, the pistol was born more than 100 years ago. In case you missed it, we’ve developed a lot of technology since then. And plenty of that technology can increase the effectiveness of your 1911. One way is to get a red dot for your 1911. That will necessitate a custom gun holster, though. In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into 1911s, red dots, and holsters.
Do I Need a Red Dot for My 1911?
Plenty of 1911 owners (especially old-school shooters) look at red dots with disdain. They see them as “cheating.” After all, if you can’t hit your target with irons, you probably need more practice instead of a fancy optic, right?
Wrong. Don’t get us wrong, there’s definitely a time and a place for iron sights. For one, you never have to worry about your battery dying. Iron sights are also significantly cheaper, since your gun will have them installed when you have them.
That’s where the advantages end, though. When shooting with irons, you need to focus on your front sight rather than your target itself. When shooting through a red dot, in contrast, you can focus entirely on your target. In addition, using irons requires you to close one eye. That can seriously impact your total sight picture by reducing your peripheral vision. When using a red dot, you can keep both eyes open, improving your overall awareness.
As a result, iron sights are a great backup for a 1911 red dot. But if you really want to take your shooting to the next level, you should consider upgrading to a red dot.
How do I Add a Red Dot to My 1911?
Before you get started adding a red dot to your 1911, you’ll need to pick out which red dot works best for you. Trijicon, Vortex, SIG, and Leupold all make great glass for 1911s.
Next, you’ll need to make some changes to your 1911. That isn’t a very difficult task - for a professional gunsmith, that is. To do it, you’ll need to mill out the slide of your 1911 to your red dot’s specific footprint. This is definitely something you don’t want to try on your own without experience. Once the milling is done, adding the red dot to the slide is a simple screw job.
How Will Adding a Red Dot Change my Custom Gun Holster?
There’s one last thing you’ll need to consider when looking at a red dot for your 1911: your gun holster. Chances are, you’re going to need to find a custom gun holster for your 1911 if you use a red dot.
This actually doesn’t need to be that much of a hassle, though. At Southern Trapper, we’ve crafted countless custom gun holsters for 1911s with red dots. We can make a rugged custom holster out of stylish alligator leather that will never let you down.
What are you waiting for? Check out our complete selection of custom 1911 gun holsters to get started.
