Lyman or Williams for an 1894?

[Tom Servo]

I've got an 1894c in .357, and I'd like to put a peep sight on it. I've tried a rifle with tang sights and I don't like the way it interferes with my grip, so I've settled on receiver sights.

I'm down to the Williams foolproof or the Lyman 66LA. Do they both require tapping holes on the side of the receiver? Mine has holes tapped on the top, but not the side.

Also, do either of these require the front site to be changed? I actually like the stock shrouded gold bead.

 

[CZguy]

I put the Lyman on mine. I tried the Williams that mounts to the top of the receiver, but found that it hangs over the rear of the receiver and interferes with cocking the hammer. I exchanged it back for the Lyman, and am very pleased with it.

It did require drilling and tapping holes on the side of the receiver. I use the factory front sight.

 

[joe4702]

I put the least expensive Williams peep on my 1894P (~$35 - cant recall the model - its the one
w/o click adjustments). Works fine with stock FS,
no drill and unobtrusive.

 

[115grfmj]

Not to add one more choice to you decision....

I loved my williams, for accuracy, but I was never really happy with the way It hung over the back of the receiver. I didn't like the XS ghost ring, because past 50 yards, you just can't (or me at least) wring real accuracy out of your rifle with them. I cruised on over to MARLINOWNERS.COM, for Ideas....most of those guys recommended a custom sight made by TIM SKINNER. Basically it's a receiver mounted sight that uses your rifles scope holes, it low profile, and doesn't hang over the 1894c's reciever, but also uses threaded aperatures for precision work or you can unscrew them for a ghost ring if thats what you like. They also accept williams aperatures. These are milled steel, so there tough as nails. This guys also hand makes these, only for marlins, and only for three models, 1894's, 336 (1895's), and the 39's.
Here is there website.

http://skinnersights.com/index.html

 

[the lone gunman]

I went with the Skinners on my 1894, Love them and he is very nice to work with if you have a problem. 50 bucks for front and rear, cant beat that.

 

[Bullet]

CZguy
I tried the Williams that mounts to the top of the receiver, but found that it hangs over the rear of the receiver and interferes with cocking the hammer.

115grfmj
I loved my williams, for accuracy, but I was never really happy with the way It hung over the back of the receiver.

I have a Williams mounted on my Marlin 1984SS in the front scope mount holes in the receiver. Doesn’t get in the way of the hammer at all.

 

[CZguy]

I have a Williams mounted on my Marlin 1984SS in the front scope mount holes in the receiver. Doesn’t get in the way of the hammer at all.

How about a photo.

 

[Bullet]

I don't have a camera or I would and I should have said 1894SS not 1984SS.

My Williams is fine for shooting at the range ( I also use a Williams fiber optic front sight) but If you want something that should take a beating check these out –

http://www.wildwestguns.com/Accessories/sightsaccessories.html

 

[LaEscopeta]

Any body try these sights (particularly on a Marlin 1894)?

http://www.brockmansrifles.com/direct_sales.asp.htm

Also, I always thought the smaller the hole in the rear sight of an aperture set up, the more precise and also the closer the rear sight has to be to you eye in order to see through it. I assume the reason some of the sights listed above the rear one hanger out over the rear of the receiver (over the hammer) is to get it closer to your eye, and allow a smaller sight hole? Can any one confirm this?

 

[Brian Williams]

I prefer the Lyman even though my last name is Williams. My real preference is a Marble's tang.

 

[Essex County]

My favorite was the sadly discontinued Redfield. Both the Lyman and the Williams will give you good service. Essex