A measured drawing of cuts required to install these sights can be found here. Readjusted and the front finally broke free. After freaking out and shutting down the mill and cleaning up the cut I realized I had not locked down the mill head (I am using an old Jet Mill/Drill) and the bit started to pull itself laterally off the center line of the cut. Most do not specify that they work on SP101 or any revolvers. It's not pinned, I now can see threads in the hole so I guess there is a allen that will fit it. I prefer a solid bench vise and an aluminum punch and hammer to a sight pusher. I dont have luck with pushers and they are very expensive. Am I incorrect? Good sight pusher a must. How to Change Handgun Sights The Right Way The Novak sights on 1911's solved two problems for me. Replacing the Front Sight on a Ruger SR1911 | Glock Talk We will be installing Novak sights that were originally designed for a Colt Mustang. 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 Novak sights on 1911's solved two problems for me. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. I'd go with a brass punch and a larger hammer so you don't have to hit as hard. and keep the punch agains the base. Never miss a post! 1911 Sight Install Part 1: Removal CandRreviews 22.9K subscribers Subscribe 585 287K views 10 years ago Ryan shows how to install night sights on a 1911. Ive had good luck removing several using a Wheeler universal sight tool. Clamped the slide to the static vise jaw. That causes the metal to gall and does damage to both the sight dovetail, the slide dovetail, and also on the sides of the slide from the pusher tool. 6.5 Creedmoor Barrel Speed: Can shorter barrels shoot faster? Installing Novak's sights on a Colt 380 Government (Mustang) The key is to completely immobilize the slide so 100% of the driving force is transmitted to the sight. Before we get to work, please read the following disclaimer: The contents of Rifleshooter.com are produced for informational purposes only and should be performed by competent gunsmiths only. Novak's are dovetailedsomething that makes them completely stable, but still can be moved/removed at will. Enjoy banner ad-free browsing with 1911Forum Plus. AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own. The last three Colts on the bench have been a nightmare. I used an edge finder to locate the front edge of the slide, moved the x-axis over .350 and set a 3/16 four-flute carbide end mill to cut a pass .055 deep. Secure the pistol in a padded gun vise. Pre-Novak, 1911's of the tactical variety had 3 dot sights like a Colt 1991. I like to start all my dovetail cuts with a standard end mill to remove the majority of the material. To install a front sight, mill a short, narrow flat on the slide top, cut the dovetail and drill a hole for the roll pin. If anyone has any info, I would be greatly appreciative. You dont need that part of the slide anyhow when you fit up an RMR. A forum community dedicated to all 1911 firearm owners and enthusiasts. First it got rid of the too small service sights. I do not wish to damage the sight during removal as a friend would like to install them on his gun. Added a little heat with a heat gun and repeated the drift/vise combo. Moved the slide to the mill vise a nice Kurt 6" vise that can clamp like a monster. My TISAS SDS 1911 front sight tenon is .055" and the rear dovetail measures .320". 1911 Sight Install Part 1: Removal - YouTube Thanks for the replies. I got out my Springfield Armory 1911A1 I bought years ago and it supposed to be GI spec. Call Wayne at the shop and tell him the problem with exact range and distances and how low it shoots for you. I have actually seen both ways from different manufacturers. And you still need brass punches and hammer. Novak Designs Inc. - Installation Videos - Novak Sights why couldn't they just fricking make it 1911 compatible!?!?!? Next, I move the x-axis over .370, and make a cut -.058 deep with the 1/4 end mill. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. The rear almost fell out when I removed the screw. I was shooting 1911s before the Novak rear sight was introduced. The first time I did it, just knew either the tool was going to break or the sights or the slide would be destroyed, but by that point I was determined either way! To get an idea how much, measure the slide from the top of the slide to the bottom of the dovetail cut. Enjoy banner ad-free browsing with Ruger Forum Plus. If you need me to post pictures I can. I'll pull it out and see what happens. SP101 Novak front sight removal | Ruger Forum Second Media Inc., 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. Chucked up a 3/16" end mill bit, set everything up (or so I thought) and started cutting. Mine is a 70s series so no worries there, update I just got the bastard out!!! Luckily I had only just kissed the slide when I got the machine shut down. This tool is exactly 2.000 above the works surface, so you can touch a tool off of it and know exactly where you are. [ARCHIVED THREAD] - TISIS 1911 sight replacement. 