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Iron sights -- no scope! Who shoots them?

plains scoutplains scout Member Posts: 4,563
edited October 2004 in General Discussion
So who has the best source of choices and options for open sight improvements? I have several rifles with open sights some of which have a front blade a 1/8" wide and a rear sight that is the old style "Buckhorn" which provide no hope for any reasonable accuracy.

What kind of open sights do you prefer? Why? And where can you get them?



"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
~Abraham Lincoln
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Comments

  • jujujuju Member Posts: 6,321 ✭
    edited November -1
    I use the front blade and rear buckhorn type on my Marlin 45/70.

    I can put it within usually 2" of the bull at 100yds most every time.

    To me its a lot like peep sights, people get so hung up trying to figure out where the front post goes inside that itty bitty circle, just look through, put the post on target and squeeze.

    For the blade/bucknorn I just line up the top of the blade even with the ridges of the blade, put the target on top and squeeze.

    Now with a handgun I am not exactly wyatt earp, if you get my drift. I just cant see them sights up close.

    If'n I was going to change sights on a rifle it would be to the new Fiber optic style. Those things really stand out, but all in all I prefer a peep at 100 or less.

    JuJu(who rambled but didnt really answer your question, sorry[:I])
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  • plains scoutplains scout Member Posts: 4,563
    edited November -1
    No problem Juju. I am thinking fiber optic as well. My old dog eyes at dusk tonight with open sights at the range really gave me some trouble. Losing my low light vision has been one of my biggest disappointments of growing old.

    Not very traditional but neither was a man living to my age 100 years ago.
    [:D][:D]


    "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
    ~Abraham Lincoln
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  • jujujuju Member Posts: 6,321 ✭
    edited November -1
    I think cheaper than dirt sells those and I know that Cabellas does. Just gotta have your make and model of rifle when you order.

    I prefer the red front with the green rear. Man can you see those at dusk and dawn.

    Hmmm, I think I just talked myself into a set(when I can afford them)

    JuJu(who wishes you a successful hunting season)
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  • Ray BRay B Member Posts: 11,822
    edited November -1
    On a M1894 Winchester 30 WCF there is the standard bead front sight, but the rear sight has been replaced by an open sight that's hinged, so can drop out of the line of sight for the tang sight which has a peep similar to that on M-16s; a large and a small opening. This is very accurate, but laternal adjustment is by shimming the tang sight.

    On a M54 Winchester rebarrelled to 338/06AI, I have a Burris Patridge Front sight and a Lyman 48-WJS rear aperature. Also very accurate and very adjustable. I don't think either are made any longer, but are available at those dreaded gun shows from time to time.
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  • bigdaddyjuniorbigdaddyjunior Member Posts: 11,233
    edited November -1
    I switched to the Williams fire sight on front with the red fiber optic and a Williams reciever on the rear with the larger aperature. Dove tail matches on front and the rear is matched to gun model and screws right in. The kit with both was around 30 bucks. Makes a huge difference when light is fading.I'm doing the same to all of my lever guns in hunting calibers.

    040103cowboy_shooting_one_gun_md_clr_prv.gifBig Daddy my heros have always been cowboys,they still are it seems
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  • STRIPPER-TIPPERSTRIPPER-TIPPER Member Posts: 323 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    those fine/thin "target sights" can be hard to use. sight a 03-a3 and then sight a brit enfield. the enfield is easier to use. i have found some post widths are the same width as the bull @100 yds. set it on top and make sure it is even with the sides. all of my military rifles have the original sight set ups. a good peep is wonderful to use. just look at the front sight and put on target. i have a marbles goss peep for my m52 winchesters.
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  • Mr.PissyPantsMr.PissyPants Member Posts: 3,575
    edited November -1
    I shoot iron sights though I do have a scope on my 223. I actually favor "buckhorn" style sights, I think its just a matter of getting used to them.

    Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
    -Benjamin Franklin
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  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You bring up a good point that makes me realize Im to dependandent on optics.And that may apply to alot of us,I have a few Rifles that have peep sights,and on a rifle with out a scope I seem to shoot better with peep sights.Pistol shooting on the other hand is a different story.I would much rather use Trijicon or Novak type sughts than say a red dot scope.I think I will work a little harder to practice open sights,to better my own shooting skills.



    Best!!

    Rugster




    "Toujours Pret"
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  • TRAP55TRAP55 Member Posts: 8,292 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Scope? I don't need no stinkin scope! I could use a new pair of eyeballs though![:D] Plains, check this site out for iron sights.
    http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/2,217.html
    Sharps003.jpg


    "Aim small...Miss small"
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  • gap1916gap1916 Member Posts: 4,977
    edited November -1
    Who shoots them? The United States Marine Corp does. [8D] I use optics but always make sure the iron sights are a very good plan (B).[8D]

    Greg
    Former Marine
    A N G L I C O
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  • jujujuju Member Posts: 6,321 ✭
    edited November -1
    so Trap, you gonna send me that rifle (in the pic) for Christmas?

