Replacement sight for 1860 Henry?

[Dirty Brass]

I have a NA reproduction, and the rear sight is very loose in the base as well as it does not hold tight when in the folded down position. I had it apart, and the spring/detent assembly is about as tight as I can safely make it in the base. The slide portion is tight from 100 - 400 yard increments, but after that it is sloppy loose. I'll never use that elevation, so I can live with that, but the sight blade flips up and down over a 3/16" to 1/4" area when I shoot. Probably doesn't effect accuracy that much out to 100 yards, but it looks cheap, and I'm not happy with it. Any one know of a stronger spring detent fix? I can just pin it down flat on the barrel, but then I lose the authenticity of a flip up sight - don't really want to do that.....does anyone know of a better similar sight that would fit here?

I attached a pic to help explain what I mean - hopefully it will help, as my descriptions probably have everyone wondering "what the heck is he talking about"? 

[Hoof Hearted]

Poor sights seems to ba a common theme amongst all of the Italian makers

I watch for take offs and look for better ones to "upgrade" with.
Short of redrilling and "repinning" the pivot pin or applying a little locktite to hold her down, I have no other suggestions.

HH

[Sgt. Jake]

   Brassmagnet      I dont know if you can live with this   http://www.trackofthewolf.com/(S(jz40gny2uo3vxm45u1osto55))/categories/partDetail.aspx?catId=14&subId=167&styleId=764&partNum=RS-PM-1    I know that NKJ recomends it and a couple of pards are using them with satsifaction.          Adios  Sgt.Jake

[Dirty Brass]

Thanks pards for the replies. I might look at redrilling and adding a detent hole on the ladder portion to help hold it down. A strong spring would help, but their isn't much room to work with in the base. Besides, the slider part is what it is I think - I can try spreading the metal on the top hald slightly. We'll ponder this for awhile. Too cold outside in the shop to work right now anyhow.

The sight on TOTW looks promising - maybe not historically correct, but solid and adjustable for probably 100 - 250 yards.....that's another consideration. I couldn't fabricate on like that for that price!

[Will Ketchum]

I use the Track of the Wolf sight on both my Henry and 66 and like it a lot better than the sights that come with them.  They are very similar to a period sight I have seen. 

Will Ketchum

[Dirty Brass]

Thanks Will - that's what I wanted to hear - period correct! I'm sure there were some that didn't want the ladder sight back in the day and swapped out a muzzleloader style buckhorn of some type - just not with the elevation spring at that time. (or am I wrong, and these elevation devices were available back then already? I know spring steel was used for sights, but coils weren't around then were they?)

[Montana Slim]

I've noted the same problem with my 1866 and came to many of the conclusions you have.
Even at that, it's been working pretty well for the past 10+ years.

I believe the original ladder sights had a leaf spring beneath them...similar to the barrel sight on many of the Pedersoli Sharps rifles.
You might take a look at those for some other ideas.

Regards,
Slim

[Dirty Brass]

I pulled the ladder assembly out and redrilled the base just slightly larger to accept a compression roll pin that already fit the oversized hole in the ladder base. I also replaced the ball bearings in the spring mechanism with detent pins used in AR15's (had to shorten them considerably though), and they lock up a lot tighter in the detent hole and hold the ladder upright very snugly. The ladder itself was a tad narrower at the top portion - I spread it slightly, and compressed the slide edges (fairly soft metal) of the elevation bar, and it holds snug all the way up and down the ladder now. The new pin holds everything snug too, so no up and down movement with recoil in the flat down position should be there. We'll see, but it holds snug right now, and a new pin if it becomes loose with use is easy to install, although I don't foresee much use of the ladder in the UP position, as most of my shooting is 100 yards or less. All in all I'm satisfied right now - didn't change the looks at all. Just thought I'd update me post. Thanks again for the suggestions everyone!