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 probably a tight fit. They use the very popular Novak style .260 and .450 cuts for the front and rear sights. Plus a blow torch or similar flame as both front and back sights will have locktited.. On the Remington 700, once piece scope bases can often require bedding in order to get the most out of [], 1911 Gunsmithing: lower and flare ejection port Over the past two decades or so, lowered and flared ejection ports have become fairly common on 1911 pistols. All content Copyright 1998-2018 Rifleshooter.com, FTC disclosure: some links on this site are monetized, The A-Team Mini-14? Gunsmithing, Pistols Seems to me that it would be much easier to use a proper pusher. I made the relief cut .055 deep, similar to the front relief cut. Based on my calculations above, I determined the center line of the dovetail needs to be at least .336 from the front edge of the slide. Believing your officers or department should "reflect the population it serves" means trusting average or less than average people to protect things that can't be replaced-life, family, property, order. Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email. 1911 Front Sight Removal- Step By Step Guide - Project Gunner 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. This should be removed and preserved once you take off the rear sight. sights were useless, and the high-profile target sights got in the way. So if you dont have one, its probably a job for a professional gunsmith. VarCon. Rear Novak sight removal | 1911Forum A forum community dedicated to all 1911 firearm owners and enthusiasts. I have a few I could put a caliper on but need to know who follows the GI platform. March 23, 2013 This dusty set of sights is mounted on the author's carry gun. Re: Adjusting a novak sight. The front and rear sights can now be fit. I have this set to cut .060 deep. On about my 10th pass I saw the bit starting to "walk" out of line. A forum community dedicated to all 1911 firearm owners and enthusiasts. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. There are tons of videos for real steel but nothing helping on the airsoft front. Second Media Inc., 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. Very interesting. Never miss a post! The TISAS site shows replacement front sights with tenons, they just don't tell what size. Yes it's possible to remove the rear sight, it takes quite a bit of banging with a hammer and a drift and is one job that may be best left to a gunsmith with a press. Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more. Novak's are dovetailedsomething that makes them completely stable, but still can be moved/removed at will. I'm not sure of which way though. Jun 16, 2018. The rr sights would slice and dice your hand in malfunction drills, so Novak made the wedge shape and all were happy. There will be a couople of springs and possibly detent balls so collect them and put them in a safe place. Come join the discussion about optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Lay the gun down so that the left side (as viewed from the rear) is on top and rest the gun on a solid but non-marring surface. I should add I replaced the sear, disconnector and leaf spring in. Bill Marr Rifleshooter.com and its authors do not assume any responsibility, directly or indirectly for the safety of the readers attempting to follow any instructions or perform any of the tasks shown, or the use or misuse of any information contained herein, on this website. Removing the PT92's rear sights. | Taurus Firearm Forum Be sure to tape up/protect slide very well and double check tool not slipping on sight surface. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! It broke the sights, but the slide was perfect. Next, I made a roughing pass with the 1/4 end mill and followed that with the Cryo-treated 65 degree x .330 dovetail cutter centered .759 from the rear of the slide. Super Stubborn Sight Removal advice needed. - 1911 Firearm Addicts I think around 2009 Taurus switched to the Novak sights made in-house. tumofo 138 subscribers Subscribe 1.2K 222K views 8 years ago Thought I would share my personal method of removing and installing fixed sights on guns without buying a dedicated "Sight. While Ive never had an issue with the ones on my 5903 they are still most likely more snag prone than the Novak style sites. Im trying to change the rear sight but even with the little alen screw out, I cant get the sights off. 0:00 / 6:22 How to Replace the Staked In Front Sight on a 1991 TheColtFirearms 22.2K subscribers Subscribe 62K views 3 years ago Firearm Maintenance & Adjustments This week, we're showing you. 