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Peep sights for Marlin 30-30

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coolcloo1019

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Jul 19, 2006
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Sevierville, TN
Hey guys,

Just wondering if some of you could recommend me a set of peep sights for my newly acquired 30-30. It came with a scope but I think I'd just like to put some peeps on it and call it a day. Thanks!
 
I have the WGRS (Williams Guide Receiver Sights) on my 30-30 Marlin, and they're pretty cool. I chose them because they seemed more durable than having the arm come up-and-over on the other Williams models.

Rear sight went on in 10 seconds with a little Loc-Tite. However rear sight took some work, had to file it down to fit, and since I'm not terribly skilled it took a while. Not sure if it's due to some variations in front-sight dovetails over the many years Marlin has built leverguns (mine was a 1960 or so, 20yrs before I was born).
 
If your new Marlin was manufactured in the last couple of years or so, it will somewhat limit your DIY choices. IIRC, the factory d&t'ed mounting holes on the side of the receiver for most 'conventional' receiver sights were discontinued.

Williams responded by introducing a model made to use the rear pair of factory scope mount holes. XS, Wild West Guns, and perhaps a couple more outfits also offer models using the same positioning. I believe that all of the above usually require replacing the front sight with a taller one to get the most leeway for zeroing.

All of my own Marlin carbines have the side mounting holes. Two wear Williams Fool Proofs and one a Lyman 66. All have the excellent Williams FO 'Fire Sight' front beads installed as a concession to my now-bifocal clad eyes.

Of course you can always have a 'smith d&t two holes for you so that you can do a 'traditional' receiver mount. It adds a good deal to the cost, though. Around here they charge about $20/hole for the job. The upside to my mind is that you can simply remove the upper slide assembly (it's made to do this without losing zero) when you want to put a scope & mount on it. Sure, the one-piece scope mounts preclude a quick and easy back-and-forth swap without rezeroing, but IIRC there are a couple ot two-piece QD mount & rings outfits out there that get around that, plus the XS 'Scout' outfit where it's doable.
 
if your Marlin has the holes tapped on the side of the receiver, get a Williams Foolproof that is set up for the side mount (vs. the one set up to screw into the scope holes).

This keeps the overall profile a little lower and doesn't require you to put a taller front sight on.
 
High budget: Brockman or Wild West Guns
Medium budge: Williams Fool-Proof or Lyman 66

My fave is the older Lyman 66, which was steel. Hasn't been made that way in year, though.
 
FYI: Unless the policy has changed Marlin will drill and tap the side holes that were on the older lever guns FREE OF CHARGE if you send the rifle back to them.

M'bogo
 
It really depends on if you want a peep sight or a ghost ring sight. If you want a ghost ring, I recommend either XS, Skinner, Brockman's, or the Wild West Guns sights. I use XS ghost ring sights on my Marlins and thery are very well made, durable and highly visible sights. Whichever you choose, think about using a post front sight blade as opposed to a bead sight because it offers more precise judgement of elevation.
 
I guess the gost ring type sight has its uses for low light (hunting or self defence) but as a member of the bifocal generation I have a lot of respect for a true peep with a medium to fine rear appeture . In this day and age where everone seems to think a 12x scope is necessary on every rifle I take a lot of enjoyment in knocking the daylights out of targets way out there with just this little chunk of metal. More so with a lever gun, most of them look and ballance poorly with a scope and the stocks are shaped all wrong for scope use .
Interesting to hear that it may be possible to have Marlin drill and tap the modern guns , more so for me in that I am only 20 miles up the road . I will have to check this out.
 
Skinner sights are very reasonably priced

XS sights are good- I have a set on the way, along with the scout rail

I was looking at the Williams sights, but decided against them.

You could also get a tang sight
 
I have a WGRS Williams on my rifle, and I like the "clean" look.

The Williams 5D works just fine on the model 39A, I guess I just have an aesthetic preference for the other style. Plus I worry more about possibly damaging the 5D.


I hear good things about both Skinner and XS, which also have this "clean", classic look I like.
 
Now I was looking at my rifle tonight. I didn't take the scope and mount off but doesn't the rear sight screw into the rear scope mount?

Also, do I have to get a new front sight as well? The one that is on the front now is a post sight but I like because it is covered.
 
Depending on which rear sight you choose, you might need to install a different height front sight. Some aperture sights come with a matched front sight, such as the XS product. Skinner also offers front sights to go with the aperture rear. Another option is to order a Marbles sourdough front sight from Brownell's and have it fitted to your front sight ramp, which shouldn't be difficult. That way you can keep your front sight hood.

Some shooters like the bead front sight like the one Marlin equips their rifles with and they are able to use it just fine with an aperture rear sight. Personally I think a patridge or straight post-type front sight works better, but that is a personal preference.
 
In that case the issues are:

1. Is your front sight the correct height for the aperture sight you choose?

2. Do you like having the front sight hood in the sight picture with an aperture?

Since your current front sight is a post type, you can probably file it down if it is too high, but if it's not high enough you will need a new front sight.

Some folks think that a front sight hood clutters the sight picture when using an aperture sight, but that is a personal thing. If it works for you, then by all means use it.
 
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