Why do so many 1911's have a ramped rear sight?

[Ron3]

Why have a ramp on the front edge of the rear sight?

All that seems to accomplish is prevent the user from using alternative methods to rack the slide in an emergency.

Just aesthetics? Instead of a potentially life-saving feature rear sight makers and gun builders choose aesthetics?

[Hound_va]

Why have a ramp on the front edge of the rear sight?

All that seems to accomplish is prevent the user from using alternative methods to rack the slide in an emergency.

Just aesthetics? Instead of a potentially life-saving feature rear sight makers and gun builders choose aesthetics?

30 years ago marketing folks pushed the "snag free rear sight" as a potentially life saving feature of the day as it didn't snag or impede the draw. Move forward 30 years, and marketing folks are now pushing the "rack your slide using the rear sight off a boot, belt, or post" as a potentially life saving feature every operator must have. Knowing how to utilize ones equipment is a little less dramatic and harder for marketing folks to capitalize on to increase sales.

[Gary1911A1]

I remembered they were marketed as being able to clear a "smokestack" malfunction without tearing up your weak hand.

[Ron3]

I remembered they were marketed as being able to clear a "smokestack" malfunction without tearing up your weak hand.

Interesting. Hadn't heard that one.

[Delta-3]

IIRC (I'm usually wrong) I believe Novak started that sloped rear sight back in the day with his brand of 1911 sights. I can see the benefit of being able to rack the slide with the rear sight as was mentioned above. I think it may only come into play in a narrow window of circumstances but if you need it, you need it. It's my contention that you can also rack the slide if need be using the front sight as easy as the rear. (not off your belt I suppose) Maybe not optimum but necessity dictates getting your gun back into play & either sight is usable.

[CPM]

The amount of money and gear thrown at the 1% of scenarios by folks that can’t handle the other 99% when faced with any sort of stress multiplier is unreal.

[ggammell]

The amount of money and gear thrown at the 1% of scenarios by folks that can’t handle the other 99% when faced with any sort of stress multiplier is unreal.

A reading from the Gospel of CPM!

Big facts here man.

[Ron3]

The amount of money and gear thrown at the 1% of scenarios by folks that can’t handle the other 99% when faced with any sort of stress multiplier is unreal.

Plenty of video evidence of pistols ending up out of battery during a fight while forced to use one-handed. It happens.

Why not use a different rear sight that does everything the ramped sight does with addition of one-handed racking capability?

Yes I do practice this function.

[Arik]

Plenty of video evidence of pistols ending up out of battery during a fight while forced to use one-handed. It happens.

Why not use a different rear sight that does everything the ramped sight does with addition of one-handed racking capability?

Yes I do practice this function.

I thought you carried a Beretta bobcat? They have sights capable of being used to charge the gun?

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[Ron3]

I thought you carried a Beretta bobcat? They have sights capable of being used to charge the gun?

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I carry a Cheetah and Bobcat together often.

But sometimes an LCR .327 and the Bobcat.

Neither can be charged that way, unfortunately. Both take too much energy to pull back due to their blowback operation. (Well, the Cheetah can but barely. It isnt easy)

But I'll do it at home along with a little dry fire with a CZ-P01 and M&P 2.0 full size .45 I have.

I wish I would have bought a DW Guardian .38S to try out but now I've missed two batches of them. Wish they had a light rail though. And were optic ready.

That's what got me thinking about the rear sights on 1911 and why they often have that ramp.