Grand power xcalibur front sight
- Thread starter MartyK2500
- Start date
I just compared the front sight of my GP X-Calibur with my CZ SP01 Shadow and was surprised to see that they share a very similar dovetail mounting. Roughly checked with a vernier show the dovetail measurements to be very close, overall length and retaining pin position to be close as well. The Shadow front sight is lower, but I believe it's available in various heights. Would have to take them out to confirm exact measurements and interchangeability.
Are you looking to swap in a CZ fiber optic sight on to your X-Calibur? Just curious, what is it you don't like about the X-Calibur front sight?
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Are you looking to swap in a CZ fiber optic sight on to your X-Calibur? Just curious, what is it you don't like about the X-Calibur front sight?
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Thank you, this confirms that it's the same style of sights.
I will further my research before ordering (CZ custom charges 40$US shipping so i must absolutely be sure).
I currently compete in classic with a fully tuned 1911, and cannot afford two like it so the xcal will be a backup gun / steel challenge gun.
And why the sight change?
1. I want to have the same sight picture as my match 1911, which is rear sight notch 15 thou wider than front blade width.
2. 1.5mm fiber is too big for me, i lose front sight top corners, definition hidden by large fiber blob.
3. With factory sight setup, guys around here have maxed elevation adjustment using weak 147gr ammo, front sight would need to be taller.
I have not received it yet, but a few guys around here shoot one and have spent time observing and measuring with a caliper!
I will further my research before ordering (CZ custom charges 40$US shipping so i must absolutely be sure).
I currently compete in classic with a fully tuned 1911, and cannot afford two like it so the xcal will be a backup gun / steel challenge gun.
And why the sight change?
1. I want to have the same sight picture as my match 1911, which is rear sight notch 15 thou wider than front blade width.
2. 1.5mm fiber is too big for me, i lose front sight top corners, definition hidden by large fiber blob.
3. With factory sight setup, guys around here have maxed elevation adjustment using weak 147gr ammo, front sight would need to be taller.
I have not received it yet, but a few guys around here shoot one and have spent time observing and measuring with a caliper!
Thanks good to know
I do find GP factory front sights too wide.
My friend did fit a shadow front sight on the xcal, a bit of fitting but no worse than fitting an 1911 part.
Then at dawson precision, you can get exact height, width, and fiber optic diameter for CZ shadow.
I do find GP factory front sights too wide.
My friend did fit a shadow front sight on the xcal, a bit of fitting but no worse than fitting an 1911 part.
Then at dawson precision, you can get exact height, width, and fiber optic diameter for CZ shadow.
Interesting, I never noticed that but you are right. The Grand Power front sight is 0.120" wide, while the CZ sight is 0.115" wide. The sight pictures on both appeared almost the same to me because the Grand Power rear sight notch is wider than the one on the CZ (0.135 vs 0.125). The combination of the CZ front sight with the Grand Power rear sight would give a wider sight picture (more space visible on either side of the front sight). I don't think that would be within IPSC rules in the Production division, so I'll probably just leave mine alone.
*** Correction. I just checked and it looks like it may be ok to use the CZ front sights on a Grand Power X-Calibur:
17.2 Aftermarket open sights (see Rule 5.1.3.1) are permitted, provided their installation and/or adjustment
requires no alteration to the handgun.
requires no alteration to the handgun.
For the fiber optic rod, I tend to like a big blobby sight because I find it easier to pick up, although you do sacrifice some precision as sometimes the bright blob washes out the crisp edges of the front sight. Another shooter gave me a tip about mounting the fiber optic rod. Apparently there is a counter-bore in these front sights, so you are supposed to push the rod through, melt the end a little, and then pull it back slightly so it's flush with the back of the front sight. The fiber optic rod will form into the counter-bore to keep it from pulling through. You can then cut off the excess and melt a bigger blob on the other end. It should look like this if you have done it right. Will try that on one of my X-Caliburs next time I replace the fiber optic rod.
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Yes every dawson style front style have the counter bore, as i heat the fiber i pull on it hard enough to sink in.
Then by personnal choice i black it out with a sharpie, and on certain hard to see indoor ranges i clean the black off.
I just took a bit of black out off right now for a pic, sometimes pictures will not do justice but the 1.0mm is much more delicate than 1.5mm, and if you track the front sight correct during recoil there is not need for a red blob to help hunt for it.
You will notice during an ipsc match, when some match director decides he want a 5" plate at 20M, a more delicate fiber will help.
The b'ack bottom right corner is some sharpie that did not go out.
Then by personnal choice i black it out with a sharpie, and on certain hard to see indoor ranges i clean the black off.
I just took a bit of black out off right now for a pic, sometimes pictures will not do justice but the 1.0mm is much more delicate than 1.5mm, and if you track the front sight correct during recoil there is not need for a red blob to help hunt for it.
You will notice during an ipsc match, when some match director decides he want a 5" plate at 20M, a more delicate fiber will help.
The b'ack bottom right corner is some sharpie that did not go out.
Thanks for sharing your techniques. Maybe I misunderstood your first post where you mentioned "i lose front sight top corners, definition hidden by large fiber blob". I definitely prefer big blocky sights on my target guns for precision shooting
I'm designing stages for some qualifiers and club matches this year, that 5" plate at 20M sounds like a pretty good idea lol
Especially in the sun, once the sun hits that front fiber it starts glowing to the point that it's too much.
And with a 1.5mm, especially if not recessed, the glow will hide your top corners.
Now that you have this in mind, the only way to convince you is to practice sone slow bullseye target yourself outdoors, you will see how precisice you can go with your setup.
Good thing your in BC, have as much fun as you want with these plates far out
And with a 1.5mm, especially if not recessed, the glow will hide your top corners.
Now that you have this in mind, the only way to convince you is to practice sone slow bullseye target yourself outdoors, you will see how precisice you can go with your setup.
Good thing your in BC, have as much fun as you want with these plates far out
