Chart for how much sight difference affects impact at 15 yards?

[1KPerDay]

I have an RIA tactical with fixed sights that hits about 4 inches below POA at 15 yards. How do I determine which replacement front or rear sight to order?

 

[rcmodel]

This should help.

http://www.brownells.com/GunTech/Sight_Correction_Calculator/detail.htm?lid=13093

rc

 

[1KPerDay]

thanks, but that gives me an amount of correction in inches. what do I do with that?

 

[1KPerDay]

duh. read the info on the page.

Terms
Amount of Error: Measure in inches the distance from the bullseye to your shot.
Sight Radius: Distance in inches from the front sight to the rear sight. *
Distance to Target: The distance in inches from your shooting position to the target.

Note: Be sure that your rear sight is at its mid-point before you shoot.

Formula

Amount of Error X Sight Radius
= Sight Correction Needed
Distance to Target
If you are shooting low, you would replace your front sight with a lower sight, and conversely, if you were shooting high, then you would replace your front sight with a higher sight. Add or subtract the number of thousandths needed to the actual height of your sight and you will have the correct height of the replacement sight.

Example
At 100 yards, your shot is 6" low and the distance between your front and rear sight is 19.5".

6 X 19.5
= .0325
3600
Since you are shooting low, you would need to lower your front sight by .032".

What's the sight radius on the 1911? 6 inches? 7?

 

[1KPerDay]

here's another one for anyone interested
http://www.sdmfabricating.com/sightcalc.html

 

[Browning Guy]

You have 2 choices. Buy a new front sight that is lower than your existing sight. Or do what I did with mine. Go to the range with a fine metal file and s-l-o-w-l-y file down the height of your existing sight. File 3-4 strokes then shoot a group of 5 and see where it hits. As the group moves up the target to the bull go slower ( 2-3 strokes) on the filing, then shoot. The hardest part of doing it was working up the nerve to start filing on it in the first place, after that it was easy. When done touch up your sight with a blueing pen.

 

[1911 guy]

Following Browning Guy's suggestion would probably be my first choice if it were my pistol. The amount of filing is going to be fairly small and worst case scenario is buying another front sight.

If you do buy another front sight, simply measure the one currently on the gun before filing (which you need to do anyway) and order one X amount shorter.

You're correct, the sight radius on a 1911 is six inches. So here's the math: 4 inches low, 540 inch range, 6 inch sight radius. 4/540=.0074 .0074*6 =.0444.

Assuming your group is consistent (I wouldn't adjust anything without a consistent group to baseline) you'll be filing just under fifty thousandths of an inch off the front sight.

Measure the sight before you begin filing, both as a reference if you do need another sight and also as an ammo saver. File off .022" and make sure it's now only two inches from the bull.

 

[Catpop]

First make sure the specific ammo you are using is not causing this low poi by trying different brands.
Second make sure your handhold (grip) is correct, ie no limp wristing, etc. 1911s take some practice to get consistent hits.
Then modify the sights.
Jmtcw

 

[340PD]

^^^^THIS^^^^

Easiest solved by having another experienced shooter or two fire your gun.

 

[reddog81]

I'd try different ammo or a different sight picture.
Heck if you go back to the range it will probably be shooting high next time. At least that's how it works for me and my Kimber 1911...

 

[1KPerDay]

Have tried multiple ammo types on multiple trips. Thanks. Some are closer to POA but all are low.

 

[BCRider]

ALL sights are adjustable. It's simply a matter that some you use with a screwdriver or allen key and others need a file or welder....

Some guns with short height military style sights might not want to file anything off the front but the RIA Tactical appears to have lots of meat on the front blade. So filing the front down a little is very much a doable process.

If you're going to file down the front sight check out this sketch for a slick trick to make it easy to ensure you get the proper slant away from the rear so there's no glare from the top edge and also to make sure the top stays square to the sides.

Remember that a metal file is like a wide saw. It only cuts on the push stroke. Or in this case when you pull the slide and sights towards the tang. It's not metallic sandpaper so ease off or lift the front sight on the return.

 

[1KPerDay]

Very slick trick. Thanks.

 

[1KPerDay]

Well, got the RIA shooting exactly where I want it. Was hitting 2.5-3-5 inches below POI, and I replaced the stock front blade with a Dawson Precision fiberoptic that was .04" shorter than stock (or maybe .03"; it's hard to measure the height of a sloped front blade.

In any case, it now hits just above the front sight which is where I like it. And I didn't have to file the Dawson at all, surprisingly... the one I installed recently on my P226 was a bear and took a lot of filing and a lot of frustration.

Video of RIA POI before and after for any interested.

https://youtu.be/_TliMm8zwwY