Questions on Bolt Mounted Peep -W. Levergun

86er · Post by **86er** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:20 am

Does anyone had a bolt mounted peep sight on a Win lever rifle?

What brand, how does it work, any issues? I am strongly considering one but would like opinions and experiences.

My understanding is that the top of the bolt is D/T with two screws and the peep sits on the bolt and rides with it as the action is cycled.

What'd ya think?

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:26 am

My Dad had one on his model 71. Really liked it. I don't remember much about how it was attached. I wasn't happy when he sold that one. He's always been a little recoil sensitive and didn't like how the 348 banged him around. I thought it was a blast and have always thaought that bolt peep was a cool idea.

Rimfire McNutjob · Post by **Rimfire McNutjob** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 1:59 pm

I believe someone was copying the Win 98A sight but I could never find a reference to it on the site link that I was given. Of course, that sight requires some milling to the bolt. Someone had a picture of a nice XS that was mounted on the receiver tops on each side of the bolt on a 94 or 92 I think. I can't find the thread though.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:18 pm

I've been thinking about using a wgrs, find one with a close width and bottom contour, then fit it and attach with the stock mounting screws. Probably be too high tho..

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:44 pm

this was covered on the old forum, I think the best sight was a WGRS for a BLR, already contoured.

If you can search the old forum, there were pics and everything.

71fan · Post by **71fan** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:20 pm

I wonder if Skinner couldn't whip something up for you. Just a thought. It's about time he strayed from Marlins and started playing with Winchesters anyway.

His receiver sight would need to be shortened to clear the extractor and a radius cut in the bottom, then you're in business. Heck, if he didn't have the time to develop it, a handy guy may be able to do the work himself on one of the Marlin ones.
http://www.skinnersights.com/

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:52 pm

I mounted an XS peep, meant for a flat-topped Marlin 1894, on the flat top of the bolt of my .405 Winchester/Miroku M-1895, with no negative issues.

The Williams WGRS would work as well, at half the price - but I had the XS on hand.

The WGRS (or XS) for the BAR has a concave base, and would work better for those rifles with a radiused top to the bolt.

20cows · Post by **20cows** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:46 pm

I've been thinking about using a wgrs, find one with a close width and bottom contour, then fit it and attach with the stock mounting screws.

I have gunsmith doing that to the bolt of Puzzle Five right now. I'll post how it works out.

The worst thing that could happen is leaving a couple of plug screws in the bolt if it doesn't pan out.

ArcticGoose · Post by **ArcticGoose** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 3:04 am

Give the guy's at Frontier Americana a call. I have their reproduction bolt peep on my 71 and love it. This is an old number but should probably still work. Try Jim at 701-241-4440. Their address is:
Frontier Americiana of Fargo
P.O. Box 887
Fargo ND 58107
Hope this helps.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:06 am

Pete, that looks good. Is it a lot higher than the stock sight line? Did you have to alter the front sight to maintain the aim point?

I was looking my wgrs over and wondering if a machinest could mill the fore and aft dovetail into the bolt face... this would eliminate the mounting block, lower the sight and give a very low profile. If set up properly a front sight adjustment would give the elevation control and windage shouldn't be an issue.

86er · Post by **86er** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 4:58 pm

Thanks for the tips. I am interested in how Puzzle 5 comes out so I might explore using the same guy. I also left a message for Americana.

Meanwhile, since my '86 has a weaver rail for the scope, RKrodle and I put the XS Low Weaver back-up sight on the rail and are in the process of installing a new front sight block and bead to lower the point of impact.

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 5:04 am

Thanks, Grizz - It was only a little higher than the issue line-of-sight, just about like most rifles with a top-mount peep added.

I mounted a higher XS white-line front blade, that had to be set in place & cross drilled through the existing mounting hole with a 1/16" bit. I pinned it with the issue pin, that I had removed.

I already had the XS peep, then called XS and ordered the front blade that went with their peep & front set for the M1895.
The new blade was a little expensive, but solved a poser for me - so well worth it.

FWIW - Before I'd mill any dovetails in a bolt for a WGRS, etc, I'd look at mounting the extremely low profile Williams peep, made to replace a military rear barrel sight ladder (WM-96, WSKS, or WAK 47).
I've mounted one of those WM-96's on a Marlin, using the scope mount holes & redrilling the forward part of the peep body for a screw.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 8:15 pm

Thanks Pete

I'll check out those sights. Adjustable sights are a passing fad. I hope. I'm happy altering the front sight elevation to get my loads to coincide with the bead. I don't really need much adjustment in a field gun.

blackhawk44 · Post by **blackhawk44** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:59 pm

An outfit called Frontier Americana of Fargo, ND advertises recreations of the original Winchester bolt peeps in the metalic sight header of biweekly classified paper Gun List. They also offer installation. Be aware that if you are budget challenged it would be best to halt your investigation right here.