TargetTalk

My local gun shop, where I purchased my 1911, "strongly discourages" mounting a Tasco PDP2 red dot on the slide of my Springfield 1911 .45. (Drill and tap the hood for a weaver scope base)
He says it will shorten the life and cause malfunctions.
The guys in the Bullseye club I shoot with routinely mount this type of red dot to the slide of their 1911's.
I also reload my own rounds and currently I'm shooting 4.0 grains of clays under a 200gr SWC with the stock recoil spring and iron sights.
I am looking forward to your opinions.
Thank you.

HI

If I remember correctly, Clark makes a full length rib that has the slots for weaver rings.

http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/1911dtl.htm#clarkslide

Found it.

Using a do sight WILL cause malfunctions... until you work up the right load. I think that a safe way to work out a workable solution will involve getting the dot sight mounted, ordering a spring set including a bunch of light springs, and working your way down in strength until the gun cycles.

If I'm wrong (I still shoot irons), I'm sure that you'll find out when everyone gets back from Perry.

Mike
Wichita KS

I've had one mounted on the slide for years and 10s of 1000s of rounds.

Try to use a fairly light dot and it will help with function.

Once my load and springs were worked out function is great.

Thank you for your replies.
Assuming the stock spring is 16# and I can load rounds at home (Clays 4.0 under a 200gr SWC now), where would you suggest a starting point may be for the spring / powder combination.
I haven't a clue
The scope weighs 5.5 oz. plus the alum. scope mount.

I would try with what you have.
watch where the brass fly. If they do...
It may have trouble ejecting and you may need to go lighter in the spring but maybe not..
I'm not familliar of the power of the clays load compared to my bullseye loads.
I have a slide mounted dot and I can't remember exactly the spring weight I am using but I think its a 13# spring.
I have been shooting 200gr swcl with 4-4.2gr Bullseye.
its been functioning fine.

I have used 4.2-4.6 of WW231 and have an 11-12# spring. The wire diameter is .041".

Hope this helps some.

Thanks to every one who replied. The info was very helpful.
Looks like I'll have a little fun experimenting this weekend.

I think the extra weight of the Tasco is one of the reasons that many folks seem to prefer the Ultra Dot. The UD is 3.8 oz.

Put 'er on and shoot---you shouldn't have any problems. "Doc"

I have the Docter Optic red dot mounted on the slide of a S&W 945. I have shot ca. 3500 rounds through it without any problems.