Replacing rear sight on a 1911..

[Centurion_D]

How difficult would it be to replace the rear sight on a 1911. I have a novak rear sight on my 1911 and I'm thinking of getting a different sight for it. I do know what ever I choose it has to be a novak type rear sight. What tools would I need? Any advice would be great. Thanks fella's.

[-hanko]

How difficult would it be to replace the rear sight on a 1911. I have a novak rear sight on my 1911 and I'm thinking of getting a different sight for it. I do know what ever I choose it has to be a novak type rear sight. What tools would I need? Any advice would be great. Thanks fella's.

I use a rahide mallet and a nylon punch...about 1/2" diameter, maybe 3" long. You remove the sight from left to right, reinstall from right to left.

If the new sight is too tight, stone or file a little off the bottom of the sight's dovetail. I shoot (sorry) for a one-thumb press fit when I'm finished.

Get Jerry Kuhnhausen's book (vol. 1) if you're into diy stuff on a 1911.

-hanko

[Kruzr]

Provided you stick with a Novak cut, you should be able to do it yourself. The only stopper to the method outlined above is if you opt for Night Sights. You need a sight pusher to install a Night Sight since they don't like to be pounded on.

Any sight may or may not need some fitting. This usually involves taking a little tiny bit off the front dovetail of the sight or a little off the bottom.