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. -. Is the rear sight dovetail GI or something different? Care must be take to remove this sight and not damage the slides profile. Removing and installing dovetail sights Same scenario repeated each time I removed a Springfield sight but the Wheeler tool has done the job very well so far. Could an arbor press be used with a reasonable chance of success for this? Next up was installation of the front sight. Rather than drift the rear sight out and risk damage to the slide, I prefer to simply cut it out. If the are in that tight mill it out, don't risk damaging the side. Benchrest targets on a roll, throw them in a bag and dont be stuck without precision rifle targets again! By. The Best Sights for Walther PPQ M2 in 2023 - Scopes Field The main purpose of the Novak low mount is to transfer a hundred bucks from you to the milling machine operator for a proprietary fixed sight cut. TruGlo TFO Fiber Optic Handgut Sight Set for Novak 1911 .270/.500 (1) $114.99 (Save 27%) $83.79. How do I remove my novak sights? Brownells recommends a spindle speed below 700 RPM, so I use plenty of Do-Drill cutting oil and take my time making the cut. from right to left or left to right) for installing dovetail sights on firearms or does this procedure vary depending on the particular firearm on which the sight is being installed or removed ? While it may lack the larger cartridges and lighter weights of the modern polymer guns, it definitely holds a []. I even used a large steel punch since I knew the owner didn't want to salvage. Good ol' clamp up the slide in the vise, and use a brass drift to drift the slide out nothing. While a skilled gunsmith can replace staked on front sights, sadly there are few that have the experience to do it right. Does a crown affect accuracy? Archived post. Main Page "Sights 101" Blog; Policies; Installation Videos; Login; Register; . When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Check . Hammer Gun oil Replacement sights Target Remove the magazine. Novak rear sights are not parallel on the sides and this causes the sight pushers to push at an angle when installing them into the dovetail. This is how Colt should have shipped the guns in the first place. One new winner* is announced every week! Micro hi-visiability rear sights - basically a taller version of the GI fixed rear sight with some windage hash marks etched on the base, and the S&W revolver sights - expensively mounted in the slide. . 1911 Sight Installation | An Official Journal Of The NRA 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. It's actually getting ready to get an end mill down the middle of it as I'm done messing with it. I am obviously somewhat biased, but installing a sight with a punch and hammer vs a sight pusher doesnt make sense. July 13, 2019 I hold the slide in a set of bronze vise jaws to prevent damage while I work. If needed, apply pressure on the small notch found inside the slide. Using the edge finder, I determine where the front end of the slide is. A project like this requires access to a milling machine. SR1911 sights | Ruger Forum To install Novak's sights, new dovetails need to be cut on the front and rear of the slide. All content Copyright 1998-2018 Rifleshooter.com, FTC disclosure: some links on this site are monetized, The A-Team Mini-14? It does indeed spec out at .055 so you should be fine. Used a brass rod to drift the sight with the clamping force of the vise. nothing. Pull the slide to the rear. Customizing a Ruger Mini-14, Removing stripped and sheared screws from a rifle, Project Guns- Gunsmithing articles and posts, Cryo-treated 65 degree x .330 dovetail cutter, Installing Novaks sights on a Colt 380 Government (Mustang), Modular Driven Technologies (MDT) HS3 Chassis Review: Part 2 Shooting the MDT HS3 Chassis System, 223 Remington/5.56mm NATO Barrel length versus Velocity- Short Barrels- 6 to 14 inches, Custom 1911 Project: Part 3- fit and blend grip safety, Badger Ordnance M16-Style Extractor Installation on a Remington 700, Do rifle crowns matter? Don't know about the tenon, which 1911 do you know has GI dovetail? I have removed and installed about a dozen sights in the past and haven't ever encountered a problem like this. Yep Springfield rear sights are RIDICULOUSLY tight it seems no matter the model. The Cybergun appears to have a very small Allen key of sorts holding it on as the initial attachment (in real steel versions, once any screws or whatever were removed, one would gently tap it out). In this post, well install a set of Novaks sights on an original production gun. That's the only reason the rear sight was changed. Dovetailed sights are typically cut with a very slight taper and TYPICALLY come out from the left to the right as viewed from the rear with the muzzle pointing away. I find out with the help of my grinder. Rear sight: .495" x 65 degrees 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. Politician's are like diapersthey should be changed oftenand for the same reason! Visually inspect the weapon to ensure that no live ammunition is present. 