Novak Sights: Am I doing something wrong?

[Hammerhead6814]

I paid ten bucks to rent and then another twenty-four for ammo today (50 rounds). I had an American Classic 1911 pistol with "Novak" sight's on them.

At first, I thought I was shooting to high as I could see the rounds creating large puffs of dust and dirt well high of the target, and the back-stop is a good 40 yards from where I put my target. Then I finally I hit on my 23rd round. It was low of the target, but I had a hole to go from. Puzzled I tried again, and finally I saw a round skip off the concrete (dust scattered) and realized I was actually bouncing rounds low.

So instead of lining up the front and rear sight, I lined up the rear sight with the bottom of the front sight. The rest of my rounds all hit center at ten yards, and acceptably on target at fifteen and twenty.

Thing is, I've always lined up the front and rear sight's evenly on a 1911 pistol. I've only shot a G.I. spec 1911 before this one. Am I wrong in that the sights are supposed to be aligned or are Novak's just crap?

 

[pbearperry]

There is either something wrong with the sights or you are flinching badly.The best thing to do when this occurs is to have the best shot with you take a few shots to see if it is in fact the sights or you.

 

[BCRider]

Assuming you shot the G.I. spec one before and did decently with it then I'd say there is something way off with these Novak sights or perhaps with the gun itself.

Certainly what you described as your "fix" is not how the sights are supposed to be used. Not by a long shot given the degree of correction you had to employ.

I would not say that the sights themselves are to blame. Instead it would be the person that bought the sights for not selecting the correct front sight height spec.

 

[David E]

Properly installed Novaks are a joy to behold.

The amount of correction you describe indicates a serious issue with the gun itself. Even is the sights are "off," it wouldn't be to that degree.

We are presuming, of course, that you're not jerking the trigger the same way as pulling the pin of a grenade.

 

[rbernie]

Sights are 'matched' in height, front to rear. Sounds like the sights on this pistol were not matched.

So instead of lining up the front and rear sight, I lined up the rear sight with the bottom of the front sight. The rest of my rounds all hit center at ten yards, and acceptably on target at fifteen and twenty.

I bought a Springer 1911 Lightweight with Novak NSs that shot like this. The front blade was way too tall and at 15 yards the pistol shot almost a foot low. I wound up using a tall rear 10-8 rear blade to properly regulate the sights.

 

[BHPshooter]

The sights themselves are some of the best on the market...

But they must be installed correctly. Earth shattering, I know.

Wes

 

[Hammerhead6814]

I give up. I haven't been able to align them. Does anyone here own some Novak's and if so how did you get them to match up?

 

[David E]

Presuming the gun has a properly fitted barrel, bushing and link, properly fitted sights should be fairly close. When it is not, a higher or lower front sight is needed, but that wouldn't help you here.

Have someone of known ability shoot it. If they get the same results, there is a problem with the gun. If their shots are to point of aim, it ain't the gun or the sights.......