Hilton Yam's 10-8 Performance has introduced a replacement rear sight for Smith & Wesson 1911 fixed-sight model pistols.

The rear sight is precision CNC machined from heat-treated 4140 bar stock to better resist the nicking and denting that's typical with the wear and tear of daily carry. All 10-8 sights feature a U notch for rapid, intuitive alignment with the dot, such as on a tritium insert, brass bead, and fiber-optic front sights.

The rear face is serrated at 40 lpi to reduce glare in varied lighting conditions. The sight blade is thick enough to allow setting in tritium vials as dots or bars, but Yam recommends leaving them without inserts in order to draw the eye toward the front sight. The sight body is contoured and dehorned for comfortable handling and carry. All rear sights feature a plain black blade finished in matte black oxide.

The replacement rear sight is for S&W 1911 fixed sight models and new E Series 1911s. The company will also fit older DA/SA "third gen" fixed-sight S&W autos such as the 4506 and 3913.

It features a 0.140-inch wide by 0.125-inch deep U notch, and is directly compatible with the existing front sight (factory front is 0.125-by-0.135 inch).

Sight is the same height as the factory unit and will not affect point of aim. The sights should be installed by the user with hand tools only. Yam is an active law enforcement officer in Florida — a firearms trainer and SWAT operator — who produces custom accessories for 1911s.