1911 front sight

[JWFilips]

Back when I got my Remington 1911 Rs ( 2012) the original front sight shot low at 25 yards and I starting reading up on this and Remington actually had a lower sight @ .062" : the Original front sight was .188" Well long story short I finally got the lower front sight on it and now it shoot high ( by + 3.5" from POA )
So playing with the math...... If I reduce the original high front sight down to .158" that should put my impact at + 1.5 from POA
The Keyword is "should"
So I'm throw this out to the forum to get you opinions. Does this math seem correct?
I know I know I can do it exactly like my Flintlocks....... Go to the range with a file ...Shoot, File, Shoot, File etc

 

[Rick H]

My method................shoot and file. The charts and geometry of doing the math to calculate the difference almost never works for me. Probably one of the reasons I am such a fan of adjustable sights.

 

[Ian]

Load up some 230-grain bullets with a 700 fps starting load of medium-speed pistol powder and see if that doesn't correct it.

 

[JWFilips]

Ian,
I did: 4 Gr BE with the Lee 230 RN these shot about 2" lower but to the left!
I would splurge for Novack Adjustable rear however Remington cut Their dove tails real small and a 60 deg So I would have to have them milled!
Yes I can do it with files but it is stainless and It is a big cut! ...I'm still thinking about it...but I too only have 60 degree Dovetail files Novack is whily
using 65 deg angle

 

[Ian]

Shucks. I don't think I've ever seen a 65⁰ safe-edge file for sale. I think your math makes sense, to answer your original question but agree with you and Rick about file-shoot-file with a box of your favorite load being the most foolproof method.

 

[JWFilips]

but agree with you and Rick about file-shoot-file with a box of your favorite load being the most foolproof method.

Yes I know you guys are right!
The hard way is always the best! Just thought I could do a bit of filing in the shop first to move it a bit

 

[JWFilips]

Ian,
That is their shtick! Novack uses 65 Deg so Your only quality option is to send them your slide! They do do a great job and do it pretty fast!
Just bugs me because it should be something I can do by hand

 

[Ben]

My method................shoot and file. also.

Ben

 

[JustJim]

I'd look at filing the Novack dovetail to 60 degrees. Then again, I'm stuck inside for most of the next week and looking for things to do. Good thing I'm not a welder/machinist, there's a Springfield 1903 action on the shelf that would make a neat little 250 Savage if the action were shortened.

 

[Rick H]

Brownells will sell you a #1 or a #2 65deg. dovetail file. Pricey at $35 & $40 each.

 

[Brad]

Jim, an old world gun maker likely would have made his own file.

 

[Ian]

I wouldn't put any money against him having made one or two in the past. It's really not that difficult once you get the carburizing part worked out.

 

[fiver]

AxC/B=D

a is change in sight height
b is distance from sight to eye
c is distance to target
D is the change in POI

if your changing the front sight, raising the height lowers the impact.
if the rear sight,,,, raise is raise and lower is lower.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

In the, "For What it is Worth" category, I recently sent a slide off to Novak to have dovetails cut and Novak sights installed. They did a great job, the turn around was quick and the sights are excellent.

 

[JWFilips]

Jim, an old world gun maker likely would have made his own file.

Where do you think I got all my 60 deg dovetail files...I didn't buy them
Actually I have a number of safe bottom 60 deg dove tail files in different sizes & cuts I made out of new 3 sided files ...but I didn't buy them, I acquired them from Sandvik tools in the 1970's and 80's

 

[JWFilips]

In the, "For What it is Worth" category, I recently sent a slide off to Novak to have dovetails cut and Novak sights installed. They did a great job, the turn around was quick and the sights are excellent.

Yeah I'm thinking I should do this already! If you don't mind me asking how much did they shop work cost on the slide?

 

[Joshua]

Those three sided files make a great pipe I.D. deburring tool once you grind off the file teeth. I stone all three sides.

I used to work with a guy whose dad was a machinist mate in the Navy before, during, and after WWII. He said that his dad showed him how to make these scrapers/deburring tools. Underway they never seemed to have the proper babbitt bearing scrapers, so they made there own out of triangle files.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I believe the cost of the labor was quoted as part of the cost of the sights. So you'll need to consult their website.