Lever questions

bones507 · Post by **bones507** » Thu May 08, 2008 2:09 am

Greetings guys
I have a Marlin 1894-c in 357 mag and i usually do most of my rifle shooting in the summer months as i am here in Vegas and its too hot to shoot handguns unless i go out early. The rifle range is covered so the sun doesnt boil your brain.
Anyway, i am curious about the peep sights that i have been reading about, my rifle has the plain V notch so i was wondering if someone could explain the benefit of using a peep sight. What is it that makes it better than the v ? I have been told to stay away from the cheaper ones and that Marbles makes the best one. Whether this is true or not i have no idea. I have shot mainly scoped rifle for the last 10 years and since i shoot a lot of 357 pistol i figured this rifle would be a good chioce and i am quite pleased with it shooting 158 grainers under 2400 powder.
I am thinking of getting the 44 mag model also but thats a way off. Anyone with any comments of suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks for your time.

20cows · Post by **20cows** » Thu May 08, 2008 5:32 am

Williams 5-D or FP.

gcs · Post by **gcs** » Thu May 08, 2008 5:55 am

Well, you get a longer sight radius, and you don't need to focus on 3 points in your sight picture, just sight THROUGH the peep and put your bead or blade on the target. Your eye automatically centers the front sight in that big round hole. Real simple, real fast, and as accurate as you can shoot.

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Thu May 08, 2008 6:01 am

They work by reducing the number of things you have to focus on and by increasing you depth of view.

With a peep sight you look through the round hole, not at it or focusing on it, thereby leaving you with only the front sight and target to focus on.

To demonstrate for yourself how a peep sight increases depth of field, cut yourself a strip of cardstock or stiff paper and poke a hole no larger than 1/8" in it with a pen. Now find a target of some kind at shooting distance, hold a finger up at arms length, and sight the target using your finger as the front sight.

Now do the same thing holding the strip of paper in your other hand 6" from your face and look through the hole, sighting as before.

What you should find is that the finger and the target are both in focus at the same time, much more than without the paper. You can increase the clarity of focus by varying the diameter of the hole to fit your eyes and light conditions.

There's a bit of magic here as somehow, your body will center the front sight in that little hole exactly the same everytime, without you making a conscious effort. If you try to center it yourself, you'll screw it up, so forget about that little hole. Just look through it.

If you are buying a receiver sight, both the Lyman and the Williams are first class. Marbles make one of the best TANG sights.

Hope this helps.

I love aperture sights!

t.r. · Post by **t.r.** » Thu May 08, 2008 6:23 am

This is a top view of the Williams sight. Most guys prefer them to open V sights for better clarity and ease of sight adjustment. Typically, once zero'd, the sights remain true indefinately.

TR

1886 · Post by **1886** » Thu May 08, 2008 6:34 am

Tycer wrote:They work by reducing the number of things you have to focus on and by increasing you depth of view.

With a peep sight you look through the round hole, not at it or focusing on it, thereby leaving you with only the front sight and target to focus on.

To demonstrate for yourself how a peep sight increases depth of field, cut yourself a strip of cardstock or stiff paper and poke a hole no larger than 1/8" in it with a pen. Now find a target of some kind at shooting distance, hold a finger up at arms length, and sight the target using your finger as the front sight.

Now do the same thing holding the strip of paper in your other hand 6" from your face and look through the hole, sighting as before.

What you should find is that the finger and the target are both in focus at the same time, much more than without the paper. You can increase the clarity of focus by varying the diameter of the hole to fit your eyes and light conditions.

There's a bit of magic here as somehow, your body will center the front sight in that little hole exactly the same everytime, without you making a conscious effort. If you try to center it yourself, you'll screw it up, so forget about that little hole. Just look through it.

If you are buying a receiver sight, both the Lyman and the Williams are first class. Marbles make one of the best TANG sights.

Hope this helps.

I love aperture sights!

Excellent explaination! 1886.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Thu May 08, 2008 6:49 am

1886 wrote:
Tycer wrote:They work by reducing the number of things you have to focus on and by increasing you depth of view.

With a peep sight you look through the round hole, not at it or focusing on it, thereby leaving you with only the front sight and target to focus on.

To demonstrate for yourself how a peep sight increases depth of field, cut yourself a strip of cardstock or stiff paper and poke a hole no larger than 1/8" in it with a pen. Now find a target of some kind at shooting distance, hold a finger up at arms length, and sight the target using your finger as the front sight.

Now do the same thing holding the strip of paper in your other hand 6" from your face and look through the hole, sighting as before.

What you should find is that the finger and the target are both in focus at the same time, much more than without the paper. You can increase the clarity of focus by varying the diameter of the hole to fit your eyes and light conditions.

There's a bit of magic here as somehow, your body will center the front sight in that little hole exactly the same everytime, without you making a conscious effort. If you try to center it yourself, you'll screw it up, so forget about that little hole. Just look through it.

If you are buying a receiver sight, both the Lyman and the Williams are first class. Marbles make one of the best TANG sights.

Hope this helps.

I love aperture sights!
Excellent explaination! 1886.

Ditto - can't add to that!

Welcome aboard. Hope you pull up a stump and stay awhile. This forum is great to learn a lot on leverguns, but also firearms and shooting as a whole.

What would you like to use a .44 Magnum leveraction for, as opposed to the .357 Magnum? Don't get me wrong - I'm not trying to discourage you. Everyone here knows I firmly believe the more the merrier in the gun department!