    I promise to be a good boy and eat all my veggies[:D][;)]

    JuJu(drooling over that weapon)
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  • fishermanbenfishermanben Member Posts: 15,370
    edited November -1
    trap, you gotta quit dangling that puppy in front of our noses!!!

    Ben

    "The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment."
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  • TRAP55TRAP55 Member Posts: 8,292 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ben and JuJu, If you ever make it to my neck of the woods, your welcome to play with the toys, heck...I'll even put up the 1st box of shells and the ice pack for your shoulder![:D]

    "Aim small...Miss small"
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  • rldowns3rldowns3 Member Posts: 6,096
    edited November -1
    Me, personally, I don't like scopes. I prefer iron sights. Be it a peep sight or buckhorn, either one works well for me. If I can see it I can hit it with an iron sight....to a point.

    dncbandaid.jpgwhipass.jpg
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  • Warpig883Warpig883 Member Posts: 6,459
    edited November -1
    I abhor scopes on an AR15 and will not even consider owning a flat top AR. Some things just ain't right.

    I do like scopes on high power bolt action rifles.

    Do not care for them on a 22 either.

    I am not a number I am a free man

    sig

    Volin.gif
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  • Big Sky RedneckBig Sky Redneck Member Posts: 19,752 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You mean those things are for shootin? Here I thought those front blades was fer scratchin yer back when out huntin.

    ____________________________________________________
    I'm not apologizing, I am what I am
    There is no compromising, I don't give a damn
    Ozzy Osbourne - Lightning Strikes
    2004052802_Display-25.gif
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  • Iroquois ScoutIroquois Scout Member Posts: 930 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I use iron sights often. My Marlin .45-70's and 444.s all have Williams receiver sights with the large "Twilight" aperture. In the woods these sights are much faster then any scope and you can shoot with both eyes open. On my Model 1874 Sharps long range, black powder cartridge match rifle I use iron sights out to 1000 yards.
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  • plains scoutplains scout Member Posts: 4,563
    edited November -1
    I just never have gotten use to the Buckhorn style. I started shooting with my dad's single shot win .22 that his fater took the rear sight when brand new, filed it flat and then turned the file to cut a "V" rear picture. The only thing that has worked as well for me with that bead and rear sight combo is a Marlin 39A .22.

    I put a fiber optic on my front sight of my muzzleloader as these old eyes are having trouble picking up the front sight in low light. Used white chalk on it for a few years and got by, but this "old age" vision thing sucks big time.

    I agree on an AR15. Open sights are the only way to go. If you carry a scope on an rapid fire self defense rifle[;)] you defeat the purpose.

    After an experience of seeing one of the biggest Mule bucks in ND at 25 yards and having nothing but scoped rifles in the truck and of course missing as I had my scope cranked to 6X I now alway bring a back up open sight rifle with me to and from hunting.

    I want to go with more fiber optic sights, but it is hard for me to "change" something that is a traditional view of what is a "manly" rifle. [:D]

    But I do know accuracy increases many times in low light with the fiber optic and the key is to take the deer, not miss nor wound[xx(]

    "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
    ~Abraham Lincoln
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  • plains scoutplains scout Member Posts: 4,563
    edited November -1
    Trapp55

    That is a great site!!! Thanks![:)]

    "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
    ~Abraham Lincoln
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  • TRAP55TRAP55 Member Posts: 8,292 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Plains, Glad to help, find anything you can't live without? BTW...I've always prefered the U notch rear with a bead front, like the ones used on the Ruger 10/22 for an open sight, Tangent rear and globe front for peep sights.

    "Aim small...Miss small"
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  • gskyhawkgskyhawk Member Posts: 4,773
    edited November -1
    handguns usually just the iron sights , rifle depends , all my bolt actions have scopes , same goes for my T/C's scope if rifle redot if handgun , of my lever guns my old Marlin 30-30 still carries what she left the factory with , my 1894P 44mag has a receiver sight, the 1894CL in 32-20 has a Marbles peep, and my Marlin 336 in 35 rem may get a low power scope on it , haven't deceded for sure yet on that one
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  • anderskandersk Member Posts: 3,627 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    My eyes are getting older, but since I had to go primitive (ie muzzle loader in MA), I'm going to go back to iron sites as well this year. Then depending on how it goes, I may stick with it or put on a scope![:D] ... for next year!
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  • plains scoutplains scout Member Posts: 4,563
    edited November -1
    Trap55

    That is why I have to stay alive. There are lots of things there I would love to have and play with. I have been talking about cowboy action shooting and long range sillotte shooting for a few years. My gun club costs $25 per year (an old guy died and left us money so we bought 80 acres and have a really nice place for a range. Perfect for cowboy action shooting.

    Oh yeah, the old guy that died and left the gun club the $ - he was a lawyer.[:D]

    "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
    ~Abraham Lincoln
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  • grrrgenzgrrrgenz Member Posts: 110 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Don't use either. I had to remove the iron sights off of all of my rifles just to make it more fair for that gnat I'm shooting at 200 yards.[:p]
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