Sight Height Question

[lhgdale]

Hello, I am looking at the Dawson Percision website and have found a front sight for my Les Baer TRS I like. They say the replacement sight for my Baer is .160 high but I put a calipber on the stock sight and it is more like .180. This is what Baer told me the height was when I called them .180. Could they be measuring in different places or would it make a difference? They also have one that is .180 high but when I ask about it they keep telling me the one for my gun is .160. I am confused. What would you do? Thanks.

[Ericthenorse]

If Baer tells you one thing, and Dawson sayss something else.... I would definately go with what Baer says, since they put it on origionally.... You could also call back both companies and ask where they are taking their measurements from. The difference between .160 and .180 is very small....

[Hawkmoon]

If Baer tells you one thing, and Dawson sayss something else.... I would definately go with what Baer says, since they put it on origionally.... You could also call back both companies and ask where they are taking their measurements from. The difference between .160 and .180 is very small....
Small, but significant.

The difference is .02". Using round numbers, assume a 6-inch sight radius. If the rear sight height is unchanged, that .02" at the front sight translates to .04" at 6 inches in front of the muzzle. From there it's simple geometry -- 0.04" at one foot from the rear sight becomes .4" at 10 feet and .8" at 20 feet.

That "little" difference could mean an inch at 25 feet, and 3" at 25 yards. That's hardly insignificant.

[wichaka]

Go with .180 .160 is way to short.

[Lazarus]

How can you estimate what the "average" gun sight evens out to? Every serious sight maker I know test fires the gun after sight installation and adjusts sight heights as necessary. Each slide, barrel and bushing will be fit slightly differently. So if you are real concerned, why not see if the gun shoots where you are aiming? Then you can make a determination about sight adjustments. I really don't see how else this can be done. It just does not lend itself to "standardization". You specify the ammo and supply the specific firearm. Then we can set the sights.

-Lazarus

[wichaka]

If the rear sight is standard height, then its pretty easy to determine the front height of sight you will need.

As full size 5" 1911's have a standard height front sight, as Commanders do as well.

[lhgdale]

I am going to get the Dawson Percision .180 height night sight. I measured the stock Baer sight and at the highest point it was .180. I am going to have Dawson ship the sight to Baer and have them install it while they are fixing the damage my Baer dealer did to my gun ( see Does this look right thread). Thanks for the info.

[Hawkmoon]

How can you estimate what the "average" gun sight evens out to? Every serious sight maker I know test fires the gun after sight installation and adjusts sight heights as necessary. Each slide, barrel and bushing will be fit slightly differently. So if you are real concerned, why not see if the gun shoots where you are aiming? Then you can make a determination about sight adjustments. I really don't see how else this can be done. It just does not lend itself to "standardization". You specify the ammo and supply the specific firearm. Then we can set the sights.

-Lazarus
That's for target sights, but three-dot "combat" or night sights have the dots or vials set into the sights and the heights of the dots/vials are not changed by filing down the top of the front or rear sight. They aren't intended for pinpoint accuracy so much as center-of-mass accuracy, but they have to be selected correctly for the barrel length/sight radius.

[FIREARMZ]

Ok where do we measure from? The base of the sight post or the bottom of the dove tail?

[wichaka]

Base of the sight post.........