Marlin 1894 sights

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jchico28

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I have a question about my semi-buckhorn sights on a new Marlin 1894 SS .44mag.
I have only shot this rifle once at the range after I bought it a couple of years ago and I don't recall any sighting issues. However, when I went to the range last week and shot it, I was consistantly shooting 12 inches high or more at 50yds. I couldn't say how high because the hits were off target and the blackboard and hitting dirt above it.
It has a ramp sight and was set at the lowest level. So I got kinda pissed and walked up to around 10 yds to see what I could do free handed. I was still 4 to six inches high.
I was shooting Hornaday 225gr FTX loads but I really don't think that is the issue.
Spoke with Marlin and he said they don't range test the rifles but mearly shoot them to see if they simply shoot. The manual says they test fire for accuracy...hmm.
Anyway, they are sending me a pre-paid shipping label to Williams to hopefully correct this while warranty is still in force.
Sorry for the long story....Has anyone had anything like this or any suggestions other than replace/raise the front sight? Or should I just send the thing to Williams and see what they want to do...hopefully at no expense to me.
Thanks in advance.
 
Addition

Also want to say that I took off the front hood to help see the front sight as my target was black as was the backstop which makes it kinda hard to line things up.
I will be taking it to the range tomorrow without the hood.
 
Make sure you didn't accidentally push the rear sight up a notch; it's adjustable and I've done it without knowing it before.
 
If your rear sight is all the way down there isnt really anything else left to do. Why not change the front sight? Its easy and pretty inexpensive. If I was you I'd just invest in some skinner sights. Way better than the buckhorn sights anyways. Only problem about them is once you put them on that gun, you'll be putting them on all your guns. I've always assumed that once I purchase a gun its still going to cost me a bunch of money for quality sights.
 
Thanks for the reply's.
Well, since I posted I went to the range w/o the front hood and paid real close attention to the seating of the front bead to the semi-buckhorn rear sight. Hand held at 20yds. and not a bad group and certainly not the horrible results as before. Just a little high (1+inches) but a reasonable group.
The ramp was all the way down so it was set for the shortest range.
As far as the skinner sight suggestions, not a bad idea. I don't know them but will check them out. Ugh, one more thing to buy?
Thanks for the posts/suggestions.
JJ
 
I am lining up just as you are suppose to and am holding at six oclock at bottom of target.
I think my problem was not seating the front bead in tight to the notch of the semi-buckhorn sight. I don't think it takes much to get off target. I guess its part of what makes using open sights a bit of a challenge.
 
1894 Skinner sights

I've also been looking at the Skinner sights. My 1894 Cowboy has the 24" octagon barrel. Do you know what height the front sight I need to order?

Anybody have experience with XS ghost ring sights?
 
The Skinner web site tells you which are the right sights for the various models, and even trim dimensions for the various calibers and barrel legths.

You can order front/rear sets are just the rear peep site. I ordered front/rear sets in brass, which some of you guys might sneer at. But I like the look.
 
I put a williams 5d on mine. looks a little space age on the gun, but it was only 30 bucks and works super great.
 
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