Urey W. Patrick, FBI-Retired, September 2010
Author of: In Defense of Self and Others...

"I have been a shooter all my life - recreationally and professionally. I spent a career as an FBI firearms instructor, most of it serving at the FBI Firearms Training Unit in Quantico, VA. And I was good, too. Then I began to get older ... and my arms became too short, and my vision too diminished. I could not distinguish between the front and rear sights like I used to. Worse, many of my favorite guns had black on black front and rear sights - I could not shoot them at all. All I saw was a big blurred black blob. In fact, even sights with inserts (white dots, tritium, etc) were hard to see - blurry, and ill defined in my vision. I could have bought prescription shooting glasses, but resisted - I still carry a gun - I still may need to shoot when I can't find or put on glasses. Prescription shooting glasses seemed like a good range solution - but I wanted to be able to shoot anywhere, anytime - like I used to, without first looking for glasses.

Wayne Novak solved that problem. He took one of my all-time favorite guns - a S&W M945 with all-black sights - and put his gold bead insert in the front, and his all-black, wide notch rear sight on the back. He took 20-years off of my eyes - now I can see my sights again - I see that gold bead and center it in the black blurred rear sight notch - and I can shoot like I did 20 years ago. It's a wonderful, efficient and effective solution to aging eyes. And now I can shoot a favorite gun I had not picked up in years, because I could not see the sights. Wayne is miracle worker. Since then, he has put the same sight system on a number of my handguns - all the ones with black sights and some of ones with inserts - single actions, double actions... I can see my sights again, and I can shoot them all, any time, any where... indoors, outdoors.

Then Wayne "innovated" another on of my guns. I have several Kimber 1911-models. He replaced the back strap and grip safety with his one-piece back strap, taking the grip safety out of play completely. I had never had a problem with the grip safety on a 1911-style pistol - but now that I have shot my Kimber extensively with Wayne's one-piece back strap, the caution in the back of mind to be certain of my grip - take that extra millisecond to insure the grip safety was depressed. That little hint of caution is gone - it may just be mental, but my handling, gripping and shooting of the gun are just a bit more relaxed and efficient. Grip it and rip it - no worries. The gun is somehow more comfortable - and I am quicker with it. Another great innovation by Wayne Novak.

Further, I have large hands. If I shoot a 1911-style like my Kimbers with a straight mainspring housing I have a low natural point of aim. The gun does not come up aligned with my line of sight, but slightly muzzle down. So I use the arched mainspring housing - that gives me a perfect natural point of aim - the gun comes up to eye level with the sights perfectly aligned with my line of sight. Wayne duplicated that in my one-piece back strap - arched main spring housing and all. Now my two favorite guns of all are that S&W M945 with Novak sights, and my Kimber SS Raptor with Novak Sights and Novak's one-piece back strap - and I am shooting them like I used to shoot over 20 years ago.

Thank you Wayne Novak!!!"

" The pistolsmiths at Novak's Inc. are all shooters. Wayne Novak has worked with me on many federal law enforcement projects. With this background and his exposure to U.S. Military SpecOps units, Novak has contact with those who have really "seen the elephant." His custom modifications reflect his connections with professionals."

" Few of Novak's clientele will be found on the firing line at an IPSC match. His wares are rarely displayed in popular gun press puff pieces. His customers are more likely to exhibit a Novak Custom Pistol only during the 1.2 seconds it takes to complete the draw stroke in a real gunfight."

• Wanted for my personal collection: Colt 1911 and 1911 A1 pistols.
  Must be ORIGINAL condition. World War II Bring Backs especially wanted.
• Will Trade out night sights to Police Departments for complete pistols
  as well as Parts from frame destroyed evidence.
• I am in need of early COLT SLIDE, must be original finish and at least 85% blue.
• Also looking for 1911 Military and Commercial parts, must be original condition from mint to serviceable.
  

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