Adjustable Rear Sight question

[Arman4461]

I tend to like adjustable night sights on my 1911’s, so figured I would ask you folks if you know if I can get a set put on a few of my 2nd and 3rd gen autoloaders?

I have a set of Novak rear adjustable sights on a Colt, that look like his fixed combat sights, but are somewhat adjustable, but only for elevation. I would prefer to mount a set of Ed Brown’s version of the Bomar rear and a drift adjustable front sight, both with the tritium vials. After looking at some recent posts, I don’t know if the slides are compatible with the milling required to mount this type of sight arrangement. I have a 669, 3913 and a 639 that would be candidates for the sights.
My main complaint with the factory fixed sights are having to drift adjust the rears, and the small size of the sight picture presented by the puny notch and white dot front sight. I would be ok removing the magazine safety if that helps.
Your suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks!
Arman

 

[JohnHL]

Interesting question!

First, retention or deletion of the magazine safety will make no difference.

Second, I know of only one fully adjustable (windage and elevation) rear sight that is adaptable for tritium inserts.
That would be the excellent adjustable rear combat sight (designed by the recently passed head of S&W R&D, Dwayne Charron) as installed on the full size, 3rd gen service pistols (i.e. 5906; 4006; et al.) and fitted with Trijicon's SA01 illuminated sight inserts.

Third, the pistols you mention (669, 3913, 639) were not milled from the factory to accept the S&W adjustable rear sight, with the exception of the adjustable sighted 639, which unfortunately, has a front sight that is part of the slide (as is the 669) and is not replaceable.

So....
I can think of two options to solve your problem:

1) Have your existing slides milled to accept 3rd generation rear adjustable and front dovetail sights. (A lot of work, expense, and practically irreversible.)

2) Locate a used slide and barrel assembly for a Model 5906 with adjustable sights, install the Trijicon SA01 illuminated replacements, and use that slide on the 669, 3913, and 639.

I have found that my 5906 slides fit and function on my 2nd and 3rd gen compact and full size, 9mm pistols.

LPA has cataloged an adjustable rear sight to fit the fixed sight dovetail on Novak style 3rd gen pistols, however I am not aware of any method of installing tritium vials to that sight.

My first choice would be the used 5906 slide, thus allowing you to return your pistols to original configuration (quite easily) at your discretion.

I hope this helps.

John

 

[Arman4461]

John,
Thanks for the great idea. A 5906 slide with adjustable sights will be fine on my 639, although it has s&w adjustable rear sight as-is, so I assume I could just install the tritium SA01 sight into the existing protective ears? If so, I would then need to find somebody to mill the existing front sight and cut a dovetail for a tritium blade.
I would like to keep the 669 and 3913 with their existing slide length. Is there a 3rd gen slide of compact length with adjustable sights that would work on those two? Such a slide would already have a dovetailed front sight so I could replace its sights with tritium. I don’t care if the available slide is blue or stainless steel, as long as it is the same length as the existing slide. If it didn’t have ambidextrous safety levers, that would be even better.
Don’t want much, do I?
Thanks again.....Arman

 

[JohnHL]

You're welcome!

Yes, the SA01 will work in your 639 adjustable rear and...

Yes, you would need to "re-machine" your 639 slide to accept the dovetail front sight.

None of the compact slides were ever milled for the adjustable sight from the factory.

If you can lay your hands on a 6906 slide assembly, you could then have the rear dovetail enlarged to accept the adjustable rear sight.
That would work on your 669 and 3913.

Safety levers are interchangeable.

FWIW, I have a 4006 adjustable sight slide that the S&W R&D Department welded up the large rear sight dovetail and then remilled it for the Novak style rear sight.
If that wasn't enough, they welded on an extension to the rear and milled it to duplicate the long rear for the DAO (4046) pistol.

This was done while they were designing the DAO mechanism.

It is almost invisible.

Just shows what can be done with determination!

John

 

[Arman4461]

Thanks John!
Your timing was perfect. I read your first response and took a look on eBay, where they had a 5906 slide complete, with adjustable sights. I bought that puppy. Now to find one for the compacts��

Is the SA01 tritium rear sight a drop-in? If it just needs minor filing, no big deal. Otherwise I’ll send the slide off to the member on this forum that does such stuff.

 

[JohnHL]

You're a resourceful fellow, Arman!

A slide assembly for a 3913, 3914, 6904, or 6906 should serve you for your 669 and 3913.

Sounds like you are on your way.

John

 

[JohnHL]

The SA01 rear sight slide might fit in your rear sight without a little fitting and finesse...

But in my experience, you should expect to do some filing.

John

 

[JohnHL]

Also, you could have your existing 3913 slide milled for the adjustable rear and use it on your 669 and 3913 if you so desire, saving some expense.

John

 

[jsbethel]

Meprolight used to make night sights for the adjustable 639 - the front sight was pinned into the ramp sight. They are probably discontinued and even if you found an old set, Meprolight does not re-lamp sights like Trijicon does.