"I did it for me. Novak Professional Sight Installation **Our professional sight installation is for Genuine Novak Sights only. Luckily I had only just kissed the slide when I got the machine shut down. JavaScript is disabled. I am replaceing the factory Novak cut, night sights on my Springfield Champion. From the factory, the Colt 380 Government has a rear sight in a dovetail and a front sight that is formed as part of the slide. I use a 4-flute 3/8 carbide end mill for this. Getting frustrated I grabbed the dremel and began slicing down my mill cut nothing. Apr 14, 2019 (Edited) I have read - and this is pure unsubstantiated net.lore - that at least one not-Colt manufacturer is using Novak style sights that are A) very tight and B) also have a screw, apparently to discourage people from removing the Series 80 firing pin interlock bits. The best part? Secure the pistol in a padded gun vise. Note, on the Colt 380 Government, the rear sight retains the spring for the firing pin block. So if you dont have one, its probably a job for a professional gunsmith. 304-428-2676. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Kensight GI Series Colt M1911-A1 Series 70 Tenon 0.056in Tritium Staked Patridge 1911 Front Sight $54.95 (Save $3.85) $51.10. AR-180 Magazines: Modifying AR-15/M16 M4 magazines to fit an AR-180, The German Walther PPK is a great little pistol that has been around since the 1930s. 1911 Novak Sights General Information - TruGlo 6.5 Creedmoor Barrel Speed: Can shorter barrels shoot faster? Is there any STANDARD direction (i.e. Best to cut them out. Modifications to a firearm may result in personal injury or death, cause the firearm to not function properly, or malfunction, and cause the firearm to become unsafe. But, the ramp part of the argument seems a bit like smoke and mirrors as the ramp is on the side of the rear sight that isn't likely to snag in clothing. So, if he can't end up getting the rest of it out with heat, then he is going to priority mail and i am going to mill it out.. lol.. Those Springers can indeed be a bear. A Look at 1911 Sights. While I assume it would be possible to file out a dovetail, most people that would have the skill set necessary to pull this off and have it look good, would likely have a mill. on one of them you can see remnants of some loctite. *Must have a registered ARFCOM account to win. In this post, we'll install a set of Novak's sights on an original production gun. Sierra MatchKing (SMK), Tactical Operations bolt knob installation on a Remington 700, Cobray Terminator Shotgun Pictures: One weird shotgun, Chinese Type 53 Carbine (Mosin) sight removal, Closing screw holes on a shotgun receiver with a TIG welder, 5 Quick Tips for Applying Cerakote to Firearms, Vang Comp Systems Ghost Ring Sight Installation. Damn that thing was in there. You can make much finer adjustments, and it works better on stubborn sights. Instead of trying to drift out the rear sight, I simply cut it out with the end mill. Gunsmithing, Pistols, Tutorial JavaScript is disabled. The front sight cut is kinda retarded with a flat on the front but none at the rear of the slot. Place a brass punch onto the left side of the front sight. Ensure that you can access the sights to work on them. I wasn't so lucky finding the right allen wrench. Note: on factory colt guns, there is a slight taper in the sight and it should be drifted from right to left (opposite of picture) The slide, resting in parallels, is secured in the mill vise and a 3/8 carbide end mill is used to cut the top of the slide behind the pre-existing dovetail. All Rights Reserved. Im trying to change the rear sight but even with the little alen screw out, I cant get the sights off. Then add a 3-4 name brand vise. He is a great guy and will get you the correct answer. I got out my Springfield Armory 1911A1 I bought years ago and it supposed to be GI spec. OK guys, I am open to your suggestions. the new sight you install will need filing in order . The first PT911's had the Heine sights that Taurus made under license. Most 1911's dovetails are not tapered but sometimes a smith with file a very slight taper to help new sight install, I do this. I was good at it. I'd go with a brass punch and a larger hammer so you don't have to hit as hard. Custom Remington 700 16.5 300 Winchester Magnum follow up, USMC M40A5 Build-Part 2: Lug slotting the receiver, Chambering a rifle for an Ackley Improved Cartridge, Installing a SAKO extractor in a Remington 700/ Model Seven, Remington 700 versus Savage 10/110: Comparative design notes, Completing an 80% 10/22 Select Fire LLC RAZOR Semiautomatic Receiver. Adjusting a novak sight. - Paco Kelly's Leverguns.com Pull the slide to the rear. 0, 1911 Rear sight installation (Novak style cut). Chucked up a 3/16" end mill bit, set everything up (or so I thought) and started cutting. I find this prevents damage to the slide or the sight. Enjoy banner ad-free browsing with 1911Forum Plus. I flipped the pack over, I got the sights at Brownells. The finished installation of the front sight looks nice and clean as well. Come join the discussion about other firearms, gun ownership, gun care, tactical firearms, small arms, optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! I have read - and this is pure unsubstantiated net.lore - that at least one not-Colt manufacturer is