??? for those who have broken Lyman receiver sights

[J Miller]

OK, I know there are at least two members here who dislike the Lyman receiver sights and have stated they've had them become defective or have broken them.

For the sake of those of us who have never had trouble with then could you please elaborate on how they broke or became defective.

I'm serious, I've used the same exact two sights, one Williams FP and one Lyman 66 A for over 20 years each with zero problems.

Joe

[tdoor]

I've used a number of the LY 66A/LA sights for a number of years. The only problems I've ever had is once or twice the elevation or windage "click spring" fatiguing or breaking. This can result in the sight coming apart (new springs are available from Lyman for $1 + shipping).

A less significant problem is that sometimes the windage piece into which the eyepiece screws will have slight vertical play, resulting in small verticle point of impact changes. I've experience maybe an inch at 50 yds (just this past weekend with an Marlin 39A and 66MC sight), which I can live with, but I haven't experienced same with any of my old Redfields or the Wm's FP's I have.
tdoor

[Sixgun]

Joe,
I'm with you in the "no problem" category with receiver sights. Even tang sights I use that are over 100 years old work great as long as you don't smash 'em on a rock. I really can't see where its possible to wear out a good receiver sight.------------------------Sixgun

[Tycer]

My 1886 with heavy loads torqued the grooves that the upper slides down into. You could wiggle the upper a bunch. Pinched the base with vise grips. Good as new.

[Hobie]

OK, I know there are at least two members here who dislike the Lyman receiver sights and have stated they've had them become defective or have broken them.

For the sake of those of us who have never had trouble with then could you please elaborate on how they broke or became defective.

I'm serious, I've used the same exact two sights, one Williams FP and one Lyman 66 A for over 20 years each with zero problems.

Joe

Joe,

The screw that secures the elevation scale of the Lyman stripped the threads. Actually, the screw was a hair too small and the threaded hole a hair too big and it stripped easily. I was accused of being ham handed and not knowing how to use a screw driver. That isn't the case. I couldn't get any joy from Lyman so I simply zeroed the sight and epoxied the slide and its screw at zero point. It is a needless complication to me anyway.

The OLD steel Lymans had no such problems. 20 years ago QC was likely better. I've used Williams FPs for 42 years, Lymans and Redfields I've helped others zero. That one Lyman, NIB, is the only one I've ever had a problem with. However, Lyman so irritated me with their response that I won't likely buy another new one.

[J Miller]

Hobie,

Pardon me for being dense today, but are you talking about the elevation adjusting screw, or the quick release button?

Joe

[Bruce Scott]

I received a 66LA that was defective - the knob parted from elevation screw while sighting in.

Lyman replaced the sight.

[J Miller]

I've told this before, but here it is again. I bought a used Lyman 66A from an eBay seller. The sight base had been drilled for oversized screws and the aperture bar was loose in the base. I wrote Lyman a letter and sent the sight to them:

6-7-04

Lyman Products Corporation
475 Smith St.
Middletown, CT 06457



Attn: Service Dept.

I purchased this Lyman 66A sight a couple months ago from a private party, through the mail. It appears to be new, until you look close.

It has two problems.
First, the mounting screw holes have been enlarged for some reason. I did order some new screws, and they did hold, so this isn’t the worst of the problems.

Second, the upper part with the aperture is a poor fit to the base. When mounted, it has excessive fore and aft, and side to side movement. This of course negates any accuracy potential the sight might provide.

I talked to customer service and was advised to send it in and get it looked at.
What I would like, if possible, is to have the top part fitted to a new base. I realize this isn’t a usual repair, and if it was done, I don’t expect it for free. I’m just hoping something can be done, so I can use this sight.

My mailing address is:

Joseph Miller
xxxx x xxxx xx
Springfield, IL xxxxx

Thank you for your time in this matter.


Joseph Miller

Within a couple weeks they returned the sight repaired. Tight and with a new base.
Sadly I have yet to purchase a rifle to put it on. Eventually ..............

I know everyone makes a defective product occasionally, but to me Lymans service dept is excellent.

Joe

[Bruce Scott]

'I know everyone makes a defective product occasionally, but to me Lymans service dept is excellent.'
Joe

I could not agree more. My sight was bought from Brownells who recommended I try contacting Lyman direct. I emailed them describing the problem and they responded immediately saying they would send me a replacement, and that they did not want the faulty sight returned. Gotta be happy with that.

[Pisgah]

In the past, I've had minor issues with both Lyman and Williams sights. I'm happy to report that both companies were eager to fix my problems for free.

[Hobie]

Hobie,

Pardon me for being dense today, but are you talking about the elevation adjusting screw, or the quick release button?

Joe

Neither, the little screw that secures the elevation scale (which is what Lyman calls it). One can see it clearly on the side of the 66 in this photo.

USING THE NO. 57 OR NO. 66 QUICK RELEASE FEATURE
Once the gun is zeroed in, the shooter may take advantage of the quick release feature as follows:
First, loosen the set screw holding the elevation scale and move it until the zero on the scale lines up with the zero line on the side of the base. Tighten the screw.

I should add that although I'd purchased the sight new, the Lyman rep I finally talked to wouldn't consider replacing or repairing the sight and offered only to send another screw for which I would be charged both for the screw and shipping. Even ignoring the rep's tone, I don't consider that "excellent customer service". Would I buy a vintage Lyman sight? SURE! Redfield, too! But not a new Lyman sight.

[J Miller]

OK Hobie, I understand now. That would be annoying to strip out that dinky little screw.
When I called Lyman I didn't get a whole lot of satisfaction from the customer service rep I talked to. He/she ( I don't remember ) was hedgy about it. That's why I just wrote the letter and sent it in.

But to charge money for a dinky little screw like that is stupid.

Joe

[Leverdude]

I have one Joe that I never even really gave a chance. I sighted in with it & it was a sloppy fit between the top & bottom with no way to lock it down. Being used to the Williams that you sock down I wasn't confident it would stay put.
I like the sight & adjustments, maybe I just need to squash it a little like Tycer did.

[J Miller]

I have one Joe that I never even really gave a chance. I sighted in with it & it was a sloppy fit between the top & bottom with no way to lock it down. Being used to the Williams that you sock down I wasn't confident it would stay put.
I like the sight & adjustments, maybe I just need to squash it a little like Tycer did.

I got a BIG hammer .....

Joe

[TedH]

You can put me in the column under "poor service from Lyman". I was not dealing with one of their sights, but one of their other products, but the end result was the same as Hobies. Not a friendly, helpful rep on the other end of the phone, and I was going to pay for what I needed. I just told them to forget it and I'd buy an RCBS.