1866 front sight question?

John William McCandles · October 12, 2010, 08:38:28 AM

I have replaced the rear sight that a previous owner had installed on my '66 sporting rifle with TOW's RS-PM-1 which I like a lot better as well as it's looking moer authentic. I see others are using this sight on their '66's and '73's. What height front sight are you using?
I installed a .500"grabber but with the rear sight adjusted all the way up I am shooting about 6" low at 25 yds.
I have since did the calculations on the Marbles site and came up with a height of .312". Would the Grabber at .310" be good or should I opt for something slightly taller?

Also the TOW rear sight does not touch the base of the dove tail it is tight but should I put a shim under it?

I've also posted this in the Gunsmith forum but have no responses.

Thanks
JW

Major 2 · October 12, 2010, 02:15:08 PM

That is the sight several have upgraded to ..I believe they shim the space..
as to the 610 vs 612 ...I believe I go the 612 blade and adj. it with a file.
This is not easy with Marbles with the ball.

Stillwater · October 12, 2010, 04:44:12 PM

Quote from: Major 2 on October 12, 2010, 02:15:08 PM
That is the sight several have upgraded to ..I believe they shim the space..
as to the 610 vs 612 ...I believe I go the 612 blade and adj. it with a file.
This is not easy with Marbles with the ball.

Is the sight you posted the link to, from Track Of The Wolf?

I need to replace the rear sight on my 1866...

Bill

Major 2 · October 12, 2010, 04:50:09 PM

Quote from: Stillwater on October 12, 2010, 04:44:12 PM
Is the sight you posted the link to, from Track Of The Wolf?

I need to replace the rear sight on my 1866...

Bill

No Sir just the photo..here is the link
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartList.aspx?catID=14&subID=167&styleID=764&PageSize=10&Page=2

John William McCandles · October 12, 2010, 06:58:17 PM

I like the rear sight from TOW.

Any one have the height for the stock front sight on a '66 that might be a good starting point for me.

The .310" or .312" just seem short to me but the TOW rear sight does set higher even when adjusted all the way down than an original sight and the one that was on this rifle when I bought it.

Regards
JW

Reverend P. Babcock Chase · October 12, 2010, 10:46:50 PM

Howdy JW McC,

This is just a thought. Have you tried centering the font sight in the "aperture" or opening of the rear sight like a peep sight. That would bring up the bullet strikes if you have been settling the front sight down in the bottom of the rear sight. For cowboy purposes, it might get you on target faster. I've not tried the above (don't have any buckhorn sights on any of my guns), but I have heard others recommend that style of sight picture for faster shooting.

Just a thought,

Reverend Chas

Stillwater · October 13, 2010, 11:04:32 PM

Quote from: Major 2 on October 12, 2010, 04:50:09 PM
No Sir just the photo..here is the link
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartList.aspx?catID=14&subID=167&styleID=764&PageSize=10&Page=2

Major 2:

Thank you very much...

Bill

Driftwood Johnson · October 23, 2010, 10:24:45 AM

Howdy

I installed one of those sights on my Henry. Sight dovetails can vary slightly in dimension. If I recall correctly, my sight slid right into the dovetail with no pressure at all. I did put a thin shim under it to keep it in place. If it was secure I would not bother to shim it, but I needed to add the shim to keep it from moving.

Sorry, since I am using the stock Henry front sight I cannot help you with your question about the Grabber.

John William McCandles · October 24, 2010, 07:49:48 AM

Quote from: Driftwood Johnson on October 23, 2010, 10:24:45 AM
Howdy

I installed one of those sights on my Henry. Sight dovetails can vary slightly in dimension. If I recall correctly, my sight slid right into the dovetail with no pressure at all. I did put a thin shim under it to keep it in place. If it was secure I would not bother to shim it, but I needed to add the shim to keep it from moving.

Sorry, since I am using the stock Henry front sight I cannot help you with your question about the Grabber.

Driftwood:

Thanks, the TOW sight was fitting the dove tail good and tight but I went ahead and put a shim under it to take up the air space.

I bought two of the TOW sights so I measured the min. and max. height of the extra then did the calculations on the Marbles web site and came up with a .410" front sight height and have one of the Marbles offerings with the 3/32" ivory bead on the way.
If anyone would be interested in the .500" Grabber sight I have give me a shout.

Regards
JW