SA 1911 rear sight adjustment

[B.C.]

Hello all, I recently picked up a Springfield Armory 1911 with combat sights. Took it to the range and noticed all my shots were way to the left. Looked a bit closer and I saw the rear sight is off to the left a tad bit.




I was able to compensate a bit for it at 7 yards, and got this group.


Anything over 10 yards was damn near impossible to hit. Still getting used to it though. My question is what is the best way to adjust this thing? I tried hitting it with a screwdriver handle, but that didn't work. I really am nervous about laying the slide on a bench and hitting it with a hammer and a drift. I found this thing, but for the price I bet I could just pay someone to fix it for me.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/productdetail.aspx?p=8846&s=21911

So does anyone know where I can take this thing to get it looked at in the East Bay? Does anyone on the Bay Area have a tool like this that I could borrow? I would be willing to trade for a box of ammo.

[Glock22Fan]

By "Picked it up," do you mean from a dealer? If so, I'd take it back there and get him to fix it for free.

Otherwise any dealer that does minor gunsmithing should be able to fix it, probably cheaper than buying a special tool.

You could try drifting it yourself, but personally I wouldn't take a hammer to any of my guns, as I don't even pretend to have gunsmithing skills.

[JMB1911]

That's a Novak Sight. I'm not sure if there's a set screw on top. If so, loosen the set screw and tap the sight with an appropriate punch and rubber hammer. Tighten the set screw and see if the sight's at zero for you. If you're satisfied, apply loctite so it doesn't drift again. If you're not comfortable doing this, send it to a 'smith for a fee. But it's really pretty easy. Just go light with the tapping.

[Max-the-Silent]

Hammer and drift? NO NO NO!

Try one of these - buying the tool now will save time and frustration in the future

http://www.topgunsupply.com/Sight-adjust-install-tool-1911-pr-171.html

I've seen more buggered 1911 slides from amatuer sight adjustment/installation than any other cause. Worse than the idiot reassembly scratch from the slide stop.

[Kruzr]

Since they aren't night sights, I'd go with a brass punch and a hammer.........however big a hammer it takes. Put some duct tape over the sight. Put the slide in a padded vise. Loosen the set screw. Place the punch at the top of the dovetail, just above the cuts in the frame. Start by giving it "machine gun" taps to see if it will move. If it doesn't, give it one good whack. Don't use a rubber mallet, it will absorb the force. I start with a leather mallet and move my way up to a big ball peen if necessary.

I've got an MGW 1911 sight pusher as well as a B&J Machine pusher. The MGW is made for Colt military sight and while it will move a Novak, it engages the sight near the top of the ears and therefore pushes on the top. It can get the sight cocked in the dovetail if there is any play there.

The B&J works but it mars the sights unless you tape both the sight and pusher tip.

[B.C.]

By "Picked it up," do you mean from a dealer? If so, I'd take it back there and get him to fix it for free.

Otherwise any dealer that does minor gunsmithing should be able to fix it, probably cheaper than buying a special tool.

You could try drifting it yourself, but personally I wouldn't take a hammer to any of my guns, as I don't even pretend to have gunsmithing skills.

Yeah, I just bought it from Target Masters in Milpitas. Picked it up on Wednesday. I'll call them and see what they say.

I loosend the set screw and it won't budge with some gentle persuation. I am bit leery of hitting it with a punch, although I might be able to move it without much damage. I would just prefer to not have any damage at all. I see the special tool to adjust them, but I just don't see myself moving this thing again onve I get it set right so it will likely be a waste of money.

Thanks for the replies so far. Any other ideas?

[dfletcher]

Regarding whether or not the store should cure this - if it's a PPT I'd say no. I think I'd say no in general, but if you're a regular and ask for their help (maybe kick in $10.00 cash for the "coffee fund" alot of gun stores have) maybe they'll help out. But it is a used gun & sights are kind of a subjective thing. Imagine how many guys complain "I bought this gun from you & it doesn't shoot straight" and that will help with your approach. I've heard some owners can be a bit prickly.

The tool is a nice asset and you may find other fixed sight guns with a similar problem, so I wouldn't discount that out of hand. Brownells may have one cheaper than $80.00 BTW.

