How to measure front sight height

Roland Thunder · November 18, 2015, 11:47 PM

I was going to purchase a Dawson fiber optic front sight for my SA Loaded Target 9mm 1911. The Dawson sights come in a variety of heights and widths. The Dawson CSR told me I could find the height of my current front sight by measuring them with calipers. I don't see how that can be done since I can't get the caliper jaws around both the top and bottom of the sights due to it being mounted on the slide.

Any suggestions?

Mike38 · November 18, 2015, 11:57 PM

Most calipers have a depth gauge. Open yours and if a "tail" comes out the scale, use that.

burrhead · November 19, 2015, 12:26 AM

Measure from the top of the sight to the bottom of the slide. Then measure the height of the slide. Subtract the slide height from the slide/sight total to get sight height.

TunnelRat · November 19, 2015, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Measure from the top of the sight to the bottom of the slide. Then measure the height of the slide. Subtract the slide height from the slide/sight total to get sight height.

Simple, but awesomely effective. Excellent.

Roland Thunder · November 19, 2015, 10:23 AM

Tried burrhead's method and Mike38's method. Got the same results both ways, .173

Dawson doesn't have any sights exactly that height, they have .170 and .180. How would either of those impact my shooting (higher or lower) and what adjustment would I have to make to the rear sight.

Thanks to all

Whirlwind06 · November 19, 2015, 10:40 AM

.180 would be lower .170 would be a bit higher. If you are getting rear sight as well, it probably won't matter.

RickB · November 19, 2015, 12:18 PM

The loaded target has an adjustable rear, so if you get the slightly shorter front, you might have to turn the rear down a click, and if you get the .180 you'll have to go up a couple or three.

Dave P · November 19, 2015, 12:30 PM

You measured your front sight to the top, which is normally your line of sight. But on the F/O sights: are the measurements to the top of the fiber, or to the center of the fiber(which will be your line of sight)?

You can do the math ...

RickB · November 19, 2015, 02:13 PM

To the top of the sight blade, like any other post sight.
The dot is an indicator of where the front sight is, not a replacement for the sight.

November 18, 2015, 11:47 PM	#1
Roland Thunder Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Gwinnett County Georgia Posts: 1,137	How to measure front sight height I was going to purchase a Dawson fiber optic front sight for my SA Loaded Target 9mm 1911. The Dawson sights come in a variety of heights and widths. The Dawson CSR told me I could find the height of my current front sight by measuring them with calipers. I don't see how that can be done since I can't get the caliper jaws around both the top and bottom of the sights due to it being mounted on the slide. Any suggestions? __________________ Do not follow where the path may lead, go, instead where there is no path and leave a trail - Ralph Waldo Emerson

November 19, 2015, 12:26 AM	#3
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,149	Measure from the top of the sight to the bottom of the slide. Then measure the height of the slide. Subtract the slide height from the slide/sight total to get sight height. __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

November 19, 2015, 10:23 AM	#5
Roland Thunder Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Gwinnett County Georgia Posts: 1,137	Tried burrhead's method and Mike38's method. Got the same results both ways, .173 Dawson doesn't have any sights exactly that height, they have .170 and .180. How would either of those impact my shooting (higher or lower) and what adjustment would I have to make to the rear sight. Thanks to all __________________ Do not follow where the path may lead, go, instead where there is no path and leave a trail - Ralph Waldo Emerson Last edited by Roland Thunder; November 19, 2015 at 10:29 AM.

November 19, 2015, 12:18 PM	#7
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,556	The loaded target has an adjustable rear, so if you get the slightly shorter front, you might have to turn the rear down a click, and if you get the .180 you'll have to go up a couple or three. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

November 19, 2015, 12:30 PM	#8
Dave P Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 1999 Location: North Florida Posts: 1,351	You measured your front sight to the top, which is normally your line of sight. But on the F/O sights: are the measurements to the top of the fiber, or to the center of the fiber(which will be your line of sight)? You can do the math ... __________________ I think this country is screwed.

November 18, 2015, 11:57 PM	#2
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,758	Most calipers have a depth gauge. Open yours and if a "tail" comes out the scale, use that.

November 19, 2015, 10:40 AM	#6
Whirlwind06 Senior Member Join Date: March 3, 2006 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 998	.180 would be lower .170 would be a bit higher. If you are getting rear sight as well, it probably won't matter.

November 19, 2015, 02:13 PM	#9
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,556	To the top of the sight blade, like any other post sight. The dot is an indicator of where the front sight is, not a replacement for the sight. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.