Just curious, as this will help answer part 2 of your question.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Thu May 08, 2008 8:57 am

welcome to the fire.

jnyork · Post by **jnyork** » Thu May 08, 2008 10:06 am

Here is a great article on iron sights of all types: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_sight

71fan · Post by **71fan** » Thu May 08, 2008 10:17 am

Welcome to the forum Bones, from a fellow Nevadan

I have a Lyman 66 on my Marlin 1894 CB Limited 44. I like it a lot. I have Lymans or Redfield receiver sights on most of my leverguns, and shoot much better groups with them than barrel mounted sights. My avatar is a Redfield on a Marlin 39A. I actually prefer the Redfields over all others for their adjustments, but they are no longer made and you have to find used ones.

As far as getting a 44, I wouldn't have a need for two pistol caliber leverguns, but many here do. If resources were limited I'd go after a 9422 or 39A, or move up to a 30-30 or 35 Rem in the 336, or perhaps even an 1895. Good luck!!

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Thu May 08, 2008 10:25 am

FYI - The "Marbles", that you were told about, are tang, and not receiver peep sights - which puts the peep aperture even closer to the aiming eye, and gives an even longer (more accurate) sighting radius.

Another advantage to a tang sight, is the barrel sight may be changed to a folder & zeroed for shorter ranges, then folded for longer range shots with the tanger.

They mount similarly to this Lyman, which isn't click adjustable for windage as are Marble's:

salvo · Post by **salvo** » Thu May 08, 2008 10:29 am

Welcome to the fire bones507. Nice to have another Vegas leverguner here!
Tycer said it like it is, not much to add.
Have you ever shot an AR or most any modern military style rifle will have some sort of peep sight.

Skinner makes a very reasonable cost sight for Marlins, I have a set on my 1894CB You might want to check them out too.
http://skinnersights.com/

bones507 · Post by **bones507** » Fri May 09, 2008 12:38 am

Well guys, all i can say is thanks !! Thanks for the explanations, the pictures, the links and the warm welcome !!
I think if i cant learn a thing or two here i better throw the guns in the water bucket.

Thanks once again, to all.

gundownunder · Post by **gundownunder** » Fri May 09, 2008 7:35 am

With the peep on the back and a Lyman globe on the front with the right insert you have something that sights similar to a non magnified scope, and the target accuracy will go up accordingly.

wildmanh · Post by **wildmanh** » Fri May 09, 2008 9:31 am

salvo wrote:Welcome to the fire bones507. Nice to have another Vegas leverguner here!
Tycer said it like it is, not much to add.
Have you ever shot an AR or most any modern military style rifle will have some sort of peep sight.

Skinner makes a very reasonable cost sight for Marlins, I have a set on my 1894CB You might want to check them out too.
http://skinnersights.com/

I have an 1894c in .357 mag and was checking out these peep sights. Do you need to change out the front sight with something different or will the Skinner work with my current factory hooded sight? Thanks,

Heber

salvo · Post by **salvo** » Fri May 09, 2008 10:21 am

wildmanh, Skinner sells a great post front sight for I think $10.00
I never tried it with the stock front sight.
The Skinner front sight was tall and I filed it down to keep it and the rear sight as low as possible with my 180 gr. load.

Before

After

If I was guessing I would say you will probably have to use a taller front sight.

wildmanh · Post by **wildmanh** » Fri May 09, 2008 2:19 pm

Scott, thank you for the information. I just ordered a Peep sight and front sight for my Marlin 1894c. Both of them brass. Can't wait for them to arive so I can try them out. Tim seems to be a great guy to deal with, has been really helpfull in emails. Thanks again,

Heber

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Fri May 09, 2008 2:23 pm

Scott,

Did that Skinner front sight come serrated or did you do that yourself?

That is the front sight I want to put on my 1894 Cowboy .45 Colt once I get it D&T'd.

Joe

salvo · Post by **salvo** » Fri May 09, 2008 2:38 pm

Joe, I did it myself with a checkering file. It would be a nice touch if Skinner would do it to them though. Like wildmanh said he is a nice guy to deal with and he just might?

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Fri May 09, 2008 2:49 pm

salvo wrote:Joe, I did it myself with a checkering file. It would be a nice touch if Skinner would do it to them though. Like wildmanh said he is a nice guy to deal with and he just might?

I'll ask him when I call. I'd gladly pay him extra for that.

Joe

salvo · Post by **salvo** » Fri May 09, 2008 4:39 pm

Joe, if he wont, mail it to me!

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Fri May 09, 2008 4:44 pm

Scott,

I'll do that. Thanks.

Joe

bones507 · Post by **bones507** » Mon May 12, 2008 4:25 am

Well after doing a little research i think im going with the Skinner sight that salvo recommended or the Marble tang sight. I went to the Midway sight and read the reviews on the Williams rear sight and two guys said it was a little tough to zero in. I figure spend a few extra bucks and get something good the first time and not say to myself later on "I should have.....".
I would like to get a good single shot rifle someday and will probably put a marble on it also. I seen Quigley down under a few too many times, lol.
Oh and Yasabel kid i wasnt ignoring you, i just forgot to add in my reply to you. You asked why i wanted a 44 mag lever gun ? Well im getting a Ruger Redhawk 44 mag so i want a rifle that can handle the same ammo also. I got 5 357 mag revolvers so i naturally wanted a rifle in that caliber also. Thats what got me interested in Lever guns. Sorry about not replying sooner.
Anyway, thanks for the help guys.

20cows · Post by **20cows** » Mon May 12, 2008 5:20 am

reviews on the Williams rear sight and two guys said it was a little tough to zero in.

I promise, they didn't have any more problems sighting in a Williams than they would anything else, if they followed the directions.

There is a reason both Winchester and Marlin tapped their recievers for Williams sights at the factory.