Hey guys,
I decided to go to the range and get some practice in. After 11 rounds of some Freedom Munitions 230 gr, I discovered the damned staked front sight broke and flew off. Some old timers I know said, “it happens,” but I know it’s not supposed to happen.
Anyway, what are my choices now? Should I just replace with a basic staked front sight; how much should that cost? Get a dovetail cut? What sight system to you all recommend?
Send the slide to novak and have them cut both front and back for novak cuts. Opens up your sight options tremendously. I think it was only $50 and some shipping to send them my slide. Turn aound was pretty quick.
It does happen. A Colt staked front will usually come loose or off between 1-1.5K rounds. Count on it.
As said, you want a Novak front and rear or a Novak front and the stock rear. Harrison’s Retro rear is very nice.
Dove tail cut time.
If you want to keep the traditional front sight look then order Brownells staking tool and whatever front sight you want.
If you decide to go with a dovetail cut, just understand that both front and rear will need to be changed.
You don’t have to change the rear. A Novak front the same height as stock will work just fine.
I like to use a stock 70 Series rear or a Harrison Retro rear with a Novak front for clean retro look.
if you are going to keep it original and get a replacement staked sight.
there is a technique from years past where you take a dremel round attachment and slightly bevel the inside of the stem hole…that way when you re-stake it flares out the sight stem for a better hold.
make sure to clean and degrease. some type of adhesive or red loctite for additional insurance.
Somewhere I have a Kings Gun Works staking tool. that is showing my age.
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Heinie uses Novak dovetail dimensions. Novaks front sights are as good as any. They’re ‘overplayed’ because they are very high quality sights and their dovetail cuts are industry standards.
It happens with staked sights.
Hey guys,
First of all, thanks for all the advice and recommendations. Is a dovetail front sight more desirable than a staked?
It’s a helluva lot tougher. The only reason to stay with a staked front is if you’re going for a retro look.
What he said… One can get close to the retro look with the 10-8 National Match rear that fits the standard rear Colt dovetail. I have a Novak dovetail cut for my front with a Dawson fiber optic. The dovetail cut gives one options of height and style. Such as FO, tritium, gold bead, white dot, black, etc.
What he said… One can get close to the retro look with the 10-8 National Match rear that fits the standard rear Colt dovetail and a dovetail front cut. I have a Novak dovetail cut for my front with a Dawson fiber optic. The dovetail cut gives one options of height and style. Such as FO, tritium, gold bead, white dot, black, etc.
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Been quite some time, but I have sent three slides to Novak for work, even talked to Wayne on one occasion, money well spent on all three………done right and fast too………….