Installing Novaks sights on Colt Government

[Black Majik]

Hi everyone.

I have a question about replacing the GI sights on my Colt Government with sights from novak..

They list low mount sights and the dovetail sights? What are the differences, the height of the sight?

Next, what kind of machining is required to install these sights? Will the Novak sights fit in the GI cut? Would I need to reblue the slide if machining is required?

how about the Chip McCormick drop in rear sight, would that require machining vs. the Novak sights? I dont need night sights, I just prefer Novak sight picture instead of the GI sights. How much am I expecting to pay?

Any suggestions on what to do?

Thanks.

 

[Mute]

- Difference between low mount and the standard is a difference in heighth. I don't recall how much of a difference.

- If you want it installed properly, the slide will need to be cut with a mill. It will not work well with the GI dovetail. This being the case, the slide will need to be reblued.

- Others who have tried the McCormick sight have successfully installed them without any machining or gunsmithing. YMMV.

- If memory serves me correctly, Alan Tanaka in Gardena charged me $120 to install a Heinie Slant Pro, and a Novak Tritium front including the parts. That should give you an idea of the cost for installing the Novak. Ted Yost charges $95 for Novak low mount. Rebluing could cost from $50-120 depending on whether you can do just the slide and if any refinishing is necessary.

McCormick would be the cheap route, but I don't like the sight picture on that sight. If you like it, it could save you quite a few bucks. IMO, if you're going to go with the Novak, then you should call a gunsmith for his imput and pricing. Locally, I suggest Alan Tanaka, Jim Hoag or Gunsight in Fullerton. I believe George at Gunsight can install the Novaks also. IIRC, he quoted me about $150 for the Heinies.

Good luck.

 

[Black Majik]

Hi there Mute,

If I went with the McCormicks, how should I go about replacing the front sight? Which brand of a front sight would you recommend if I go with the McCormicks rear? Would the front sights cuts need to be modified also to accompany a new front sight?

I'm trying not to reblue the gun in any way possible. Thats why I'm looking for alternatives in sights that would allow me to keep the factory finish?

I'll stop by George's later to gather his opinions.

Thank you.

 

[Mute]

You may or may not need to change the front sight. If the front sight can be filed to match the McCormick, you're good to go. If you do need to change the front, Novak seems to have the most height selection. I personally prefer dovetailing for the front but you could choose to have it staked also. If you stake the frontsight you won't need to refinish the slide.

 

[JoeHatley]

I replaced the stock sights on this old Colt slide with a set from Wilson Combat.



They give a much better sight picture than stock, and no milling or refinishing is needed. You need to have a staking tool, or you can send them the slide and they will install them for a small fee.

Good Luck...

Joe