[Ammo08]

I've been looking at doing some more changes to my M1991A1. I found these sights, and I was wondering if anyone here has a picture of a 1911 Government with this particular sight installed. I can't seem to find one. I really don't want to be doing any milling on my pistol. If my research is right, this should be a drop-in on my M1991A1.

 

[RickB]

You might check pics of the S&W 745, which came from the factory with that sight.

 

[drail]

I shot a 745 for a few years which came with sights very different than that one. THAT is a very nice design IMO. They "look" like they would fit a standard sight cut on a 1911 but you need some careful measuring. Do you know who makes that?

 

[Ammo08]

Thank you. Those pictures made me not want that sight.

 

[Al Booth]

Why not contact the maker - Novak's - of that sight ?

 

[Ammo08]

Why not contact the maker - Novak's - of that sight ?

I sent emails to Novak, Brownell's, and Midway, no replies at this time.

 

[Al Booth]

Sometimes the phone is your friend.

 

[fnfalman]

I've been looking at doing some more changes to my M1991A1. I found these sights, and I was wondering if anyone here has a picture of a 1911 Government with this particular sight installed. I can't seem to find one. I really don't want to be doing any milling on my pistol. If my research is right, this should be a drop-in on my M1991A1.
View attachment 637843

I’ve seen Colts that weren’t cut for regular Novak rear sights but had these Novak sights on instead. While the functionality is the same, these sights do look weird sitting on top of a regular slide.

My suggestion is to get a rear sight that is retro looking but high profile and has good sight picture. Something like the Harrison.

HD-003 S/U Retro rear sight

Retro rear sight for USGI spec dovetail

shop.harrisoncustom.com

 

[Jim Watson]

The sight in the OP is the Novak Competition sight and it fits the factory dovetail. I have one on my 1991A1, no machining required. Installed after my King broke in half.

You will likely need a different front sight to zero, though.

 

[RickB]

Novak Designs Inc. - Product Detail - 1911 Dovetail Competition Plain Black - $34.95 (novaksights.com)

 

[Ironhandjohn]

I’ve seen Colts that weren’t cut for regular Novak rear sights but had these Novak sights on instead. While the functionality is the same, these sights do look weird sitting on top of a regular slide.

My suggestion is to get a rear sight that is retro looking but high profile and has good sight picture. Something like the Harrison.

HD-003 S/U Retro rear sight

Retro rear sight for USGI spec dovetail

shop.harrisoncustom.com

While Novaks might not look as classic as other sights, they make up for it by being easy to see and very tough. The previous owner of my 1991A1 sent it off to Novak for slide cutting and sight fitting.

 

[fnfalman]

View attachment 637884
View attachment 637883
View attachment 637882
While Novaks might not look as classic as other sights, they make up for it by being easy to see and very tough. The previous owner of my 1991A1 sent it off to Novak for slide cutting and sight fitting.

I’m not talking about Novak-cut Novak sights. I’m talking about the Colt-cut Novak sight that the OP is talking about. It looks goofy sitting on top of the slide.

 

[Jim Watson]

Yes, my FLG calls it the "doorstop sight" but it has some good points:
1. It fits the GI dovetail, saving a hundred bucks of milling machine time and leaving your options open if you change your mind again.
2. It gives a "barn door" sight picture, good for actually aiming the gun.
3. It should be very durable, lots of iron there. My King National Match was with me for years but it eventually cracked in half from recoil.

 

[fnfalman]

Yes, my FLG calls it the "doorstop sight" but it has some good points:
1. It fits the GI dovetail, saving a hundred bucks of milling machine time and leaving your options open if you change your mind again.
2. It gives a "barn door" sight picture, good for actually aiming the gun.
3. It should be very durable, lots of iron there. My King National Match was with me for years but it eventually cracked in half from recoil.

Totally agreed. However people tend to be sensitive to certain looks and I just wanted to give the OP a heads up on using that Novak rear sight with the Colt Cut would give the gun a funky look for just in case he might find the final appearance or to his liking.

If the OP were to truly wanted a Novak rear without spending money having the slide machined for the Novak cut and make the sight sits a hair lower then the Colt-cut rear is the way to go.

 

[RickB]

If you're going to machine the slide, Heinie is the way to go, but I understand what you mean.

 

[Jim Watson]

I think so, too, so does FLG.
Better yet, Ted Yost uses a sight that looks like the Heinie without the hangy down part. Not as much barn door, but less cutting to do than Heinie or Novak.

 

[dsk]

The factory Colt sight wouldn't be so bad if only they cut the rear notch a little deeper. If you're careful you can do it yourself, as I've done with a couple of mine. Otherwise Fusion Firearms sells a similar sight with the deeper notch already added.

 

[1saxman]

The OP's picture looks to me like it cannot fit a standard slide because the rear horizontal surface is on a lower plane than the front, requiring milling a flat behind the dovetail. You could use it if you grind off that whole rear 'curtain' below the plane of the top of the slide.

 

[Jim Watson]

Appearances from a cockeyed picture can be deceiving.
MY slide and sight are stock.
It may not be pretty enough for the board but it sure saved time and money for a good sight picture.

 

[Hoptoad]

I’ve seen Colts that weren’t cut for regular Novak rear sights but had these Novak sights on instead. While the functionality is the same, these sights do look weird sitting on top of a regular slide.

My suggestion is to get a rear sight that is retro looking but high profile and has good sight picture. Something like the Harrison.

HD-003 S/U Retro rear sight

Retro rear sight for USGI spec dovetail

shop.harrisoncustom.com

FN, I like that sight a lot. I have an unmolested GM that would look good on.