I find the biggest problem with Heinie straight 8's is the precision of vertical aim. They're great, fast, easy to use, etc, but there's a little too much wiggle room in the up/down aim for what my eyes could identify as a proper sight picture.
It depends on what kind of shooting you do and how your eyes like the arrangement.

One of my carry guns, a Kahr, has the bar-dot type of sights which is like the Heinie but instead of the rear being a circle, it's a vertical rectangle/bar. Very fast, and accurate enough to hit a human sized target.

 

I loved the straight 8's on my PT1911. I think you'll enjoy yours as well.

 

HiViz fiber optics !!!

 

another good choice, but really just a three dot system with more "GLOW".
us older guys appreciate all the help we can get.

 

Well actually I am surprised that taurus even still has the hienie sights in stock?
they were replaced on the PT1911's many years ago with Novaks.
I am not sure if the new Pt1911 even has the same dove tails as the older Hienie sighted Pt1911?
if so then swapping isn't a big deal, if not then well!
as for the straight eight type sighting system people either hate or love it, only you can figure that out.
For me the sight system is much faster on target and more advantageous when shooting at moving targets, which is its intended purpose.

 

I'm on the other side of the fence. I never could get used to the "straight 8s". It took a lot more concentration for me to use them. It just wasn't as natural a sight picture. Just one of the consequences of being old and set in your ways, I guess. I replaced them with Williams Firesights. It worked out very well.

All I can say is that you have to try them and see if they work for you.

 

Olfarhors is correct regarding the Taurus change from Heinie to Novak having occurred some considerable amount of time ago. There is actually a story behind the change but it is not confirmed so I will not repeat it here.

The Taurus 1911 slides have the same dovetails no matter the OEM sights. The front sight height is different. The Heinie is .015 taller if memory serves.

The dealers should know better but continue to describe new pistols as equipped with Heinie while the picture shows Novak. One of the pistols I bought online was described as Heinie with a picture well after the change. I specifically asked hoping it was old stock. The response I received was Heinie equipped. I bought it only to discover Novak.

Dots are a kind of hurry up aid. They are no substitute for normal lining up the top and equal light on the sides for purposes of precision. This holds true with one, two or three dots.

 

I like the Straight eights on my oldest PT1911, IF I use them regularly then I get pretty accurate with them.
even if occasionally shot I can hit a bad guy enough to cause him a problem out to about 15-20 yards.

 

I'm one of those (maybe rare) people who thinks Heine vs. Novak sights on a gun is like leather vs. vinyl seats in a car: You might have a preference, but neither is worse or better enough than the other to make the difference. I hae both, and I've never bothered changing one to the other cuz they both do well. My preference is probably the Heine as it seems a little easier to use in a rush, but for some folks it may be more a matter of what you're used to.

 

Thanks everyone for all the reply's & pics, some sweet looking PT's. I took a picture of mine with the sights side by side , could not get the pic to post , but the heinie does seem as if will work just fine.
My wife drug me back into shooting when she decided she was not going to just wait to become a victim again after our home was broken into.
So truth is it is much more her gun, she really likes shooting a 1911 & is most times a better shot than I am.
Anyway it is a good thing that it worked out we have both sights at least now she can see them before having them put on.
The Novak sights are good & the pistol seems to be right on.
Does anyone know about what I should expect to pay to have them changed ?

 

That could be all over the place. I had one fellow charge me his minimum shop charge for one hour for a .25 hour job. Another couple of places will do direct replacement swaps for me for nothing because they have done expensive work for me. It just depends on the road I happen to be traveling. There is no one in my hometown.

There is a professional video on the Dawson Precision web site. You might have everything you need around your house. I lack a sturdy bench with a vice mounted. I even have pads to use in the vice I do not have.

 

This is a decision that you will need to make by seeing what works best for you. I personally prefer the three dot but have shot the Heine and did well with them.

Oh, by the way: Welcome to the Forum from North Texas! :wave: We're glad you decided to join us! :thumb:

 

,
Thanks from just east of ATL. GA. Sure hope you & yours are safe there in North Texas

 

Here's my CCW class qualifying target. I used my PT1911 with the straight 8's.

 

Here's my CCW class qualifying target. I used my PT1911 with the straight 8's.

Well at that range you should shoot great groups!
I am surprised that you didn't set the paper target on fire!!!-----------------

 

I'm not as proficient with straight 8. When I qualify with my M9, it's embarrassing because I am normally a 98-100% accuracy guy on 3 dot sights. I think at the end of the day it's what you are familiar with.

 

Very nice work there Jimster!

 

Not to deviate from the thread but the OP mentioned the weapon will protect his wife from home invasion, HELL ! Get the little
lady a JUDGE just point a shoot, no worry about sights put some defensive buck shot in the handgun and she got her own protection agency ....

 

I prefer Novak, but have Heinie on my 2007-ish PT1911.

 

Very true. The qualifying distances are very close. They should have moving targets. I must say that a PT1911 makes anyone a good shot.

 

No-No Jim!
I was poking fun at you as you were holding the gun right in front of the target with the holes in it!
Its actually an excellent grouping.

 

I'm a little slow this morning. Too much sausage gravy on my breakfast casserole. My coffee hasn't cut through the grease yet.

 

what is the difference?

 

Novak equals two dots in the rear and one dot in the front. Novak has the "shadow box" in the rear sight.
Heinie has one dot in the rear and one dot in the front. The Heinie has horizontal serrations in the rear sight.

The description above refers to the Taurus licensed versions of the Heinie and Novak sights.

 

is there a picture of them side by side?

 

I think I still have one of each as take offs but not on guns.

 

Yes, great shooting Jimster. My Pt 1911 is also quite accurate...on the rare occasions I can point it in the right direction. They're wonderful guns regardless of what sights are on them.

 

I believe the Heine sights are much better for a gunfight than target shooting. I have them on my PT1911 and on the PT145. I put the front dot on the POI and pull the trigger. As long as my arm is extended, and I can see the front sight, I'm on target each time. Not really good enough for competition, but as Jeff Quinn says, it's good enough for social work.

 

This si the closest that I can come to a side by side comparison.
the Pt -AL has had the front site replaced with a Hi-Viz , but just think of it as a front white dot and you got it.

 

Congrats on your purchase of a proven tack driver and welcome to the neighborhood!

I grew up shooting competitively and for fun using 3 dot, stag horn and other various iron sight configurations. When I got my PT 145, it cane with Heine Straight 8s and, not being familiar with them, wasn't too excited but said OK. For my PT 140, I swapped the Heines for Williams Firesights and got my familiar 3 point aiming configuration.

Since that time, I have come to appreciate the quicker acquisition of targets with the Straight 8! It really is quicker (in my case at least) to get on target when you aren't worrying about getting that middle dot perfectly centered between the two outer dots.

My PT1911 came with Novacks and I'll keep those. I still have the Heines on my 145 and don't plan to change them either.

You can always swap them in and out and see what works best for your planned use of your 1911.

 

i do prefer the 3 dot ones, but have used sites where there is no dots at all, and its just a case of lining up the front site into the gap in the rear. obviously not a target comp type gun. if i got the straight 8 i would probably swap it out