Which Iron Sights?

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ArchAngelCD

ArchAngelCD

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I'm buying a Marlin 1892C (.357 Magnum) soon and after that a Marlin 336C. (30/30) What are the best type iron sights for these rifles? Which company do you recommend? Do those 2 calibers require different sights or will the set you recommend work well on both?

Please don't recommend optics because I want to use iron sights only!
Thanks in advance....
 
I recommend XS Ghost Ring sights for both the 1894C and the 336C, based on my own personal experience. They are well made and durable, easy to install yourself, and provide a good sight picture that is visible in most light conditions. The same set can be used on both the rifles you mentioned, but sometimes the front sight isn't the correct height for your rifle -- this is easily remedied by calling the folks at XS. Usually the sight they include is just fine.

http://www.xssights.com/store/rifle.html
 
All but one (a Savage 99) of my lever-action rifles as well as an older (more drop on the stock) Remington 760 have a Williams "FoolProof" receiver sight mounted on them. I've used this sight now for 47 years and have found it to be the quickest way to draw a bead against whitetails and black bears that I've ever used. Lyman also makes a receiver sight that is said to be at least the equivalent of the Williams.
 
Lyman also makes a receiver sight that is said to be at least the equivalent of the Williams.
Click to expand...

I've used the Lyman receiver sight for 35 years. It is very easy to adjust for long range shots, and then return to close range zero. When used on dangerous game (Ferrel hogs) I simply remove the sight disk and have a ghost ring set op very similar to AO (or whatever the company name is this year)

http://www.midwayusa.com/esearch.exe/search?TabID=0&category_selector=all_products&search_keywords=lyman+rece
 
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IMO, a good receiver sight is the best. If your carbines are drilled and tapped on the left side of the receiver, there are more options. Up until a couple of years ago, all Marlin LAs came from the factory that way. I have LAs fitted with Lyman 66's and both Williams "Fool Proof" and "5-D" models. All are high-quality, rugged and dependable.

Newer Marlins are no longer factory equipped for side-mounted sights, but Williams and several other companies make models which use the rear scope mount holes. These usually require a slightly taller front sight blade due to the higher line-of-sight in order to retain a usable range of adjustment after 'zeroing'. Both Williams and the aforementioned XS include the new front in a package deal. FWIW, I prefer the Williams "Guide" package with the Firesight fiber optic front blade.

The Williams unit offers a couple of distinct advantages IMO. The apertures are replaceable, with several options for inside diameter. They require no tools to do so, and are both inexpensive and widely available. They are offered with a "Twilight" option for faster acquisition in low-light conditions. This is done via a brass ring fitted into the rear face of the aperture and works very nicely. If you want a 'ghost ring', that's available too. The FO front bead is fast to pick up under most any ambient lighting conditions while offering a good deal more precision than a fat blade-and-white-line at 50 yds and out. It also costs about 1/2-to-2/3 as much as the XS package, if that matters to you.

AFAIK, all Marlin CF lever action rifles use the same hole size and spacing on the receiver for the scope mounts. The only potential snag with interchangability that I can see with the .357 would involve how the front sight is mounted. The 336, 1895, etc. have a ramped blade. If the front on your 1894 doesn't, then a different type of front blade would be needed. This would only be a potential issue if you opted for a 'package' deal that was designed specifically for the 336/1895. If you purchase the rear and front separately, there's a table in the Brownell's catalog to help you pick the right height for the front, or you can call Williams' CS folks and they will help you get what you want/need.
 
I have a Marble's Tang sight and a Merit adjustable peep disc on my Marlin 1894c. It is great and I would like to get one for My Marlin 39M but I am staying with my Lyman for now on it.
 
ditto on the skinner.....

After trying the x/s sights, I realized that you can't use them to any precision, at least not for me, beyond 50yds:uhoh: . I tried the williams 5d sight, which was great, for quick shooting, and precision shooting....(I.e over 150yds)... and very flexible with aperatures available for anything front twilight shooting to rapid snap shooting to real small hole aperatures for precision shooting...you dont even have to change out you stock front sight. It was also the easiest sight to adjust. In the end I wanted something a little slicker, that was adjustable, made from steel, and had aperature for precision shooting. The Skinner sights are perfect for that, even though he includes an aperature with his sight, you can use williams screw out apertures too!!

He only make sights for Marlin rifles, and I'm going out on a limb here.....but hands down.... the Skinner is the BEST receiver sight made for the marlin:D .

Just do a search at MARLIN OWNERS.COM they think so too.

BTW you will need to change your front sight for the SKINNER, I used a williams FIRE SIGHT front in .375 height....this give plenty of adjustability
up and down for use with a broad range of grain wieght rounds. I also like the hood on the front sight for it's protection.....so I called Marlin and they sell a stock cutout hood for the 1894c, which lets the light in for the FIRE SIGHT, and protects it from damage.
 
I really like the front sight on my 1894c, and I'd like to keep it.

Two questions: are there any receiver-mounted peep sights that'll work without replacing the front sights? I'm intrigued by the Marble's Tang sights, but do they interfere with grip at all?
 
With a tang sight you will probably end up keeping the thumb of your shooting hand on the right side of the stock when firing. It isn't a big deal, and some rifle shooters prefer that hold anyway -- it just might take some getting used to. It will also alter your grip if you like to hold/carry the rifle with your hand wrapped around that part of the stock.

I really like the XS ghost ring sights, but they are best used out to 100 yards or so because of the size of the aperture. However, I can shoot accurately beyond that with my 336XLR using the XS sights. Not true with my shortened 336C -- but the rifles are set up for different uses.
 
I have a Lyman #2 tang sight on my Winchester 1894 in .30-30. It works quite well. I also have a Williams FP/TK that fits it and Marlin's 336 and 1894 models. It also works very well. IMO, you can't go wrong with either. You may have to change out the front sight for the appropriate height, but IMO the rear sight with the appropriate height front is a no-lose situation.
 
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