HELP WITH 1911 FRONT SIGHT MEASUREMENTS

[RaymondMillbrae]

Hey folks,

I have a question for yall.

I have a 1911 Nighthawk Predator, and am looking at replacing the front sight woith a DAWSON PRECISION FO sight.

But here's my dilemma, I am not sure how to take the measurement of the existing front sight to ensure I am replacing it with the correct-sized Dawson Precision FO sight.

I called Nighthawk Custom, and they told me to ensure I tell Dawson Precision it is a "Novak Cut" front sight - but they didn't tell me the front sight HEIGHT. And when I called back - and also left email messages - they never resoonded back to me. (I waited patiently for a few days). I'm kinda bummed-out about that...but life moves on.

Anyhoo...below are a few pictures of my front sight.







If you look at the first picture (side view of the front sight), you will see that the sight is slanted. It is high towards the front (nearest the shooters eye), and lower towards the rear - the barrel's end.

My question is, "From where do I take the measurement"?

Is it is towards the front, nearest the shooters eye (as this is what will physically be seen when shooting), or towards the rear, nearest the barrel end?

Below are two pictures. One is measured at the FRONT of the sight (.180), and the other is measured at the REAR of the sight. (.160).







I am also assuming I am measuring from the correct base. It is from the base of the sight, where the sight makes contact with the top of the slide, correct?

Assuming that my measurement points are correct. which sight height should I order? Do I have the .160T, or the .180T?

I want a narrower WIDTH than what I have now (.125W), and am looking at replacing it with a .100W.

So if I go with the DAWSON PRECISION front FO sight, which one will I be needing. The 020-004, or the 020-005?

I see that my front sight also has a pin. Will this complicate matters with the Dawson Precision product?





Sorry for all the questions, but work has me running like a mad-man these last few days, and I cannot find the time to call these guys while they are opened. (I am a California folk). And all emails are not getting answered.

Helf Mier.

In Christ: Raymond

[RaymondMillbrae]

Thanks for the suggestion someone PMed me with.

To add a bit more info (and pix)..the rear sight is not height adjustable.

In Christ: Raymond

[RaymondMillbrae]

My gosh,

I'm really surprised that there was no help here. The "other place" overwhelmed me with insights and assistance.

Anyhoo (to follow-up on this thread), here's the "current" deal:

I removed the front sight that came with my Nighthawk Predator and remeasured it. It was exactly .180T x .127W. (Based on my Dillon calipers).

Nighthawk had it zeroed at 20 or 25 yards. (I cannot exactly remember).

But Dawson Precision said they were the wrong-sized front sights (too tall) - so I ordered the correct height front sight from them, with a narrower blade. (.160T x .100W).

Upon my return from the range on Saturday, I found my new Dawson Precision fiber optic front sight in dee mailbox.

Thirty minutes later they were installed, and as Ricky Ricardo would say, "Looookeeng guuuuud". (Remember, "I Love Lucy")?

Anyhoo, I will be at Jackson Arms on Tuesday evening trying them out. (NRA member 1/2 price night).

Below are a few pictures of the sights.

All I can say is "WOW"!

I can even say it backwards, "WOW"!

The front fiber optic sight is crispy clear, and it stand's-out like you wouldn't believe. (My pictures do it no credit).

The narrower front blade is also a huge difference. I can see to the left and to the right of it - and I can actually see my distance targets now.

As for the front sight being lower...WOW! It was immediately evident that it would make a difference in my POA. I was playing with it, and now I can see the top of the slide when I aim.

I am excited to see the results/benefits of this new sight. Hopefully it will help to correct my distance shots from shooting low. (My "In Your Face" shots were never a problem).

Enjoy the pics, and I will follow-up Tuesday night.

Thanks again.

In Christ: Raymond

[RaymondMillbrae]

OK, folks,

just a quick follow-up to close this thread.

I have gone shooting three times since I installed the new DP fiber optic sights...and it is awesome.

My point of aim/point of hit are smack ON.

I have been doing a bit of shooting out to 25-yards, and it is sooooooo much better.

But let me be transparent - while shooting at Jackson Arms (my local indoor range), I noticed that the fiber optic rod does not glow as much as I thought.

While at home, indoors, the fiber optic glowed pretty good with the ambient lighting of my living room. (The light shone downwards from the ceiling, and onto the fiber optic rod itself). But while at the indoor range, the ambient lighting was not directly landing on the fiber optic rod, so it did not glow as bright. As a matter of fact, I ended-up using the flat, top portion, of the sight - which still worked better for me than the original sight.

I have been working-up a few different loads, I am trying a new reloading powder, and I am still getting accustomed to these sights...so I am not "all there" yet.

But bottom line...go for it. Daylight shooting is a completely different experience now.

This shooter gives Dawson Precision fiber optic front sights a "Two Mag's Up" in my book!

In Christ: Raymond