[sernv99]

I am looking at a couple used tactical shotguns but they have rifle sights. How easy is it to change to ghost rings? Getting a new barrel is not feasible. Do I have to have a gunsmith switch them out?

[357wheelgunner]

I'd like to know too. I'm, again, looking at converting my rife sighted 870 to ghost rings.

[MAX100]

The easiest and less costly way would be to sale the rifle sight bbl and start with a bead sight barrel. Have the receiver drilled and tapped for a GRS. The front sight can either be epoxied or soldered on. There are also front sights available that are held on by a band. I doesn't cost that much to have a receiver drilled & tapped.



GC

[dfariswheel]

A lot depends on the brand.
Various makers have various ways of mounting the rear sight.
As example, Remington brazes the sights on and they don't come off easily.

Since you have a rifle front sight, all that's necessary for most guns is to replace the actual front sight itself with a higher or lower blade insert that matches the ghost ring rear.
The ghost rear is attached to the receiver by drilling and tapping.

The only issue is the barrel mounted rear sight.
In the case of Remington, there's no good way to get the brazed-on sight base off that doesn't involve having to refinish the barrel.
In this case, simply remove the actual sight assembly and leave the base. It won't interfere with the ghost ring sights.

If it does bother your view, short of a refinish, you can just cut off most of the base and apply cold blue or a paint-type gun finish to the raw surface.
The only other options are to either heat the barrel until the high-temp braze melts and you can tap off the base, or you can cut all the base off then file and polish it flush to the barrel.
In the heating option, the entire barrel will require a refinish. The cut-off option can be spot finished.

In most cases, all you really need to do is drill and tap the receiver for the new ghost rear, and remove as much of the barrel mounted rear as you can.

[jakemccoy]

Thank you guys for reminding me why I decided not to convert to a ghost sight - too much hassle.

[Trebor]

Opps, wrong button. Never mind.

[Sir Aardvark]

Have you ever used ghost ring sights?
You might find out that you prefer the rifle sights more.

[sernv99]

yes I have used rifle sights on a 11-87 with a hastings deer barrel, couldnt hit squat with it. I used ghost rings on a semi-auto military rifle and I was hitting the target spot on from 150 yards.

but then again i wont be shooting a tactical shotgun out to 150 yards so i guess rifle sights would be ok.