The 2 Best Ruger SR1911 Sights — Reviews 2023

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Photo by Eddie / CC BY

Long known for their revolvers, as well as various semi-auto pistols, it was only after Bill Ruger’s death that Sturm, Ruger & Company started building guns other than their own designs. One such gun is their incarnation of the venerable Model 1911 .45 automatic. As is common with Ruger, their SR 1911 makes much use of both cast and machined parts (like the stainless steel frame) and MIM (Metal Injection Molding) casting (like some of the internal parts).

The Ruger 1911 also uses slightly modified Novak style sights. In fact, Novak designed the sights for Ruger, so you already know you are starting off with a good set of sights. However, what is good and what is “better” are two different things.

To that end, we literally–ok figuratively–scoured the internet in search of the best Ruger SR1911 sights. Then just to be complete, we found a fantastic sight installation tool for you. So sit back, grab a cold one, and check them out!

Truglo TFO

A tritium powered offering at a reasonable price, the Truglo TFO are the best Ruger SR1911 sights on a budget. Designed to fit standard 5” slides with a Novak cut, these low profile, snag free sights are just the ticket if you want something better on your Ruger 1911 and don’t want to spend a ton of dough.

While lacking the “name recognition” of the better known Trijicon, Truglo is no cheap knockoff. Their high quality sights (see full specs) are used on law enforcement and serious competition guns throughout the nation. Some Ruger 1911 owners have reported these sights are a bit of a “tight fit” but that can either be attributed to Ruger’s infamous habit to ship products that are slightly wonky after introduction or with Truglo possibly shipping sights that are slightly oversized to provide as tight a fit as possible. Either way, it’s not a big deal, and you’ll find these sights are more than acceptable.

TruGlo TFO (Tritium Fiber Optic) Sights Review

Burris Fastfire 3 and Fastfire Mount

If you want to shoot faster, be more accurate at close and longer ranges, then you should consider a red dot sight. To mount a red dot sight, you can pay a lot of money to have your slide cut, or you can use a drop in mount system. This Fastfire mounts on any Novak sight base and can be installed very easily. This mount is designed to be specifically used with the Burris Fastfire Red dot sights. The sight mount is well made, easy to install and holds a Fastfire very steadily.

The Burris Fastfire 3 is a very popular red dot optic that has been on the guns of competition shooters for quite some time. The Fastfire 3 system has tool-less windage and elevation adjustments. The battery is accessed through the top of the optic for simplicity sake. The Fastfire 3 has a 3 MOA red dot reticle and makes shooting at extended ranges quite easy compared to iron sights. A red dot is a great aid to those with reduced vision and is the fastest way to get rounds on target, making them among the best Ruger SR1911 sights around.

Burris Fast Fire 3

Sight Master Sight Pusher Tool

After you’ve picked the best Ruger SR 1911 sights, you need a tool to install them. Oh sure, you could pay a gunsmith a lot of money for a few minutes’ work, but if you have more than one handgun you might as well drop the dough and get a Sight Master.

A brilliant bit of design work that uses simple concepts like clamps and screws and physics and such, you’ll wish you had cooked up this seemingly basic yet highly refined design yourself. The apparent advantage of this tool should be pretty obvious. Instead of driving out sights with a mallet and punch, you are pressing them out, which is easier, less stressful on the part, and makes it easier to install slightly oversized sights. A truly elegant solution for a common problem, the Sight Master is a must for any gun owner.

A Few More Words on Sights for Ruger SR1911 Handguns

Early Ruger SR 1911 owners reported failures with the front sight on their guns, sometimes after as few as fifty rounds, demonstrating that the original front sights were not very well built. While Ruger quickly rectified this problem, it called attention to the aftermarket which was quick to provide any number of improved sights.

While Ruger sells its own sight upgrades, including a premium set of Novak sights, the smart consumer shops the open market where prices and selection are cheaper. The most common upgrade is to add night sights, and in fact both sets of sights we examined are night sights. To me, if you have a handgun for anything other than casual range trips, daytime hunting, or competition, night sights are an absolute must. Not only are they critical for self-defense or law enforcement use in low to no light conditions, they also expand the utility of your gun, making it a true combat ready handgun.

Out of the box, the Ruger SR1911 is a superior handgun. It has many features that not too long ago were regarded as “custom” and uses cutting edge manufacturing technology to offer a high grade 1911 at a mid-grade price (mostly because its manufacturing keep costs lower than building the same gun out of traditional forged and machine components, while taking advantage of cutting-edge methods that create high grade parts at lower costs than other more traditional methods).

We are fortunate to live in a golden age of 1911’s, and this is reflected in Ruger’s fine stainless steel offering. With a little effort and a good set of upgraded sights, you’ll find this fantastic 1911 is ready for most anything you might care to do. Ruger’s legacy of making rugged, value added blue collar guns is secure, and with the best Ruger SR1911 sights, it’s ready for anything.

  • Owner of Reloaderaddict.com, Boyd Smith is a major handgun enthusiast, and although he owns Glocks, he prefers the revolving wheel type. His go-to guns are a Smith & Wesson 642 Performance Center for carry and a Ruger GP100 in the nightstand biometric safe (he has kids). He loads both revolvers with old-school 148-grain Federal Gold Medal .38 wadcutters. It’s OK if you think he’s a wimp. Email him.

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One response

  1. Truglo TFO sights for the Ruger LC9S:
    After searching the internet for all nights sights that would fit on a Ruger LC 9S I choose these sights. They are assembled in America, made of steel, swiss tritium inserts, and are visible in daylight and really shine at night! Did I mention the 10-year warranty! OBTW I think that you might consider a review of the Wheeler Professional Sight Installation Tool.
    I have used it on many handguns and found its features are well outweighed by it’s modest price tag. It will pay for itself in just two applications. Compare this to several trips to a gunsmith. Not to mention that you can take it to the range and make final adjustments to your sights if need be! Bottom line I really love these sights from Tru-Glo.

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