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. The plastic guns sometimes have variation of tapered dovetail cuts. I purchased a set from Harrison Designs with a .340" rear and was able to remove enough metal from the sight bottom to achieve an interference fit. A forum community dedicated to Ruger firearm owners and enthusiasts. Fixed Rear Sights; Adjustable Rear Sights; Front Sights; Replacement Fiber Optic; Sight Installation by Novak's; High Performance Cutters; Novak Magazines; Novak Custom Firearms; Installation Videos Videos. I have a steel work bench made from 2X2x1/4 angle and a 10 ga. top. Hey guys, so Ive searched everywhere and cant find an answer. i have an early pt, one of the originals released back in 03 or 04 cant remember their release date, so mine does have the heine cut then? 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. If you have a PPK or PA-63 and would like Novak sights installed, visit www.782guns.com. Or if as Slapshot mentioned you do have a mill, then just mill it out less headache that way.. And, when the Novak became almost the industry standard, why didn't handling techniques evolve away from those that required a tall, square sight? 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. All content Copyright 1998-2018 Rifleshooter.com, FTC disclosure: some links on this site are monetized, The A-Team Mini-14? Novak and clones have a set screw to keep the sight from drifting. Note, on the Colt 380 Government, the rear sight retains the spring for the firing pin block. In fact: I've hand-tested over two dozen different sights alone for this review. These sights glow in the dark and are an awesome option for low light shooting. Brownells provided the following tools and parts: The following documents the process we used to install our sights and is presented for information purposes only. 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. Aftermarket sights are a common upgrade on 1911 pistols. Two of them it took a BFH and a large brass punch and i BARELY got them. The centerline of this cut is .725 from the rear edge of flat cut that I just machined. This slide is ready for decades of continued service, and now it has a great set of sights on it! For this I used a 1/4 end mill with a z-axis edge finder to determine the position of my tool. But, price a good bench vise and then a sturdy bench to mount it on. Woke up this morning after soaking in Kroil all night, resecured the slide in my sight pusher with thinner cardboard so the slide wouldnt give at all. After loosening it the front sight came out easily with a small punch. However, a wide range of sights areavailableto fit this cut. 0, 1911 Rear sight installation (Novak style cut). 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. Robert Campbell. There is in fact a very small allen screw in there. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. How to remove or install fixed gun sights without using a sight pusher I like to use a 65 degree safe edge file and some stones for this. We usually buy our parts from Brownells, but they dont carry these so we ordered them directly from Novak. Instead of trying to drift out the rear sight, I simply cut it out with the end mill. Thanks for the suggestion. Viola! So whether you're on a budget or need the best night sight, you'll find it here. Making a custom screw: Savage Model 99 fore-end repair, Browning Citori spring and firing pin replacement, Introduced in 1983, the Colt Mark IV Series 80 Government Model is a compact .380 ACP caliber pistol that looks similar to the 1911. