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SR1911 sights

25K views 28 replies 8 participants last post by  CORE15 Shooter 
#1 ·
Has anyone installed the fiber optic front sight on their SR1911. I am looking at the one from the Ruger On-line Store, made by Novak? Looking for feedback on how they like it. How easy to install?
 
#2 ·
I'm not going to be of much help because I've had the same question. Maybe a call to Ruger CS will help. What's critical to me is that the FO rod is exactly the same height as the dot on the front sight that comes on the SR1911.

I also wonder if the sight is specifically designed for the SR1911. In other words, is there clearance beneath the sight blade for the top of the slide behind the dovetail? If not, I'd remove metal from the bottom of the sight blade. I wouldn't consider milling the top of the slide just to accommodate a sight that I might want to exchange at another whim.

I don't think installation would be difficult. On my SR1911 both the front and rear sights were off-center to the right, which is not quite all the way into the dovetail. POA and POI were identical, but I'm anal about symmetry and couldn't stand looking at the off-center sights. While I don't have a sight pusher, I do have good vises and good tools. I made a brass drift that fitted the front dovetail and moved the sight to the left were it's centered to my satisfaction. I was able to do this without leaving the slightest mark. This leads me to believe installing the FO front sight would be a piece of cake.

BTW, when you loosen the screw in the rear sight it moves with very little effort.
 
#3 ·
DMLidster,
I just ordered the FO sight from Ruger, I will let you know what it is like when I get it.

Pete
 
#5 ·
Soless, Ruger uses a standard Novak dovetail for both the front and rear sights. Installing another Novak compatible sight should be nothing more that a simple remove and replace. Of course that assumes the replacement sights are the same height as the originals or are sold as a matching set.

BTW, If 1911s are made to spec, quality aftermarket parts should "drop in" with little or no fitting. I have made several changes to my SR1911 to include a matching Wilson Combat thumb safety and slide lock. I also replaced the straight mainspring housing with an arched mainspring housing. The parts I used were high quality and made to spec. There was no fitting required ... just remove and replace. IMO, this says a lot for Ruger because they follow the specifications to a "T". In many clones, the specifications are not held to tight tolerances so aftermarket parts will need to be fitted. Also, if you use cheap parts, they never seem to fit without filing or other adjustments.
 
#6 ·
Usually sights come SLIGHTLY oversized to get the perfect fit. I'm not trying to challenge your knowledge. I just wanted to through that out there because I personally know people who went Ape Poop because their 'drop in' part was not exactly drop in. Was just fair warning in advance.
 
#7 ·
Soless, I would say .... more times than not, you would be correct. Either the gun or the parts are not made to precision specs. As for sights ... there are many guns that look like they have Novak cuts and many cheap brands of sights that claim to use Novak dovetails. Fortunately, the SR1911 uses real Novak sights and real Novak dovetail cuts so as long as you buy Novak or other high end products, there should not be any fitting required.
 
#9 ·
DMLidster, The PM feature doesn't work until you get at least 10 posts, then you will get "promoted" to PFC. After your 10th post, you have to exit the forum and reload. This will make the software upgrade you to PFC and allow PMs. To use the PM feature, click on the members screen name (left panel of their post). This will drop a menu down where you can select "Send a Private Message to XXXXX".

Sorry about the 10 post requirement ... we had to do this to prevent spammers from harassing our members.
 
#10 ·
Go to the Menu Bar at the top and click on Quick Links. Under the pull down select Private Messages. That will get you started, use the menu items on the left side.

Pete
 
#11 ·
Just a FYI on replacing sights ... the dovetails in the slide are not designed for frequent sight replacement and will expand. This will make sights fit loose if they are swapped too much. You can stake the sight into the dovetail but again, with repeated sight changes, it doesn't take too many times to damage the dovetail. It's best to leave the sight of your choice in the slide and not swap them often.

If you plan to change sights, it's best to buy a "sight pusher tool". These work much like a "C" clamp and push the sight in or out. If you use a brass punch and hammer, it will work but you must be very careful not to mar the finish or damage the fiber optic tube.
 
#12 ·
I was just looking at the M1911.org review of the SR1911. They note the lack of front sight rear overhang on the SR1911 compared to a conventional Novak sight. I'm sure the fiber optic sight Ruger sells made by Novak would address that issue, but other Novak sights may not. Pjmarko, I am eagerly awaiting a report on that sight.
 
#13 ·
Soless,
I should get the sight today or tomorrow. I plan on having a local gun smith install if it is not too expensive. I don't want to take a chance of marring the finish.
 
#14 ·
Iowegan would you say that a set of XS big dots would fit on an SR1911? I've been looking to try a set.
 
#15 ·
I just got the sights today and they appear to be like the old ones. They are at the Gun Smith's getting them put on. Should have it back by Friday.
 
#17 ·
I just got it back from the Gun Smith. He did a good job, no blemishes on the gun, old sight or new sight. The FO sight does overhang on the front and back, it is quite a bit longer than the old, but the height is about the same (angles down toward the crown of the barrel ). The front sight is so much easier to see now. I'm glad i got it and the GS only charged me $22, he had it only a day. This was the first SR1911 he has seen, he said he had several on order.
 
#18 ·
Here are some pictures of the sight. Sorry about the quality, not a photographer>
 

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#20 ·
I had it out last Sunday and shot about 30 rds through it. It was hot in the indoor range. The point of impact seemed to be about the same. I did not notice much difference from the old sights. I will say the fiber optic does not show up well indoor with the low light. It is much better outside with more light but the FO sight is not any worse under low light than the old sight.
 
#22 ·
I haven't been back out but from my first time out I did not think the POI changed any. The FO sights do not show up much better indoors, not enough light.
 
#24 ·
Yes, they were a several posts back.
 
#25 ·
SR 1911 FO front sight

I found the FO front sight for the SR 1911 but they said they wouldn't be available until 11/30/13. It is item #12976. Are they, in fact, available now?
 
#27 ·
FO sight

I just had the Novak green fiber optic front sight sold by Ruger installed on my SR1911. I hope to get to the range tomorrow for the first try out. I'll let you know how it goes. It looks cool.
 
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