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RIA 1911MS. New sights OR new slide

1559 Views 7 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  Big Pete10
Fellows. I'd considering changing out the sights on my RIA 1911 MS to something in line of the "Novak style". Not certain of specifics but the ones RIA offers on some of their 1911 models would be fine.

Looking at costs, would it be "equitable" to purchase a RIA replacement slide with their "Novak style" sights instead of having my current slide "modified" to fit up "Novak style" sights?

I understand that slide replacement may/would require a gunsmith to fit up a new slide.
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It’s your money; having another slide has advantages. Or, just change to regular higher profile sights and spend the saved money on ammo. :)
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To me, getting a new RIA slide was worth the extra cost over the cost + hassle of shipping my existing slide to RIA and having them do the work. YMMV.

Still, functionally speaking, $35 three dot sights from Fusion work just as well.


$130 RIA slide with their novaks style sights:


$35 3-dot sights from Fusion:


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If the slide fits well, I would have a machinist cut the slide for a dovetail sight. I have done this myself, it's not too pricey
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Still, functionally speaking, $35 three dot sights from Fusion work just as well.


$35 3-dot sights from Fusion:

Is that what you paid for both front and rear? I haven't seen a 'set' for a GI pistol, but maybe I'm looking in the wrong place or maybe that cost was from some years back.
Is that what you paid for both front and rear? I haven't seen a 'set' for a GI pistol, but maybe I'm looking in the wrong place or maybe that cost was from some years back.
A couple years ago, and they have gone up about $20. That set is now $54 from Fusion. You add the mil spec rear sight to your cart then it gives you an add on option for the front sight that saves about $10 over adding them to the cart seperately. Click the "Make it a set" checkbox.

The same sights with black rear and white dot front (which I actually am starting to prefer now) are $40 now.


All said, I did just have Novak mill and install a set on my Hi Power that turned out really great! These are black rear, white dot front.
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Sweet. Thank you for the reply.
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Send it for new sights. My Citadel came with Novak like sights. The only thing that holds the stght in is the set screw til it don't. RIA not on my list for another gun.
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