I love 1911 handguns. There is something about the short and light trigger that helps me shoot 1911 pistols more precisely than any other pistol platform. Quite simply, the 1911 pistol hits “home” with me. The craftsmanship engineered into a 1911 supersedes other semi-auto pistols by far for me. I enjoy the solid construction and the comfortable shooting with the 1911.
I especially appreciate modern features with the 1911. This is where Springfield Armory shines with cutting-edge technology and user-friendly functions that aids shooters to accurately shoot better than their abilities allow.
Springfield Armory took the bare bones, basic 1911 design and revolutionized it with upgraded grips, sights and more — including the ability to accept optics — to help shooters reach their fullest potential. My history with modern featured 1911’s taught me that my best shooting accuracy is obtained with a modern 1911. But why?
What About Optics on 1911 Pistols?
The feature that might make traditional 1911 fans resist is the same feature that makes modern 1911 fans smile — a reflex optic. I believe that any and every tool available to help shooters perform better is worth it.
When Springfield Armory launched the 1911 DS Prodigy AOS in 2022, our eyes were opened to accepting optics on 1911’s. AOS stands for Agency Optic System, and is made up a plate-based system for mounting optics. Each plate features an integrated rear sight designed to co-witness with most of today’s top optics.
That pistol helped change perceptions regarding optics on a 1911-style pistol, increasing the ability to shoot quicker, more accurately and transition targets faster with less work. Who could not love that? The 1911 DS Prodigy AOS taught us that optics on a 1911 simplified the aiming process for shooters of all skill levels.
We learned that previously seldom-seen, optic-ready 1911’s could become mainstream with a strong optic mounting system to host a variety of reflex optics. That is where Agency Arms enters the room.
AOS
That AOS system I mentioned was the result of Springfield Armory collaborating with Agency Arms to create a series of billet steel optic plates that precisely fit their 1911s. The AOS optic plates have an integrated serrated black rear sight with the perfect height for a clear co-witness with most optic’s reticles. The rear sight offers a clear vision to the front sight in case the optic fails. The plates are rock solid and are compatible to accommodate a range of the industry’s most popular optic footprints.
The 1911 DS Prodigy AOS was so successful that Springfield Armory took the Agency Optic System to host many additional Springfield 1911’s. This move gave shooters choices as to which optic direction they wanted to achieve with several Springfield Armory’s 1911s.
Transitioning Targets
Why do I like optics on 1911’s? The three ranges I attend have a variety of steel plates. I think transitioning between targets is among the best ways to train. I have done this for years with iron sights.
Once I accepted optics on handguns, I learned that I could transition quicker with greater accuracy than I could with iron sights. I also learned that, with 1911’s and their light and short trigger actions, I could achieve even quicker transitioning success. The main reason was the ability to focus on one illuminated reticle compared to focusing on rear and front sights.
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That simple concept deserves a lot of credit for quicker and greater accuracy transition shooting. Furthermore, trusting the dot alignment goes a long way. With iron sights, we typically focus on equal height and equal light. That means equally centering the front sight with both height and width within the rear sight. With reflex optics, we can take away that process and focus on one illuminated dot reticle.
For example, if the dot appears in the upper right of the glass yet you are on target, pull the trigger for impact. The value of that concept should never be understated. The result is quicker successful shooting when transitioning.
Aging Eyes
I noticed that older folks are more accepting of reflex optics on handguns than they previously were. I fit into this category because I spent years training with iron sights. I remember saying, “I don’t need to cheat with an expensive optic when I do just fine with iron sights.”
Then my buddy showed up at the range with a pistol-mounted reflex optic. When I shot his optic mounted pistol, it didn’t take long for me to understand the advantages. In other words, I saw the light, literally. My optometrist would tell you my vision struggles and changes with every appointment. I am not alone.
I had trouble focusing on the front because it was blurry. Reflex optics change the aging eyes narrative because the reticle is illuminated and can be adjusted with the environmental conditions. Optics on 1911’s give me the advantages of the 1911 along with a clear sight picture.
Additionally, with reflex optics, I can easily shoot with both eyes open. Not only does both eyes open give me better situational awareness, but it offers less stress on my dominant eye. This makes the reflex optic aiming process simpler than with iron sights. You younger folks may get a pass on this one but, keep in mind, your days are coming.
Distance Shooting
I believe that distance shooting should be part of every shooter’s training regime. Accurately shooting from a distance creates certain challenges. I am not talking about tight groups. I am talking about simply hitting a target from around 30 yards. Challenges like proper trigger control and correct sight alignment tend to teach us very quickly of our shooting iniquities.
My best chances of distance shooting success lie with a 1911. Once an optic is added, my success rate skyrockets. A correctly sighted optic makes the distance shooting process less challenging. Simply placing the optic reticle directly on the center of the target eliminates the guesswork that iron sights have.
Most reflex optics either have manual reticle brightness adjustments or are automatically adjusted according to the environment setting. This means the intensity setting will help shooters firing at a distance hit their target.
In a low-light environment, the reticle dot intensity should be at a low setting. The opposite effect is also true. In a sunny and bright environment, the reticle dot should be brighter. Either way, the reticle dot is much easier to acquire compared to iron sights.
Without hesitation, it is my opinion a 1911 with an optic is superior to iron sights with distance shooting.
Eliminating Negative Perceptions
When pistol reflex optics entered the shooting scene, they were very expensive. It was common to purchase an optic for as much as the price of the handgun. Optics were commonly priced for $500 or even higher.
Sure, those types of optics are still out there; however, the optic competition with new pistol optic manufacturers has become fierce. These days, a very good and rugged pistol optic can cost as low as $250. In most cases, the features and functions are similar to the more expensive pistol optics. The variety now available is substantial compared to five years ago.
Another negative pistol optic perception was weak durability. Many shooters thought by mistakenly dropping their handgun, they may damage the optic. That may or may not have been true. The optics manufacturers did a great job by producing reflex pistol optics stronger, with both the body and the glass. Most quality pistol optics are fog proof and water proof. They have the ability to withstand more abuse than previously thought.
Shooting in the rain, carrying everyday in and out of a holster and even accidentally dropping a handgun should prove to be no issue with modern reflex optics.
The optics battery life was also a cause for concern. The thought of a reticle not appearing when it is needed the most is terrifying. Today, the majority of pistol reflex optics have a “shake awake” or “instant on” function. This is a huge battery life saver. That means with stillness, the optic will automatically shut off.
The length of time depends on the optic. It is typically between two and five minutes of stillness. The slightest movement will illuminate the reticle which gives the shooter full access to a functioning reflex optic. A good rule of thumb is to change the optic battery annually. This is most important for a carry handgun.
Conclusion
I truly like optics on 1911’s. Springfield Armory has led the way by creating several of their 1911’s optics-ready. These include the Ronin, Operator, Emissary the TRP. They also collaborated with Agency Arms to produce AOS optic plates that offer a strong mounting platform with a rear sight included.
I have four Springfield Armory 1911’s that currently host reflex optics. All four are incredible in their own way. Many rounds have been fired with each of these 1911’s, and never once have I experienced a problem with the 1911 or the AOS plate.
Keep in mind, if an inferior optic plate fails, the reflex optic will fail. That is a fact. They are compatible with the industry’s most popular optic footprints, which gives the shooters availability to mount their favorite pistol reticle optic.
If you couple the strong AOS mounting plate with the superior performance of Springfield Armory’s 1911’s, you will have years of quality range time, competition or everyday carry that you can trust. Count on it.
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