Lever gun receiver peeps: favorite and why?

[ArmedBear]

It's time for me to order some peep sights for the 39A.

What have your experiences been with the various options out there?

 

[TomADC]

AB, check here lots of good info.
http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/board,11.0.html

 

[ArmedBear]

Yeah, people on Marlin owners like Skinners and dislike Williams, but they don't say why.

I tend to like Skinners, but I am intrigued by Williams' target knobs for this particular rifle.

So I am wondering about the "why or why not" part.

 

[paintballdude902]

i love my skinners but they are the only ones ive ever used

 

[ArmedBear]

How is the adjustment on the Skinners? Is the elevation fine enough for an overpriced .22LR toy that I might try to use for a silhouette match?

 

[Asherdan]

I went with the Williams 5D on my 1894 and 1895 Marlins and my buddy mounted the FP on his. I liked both of them just fine, sturdy, set screws to lock in your adjustments and the FP click adjustments were tight and in synch. I did not like either on the 1894 ultimately as when it was mounted in the rear scope holes it over hung the hammer. This was also a less durable position, as I knocked one off sight during a hunt while skidding down a hillside. It looks like Williams now has an FP and FP-TK (target knob model) for the 39A that mounts in the new model scope holes as well as the original that side mounts.

I added a .125 aperture brass ringed 'twilight' for hunting, although the .093 was mostly fine the larger was better in little light, and a .050 for target work and had a fine time with them.

If you're happy with the mount on your Golden, I'd recommend them just fine.

 

[EAJ]

I use a Skinner Brass Peep Sight w/ .050 aperture on my 39A. I initially purchased the sight with the larger (suggested) aperture because of my older eyes. It worked fine, but I wanted tighter groups so I decided to try the .050. It works well with my eyes and my groups are tighter. The brass version goes nicely with the golden trigger.

 

[ArmedBear]

Soon, my 39A will look like that. Not sure about the 39M yet.

I got the standard aperture, since I don't yet know what it will be like.

.050", huh? How does that work in low light?

 

[hk lover]

Skinners sights are my favorite as well

They are tough and I like the poitive adj. both windage and elevation.Also dont have to remove rear factory sigh.Just fold it down, that way if you were to break it [i dont know you could short of a dropped rifle] you would have your factory sights ready to go

 

[SwampWolf]

I've used Williams receiver sights since the early sixties, both the 5D (when they actually cost five bucks as others have said) and the FoolProof versions with great success. They are compact, light-weight, sturdy and precise peep sights that are especially appropriate on rifles with stock comb drops that are dimensionally more correct for irons than scopes (stocks having more "drop"). The 5D is fine for .22 rimfires because the ammunition is cheap enough and the recoil light enough, so that the cruder, less precise adjustments (which may require more shots to get the rifle sighted-in) won't be as painful, both economically and physically speaking.

I have nothing to say about the Skinner sight because I have had no experience with them. I will say that the concept looks good and I've heard nothing but positive comments about them.

 

[Asherdan]

.050", huh? How does that work in low light?

It can be dim, that's why I preferred a .125" aperture.

 

[TomADC]

Yeah, people on Marlin owners like Skinners and dislike Williams, but they don't say why.

I tend to like Skinners, but I am intrigued by Williams' target knobs for this particular rifle.

So I am wondering about the "why or why not" part.

I have the Williams peep with target knobs on my 1984 in 44 mag. I shoot the cowboy steel chickens etc with it. Its a great peep sight, if they made one to fit my Henry I'd have one on it. Never used or saw a Skinner but the Marlin guys like them, but when I was asking about a peep to shoot the cowboy targets with the only sight they recommended was the Williams with target knobs and I have to agree with them.

 

[ArmedBear]

The target knobs make sense for silhouettes at varying distances. I may well put one on my 1894C for that reason, but taking into account what Asherdan said about the mount position.

Will report back on the Skinners. I have two 39s, anyway, so I figure the Skinners will go on one or the other, should I want the target knobs, too. Those Williams sights will probably end up on something, too.

I was at a gun shop the other day, that seems to specialize in lever guns. I got a chance to look through a bunch of peep sights, and now I'm sure this won't be the only gun I have, that gets peeps of one sort or another.

Thanks, all. I feel better about spending the money, knowing that others have had good experiences with both kinds.

 

[EAJ]

050", huh? How does that work in low light?

I usually shoot between 8AM and early afternoon at the local outdoor range. No problems during those hours.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I went through the same dilemma last week till I settled on a scope for my 1894

I had decided to do the 5d with target knobs for shooting various loads, I had considered the skinner but from what I understand these are intricate to adjust (tools required) and thus are for the most part one load sights.

However on a .22 this likely would not be as much of an issue as a 38-357

 

[ArmedBear]

However on a .22 this likely would not be as much of an issue as a 38-357

That was my thinking.

Hey, does your .38/.357 shift POI a lot when you change loads? Mine seems to, and I'm not just talking about drop due to different velocity.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I don't know yet!

So far I've only sent some 148g plated DEWC's downrange. I'll post up some detailed range and chrony reports up as I have information to report

 

[Abel]

Yeah, people on Marlin owners like Skinners and dislike Williams, but they don't say why

That's not true. plenty of folks there use Williams. Skinner is a paying advertiser there, a sponsor of the site. I prefer Williams myself. The Skinner peep head looks like the old deep-diver helmets:

 

[jkingrph]

I have an old Lyman receiver sight on my 1952 vintage 39a. I have a 1897 cowboy that has a Marbles tang sight. Like both quite well. I have a Skinner on an 1894 and the only thing I do not like is that it required a much higher front sight.

 

[Maverick223]

I have a Williams receiver sight (with target knobs) on my 1885 and it works well (other than my front sight being too low...I think I will have to modify it). I really like the ¼ MOA clicks for adjustment. Personally I like the Lyman's sight best because it is made of steel and target knobs are also available...if they make one for your application (didn't for mine).

 

[Brian Williams]

I have a Lyman with a Merit adjustable peep disc on my 39m and a Marbles tang on my 1894C. I am thinking about putting a Marble's tang sight on my 39M.

 

[tubeshooter]

I tried a Williams 5D at first. Worked fine, but I went on to get a brass Skinner and prefer the look.


Many seem to prefer the Williams FP for the target knobs. I personally was okay with the 5D for a .22 and didn't find myself adjusting much. The knobs are good to have, though.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

Ive used them all and probably prefer a lyman. I just wish they still made the old all steel one.

 

[ArmedBear]

I looked at the cutomer feedback on the new Lymans, and the common thread seemed to be that they were sloppy, with canted markings and rough machining.

I should have bought this Mountie I saw a few years ago, in excellent condition, for $300 with the old model Lyman on it. At the time, I didn't quite know what I was looking at, I guess. Some things, you keep kicking yourself for.

 

[Abel]

and the common thread seemed to be that they were sloppy, with canted markings and rough machining.

And made from pot-metal. Don't forget that. Williams, XS, & Skinner are made better.