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Lever Action Sights

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 8:32 pm
by sclg
Hi,
Just got a new Henry Big Boy in .357 and much as I like it, I'm not enamoured with the rear sight. This is mostly due to my eyesight!
On my (original) Winchester, I've got a tang-style peep sight and I'd like to get something similar on the Henry.
A bit of Googling suggests a couple of alternatives:
a) Skinner sights. Mounts using the scope rail holes. "Henry Big Boy Express" c70% down this page.
b) Marble Arms tang peep sights. Requires drilling and tapping some holes into the (brass) frame.

The latter is more like what I'm used to but seems a bit dearer and, while I'm generally happy drilling and tapping things, I'm not sure about hardened brass!
Anyone any experience of either of these or any other recommendations? (I don't see any UK suppliers of either of these although both will ship to the UK.)
Thanks
Steve

Re: Lever Action Sights

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 8:44 pm
by Les
I have Skinner peep sights on my two Henrys - one is barrel mounted, and the other is receiver mounted on the scope rail. Normal post and notch sights are a total no-no for me, but the aperture sights are great, and the quality of the Skinner units is excellent. :good: If you fit the receiver mounted sight, you'll probably need a higher front sight.

Re: Lever Action Sights

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 8:52 pm
by sclg
Do you get enough elevation adjustment with the Skinner to cope with both 25 and 50 yds??

Re: Lever Action Sights

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 9:03 pm
by WelshShooter
Have a look for Williams Firesights. I've got a set on my Marlin but you'd need to check if there's a set that fits the Henry Big Boy. These sights are the standard U notch and front post except the rear sights have two green fibre optic dots and the front post is a red fibre optic. These sights are mounted on the front and rear sight dovetail slots so no drilling and tapping required!

I mostly shoot my Marlin on indoor gallery range and the lighting is terrible for picking up open sights, but the lighting does light up those fire sights very well!
Image

Re: Lever Action Sights

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 9:06 pm
by sclg
WelshShooter wrote:Have a look for Williams Firesights. I've got a set on my Marlin but you'd need to check if there's a set that fits the Henry Big Boy. These sights are the standard U notch and front post except the rear sights have two green fibre optic dots and the front post is a red fibre optic. These sights are mounted on the front and rear sight dovetail slots so no drilling and tapping required!

I mostly shoot my Marlin on indoor gallery range and the lighting is terrible for picking up open sights, but the lighting does light up those fire sights very well!
Thanks but my problem is my inability to focus on a notch rear sight so I'm not sure this would do for me. With a peep hole, I don't have to focus - just look through it!!
S

Re: Lever Action Sights

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 1:27 am
by Geek
I have a Williams Gunsights with a new front sight on my Marlin .357, bought from here: http://www.rimfiremagic.co.uk/marlin_rifles.html, these are highly recommended.

Re: Lever Action Sights

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 6:12 am
by dromia
Try turning the rear sight round in its dovetail, putting it further away from your eyes might bring it into focus.

You should only be focusing on the fore sight anyway.

Re: Lever Action Sights

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 8:46 am
by sclg
dromia wrote: You should only be focusing on the fore sight anyway.
Yes - but with my eyes the rear sight is so out of focus it's hard to tell when everything is in line!!

Re: Lever Action Sights

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 9:42 am
by Airbrush
Do you wear glasses?

Re: Lever Action Sights

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 10:34 am
by Alpha1
Have a word with your optician he may be able to make you a pair of shooting glasses. My optician made me a pair to use with my Winchester trapper. I have a williams peep sight on mine I can not use the normal rear sight or a square notch sight but the peep sight is fine.