Tang sight on 1886 w/ tang safety

[86er]

Does anyone use a tang sight on their '86 or repro? If so, is there any risk to getting poked in the eye with stout loads? How sturdy and reliable are the sights? If anyone has one that utilizes the tang safety also I'd like to hear how that works for you and any other comments.

Thanks

[2ndovc]

I have one on my .33WCF. Made a few loads that were heavier than they should be but didn't have a problem with the tang sight poking me. Not the same as some of those water buffalo rounds you have though. I have heard that one must be more careful aiming up hill. The greater angel can get ya.

Most of my 92's have tang sights. Haven't gotten myself yet.

jb

[tman]

i've been shooting 300 hornandy jhp.s at 2200fps. these loads group well at 100yards, using the issued ladder sight[foled down]. if your concered about the recoil factor with the tang site, try it. this loading should take down anything that walks in front of your sites. sorry, no experinces with the tang site. gun is a browning 86 src.

[Leverluver]

I tried one on my 86EL and removed it. Primarily due to the recoil of the lighter rifle with heavy loads and also because the sight was a little too clunky for me. A lot more mass to deal with when not in use compared to the old original Lyman tang sight which I DO still have on my Browning rifle and have no problems or concerns with.

[Shasta]

I have a Model 1886 take-down 45-70 with tang safety. I installed a Marble's tang sight made for this rifle. The sight makes it a bit difficult to get at the safety, but I don't use the safety anyway so that is not a problem.

I did notice right away that the sight must be well centered and the windage feature is all but useless because the bolt will hit the sight if it is not centered. As it is, the forked rear of the bolt passes on either side of the sight, and I have had the elevation knob turned a bit when the sight rubbed against it.

As for recoil, I shoot mainly light cast bullet loads and with them there is no problem with the sight coming anywhere near my eye. When I tried using the tang sight with 405 grain jacked bullet hunting loads the increased recoil did indeed cause the sight to bump against the upper edge of my eyeglasses. As much as I like tang sights, I felt this was not a good thing, so I installed a Lyman 56 receiver sight for those times I will be shooting heavier loads.

I think a receiver sight is a better choice for hunting situations as they are much more sturdy than a tang sight and there is no chance it will be inadvertently folded just when you need it. So my solution is to have both types of sights. I install whichever one is most appropriate for the task at hand.

[1886]

I have the Marbles version on an 86 .45-90. I do not shoot that rifle with my right thumb wrapped around the wrist. It will bite the web between your thumb and index finger. I have the Marbles folding rear sight installed as well. That particular rifle wears a 26" barrel. The rifle is long and heavy. It is used for more deliberate shooting situations. 1886.

[Pete44ru]

I had NP, with a Marbles on my EL - but I only shot 300gr factory loads through it.

.

[kimwcook]

Hi Joe, I bought a Winnie '86 45/90 with the tang safety and it came with a Marbles tang sight already mounted. I know Marbles makes one specifically for the tang safety rifles. Works just fine.

I too don't shoot that rifle my thumb wrapped over the top of the wrist. I'd be looking for some bandaids if I did.

I shot some pretty stout 45/70 loads and didn't have a problem smacking the sight. I can't reach the safety, in fact I can't even see the safety with the tang sight installed.

[ArcticGoose]

Joe,
This doesn't fully answer your question but, I have tang sights on 3 of my original 86's. One has an original Marbles and the other two have a great sight made by http://www.columbiaprecision.com/. This is a quality, windage adjustable sight that will work with the tang saftey guns. With heavy loads in my 45-90 from the bench I have made contact with the sight but it sits in a detent that allows it to move forward if contact is made. Basically, it won't poke you in the eye very bad if you've crawled up the stock. I have had no problems shooting them in the field.

[Old Ironsights]

My tang safety was removed when I had the Win guts replaced with Browning guts on my 86TD. The tang Sight covers the hole in left after removal.

No real problems with stout loads poking me in the eye, but I'm not sure I like the way I have to grip the wrist with the thing installed.

It's not as comfortable as my 92.