Uberti 1876 Tang Sight Update.

[Wes Tancred]

The Riflesmith #30A tang sight is period correct for the 1876, and beautifully made.

http://www.riflesmith.com/sightswinchester.html

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,3747.html

However, the screws provided with this sight fit original Winchester 1876 rifles (12-28 rear, and 10-36 {3/16-36} front), not the Uberti version.

Buffalo Arms sell a special Marbles screw set, MAR995010, that fits the Uberti 1876, which has 10-32 threads for both front and rear screws:

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,6419.html

These screws fit Marbles tang sights as they are, but the heads are too large for the Riflesmith tang sight. Riflesmith do not appear to be able to provide screws to fit the Uberti.

I turned down the heads of the special MAR995010 screws in a small lathe, until they just fit into the holes in the sight base. I was pleased to find that the other dimensions were such that the turned-down screws fit the sight base perfectly, exactly like the Riflesmith screws, and also made a perfect fit attaching the sight to the Uberti rifle.

The job was extremely simple. Care must be taken to go slowly so as to avoid making the head diameters too small. The screws should just fit the sight base holes with as little play as possible. Since the front screw is so short, I mounted it in a threaded rod (to be mounted in the lathe chuck) for turning, but with extra care it may be possible to turn down the head by mounting the screw directly in the three-jaw chuck.

I think that this job could be done without a lathe. The screws could be mounted in the chuck of a drill press, or even in a hand drill secured to the work table, and the heads turned down by means of a fine file with the flat held perfectly parallel to the axis of the screw. Measure often, especially as the desired diameter is neared.

The rifle, with the 30A sight mounted, looks as if it came directly from the 1870s.

Note: those who prefer a shorter sight staff may select the Riflesmith #30 sight, which is otherwise identical. It is available from Riflesmith or Buffalo Arms:

http://www.riflesmith.com/sightswinchester.html

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,3746.html

[wdrjr]

i ordered the #5aw and told them it was for the uberti 1876 (50-95).they sent me the correct screws. works great,will be using it in montana this year. leaving from pa on the 23rd,can't wait. i need the vacation.

[Black River Johnny]

For $310 dollars they should have installed it and gutted your deer or whatever you are going to hunt in Montana. Seriously why do these sights cost SO MUCH

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Has anyone tried the Marbles improved tang sight on the Chaparral NWMP carbine?  With the fixed front sight, I feel I need the windage capability.

[Grizzly Adams]

The Riflesmith sights are excellent.  Thanks for a great post, Wes.

This may be a good low cost option for those that are interested.  A buddy of mine mounted one of these on an 86, and it works very well.  Should work fine on a 76.

http://www.jeffsoutfitters.com/store.aspx?panel=3&productid=97&categoryid=67

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Heh Griz;  Does Jeff's sight have an adjustment for grip angle?

[Wes Tancred]

Well, it appears that I may be behind the times, as is often the case!

I had no luck obtaining proper screws from either Riflesmith or Buffalo Arms, but this was during the Summer. I suppose I should have tried once more, though it took but a few minutes to turn the Marbles screws down, and they fit perfectly in all respects.

Wdrjr, did you purchase your sight from Riflesmith or Buffalo Arms? Since it appears that screws to fit the Uberti are now available, it would be of great value to post here the source. It would certainly be more useful than the information I provided.

The Winchester style tang sights with vertical adjustment screws are also correct for the period, but cost more. Note that the Riflesmith #30 and #30A are "only" about $190, and are the Winchester type most commonly seen on originals (as far as I have seen, I hasten to add). The Riflesmith sights are worth every penny: the quality is absolutely superb.

[wdrjr]

axtell rifle company. it was a bit pricey,like you said very good quality.

[Wes Tancred]

I should mention that Axtell = Riflesmith. Wdrjr kindly let me know that he purchased his sight in June, with the correct screws for the Uberti. I believe it was in June or July that I attempted to obtain such screws. I purchased my Riflesmith sight from Buffalo Arms, then contacted Axtell/Riflesmith. I must not have got through to the right people. I am glad to know that they have the correct screws available for Uberti rifles. Their sights are superb, and ideally suited to the 1876, since they are accurate reproductions of the originals of the era.

Perhaps it would be simplest for owners of Uberti 1876s to purchase the sights directly from Axtell/Riflesmith, and to telephone the order.