Peep Suggestions for 336 and smithing info

[TCB in TN]

I am thinking about putting a rear peep on the old 336 I just bought, instead of more glass so any suggestions for good peeps would be greatly appreciated. (I have my .308 BLR if I want to shoot longer range and recently I have remembered exactly how much I really like shooting with just open sights.)

Also I have a line on a rough 336 (truck gun cheap) and if I get it, I was thinking also about getting the barrel cut down to 16 1/2 and re-crowned, and was wondering how much it is going for these days. The older gentleman who I used to get to do my smithing passed away a couple of years back and I haven't talked to anyone local since. I also was curious what decent bluing jobs are going for. Further more I have wanted a straight stocked 336 for a "saddle gun" and wondered how hard it would be to convert the pistol gripped frame to straight (I have changed out levers before, so no problem there). I know its a lot of trouble for what it is, but its what I want (to go with my 39 Mountie. Also locally real rough 336s with beat up stocks, and decent to real good actions, are going real cheap now, and will be even cheaper after Christmas, so I will not have to much invested before the work begins.

[J Miller]

TCB in TN,

As always my answer to which peep sights should I use on my __________ is this:
The Williams FP 94/336 or the Lyman 66LA. Your old 336 should be drilled and tapped already for the sights, so installation is simple and painless.

As for the other gunsmithing questions I have no answer.

I have read here, that switching from the pistol grip to straight grip requires a stock, trigger plate and lever switch out. Everything else will interchange. But getting those parts is problematic.

Joe

[.45]

Will be mounting one of these on a 444 today. Hopefully will have time to sight it in this weekend. Range report to follow.
http://skinnersights.com/

[Charles]

In peep sights, I much pefer the ones that are click adjustable for windage and elevation. In todays market that is the Lyman 66 and the Williams Foolproof. You can also get tang sights for your rifle as well as sights that mount on top of the receiver like the XS or Williams Guidel

Me? I would shop for an older all steel Lyman or Redfield.

Finding a good man to blue a firearm is not an easy thing to do. Currently the only person I would trust to blue a firearm without over polishing is Accurate Weapon and Plating. They have done three rifles for me in their Brushed 400 finish and I can't find any fault with their work. I am certain there are others other there, but I can only vouch for those who have done work for me.

[O.S.O.K.]

I like XS peeps but keep in mind that the front sight height will need to be jiggled to get your point of impact low enough. The front sight that comes with may be just fine - or may not. XS will work with you to though.

Skinner's are also good from what I've read - very similar to the XS.

I like these because they are small and tough. Nothing hanging off of the side of the receiver.

As for your second question - sounds like you're going to take a $150 gun and turn it into a $500 gun... you might be better off looking for one already in this configuration - check gunbroker for the ones that k-mart (yes really) marketed - they are straight stocked and have 18" barrels. TS or something like that - somebody here can post a pic of theirs...

[TCB in TN]

You are right, except that I want exactly what I want. I have found a couple that are close, but not exactly what I want. I know its stupid, but I just can't help it. Years ago I built a 10/22 the way I wanted it and absolutely loved the gun (it was among the guns I sold to pay my ex wife to go away), and while I didn't get anywhere near its worth when I had to let it go, it was worth every penny I had in it to me. I also have a thing for taking something that is not wanted, trashed, etc. and making it into something beautiful. I used to refinish a lot of stocks (and did a few rough blue jobs as well) and nothing quite gives me the satisfaction of taking something from the trash bin and making it pretty again.

[Pete44ru]

I would cut back the barrel & mag tube myself, and only cold blue a truck gun - but YMMV, of course.

This is a Williams WGRS on a 336 - It mounts in the top rear scope mount holes, the same as the XS and Skinner peeps. ($30 @ MidwayUSA)



.

[TCB in TN]

I love that WGRS, just ordered one from midway. I have cut down a couple of barrels over the years and can make one "serviceable" but really want it to look right also, not to mention putting the front sight back on and getting it right! The Mag tube, I can handle on my own as the "hack" work is covered up. I have cold blued a few guns myself and they don't look bad, I could do a decent enough job that I wouldn't have to be ashamed of it, but would really like to to make this one a nice looking rifle. I plan on getting either some real nice walnut wood or a nice laminated stock to finish it off.

[BenT]

Here is a link on how to convert a pistol grip to a straight . Just use some hand tools. http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/inde ... 936.0.html

Also go to www.midwayusa.com under technical videos you can watch Larry show you how to cut down a barrel. The tool he uses also is used to cut a new dovetail in for a front sight, There might be a video on that . The recrowning tool is expensive. My father in law uses a marble or ball bearing wrapped in sandpaper and uses a circuler motion to make a new crown.
To me this sounds like a great winter project.

Good Luck!