Williams Fire Sights for Winchester 94AE Trapper

[rondog]

I have a 1994 Winchester 94AE Trapper in .44 mag. that sorely needs better sights and a longer sight radius. I'm thinking of this "economy" Williams Fire Sight set from Brownells. I only need it for <100 yd. target shooting and possible <100 yd. deer hunting.

Does anybody have any experience/recommendations/damnations of this sight set?

This is "supposed" to be a direct fit and no gunsmith needed. Tap out the original front sight, tap in the new one, the rear peep mounts in the existing scope mount holes at the rear of the receiver. Should increase my sight radius by almost 1/3. I'd also remove the old rear sight and put in a Marble Slot Blank dovetail filler.

Thanks!

 

[jmr40]

I have that rear sight on a Marlin. They work very well, but there are 2 potential problems with this gun. The front sight on yours in set in a dovetail directly on the barrel vs on a ramp on most guns. That, and the shorter barrel "MIGHT" create a situation where there is not enough adjustment with the rear sight. I don't know the answer, but I'd do a little more research before buying. You might need a much taller front sight.

 

[rondog]

That's just it.....this set is supposedly made for this rifle, so there "shouldn't" be any issues. Notice the fiber optic front sight is also on a dovetail, it's supposedly a direct replacement. That's why I'm asking if anyone has had any experience with this sight set and this kind of rifle. The Winchester 94AE series "should" all be the same sight-wise, regardless of caliber.

 

[urbaneruralite]

As for fit, you can double-check by calling the company. If you try it and the heights are off, you can call them again to get help figuring out which parts to swap. The company is your best resource.

I have a similar set on a different rifle. The apertures are made of relatively soft metal. You can put your zero off by bending them if you aren't careful. I did it by transporting the rifle in a soft case behind the seat of a pick-up. You can also break the front sight, but you'd have to have some sort of accident. I had one with a metal climbing deer stand. Seems like I remember Williams sending a replacement gratis.

Also look up Skinner Sights.

 

[rondog]

Thanks for the tip on Skinner Sights! Looks like a quality product, but pretty pricey. Definitely better looking, but I like the idea of the fiber optic front. Something to keep in mind though.

 

[wild willy]

I have the same gun in .45 its a 1894-1994 like yours. I have the Williams peep and fire sight on mine.Unless they changed the front sight you will have to remove some material on the front bottom of the front sight to fit over the barrel band.I used a round wheel on a dremel looks fine.Don't throw your other front site away you may find you don't like the fire sight on a rifle.I know I don't, I haven't shot that gun for a while when I do its getting a different front sight.

 

[rondog]

I have the same gun in .45 its a 1894-1994 like yours. I have the Williams peep and fire sight on mine.Unless they changed the front sight you will have to remove some material on the front bottom of the front sight to fit over the barrel band.I used a round wheel on a dremel looks fine.Don't throw your other front site away you may find you don't like the fire sight on a rifle.I know I don't, I haven't shot that gun for a while when I do its getting a different front sight.

Thanks for your input! Why don't you like the F/O front sight?

 

[wild willy]

On a short barreled carbine its large, covers around 8 inches at 50yds and in sunlight its too bright to the point of looking I guess you would call it fuzzy.I only have sight in one eye so I can't use too bright of front sight if you shoot with both eyes open it might be O K I have no way of knowing.

 

[rondog]

OK, ww, thanks! I figure the Williams set is cheaper than the Skinner rear, and I never throw parts away, so I can always put the original front back on. I think it's worth a try, but I'm gonna call Williams first.