I have a Colt 1911 Officer's Model, compact. It was a NIB gun from the late 1980's I believe, but I decided to try it out this weekend. I am not the original owner.

While shooting at the target range, the front sight went flying off.

We were able to find it.

A friend who is very knowledgeable, did a repair and everything seemed fine. After about another 200 rounds to test, the front and back of the front sight was 'rocking' back and forth pretty dramatically. My friend said that because his fix didn't work, it's best to send in to the factory because any additional work would amount to 'backyard' gun smithing; and it wasn't worth the risk to the slide with the tools he had.

There really aren't any gunsmiths in my area, that I would feel comfortable sending it to.

My first thought is Colt. On their website, they have low-pro Novak night sights and if any machining is required, it runs about $ 250.00. (I wonder how quick turn-around would be; and will call tomorrow).

Are there any other custom shops you'd recommend I could send the top-slide to? If i'm already spending a few hundred on sites, is there any other upgrades or packages you'd recommend that wouldn't exceed $600 (+/-) in total? Price is arbitrarily picked but i'm thinking that it likely will never be a bulls-eye gun...

Thank for your help

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Rather be outdoors

You could check with Mid West Gunworks:
Midwest Gun Works, Inc

1101 Mason Circle Drive South

Pevely, MO, 63070

Tel: 636-475-7300

Fax: 636-475-7303

[email protected]

I would go with Colt. It might take awhile (waited ~2 month for a trigger install.) but they do very good work.

But you can also check Wayne Novak's site. He has prices listed and accepts just the slides for sight installation. But I would also call to make it for sure.

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Jorge

Without a proper staking tool you can't peen the foot of the front sight in tight enough, and it needs red locktite under it before staking. The alternative is silver soldering it in (that's how mine has stayed for 25+ years). This is why you now see the slide dovetailed to mount the front sight.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Replacing the front sight on a 1911 is a fairly simple job IF you have the right tool. Brownells 1911 Front Sight Staking Punch
Any half way decent gunsmith should be able to do it. If they have the correct front sight in stock, they should be able to do it while you wait. Only takes a few minutes.
Or it can be a nice little DIY project if you'd rather spend the money on the tool instead of the gunsmith.
You will need to know if your sight has the older narrow tenon or the newer wide tenon. I'm thinking yours will probably be the wide tenon.
Changing rear sights which require machine work is a whole 'nother ball game.

I second Wayne Novak. I mean if you are going to use his sights, why not have his shop do the work?

alex Hamilton at 10ring precision, cylinder& slide shop. there are two good ones.

I did the Colt 1911 armorer class last thursday and friday. Sounds like the Colt Custom Shop is squared away, based on other classmates experience.

The others above are of course top notch and I've never heard anything bad about them.

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Cheers, Charles
SWCA #2442

don't forget to check the barrel bushing for cracks. in addition to losing the front sight on my officer's model I replaced the barrel bushing 3 times. I found another home for it

Having had a couple of these I always replaced the bushing with the guide rod/reverse bushing thing. Ups the reliability but ruins any collector value.

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SOS USA

Both have good reputations. Even though they have become almost universal, I dislike Novak sights. Before you spend the money and permanently modify your Colt, be sure you really like the sight picture provided by the rear Novak sight. I think it is atrocious, but seem to be alone in that judgment.

(I also think the rear sight looks ridiculous on a 1911, but, there I go again... )

(The only thing sillier looking that I can think of is Kimber's style of fixed rear sight. )

Carniak Custom - Michigan Gunsmith Marianne Carniak - 1911 Pistol Customization

Never had anything done there, but for some strange reason, the thought of a cigar smoking woman handling my pistol get's me all tingly....