I need a shorter sight for my STI ... but where to find one ...?

[ranbur]

I have recently acquired a gorgeous STI 1911 ... only prob is it has a .180 x .100 front fiber optic sight ... my groups at 15 yds are way low ... 4" low on ave using a target hold (ie: top of blade on the bullseye) ... even shooting combat hold it's still 2" low.

Using Dawson Precision's Sight Math it tells me I need a .130 tall sight ... .050" shorter ... being a fiber optic I can not file it down that much .... not that I really wanted to do that anyway.

I have been searching all over for a DP .130 tall sight ... and preferably .125" wide as I find the .100 kinda skinny, lots of space showing in the notch.

I have checked Freedom V's site and it seems the shortest they carry is .160 ... DP won't ship to Canada ... and I haven't seen anything anywhere else in my web searching.

Anyone have any ideas where I can look? Or another approach to making this gun shoot target hold?

Or even anyone got a standard steel STI front that I could file down?

Thanks

 

[caperaway]

Ranger 2?
I had the same problem and ended up buying a regular front sight and filing it down.

 

[sevoman]

Try Brownells,they have a pretty varied collection of sights that should work in your STI

 

[redruns]

Freedom ventures hooked me up with an order from Dawson Precision. Worth a 2 minute phone call. Be warned that the shipping is expensive.

 

[ranbur]

Ranger 2?
I had the same problem and ended up buying a regular front sight and filing it down.

Thanks caperaway - where did you get the stock front?

 

[ranbur]

Freedom ventures hooked me up with an order from Dawson Precision. Worth a 2 minute phone call. Be warned that the shipping is expensive.

How long did you have to wait for them to order it in?

 

[sevoman]

PM sent

 

[BCRider]

....Or another approach to making this gun shoot target hold?

That's not an option. It requires that you can make the gun print HIGHER than the aiming point. And that requires a shorter front sight than what you are already trying to find.

The other option is a taller rear sight. If you like the fiber optic front sight then a taller rear sight would do the same thing as a shorter front sight.

It sounds like some previous misguided owner wanted the look of a fiber front sight on a gun that is set up with the very low military style sights. But they didn't understand what was needed and only replaced the front sight. Given the .05" mis match that sure seems like this might be the situation. Especially if your current rear sight is a simple non adjustable one with a rather low profile.

 

[redruns]

How long did you have to wait for them to order it in?

Not long, it may have been on order when I asked for it. About a week for them to get it, and then a few days for shipping to me.

edit:

Have you considered getting a matched front/rear set from DP through FV?

 

[caperaway]

I just ordered a cheap front post from brownells to file down...didn't want to spend a bunch on something I was going to modify. Tried getting a proper set of sights from Freedom Ventures but,as with everytime I email them,no reply.