How to install red dot mount to 1911 [diferent dovetails explained]

Owning a 1911 is a must. But to actually use it — and not just let it gather dust — you may want to consider installing a red dot mount. That’s exactly what this article will help you with. Why do red dot mounts for the 1911 deserve a whole guide like this?

Because it’s not easy at all to make sense of all the different mount types available for the 1911. And we don’t want you to buy a red dot mount, only to find out it doesn’t fit your specific model. So if you’re planning to install a red dot on your 1911, make sure to read this article first.

The dovetail cut is the key

When it comes to mounting a red dot on a 1911, the most important thing is identifying the type of rear sight dovetail cut your pistol has. Once you know that, you can choose a compatible red dot mount accordingly.

There are several types of 1911 rear sight dovetail cuts. The most common ones are listed below:

• 1911 Novak Cut
• 1911 LPA Cut
• 1911 BoMar Cut
• 1911 G.I. Cut

It’s not very practical to list compatible 1911 models, as there are simply too many — and many share the same name but use different slide cuts. For example, you may encounter a Colt 1911 Government with either a Novak or a G.I. cut.

In other words: you’ll need to identify the dovetail cut by its shape — there’s no shortcut.

Step #1 – Identify your slide cut

There are many types of 1911 slide cuts. Below, we’ll look at the four most common ones in detail.

1911 Novak Cut

The Novak cut is the most common. You can recognize it by the fact that the area behind the cut is lower than the area in front of it.

1911 LPA Cut

How do you know if you have an LPA cut? It’s a bit tricky, so you’ll need to check a few details:

First, the surface in front of the dovetail cut is level with the surface behind it. But that alone isn’t enough to confirm it.

Second, there's a small step (or recess) right behind the dovetail cut — this is another clue.

Third, and most importantly, check the position of the elevation screw on the rear sight. This is how you distinguish between the LPA cut and the very similar BoMar cut:

LPA vs. BoMar Cut – Key Difference

• If the elevation screw is directly above the dovetail cut, it's an LPA cut.
• If the elevation screw is slightly behind the dovetail cut, it's a BoMar cut.

1911 BoMar Cut

The BoMar cut is almost identical in shape to the LPA cut:

• The front and back of the dovetail are level,
• There’s a recessed area behind the dovetail cut.

However, the rear sight’s elevation screw is positioned slightly behind the dovetail cut — not directly above it.

1911 G.I. Cut

This type of slide cut is very easy to recognize. It’s a simple notch cut into the surface of the slide, with no complex profile, as shown below:

Step #2 – Choose the matching red dot mount

Once you’ve identified your dovetail cut, the next step is easy: choose the corresponding red dot mount. Here are the correct categories:

• Red dot mounts for 1911 with Novak Cut
• Red dot mounts for 1911 with LPA Cut
• Red dot mounts for 1911 with BoMar Cut
• Red dot mounts for 1911 with G.I. Cut

Other 1911 slide cuts

While the four types above are the most common, there are also many less frequent cuts. We offer mounts for some of these as well:

Tanfoglio

• Tanfoglio Witness 1911 (not "Custom")
• Tanfoglio Witness 1911 Custom

Taurus

• Taurus PT 1911

When choosing a mount from these categories, always check the list of compatible red dot sights — not every mount fits every optic. Make sure the mount matches both your 1911 slide cut and your preferred red dot sight.

Step #3 – Installing the red dot mount

Installing a red dot mount on a 1911 is a fairly standard process. You’ll need to remove the rear sight from the dovetail, clean the surface, and then tap in the red dot mount. See the video guide below [the mounting itself begins at +- 4:00 of the video]: