Adjusting a novak sight.

[Panzercat]

Last weekend I got to shoot bunches with an exerience handgun shooter, so I asked him to play with my 1911. I can't seem to hit the broadside of a barn with it, and seeing as my handgun experience is minimal, was wondering if it was me or the gun. Kinda both, but I was able to correct me. The gun, on the other hand...

It's a 1911 wih novak style sights. It shoots way low, to the point where I have to elevate the front sight dot above the rear two just to get it on target at 15-20y. It's not that far and I was able to employ his pistols with minimal effort. So the question becomes how do i adjust novak sights for elevation? Windage is dead on. Once I was able to compensate, I could hit the targets, but the elevation needs serious work and my google fu appears weak.

Any suggestions?

[MrMurphy]

You need a different height front sight. You don't adjust them for elevation.


The first time I used replacement sights I made sure I had them installed on-site (back when XS Sights was AO) and then made a quick range trip to check, since I was 200 miles from home.

I needed a taller front sight and was otherwise, spot on. They swapped it and for the next 13 years everyone was happy.


With a 1911 you may also want to swap to an arched mainspring housing (1911A1 style) if he has a flat one (the original 1911 type, more popular these days).

[7.62 Precision]

One question:

When the front dot is higher than the rear dots, where is the top edge of the sight in relation to the top edge of the rear sight?

Often the dots don't align when the sights are aligned correctly. In low light, the dots could help, when you can't see the sights clearly against a dark target, but other than that, I ignore dots and use the sights just like I would use any iron sights, by aligning the top edges of the sights and centering the blade in the notch.

Also, make very sure that it is not technique that is causing you to hit low - Ruger says that the number one reason people send fixed sight revolvers back for sight adjustment is because their shooting technique is wrong. Often people will shoot a particular firearm off a bit one direction or another, and compensate by adjusting the sights, only to have to readjust once they become used to the pistol or improve their technique.

Also, a common reason that pistols shoot low is that someone adjusted the front sight by filing the bottom of the dovetail to make it fit more loosely. This works to fit the sight, but also drops the height of the sight. When you replace the sight, do not file the bottom of the sight dovetail, instead, adjust it with the correct dovetail file if necessary.

[MrMurphy]

He's right on the dot alignment, I didn't think of that. I shoot a 'front dot only' setup from 10-8 so this is not an issue, but i've seen it on 3-dot setups before.

[Pisgah]

If it is shooting low, you need either a higher rear sight or a lower front sight.

[Paladin]

Call Wayne at the shop and tell him the problem with exact range and distances and how low it shoots for you. He is a great guy and will get you the correct answer. novaks@novaksights.com Sights Dept. 304-428-2676