I had a Springfield with Novak & even after the screw is backed out it is tough as hell to get out. But, in a vise with a nylon dowel and a strong, deliberate, controlled hit (drift left to right) it will come out. It's not brain surgery, but you do have to be careful. And being careful starts with how you clamp the slide in the vise - don't center it & clamp down. Obviously you have to use padding, but center the vise at the sight end of the slide - squeeze too much on the center and you're going to end up with one very tight slide to frame fit. I suppose you could leave the slide on the gun - don't know what others think of that.

[B.C.]

Regarding whether or not the store should cure this - if it's a PPT I'd say no. I think I'd say no in general, but if you're a regular and ask for their help (maybe kick in $10.00 cash for the "coffee fund" alot of gun stores have) maybe they'll help out. But it is a used gun & sights are kind of a subjective thing. Imagine how many guys complain "I bought this gun from you & it doesn't shoot straight" and that will help with your approach. I've heard some owners can be a bit prickly.

The tool is a nice asset and you may find other fixed sight guns with a similar problem, so I wouldn't discount that out of hand. Brownells may have one cheaper than $80.00 BTW.

I had a Springfield with Novak & even after the screw is backed out it is tough as hell to get out. But, in a vise with a nylon dowel and a strong, deliberate, controlled hit (drift left to right) it will come out. It's not brain surgery, but you do have to be careful. And being careful starts with how you clamp the slide in the vise - don't center it & clamp down. Obviously you have to use padding, but center the vise at the sight end of the slide - squeeze too much on the center and you're going to end up with one very tight slide to frame fit. I suppose you could leave the slide on the gun - don't know what others think of that.

The gun was new when I bought it. I don't really know if those guys have the tool or not. I will call them when I get a chance later on today.

I've been thinking about what to hit it with, plastic, wood, brass? Still not sure if I want to knock around my new gun. I might just have to buy the tool since I'm being such a pansy about it.

[MrNiceGuy]

If it's brand new from TM's, take it back and have them fix it.
On my rather old SA 1911 I fixed my rear sight with a brass punch, and small hammer.
A few rapid taps gets the sight moving in my case.
Optional is putting some duck tape or a thin strip of leather on the side of the sight where you're tapping if you don't want to mark it up with the punch.
BTW....I'm not a gunsmith....this is just my poor man's hack.

[dfletcher]

The gun was new when I bought it. I don't really know if those guys have the tool or not. I will call them when I get a chance later on today.

I've been thinking about what to hit it with, plastic, wood, brass? Still not sure if I want to knock around my new gun. I might just have to buy the tool since I'm being such a pansy about it.

I used nylon. You can put a small piece of duct tape on the side also, doesn't hurt. I'd also suggest marking the opposite side so you know how much you've moved it in the dovetail.

And if you want their adjustable sight, here you go.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21_27&products_id=221

[MrNiceGuy]

I use to have the same adjustable sight from SA.
But the side of the sight cracked and broke off.
If you're just gonna use it for target practice I guess it'll be ok.
But if the gun's going to get some rough handling then I'd stick with your combat sight.

[railroader]

I use a hammer and a piece of sledge hammer handle and a big hammer. I put the gun on a towel on my carpet. My wife holds the gun and I smack the sledge handle piece with the hammer and it works. Doesn't mar the gun either. Mark

[B.C.]

I used nylon. You can put a small piece of duct tape on the side also, doesn't hurt. I'd also suggest marking the opposite side so you know how much you've moved it in the dovetail.

And if you want their adjustable sight, here you go.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/st...roducts_id=221

I think I can get that sight for $30 with the "Loaded coupon" I got with the gun. Not real sure if I like the looks of the adjustable rear sight. It is just a target pistol so maybe I should think about getting it.

Good advice on marking it to see how far it moved, or how far to move it.

[motorhead]

i liked that sight tool til i saw the price. $80? i soiled myself.

[B.C.]

Got the sight to move a bit, but I still need a little bit more. I was at a local gun store the other day and was told that the rear sight well(or sight cut out) is tapered? Does this sound right? By tapered I mean that the left side of the well would be slightly larger than the right side of the well. I beat the living cr*p out of it and it won't budge any further. The gun is still shooting slightly to the left.