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. A Look at 1911 Sights. At 25 yards they were consistently 8 to 10 inches higher than point of aim with various 115 grain fodder from different shooters. Beretta 92 DIY - Episode #1 - Front and Rear Sight Installation First it got rid of the too small service sights. Many of the once very popular S&W third generation handguns had some pretty large rear sites. Once I get out the existing sight, I should be okay with putting in the new sight mount (even if it means busting out Mr. Dremel and his sister Suzy Super Glue). Novak Sights Custom Installation In the "old days" early ramped front sights had to be silver soldered on or, (a pain in the butt,), pinned. I contacted Novak and they will replace the brass insert, but they need the sight. (Or maybe the Novak-type sights I've seen are just low-profile versons.) Next, I squared the vise on my milling machine and set the slide on a pair of parallels. The rear went right on. Next, I place the .33065 degree dovetail cutter in the milling machine. Unless you weld, pay someone to put it together. Step #1 Unscrew and Remove the Firing Pin. In this image, I am showing my notes for the front sight. I have no idea if this is correct, but my initial impression would be perhaps the hand when using overhand reloading/racking of the slide? 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. First it got rid of the too small service sights. 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. It would probably be good to buy one to re-install the sights. For reference purposes, you can find a similar post by Roy Siefert here, at the Kitchen Table Gunsmith. After a silver-soldered sight self-ejected from his pistol, Wayne was inspired to put the first dovetail sight on an M1911 pistol. 223 Ackley Improved (223AI) loads and review: A better 223? on one of them you can see remnants of some loctite. Adjusting a novak sight. - Paco Kelly's Leverguns.com I know they aren't supposed to be directional if novaks, but I have found it easier sometimes going one direction as opposed to the other when it wouldn't move as well. Mine came with the Novaks and I replaced them with Hi-Viz fiber optic sights that were made for the PT1911. Novak cuts are well known and can be done by nearly any competent gunsmith. So if you dont have one, its probably a job for a professional gunsmith. - Walter White. Using the screwdriver, unscrew the rear sight. 0. If so you need a 1/16 pin punch, a 1/32 nail finish punch ($2-$3 each from home depot) a vice, a ball peen hammer, a brass punch and some delrin or poly rod front sight drift punches. From the rear, the right side. I then pushed the pusher past the point of my comfort using leverage I wasnt happy about and she popped! The Cybergun appears to have a very small Allen key of sorts holding it on as the initial attachment (in real steel versions, once any screws or whatever were removed, one would gently tap it out). I have one never thought about using it due to the awkwardness to clamping it down. Novak to the rescue. Ive had 0 trouble using a brass punch to remove front and rear sights from all the 1911s Ive used. First it got rid of the too small service sights. Before I began working on the slide, I wrapped the sides in masking tape to protect the finish. My TISAS SDS 1911 front sight tenon is .055" and the rear dovetail measures .320". Come join the discussion about other firearms, gun ownership, gun care, tactical firearms, small arms, optics, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Was yours that loose? Step 1: Remove Bushing From Slide Step 2: Clamp the Sight in a Vise Step By Step Front Sight Removal Guide for a Dovetail Sight Step 1: Remove the Bushing From Slide Step 2: Secure your Slide in the Vise Step 3: "Punch" Out the Sight Conclusion The Tools Required Damn that thing was in there. I tried to drift the front sight out with a brass rod, but it is not budging. Pistols = field strip and chuck slide up in a padded vice. The rear sight of the pistol is slightly more involved because the back of the sight needs to sit outside of the dovetail. If so you need a 1/16 pin punch, a 1/32 nail finish punch ($2-$3 each from home depot) a vice, a ball peen hammer, a brass punch and some delrin or poly rod front sight drift punches. The Novak sights on 1911's solved two problems for me. Pre-Novak, 1911's of the tactical variety had 3 dot sights like a Colt 1991. 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. 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. Lesson learned. Below are our sight offerings for 1911 pistols with Novak LoMount dovetail cuts: Please confirm slide dovetail cuts and dimensions with your firearm's manufacturer, or a local gunsmith prior to purchase (below are the Novak LoMount dimensions). Installation of the sights will require the removal of the integral front sight, and cutting a new front and rear dovetail. The depth of cut is based off of the rear shelf I just cut, with the bottom of the dovetail .062 below this shelf. The best part? Installing Novak sights on a PPK /PPK CLONE - rifleshooter.com He is a great guy and will get you the correct answer. Finally I use some 44-40 cold blue to touch up the slide. Any modifications made to a firearm should be made by a licensed gunsmith.
