I am refinishing a Combat Commander. I will be sending the slide to be milled for Novak sights but not having them installed. How do I figure the front sight height?

Novak does a very good job matching sight heights to full-size/commander slide lengths, going with what they say isn't a bad idea. Many factors come into play with 1911's. Slide thickness on top, thickness of barrel bushing, amount of lockup in locking lugs, amount of barrel rise from the link, etc. They have figured a pretty good set of averages.

+1

could be a crap shoot.......I sent three 1911 slides to Novak's for sight installation.........Their work is first class and quick turnaround............the down side......I only sent them the slides.........two shot low and one was dead on.........on one of the pistols I filed down the front sight......on the other I purchased an adjustable rear sight............

I guess thats why they rec you send them the complete firearm so it can be tested and done correctly...