Winchester 1873 rear sight options

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Hello friends and neighbors // I'm not shooting very well with the full buckhorn rear sight. The rifle shoots great from the bench but I'm everywhere off hand.

I've read about the "glare" on the front bead affecting accuracy but am more concerned with finding a peep rear sight.

Don't really want a tang peep just something that I can swap with the buckhorn when hunting. Trying to stay as vintage as possible but suggestions on new versions are welcome.

The most likely so far were made for the Win. model 67, 68, 69 all .22s.
My 1873 in .32-20 might be ok with these... anyone try this?

 

[TheHappyGunner]

SO glad to see someone post a thread on this topic. I'm going to buy a Uberti replica as soon as Taylors & Co get a new shipment (been waiting almost 4 months), and I'm not a fan of buckhorn sights OR tang sights either. Then I found these:

http://www.skinnersights.com/henry_rifles_18.html

These sights are made in the USA and come in a variety of finishes. Browse around their site a little bit! Towards the bottom of the link I posted you'll see a peep sight that dovetails onto the barrel just forward of the receiver on a Henry replica. That is the kind I would want on my soon-to-be-mine 24" half-octagon Uberti 1873 rifle in .44WCF

Here's another link to the same company, but a different page:

http://www.skinnersights.com/photo_gallery_13.html

About halfway down you'll see what a Skinner sight would look like on your 1873 rifle. I believe they just drift right in to the already existing dovetail for the original rear sights, and I think you can interchange sights without damaging the rifle at all.

Hope I helped.

 

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TYVM for the links.

Link #2 looks perfect and the price is fair too.

Good luck with the .44!!

 

[CraigC]

I installed a Marble tang sight on my 24" Uberti .38/40 and couldn't be happier. Don't get along with buckhorns at all.

 

[TheHappyGunner]

Glad I could help

If you do order a Skinner sight for your 1873, be sure to come back and post pics to show us how it looks. Is your 32WCF 1873 an original or a reproduction?

 

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DOM 1885 /// .32-20 first offered in 1882

Mostly original.
Replaced the mag tube spring but still have the real one.

Took it as far as I could then had my Gun Smith smooth it out.
Very pleased except the BH.

 

[TheHappyGunner]

Have any pictures of it for us (me) to drool over?

 

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I just have the first range report after the GS tuned it up.

Grouped well from the bench, at 25 yards, after sighting in with a bore laser.


I am biased... any 73 was at one time a, far away, dream gun.
To me it is a beautiful tool to be used but not abused.
To own one working well after 128 years is still amazing.

 

[TheHappyGunner]

Agreed. The metal looks to be in decent shape, and the wood looks fantastic! Look at that tiger-striping!

Beautiful rifle. I'd love to have an original for the history, but I don't own any guns that are new. They're all over 60s year old I love them all, but I've been looking for a gun I could take around and not worry about damaging a piece of history. That's why I want a new production 1873. In my eyes, the 1873 Winchesters are some of the most beautiful rifles ever produced..

..and your rifle is a sure testament to that. Thanks for sharing

 

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Thanks for the kind comments.

My flintlock and percussion rifles are recent make but I really enjoy using the oldies.
After two white tail hit the freezer the Remington 760 was set aside for the Rem. 1917...which could use better sights too.

Hopefully the peep rear on the 73 will allow me to bag a few rabbits and a varmint or two after TG.