scope or open sights?

[shark]

i picked a used 1911 got a good deal on it so i figured i would add some high performance parts to it. dont really know if i made the right choices.i dont shoot competion just for fun.heres what i added,wolf 18.5springs,ed brown perfection sear,ed brown hardcore match hammer,ed brown safty,ed brown barrel link,videkis speed trigger,dave clark extended compensated barrel, wilson mag well&main spring housing,wilson beaver tail,wilson slide release.i did all the gun smithing(bought a book).the gun shoots great but the sights are really lacking, the compensator has front post and its huge, it blocks my target at 20yrd and further.b-square and some other companys have scope mounts, but i would like some imput before i go any further.im going to try to down load a pic of the gun and first target, it was about 20yrds. thanks for any help! the gun and target can be seen inmy personal gallary sorry about the low res . thanks again![/img]

[Mikey]

shark, that is the question (LOL).  That 1911 you picked up is certainly loaded with a whole big buncha goodies, including that compensated barrel.  Is that compensator fixed on the barrel or just screwed on???  If it is, with an 18.5 lb recoil spring, unless you are shooting the type of competition that requires comped barrels, you may wish to shuck it in favor of another compensator with a smaller profile.

I comped up a Gold Cup once and had to shop around for a double slotted compensator that would not interfere with my factory Gold Cup sights.  It was worth it - I think I got a parts list from Layne Simpsons book on building your own match 45.  The compensator I used replaced the barrel bushing and was not screwed to or fixed to the barrel.  If you did all the 'smithin', then you would know about that compensator and if you have the 'book', then there may be another selection for you without your having to go the expense of a scope mount, etc.  HTH.  Mikey.

[shark]

mikey,thanks for your input.the compensator is a screw on single port with a set screw to keep it from moving.the comp does follow the profile of slide top, its the front blade its tall and wider than the stock one on the slide.i supose i could machine off the blade (on the comp)or get a new one ,but the stock sights leave alot to be desired.also if i dont loc-tite the set screw its loose after the first shot.what kind of accuracy should i expect from this rig,i dont know if you checked my pic with the target(its in my personal gallory you have wait afew then click to enlarge it).thanks again for your input ill let you know what i do .ROB[/img]

[Mikey]

shark:  your rig should get you groups under two inches at 25 yds with hardball, or better with tuned target loads.

If that compensator is a screw on with a retaining nut I might (were it mine) chuck it for a dual (or single) port compensator that attaches to the slide and allows complete barrel pass through - either way, you accuracy should remain the same.  

If the sights on the slide are not all that good for you (and I thought they may be Gold Cup sights or another target version), you may wish to put a different set of sights on.  

When I comped my Gold Cup the compensator I used allowed full usage of the slide mounted sights without any interference in sight picture.  That made it pretty handy for quick woods shots as well as providing for open sights for longer shots.  

Good luck and I HTH.  Mikey.