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Need some input from 1911 aficionado's.

I have Colt SS XSE Gvt 1911. I want to put some night sights on it. What night sights would you recommend?

Second question. What after market 1911 magazines do you guys recommend? Looking for 8 round mags. I've heard of Wilson 47D and Chip McCormick power mag. These any good? Any other to be considered?

Thanks for the help!

Those are good mags. I like the Mecgars as well.

I Really Like All.The 47d Mags I Have.

Heinie straight eight night sights or a 10-8 rear with a night sight front.
Tripp cobra mags then the 47d mag

Novak,Heinie,10-8,47d

Novak, 47D

Reno

These days I like ACT-MAG; I think they make the best. They make factory magazines for S&W and Novak.

As for sights, the XSE has Faux-vak's (fake Novak's), so the dovetail is already chosen for you. So either someone elses Faux-vak's, or go to Novak.

I had a set of Novak adjustable night sights installed on my Commander. I highly recommend them.

I also have the Novac adjustable Night Sights on my full size Govt. model 1911. Great Sights!

For mags, I use the Wilson 8 rounders for every day carry, & I use the Chip McCormic 8 & 10 rounders Power mags for Competition & Hog hunting.

The Heine Straight Eight Night Sights are also awesome! I have those installed on several of my Glocks.

I've had great luck with Wilson 47D and 47DCs. Probably the one I would pick if I could only have one.

yes and yes!

Thanks guys for all the help.

Next question. If I want to use my 1911 as ccw, what would I need to do or have done to it to make it reliable for this role?

For magazines in my 1911s I use Chip McCormick except in my 9mm I use Colt. Have one 1911 style handgun with night sights and they are Trijcon, came on the pistol that way from the factory.

Those mags are good

If the gun is reliable then it will work for ccw. If you are buying new mags, number them and shoot a lot. Only use the mags that are reliable. I have Tripp, Wilson and mcCormick and all are good, the Act mags are good and less expensive. A good holster is a must for a CCW 1911. Personally too heavy and big for me.

We use Metalform with the convex follower, almost exclusively in Bullseye.

I don't know who is actually making them, but the 8-round mag that came with my Ruger 1911 has always worked perfectly. It has the hybrid lip style just like the current Colt-spec 7-round mags and it has the bump on the mag follower that is missing from so many other 1911 mags (this is important, and in the original design for a reason). I have a collection of ACT-Mags and Novaks that work well, except for the occasional hiccup on the last round. They came with smooth followers, but I am gradually changing that - and it makes the difference.



Is it not reliable now? What problems are you seeing?

Too many people think that a 1911 needs modifications without ever determining if the one they have is already working right - or determining the reason that it isn't. You can easily introduce your own problems by "fixing" what ain't broke.

eta: Let's assume your gun is working right now. The best thing you can do for future reliability is to learn how the 1911 works, and what symptoms indicate which issues should be looked at. For starters...You should know when a magazine problem is likely the issue and how to check for that. You should know how to check extractor tension and other extractor issues. Those are the two most common sources of problems, and also the easiest to fix.

Resist the urge to remove internal metal in any amount with any tool. If it is truly needed (which should be verified by proper reference - not hearsay), it should be done by someone with the proper tools and knowledge.

Oh - and of course, you should be keeping the gun clean and lubed (figured you already know that).