Novak or Heinie front sight attachment

1698 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by TimB92020, Jul 25, 2001

TimB92020

Discussion Starter · Jul 25, 2001

I'm sending a Commander to Dane very soon for custom work. I'm sold on a Heinie rear sight,(tritium Slant Pro) but have a question regarding front sights. I know the Novak front sight is dovetailed into the slide and then secured in place with a roll pin. I have read that the Heinie front sight is secured only by the dovetail, with some sort of unique taper to it.

My questions are:

Should I specify a Novak front sight in order to get the most secure installation, or is the Heinie version sufficient for long-term durability?

Can a Heinie front sight be secured with a roll pin like the Novak version if I want the added security?

Is the Heinie dovetailed version so superior that I shouldn't even ask?

I have spoken on the phone with Dane regarding the custom work to be done on my pistol. This sight question is a recent afterthought. Rather than bug Dane on the phone I thought I might pose this question on the list, seems like a good topic for discussion.

Thanks in advance,

Tim

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: TimB92020 on 2001-07-24 22:48 ]</font>

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Shay

· #2 · Jul 25, 2001

Tim,
I'm no gun smith but I did replace a Heinie front with a new higher one last week and it was so hard to get out of the dovetail that I doubt it could accidently come out.
If the gun was to drop or get hit on the front sight I believe the blade would break before drifting the sight in the dovetail.
Dane wouldn't let a bad combo leave his shop.

Shay

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TimB92020

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 25, 2001

Shay,

Thanks for the reply. Make no mistake, I IN NO WAY INTENDED TO IMPLY A LACK OF COMPLETE CONFIDENCE IN DANE!!!!!

I was just looking for discussion on the two different methods of securing the front sight.

I have every confidence that if my sight were to come loose from shooting, Dane would fix it. If, on the other hand, it sustained any damage due to me dropping the gun, I would fully expect to assume responsibility for any repairs.

Just wanted to make that clear :smile:

I would still welcome any other replies (Dane?)

Thanks again,

Tim

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Dane Burns

· #4 · Jul 25, 2001

I have seen front sights come out, roll pinned and/or dovetailed. I have had at least one of my customers loose a front sight. I have seen a number of front sights come off from other builders. If done correctly, the Heinie is my first and only choice. The problems are too many to mention about roll pinned fronts. Leave it at, "I don't do them."

Biggest reason?

They can't easily be replaced. Feel free to call during shop time and I'll give you all the details.

No offense was taken BTW. Anyone, including myself, can loose a front sight no matter how they put in. They are a heck of a lot easier to fix to both our satisfaction though if there isn't a roll pin in. The key is CORRECTLY fitting the dovetail the first time.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Dane Burns on 2001-07-25 02:17 ]</font>

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Mike Benedict

· #5 · Jul 25, 2001

Dane is right on the money on this one.

Getting a pinned front sight out is a pain in the butt. A good fitting dovetail and a bit of Locktite is all you ever need.

Mike

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TimB92020

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 25, 2001

Thanks for the info guys. That pretty much clears up all my questions.

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