using Novak style sights that are A) very tight and B) also have a screw, apparently to discourage people from removing the Series 80 firing pin interlock bits. I hold the slide in a Multi-Vise with a set of rubber jaws and I use a shop made nylon drift to install the sight. After placing your online order, please carefully package your slide only and ship it to the . Novak Designs Inc. - Installation Videos - Novak Sights (Back in the '80s?). People who strive toward that standard will insist on being held to it, are there for the right reason, and will earn and deserve your trust. It's actually getting ready to get an end mill down the middle of it as I'm done messing with it. They use the very popular Novak style .260 and .450 cuts for the front and rear sights. Second Media Inc., 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. This thread makes me feel oldprobably because I am old (LOL). Removing and installing dovetail sights tips for new guys when changing dovetail sights - YouTube I want to put a red dot optic on either of the following 2 1911s (both have Novak sights, which I have two separate company mounts for, thinking one will work) but Im hesitant in removing the existing rear sight. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. It broke the sights, but the slide was perfect. Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email. If you need me to post pictures I can. The key is to completely immobilize the slide so 100% of the driving force is transmitted to the sight. I've talked to several smiths and they all say the same thing. That's the only reason the rear sight was changed. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. With the same .33065 degree dovetail cutter, I make a .062 deep cut (when measured from the flat surface I just machined) centered .725 from the rear edge of the slide. Occasionally, youll encounter a pistol made to original 1911 [], Porting a shotgun helps decrease muzzle rise and felt recoil. A long time ago I learned not to take standard measurements for granted. So whether you're on a budget or need the best night sight, you'll find it here. This slide is ready for decades of continued service, and now it has a great set of sights on it! There will be a couople of springs and possibly detent balls so collect them and put them in a safe place. The slide has a fixed front sight that needs to be removed without damaging the serrations on the top of the slide. After that, a new dovetail is cut. Ive had 0 trouble using a brass punch to remove front and rear sights from all the 1911s Ive used. These issues involve where to push, gunsmiths, sight pushers, punches,. The rr sights would slice and dice your hand in malfunction drills, so Novak made the wedge shape and all were happy. Novak's are dovetailedsomething that makes them completely stable, but still can be moved/removed at will. The brass insert on my SP101 WC fell out. The sights are driven in from the LEFT side, which I'll call left as if you're shooting the gun, and driven to the ejection port side, which I'll call right. The modern production 1911 - high visibility sights, beavertail grip safety, aluminum trigger, good trigger pull, enhanced slide/ frame fit, accurized barrel/bushing fit. So if you dont have one, its probably a job for a professional gunsmith. One new winner* is announced every week! Thanks for the replies. (Or maybe the Novak-type sights I've seen are just low-profile versons.) I need to cut a 65 degree dovetail that is .330 wide with a depth of .060. Failure to do so may void warranties and result in an unsafe firearm and may cause injury or death. Removing the PT92's rear sights. | Taurus Firearm Forum A little blue and I should be good to go. Novak sights are ideal for personal defense use. I do not have a sight-adjustment tool. First it got rid of the too small service sights. Support me below:https://linktr.ee/coyledcobraUse code "COBRA!" to get 10% off LOK Grips and Ghost Holsters!http://www.lokgrips.comhttp://www.ghost-usa.comBe. Using the edge finder, I determine where the front end of the slide is. July 13, 2019 - Walter White. All content Copyright 1998-2018 Rifleshooter.com, FTC disclosure: some links on this site are monetized, The A-Team Mini-14? March 23, 2013 If the are in that tight mill it out, don't risk damaging the side. Archived post. Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more. If needed, apply pressure on the small notch found inside the slide. Am I incorrect? The Best Sights for Walther PPQ M2 in 2023 - Scopes Field This should be removed and preserved once you take off the rear sight. The original 1911 sights were embryonic military style sights.They were more than bumps on the slide, but not much more, and they were not ideal for accurate fire. At 25 yards they were consistently 8 to 10 inches higher than point of aim with various 115 grain fodder from different shooters. Enjoy banner ad-free browsing with 1911Forum Plus. For this project, I ordered the following from Brownells: Both of the sights fit a 65 degree x .330 dovetail. Secondly, it gave a higher, more useful sighting system what was not prone to snagging on holsteringeither drawing or re holstering. And, when the Novak became almost the industry standard, why didn't handling techniques evolve away from those that required a tall, square sight?