changing sites on '66?

[Matthew Duncan]

I'm losing valuable minutes ah I mean seconds getting my tired old eyes to site my '66 on the target.

Brownell's has a Full buckhorn site (579-065-001) and a Front gold site (579-105-031).

Two questions.

Would these sights help focusing sites on targets?

External modifications SASS legal?

[Rubideaux]

Good morning Matt. I had the same problem with a '66. Coulldn't hardly see the sights. What I did was to order a set of sights from a Marlin Cowboy rifle. I had to alter the dovetail slot a bit and mount the rear sight backward. After I blacked out the white spot on the rear sight, everything was ok. I could actually see the sights. It was a very satisfactory solution.

[Big Hext Finnigan]

Howdy Matt,

I've done the same backward buckhorn trick.  It works and is less obvious than I thought it would be.. but I still don't like it enough to not keep looking for other options.

Apparently there are a few muzzleloader rear sights that work as well.  I haven't put the time into buying and trying them, but I could dig up the information if you are interested further.

Adios,

[Johnny Pecos]

Matt Duncan wrote:

"I'm losing valuable minutes ah I mean seconds getting my tired old eyes to site my '66 on the target.
Brownell's has a Full buckhorn site (579-065-001) and a Front gold site (579-105-031).
Two questions.
Would these sights help focusing sites on targets?
External modifications SASS legal?"

I dunno... The firearms restrictions in the SASS handbook clearly preclude any external modification that would accrue a competitive advantage to the shooter.  Lots of us shoot the 66 with the factory sights. Any improvement you made would give you a competitive advantage thus seems not to be allowed.
I for one don't want to seeCAS goin' down that "race gun" road that IPSC has taken. I know I'd shoot a whole lot better with red dot scopes on my peacemakers, so where do you draw the line?

[Rubideaux]

I'm not sure Johnny, but the Marlin sights ARE period correct. I personally don't see a problem.

[Big Hext Finnigan]

I dunno... The firearms restrictions in the SASS handbook clearly preclude any external modification that would accrue a competitive advantage to the shooter.  Lots of us shoot the 66 with the factory sights. Any improvement you made would give you a competitive advantage thus seems not to be allowed.
I for one don't want to seeCAS goin' down that "race gun" road that IPSC has taken. I know I'd shoot a whole lot better with red dot scopes on my peacemakers, so where do you draw the line?

I'll draw the line at legal sights..
Do you honestly think that a gold bead and buckhorn are comparable to a red dot?  Heck, the tang sights set up like a peep are more "gamey" AND fully correct for the period.   
There are many areas that are being pushed, perhaps too far in terms of an arms race, but the sights aren't one of them, at least in my opinion.

Adios,

[Matthew Duncan]

Looks like I'm being misqouted Finnigan.  Pecos said that, not I

Pecos.  External modifications that could have been made back then are allowed.  I'm sure cowpokes changed sights.  They just didn't have the automatic titanium laser induced homing ones.

[Terry]

I used one of those Lyman Muzzleloader buckhorns on my Henry and really like it...and it's cheap.  Weird thing, I ordered a 20" '66 from EMF on their November sale, photo showed the typical flip up site.  I was going to order another Lyman sight so I could install it when the rifle arrived...funny thing is is that it came in with a Buckhorn sight......

[Foothills Drifter]

Howdy......
I had the 'ladder' sight taken off my '66 and a semi buckhorn put on (with a gold bead on the front) Bob Shaw at Walker 47 did the work. He cut a new dovetail and filled the old one. Now I can see the sights and the target clearly. Competitive edge.......I THINK NOT! Period correct......YES! It look like the one on my Marlin.

Good shootin......
Vern...

[Foothills Drifter]

Howdy......
I just took the side plates off my '66. 
Good shootin......
Vern...  

oops..........wrong topic...      

[Sergeant Smokepole]

There aint nuthin more period keeeeerect than a buckhorn rear sight and a brass front sight. Just use that buckhorn like a ghost ring sight.

[Dusty Chaps]

I changed mine to the buckhorn style I got from Brownell's.  Very happy solution and period correct to boot.

[Matthew Duncan]

Well I got them on.

Old sites came off real easy. 

New ones went on hard.  The plastic punch I bought had too much flex so I wacked them hard with a hammer till centered. 

I'll wait unti the Tempature gets back to double digits to try them out.

[Nine Toe Jim]

Well Gang

With my old eyes I went a completely different route on my 66 and removed the back sight and dirlled and tapped the tang for a Lyman Tang Sight.