Need Help - Allen Size for Novak Sights on new Colt Combat Elite?

[KneeDragr]

Hello all,

I wanted to tighten my Novak sites before going to the range this weekend but I cant seem to find an allen that fits. Anyone know the size?

Ive heard the sites are loose from the factory.

The manual has nothing about the sites in it.

[ewayte]

I Googled "novak allen wrench" and a thread on another forum gave the size for the XSE as 1/16". I'm glad you asked as I picked up a Combat Elite yesterday.

[lksstbls]

I have three pistols with Novak sights. One takes a 5/64" and the other two a 1/16". Don't have the Colt model pistol you refer to.

The sight that takes the larger wrench is on a full-size government model. The sights that take the smaller wrench are on Commander sized pistols.

[KneeDragr]

Guess my metric ones arent going to work then, lol.

Thanks guys, will pick up an english set tomorrow.

I cant wait to run some rounds through this gun this weekend! :)

I havent fired a Colt since I sold my Gold Cup nearly 10 years ago!

[Ric4509]

Good luck! Mine really came loose almost falling off the slide. My advantage is that I'm local and Colt factory is 8 miles from my house. Colt, I believe replaced the Novaks reard sight on my XSE CE. I haven't fired the gun again. Maybe Saturday.

[clughog]

Welcome to the Forum, KneeDragr. The 1/16" works with my Defender (I think they're Champion sights), but it takes a 5/64" for the Novak sights on the Colt Combat Elite, at least on the two I just picked up last week. And I certainly support tightening them before you head for the range.

[KneeDragr]

Thanks clughog I will make sure the set I get has both.

[KneeDragr]

It takes a 5/64.

Just tightened the rear sight - wow was it loose. I think the allen turned about 270 degrees freely until it met with some resistance. Im bringing the allen to the range and I will check to see if it works its way loose.

[Joni Lynn]

Welcome to the forum.
Enjoy your new 1911.
If it works it's way loose a slight amount of clear nail polish on the threads would stop that from occuring.

[clughog]

On the ones I've tightened, a Defender and two XSE models, I've not had a problem with any of them working loose after my initial tightening. But, wow, were they loose from the factory!

[javichin1991]

On the ones I've tightened, a Defender and two XSE models, I've not had a problem with any of them working loose after my initial tightening. But, wow, were they loose from the factory!

Novak style rear sights come loose from Colt to allow final owner of the pistol to adjust them in windage. One adjusted, a small drop of blue or purple loctite will fix the screw forever (by no means use red loctite 271).

It is a common practise, in fact Ed Brown furnish their fine pistols with the Novak rear sight loose a 1/16 wrench and small tube of loctite in order to be precisely adjusted by the owner.

Hope it helps,

Javi