Sights specs for 1911 SC E (SKU 108485)

[Philipp]

Hello!

I bought an used S&W 1911 SC E model and it shoots terribly (be)low point of of aim. It is consistent though. Even not so much intentional flinching or closing my eyes can make me achieve this with my other guns.

Because I live in Austria, in Europe, (We Do Not Have Kangoroos Here) calling S&W and sending the gun in for a check isnt really an option. For the money and paperworks involved I think I could by a new S&W 1911 E here...

Other option would be to to add different sights. Being in Glockcountry having quazillion Glockmechanics (or in general gunsmiths) around getting different sights isnt such a problem, also not for SIG, and Walther - unless you come along with an exotic product like a S&W.

I read and heard the sights are "Novak" sights. Which sights are compatible with these "mount"-dimensions?

I asked TruGlo and they told me that, quote: "We are making great efforts to get technical/dimensional confirmation from S&W on their 1911 series pistols. Until this time, we are not making any recommendations for fitments.".

So, OK, no TruGlo sights for the S&W 1911SC E. But some of their sights size specs say "Novak 260/450" and other "Novak X/Y" values.

LPAsights didnt even reply. The do state however on some of their products that they are compatible with "Novak FXD". Do you know is this the right specification for the sights on the 1911 SC E?

Did anyone change the 1911 SC E sights, and so, which make and model, or size-spec did you ask for?

Thank you for any help or information,
with kind regards,
Philipp

 

[Tom Beavert]

Phillip,
Have you tried different ammo? It can make a difference.
The real experts will be by soon.
Talk to Dawson precision if you decide to buy sights.
tb

 

[Philipp]

Hello!

Thank you for the suggestion.

I tried S&B and Magtech ammo and with both had the problem of firing too low. I got a SIG 1911 .45 ACP additionally meantime and even with this gun, when I dial the adjustable rear sight all the way down, the shots dont go as low as those from the S&W with the fixed sights.

I gave the S&W 1911 to a local gunsmith to replace the nights sights but they cant find sights that fit. They got in contact with LPA, and even received samples "that should work" but didnt...

Sigh

Regards

 

[bdbender4]

I have a vision problem due to advancing age (macular degeneration) and can no longer see iron front sights at all. I have put Docter red dots on the three guns I use most, but today I sat down to order some some aftermarket large-front-sights or Heinie straight eights or something similar for my S&W 1911sc commander size. Putting a red dot up on top of a lightweight commander style sort of defeats the purpose of a gun that size.

Imagine my surprise at finding completely non-standard sights on it. Subsequently I found this post. My APPROXIMATE measurements, based on poking around with an inexpensive micrometer, with the stock sights still in the gun, are below. All measurements in fractions of inches.

Front: .126 sight width, . 160 sight height, .09 depth of cut in slide, .25 width at bottom, .20 at top. These are a little bit different on each side of the slide.

Back: .120 sight notch width, .300 sight height from a Novak-style flat cut at the rear of the slide, .430 width at bottom of sight cut in slide, .175 depth of sight cut in slide from the rounded top of the slide. There are some more measurements that could be made at the back, but I don't want to take the sight out to do it.

Mine also did not shoot anywhere near point of aim, I ended up moving the rear sight over to the right with a sight pusher. It's clearly a bit off-center in the slide now when you look down from the top.

Oh well, I guess this one goes back in the safe, I have other guns to shoot. But it's a shame on an otherwise nice gun. I know, it's "guaranteed for life" but I doubt that S&W would help in a search for aftermarket sights.

 

[AveragEd]

Mine shoots a little flat for me - I prefer to use a 6:00 hold and this gun shoots right at where the sights are positioned, so I guess for most people, it would be perfect. It isn't a target gun and I bought it to carry when the mood strikes so for that type of shooting (which I hope never has to be done), it's good.

Ed

 

[kantuck]

I'm not the expert in the room but I do know that Brownell's has gunsmiths that are easily accessible to you in Austria. The online catalog and live chat are a beginning. Many ebay & other web sellers will ship to Europe.
The 1911 sight dovetails do vary even on pistols that have the standard 1911 government build specs.
Maybe you need to find a ransom rest to tighten your results?
As for "back in the safe, comment above: Hmmmmmmmm.....
I sure wouldn't depend on a pistol manufacturer like S&W (or any other gun maker) to "find my sights"! That's part of the fun-finding farkles for the pistolas! I ride motorcycles and many companies are founded on aftermarket parts , guns, cars trucks, bicycles and many more machines and devices are no different. Even my wood lathes have enough chuck makers alone to boggle your mind and ruin your pocketbook.

 

[Philipp]

Thank you all for your input. I got consistent with my hits aligning the sights above bullseye and focusing on the front sight while pulling the trigger. It would be nice for carry because of its slender 1911 form but carry licenses are not longer issued (due to political leftish correctness) and for target shooting at the range I use a full size 1911 with an LPA sight. So I sold the S&W despite being a nice looking and feature rich gun. Also we can only have a limited small number of guns here, so it had to make space for another one I'm wanting to try. Thank you, Happy Shooting & Regards