Williams Peep sight, Help needed

[Paladin7]

I'm strongly considering a purchase of a Marlin 1894SS 44 mag/spl, and my attention has now turned to sighting options. The rifle will do a fair amount of range time, along with some backwoods hiking/hunting.

I am considering the Williams 5D Receiver Peep sight, and had a few questions;

1. What is your impression of the overall quality of this sight, pros/cons, especially under hard use?

2. If the arpeture is screwed out, wouldn't the sight double as a ghost ring sight? Seems like it to me.

3. When setting up this sight, is it necessary to replace the front sight blade?

4. How easy is it to make adjustments? and do the adjustments stay put?

Thanks in advance for the assistance on this one...

Paladin7

 

[oldfart]

I can't comment on that particular sight but I have had considerable experience with other Williams peep sights.
Yes, with the eyepiece removed, the remainder functions quite well as a ghost-ring. It is unlikely that you would have to replace the front sight. Williams is perfectly capable of manufacturing a sight low enough to utilize the existing front sight.

 

[Badger Arms]

1. Great quality, durable, but make sure the little screws are tight.

2. Yes, but you'd be better getting a bigger aperature. The sight picture with just the slide thingy is not that distinct. It's not wide enough around the edges.

3. No, not that I'm aware of. It's been a decade since I touched that particular sight.

4. That's subjective... I think they're really easy, but not as easy as, say, an AR-15.

 

[Bullet]

I've got a Marlin 1894SS. I put a set of Williams Fire sights on it These are the ones with the fiber optic front sight. I mounted mine in the front holes on the top of the receiver. Works great. I'm not sure I would want these for hunting where they might get bumped. You might check out the sights at this web sight for hunting. Click on accessories.

http://www.wildwestguns.com/

 

[roo_ster]

I have the Williams on a Remmy Nylon 66 .22.

A quality piece of equipment.

2. If the arpeture is screwed out, wouldn't the sight double as a ghost ring sight? Seems like it to me.

That's how I use it most of the time.

3. When setting up this sight, is it necessary to replace the front sight blade?

Depends. I will do so eventually on my Nylon 66, but have only hunted paper since the installation of the WIlliams & a 6 o'clock hold on my favored tgt at my favored range hits in the X.

 

[TarpleyG]

I put a Williams WGRS on mine and set it in the center left and right and up and down. Took it to the range and fired 3 rounds into POA. Didn't change anything after that.

Great little sight BTW.

Greg

 

[cracked butt]

3. When setting up this sight, is it necessary to replace the front sight blade?

I put one on a winchester 94. I left the rear buckhorn sight on, aligned the front and rear sight, set the aperture sight, then removed the buckhorn. It was dead on right away.

Williams= a really good sight, faster to acquire targtes with than the standard buckhorn sight.

 

[DillHarris]

I out a Williams 5D economy peep sight on my Winchester Model94 this year. I just got it sighted in for deer season.

1. Overall quality--seems great to me. Haven't drug up into any trees yet though.

2. Ghost Ring--should work, i took the apperture out and looked a few times, haven't shot it that way though.

3. Front Sight Replacement--I didn't have to on my Winchester, someone who owns your exact rifle should be along soon.

4. Adjustments--the adjustments are a little tough, but not bad once you get the hang of it. It is NOT click adjustable. You have to loosen the set screws just enough to be able to slide the sight right or left a little bit. There is a set screw for elevation adjustments you can set which makes that a little easier. Once everything thing is screwed down it'll stay put.

I put off getting mine for a year and half. Go ahead and get it. It's a great sight. It is a lot easier and faster to acquire your target with the peep over the standard buckhorn (at least for me). Hope this helps and enjoy.

 

[Sisco]

I've got one on my Marlin and love it. Eyes are too old to use the buckhorn sight.
I also added a Williams firesight front. Don't waste your money on one of the "Twlight" aperatures - they're too large and won't clear the hammer.
If anyone wants one I have one I can't use.

 

[30Cal]

They aren't too hard to adjust, but I'm pretty sure you need a screwdriver to do it. It doesn't click up and down, side to side--you just loosen it and push the sight up/down or side to side as you need too then tighten it back down.

I've got a Williams on my Marlin 39A .22 which has seen a few bumps and bruises and it's always stayed put (but I painted witness marks on it too, so if it does move, I'll know where it needs to go back to).

For field use, it can't be beat! I'd take one hands-down over the buck-horns.

 

[slabsides]

Williams makes two side-mounting peep sights, the '5D' and the 'Foolproof'. The difference is that the Foolproof has click 'micrometer' adjustments with locking screws. The 5D has an aperture that slides for windage and can be locked in place with two screws, and a vertical adjustment that is held with a gib lock. The Foolproof costs about twice as much as the 5D, which got its name from the fact that it originally sold for five bucks (and I just realized that I am old enough to remember when that was true!)
When I got an 1894c in 1981, I swiped a used 5D from my gunsmith pal's spare parts box "...just until I buy a Foolproof". It's still on, and working fine. I shoot it at plinking targets with the aperture screwed in, and take it out for woods-roaming.
When I acquired an 1895S in .45-70 a few years ago, I went for a Foolproof because I thought that its micrometer adjustments would 'hold' better than the five-dee's, against the heavy recoil of the .45-70 cartridge. Having used both types of sight, I have no particular preference...the Foolproof is a bit more 'elegant' perhaps, and a tad stronger.
I didn't have to change my front sight on the unramped '94c with the 5D, but I did anyway because I prefer the square post of the old Redfield Sourdough. Just to be foolishly consistent, I put a Sourdough on the '95, as well.
I hear Williams also makes a top-mount sight that screws on to the scope mount holes in the top of the action, since Marlin no longer drills and taps the side of their receivers. I think you'd have to get a higher front sight to use those models.

 

[106rr]

I use a Marlin 94CS in 357 mag with a Williams Foolproof. It screws to the two holes on the top rear of the action. I didn't have to change my front sight. I suggest the Foolproof instead of the 5D because of the click adjustments. The 5D will eat up more ammo everytime you change bullet weights. This is a great SD carbine should the need arise.
Good Luck

 

[Paladin7]

I appreciate all the great advice. It appears the Williams sight is a keeper which is what I needed to know.

I really like the looks of this sight and its good to hear the product lives up to its billing. After my post I looked into the Foolproof model, and now I will have to choose between the two...