View Full Version : Dawson Rail- I have one. Now what?
My Dawson rail came in. It's going on a SA Loaded (9109L.)
I don't recall seeing instructions. What do I do to install it?
I'll test fit it, etc. but as far as placing it securely while I drill, any advice or tips?
Dave? You out there?
What I plan to do is center it and snug it up against the trigger guard in a vise with hard pads so I don't mar the frame. I'd like to get something else in on each side of the rail to hold it centered.
Or, should I use a little Glue of some sort to temporarily hold the rail where I want it and when it sets up THEN start marking holes?
And, what's a good way to ensure that when I mark the hole positions by going through the holes in the rail that I am centered? A center punch is much smaller than the holes and I'm sure someone knows a good way to center the punch in the hole...
Thanks in advance!
Joe
pay someone to install it
Really? And what is your charge? :p
Seriously though, do you do that? And I know these are tools, but mine is pretty and needs to stay that way for awhile. I don't want it coming back looking like that RRA!! Not that it would, but I wanted to be funny. Sorry...
;)
I can do anything to mine, or my friends 1911s, but I wont touch a customers. :D
No? I would ask Dave but I think he said he prefers soldering and refinishing. I read an article that stated the Marines' pistols don't have problems or failures just using screws...
What about sending it to Dawson and having them install it?
Anyone know the cost?
You think that's the best way to go?
Anyone know the cost?
You think that's the best way to go?
It's what I would do. It's their rail and I'm sure they are the most qualified to install it. Where did you get just the rail from?
Straight from Dawson. I just threw an email their way asking about an install.
I'm getting an X200A from a member here that has the Dawson adapter and G18 switch. I contacted SF and they are sending me a free standard adapter. Nice CS with those people!
Dave Berryhill
12-12-06, 13:23
...You think that's the best way to go?
They've probably installed a few and should know how to do it. ;)
To do it yourself, a mill with a digital readout would be my first choice. You could also clamp the rail in place, mark the hole locations with a transfer punch and then carefully drill the holes with a drill press.
Transfer Punch? I think that's what I'm looking for! Didn't think to go to Harbor Freight and search for punch to see if they have what I thought I needed.
That's exactly what I was envisioning as the tool needed to do this.
I have a drill press with a good vice and a decent set of taps. I may buy a new nice tap for this app. I put the UF AK together. I hope *cross my fingers* I can drill and tap three holes.
Thanks Dave.
They've probably installed a few and should know how to do it. ;)
To do it yourself, a mill with a digital readout would be my first choice. You could also clamp the rail in place, mark the hole locations with a transfer punch and then carefully drill the holes with a drill press.
Dave Berryhill
12-12-06, 14:48
Drilling and tapping 3 holes is easy. Drilling them straight and in the proper location takes a little more skill. :D
That's why I'm going to have 12 red and 6 green lasers going at the same time to keep everything straight and level!!
i think dawson gives an install price on their site... like $45
http://www.dawsonprecision.com/ProductDetail.jsp?LISTID=1C90000-1093364740
HEY! Didn't I tell you to go to Harbor Freight and pick me up those transfer punches!!??!? :mad:
HEY! Didn't I tell you to go to Harbor Freight and pick me up those transfer punches!!??!? :mad:
with friends like Joe, who needs enemies! :D
Pistolwrench tells me that the #28 drill bit will work as a nice transfer punch. He affirmed that the JB Weld will make a good bedding compound and to mark and drill the first hole, tap and then install the screw before trying the others. I had pretty much imagined this as the best way but I had to ask the pros BEFORE as opposed to AFTER.
Dave Berryhill
12-12-06, 19:14
HEY! Didn't I tell you to go to Harbor Freight and pick me up those transfer punches!!??!? :mad:
Are the voices talking to you again? :eek:
No, I was talking to DamnYank. He lives about 2 miles from my office and was supposed to be a good friend and go pick those up. Well, maybe not supposed to but I *told* him to :D
Update: It's installed. Not perfect but I really didn't spend too much time on it.
http://suicidehz.zoto.com/img/640x480x1/95fe2bc1d023c05fd631a0cb186b3372-.jpg
http://cwhorley.zoto.com/img/1024x768x1/47b413adb86c9c83918677fb5ad042f0-.jpg
http://cwhorley.zoto.com/img/1024x768x1/db936251a88ea6106769162b9e0b3e4c-.jpg
I have been considering getting a rail from either Dawson or Novak, and using my carry 1911 as a "2 in 1" gun. Carry during the day, at home screw on the rail and attach the light. How difficult would it be to do this, aside from the time involved? Or am I better off having a dedicated house gun?
Paulee- I wouldn't even consider that as an option. To begin with, I feel that installing the rail correctly requires more than just screwing it on- something permanent. Also, you have to consider the size of the screws and how much of the dustcover is actually threaded. I wouldn't want to risk stripping those threads. Finally, the screws protruded a little too far into the dustcover and they had to be ground flush from the inside.
I haven't gotten around to testing holsters but the Dawson was designed to fit quite a bit of standard 1911 holsters.
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