i currently have the stock fixed sights on my 4506 and want to add some night sights. i dont want any adjustable one because this is a cc weapon. whats brands are good out there? im looking for some that dont require machining. what kinds do you guys have on yours?
sights for my 4506
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i currently have the stock fixed sights on my 4506 and want to add some night sights. i dont want any adjustable one because this is a cc weapon. whats brands are good out there? im looking for some that dont require machining. what kinds do you guys have on yours?
bill_in_TX
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I asked the same question here a couple weeks ago for my 1026 (same frame, same sights). Between the answers there and some additonal research, I found a variety of options:
Novak would probably be the most common. I gather that they (or someone there) had a hand in developing this frame/pistol although I can't find any positive reference to that.
Champion Sights makes some for 1911 that look like they might fit, although all their fronts seem a little short to me.
PT/MMC Sights makes both fixed and adjustables for this Smith series.
Meprolight (my favorite) makes the set ML11755 for this series and is probably what I'll get after checking sight heights.
One of the issues that you'll encounter is that, during the period in which these pistols were made, S&W was still shooting each one and putting on sights of the correct height to make POA and POI coincide. They had some 8 (so I've been told) different heigth front sights.
The aftermarket guys, in general, can't afford (or be bothered) to make the same range of sight heights for general consumption, so they make the most common. The exceptions to this might be Novak and Champion. If your sights fit the "most common" you're probably good to go. Otherwise, you're probably better off talking to Novak.
Since they are my favorites, I corresponded with the tech guy at Meprolight(Kimber here in the US). He says that their heights for the model noted above are 0.260" front and 0.480" rear. I haven't yet measured mine to see what I've got.
Just a final note. None of the ones I listed (except maybe Champion, which is an unknown to me) require "machining" in the sense of a different dovetail. Almost all, however, will require some "fitting" since (in my experience) all the aftemarket guys make the sight dovetail a little too big for the slide dovetails.
Novak would probably be the most common. I gather that they (or someone there) had a hand in developing this frame/pistol although I can't find any positive reference to that.
Champion Sights makes some for 1911 that look like they might fit, although all their fronts seem a little short to me.
PT/MMC Sights makes both fixed and adjustables for this Smith series.
Meprolight (my favorite) makes the set ML11755 for this series and is probably what I'll get after checking sight heights.
One of the issues that you'll encounter is that, during the period in which these pistols were made, S&W was still shooting each one and putting on sights of the correct height to make POA and POI coincide. They had some 8 (so I've been told) different heigth front sights.
The aftermarket guys, in general, can't afford (or be bothered) to make the same range of sight heights for general consumption, so they make the most common. The exceptions to this might be Novak and Champion. If your sights fit the "most common" you're probably good to go. Otherwise, you're probably better off talking to Novak.
Since they are my favorites, I corresponded with the tech guy at Meprolight(Kimber here in the US). He says that their heights for the model noted above are 0.260" front and 0.480" rear. I haven't yet measured mine to see what I've got.
Just a final note. None of the ones I listed (except maybe Champion, which is an unknown to me) require "machining" in the sense of a different dovetail. Almost all, however, will require some "fitting" since (in my experience) all the aftemarket guys make the sight dovetail a little too big for the slide dovetails.
SW CQB 45
Member
sights made for a 1911 Novak cut will not work in your SW gen 3 Novak cut slides.
you will be limited to sights for SW Novak style
mepro
trijicon
novak
MMC
SW which I beleive are made by Novak
there may be other sights, but these are the main ones.
a 1911 front dovetail sight will not work on your gen 3 slide. the sw dovetail dimensions are different. You will need a SW gen 3 front night sight.
My Opinion, only Novak sights flow with the original lines of the pistol. Trijicon and Mepros have some funny looking shapes and they may be taller. the Novak style night sights do not change the look of the gun.
you will be limited to sights for SW Novak style
mepro
trijicon
novak
MMC
SW which I beleive are made by Novak
there may be other sights, but these are the main ones.
a 1911 front dovetail sight will not work on your gen 3 slide. the sw dovetail dimensions are different. You will need a SW gen 3 front night sight.
My Opinion, only Novak sights flow with the original lines of the pistol. Trijicon and Mepros have some funny looking shapes and they may be taller. the Novak style night sights do not change the look of the gun.
KurtC
Member
I use the XS Standard Dot tritium sights on my carry guns, including a 4556 and 4546. They can make the rear sight in different heights if your POI is off.
Heavy .45 acp bullets have a pumpkin trajectory, as opposed to the Magsafe and Glaser loads that shoot flat. The POI can vary as much as 6 inches at 25 meters.
Heavy .45 acp bullets have a pumpkin trajectory, as opposed to the Magsafe and Glaser loads that shoot flat. The POI can vary as much as 6 inches at 25 meters.
jamesavery22
Member
I am wondering this as well. XS's sight doesnt mention any different height versions
KurtC
Member
1. Don't get the Big Dot from XS. Those things belong on the end of shotgun barrels. It will oscure too much of your target. Get the Standard Dot. They are still bigger than any other front sight available.
2. The front sights are a standard height. It is the rear sight that is available in different heights. The 10mm is pretty flat shooting, regardless of bullet weight. I would imagine one size fits all, but they can be made higher or lower, to meet your needs. Send them an e-mail.
2. The front sights are a standard height. It is the rear sight that is available in different heights. The 10mm is pretty flat shooting, regardless of bullet weight. I would imagine one size fits all, but they can be made higher or lower, to meet your needs. Send them an e-mail.
