Eye Test: Fiber-Optic Sights & Leverguns

[Pete44ru]

I thought some, that may be having vision problems but for one reason or another don't want to use a scope, might be interested in how fiber-optic open sights are on a levergun.

First, there are NO sight sets made specifically for this gun - a Winchester 9422M.

So, I ordered a set of Tru-Glo FO's for a Winchester 94 (sic) (they also make a set for "Marlins"), to see how they fit.

Like all replacement sights, the male dovetails needed a bit of fitting, but they basically went right in - about 15mins.

The rear sight rides higher than the issue iron, but the front bead is higher than issue to compensate.

My camera technique is lousy, but both the front and rear FP's are "fine" ILO "coarse", and the red front stands out on all targets & game. The front disappears on a snowy background - but I don't shoot at snow, if I can help it.

I took both some indoor & outdoor pics, so folks could at least get a little bit of the idea - if not a good view (Sorry )







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[J Miller]

Pete,

I've handled several rifles and a shotgun with the fiber optic sights on them. They do stand out like little glow balls. I've never had the opportunity to shoot a rifle so equipped yet. I'd like too though.
My one wish is that someone would make a square post front sight with an optic insert in it.
I would seriously try one of those with my receiver sights. I'm just not really a bead type of shooter.

Next time you go out in the boonies take some more pictures in the shadows.

Joe

[Modoc ED]

Now that seems to be a good solution for those that want to stay with iron sights instead of going to a receiver sight or scope. Definitely worth looking into.

[mescalero1]

Thanks for the effort, I am in that part of lifr where I cannot see the irons anymore.
I would like to hear from anyone who has shot the peep sights with the optic inserts in them.

[centershot]

Mescalero,
I have Williams peep sights on my leverguns with Williamx fiber-optic bead sights on the front. Look thru the hole, put the orange bead on the target, squeeze trigger. It's quick and accurate w/o the bulk of a scope! I hunt with these rifles but mainly use them for Cowboy Lever-action silhouette matches. It has proven it self to be a good sighting system for me.


centershot

[Hobie]

I can see the green but lose the red on background. Those are my eyes and color deficient sight. Your photos aren't that bad. That last one has everything in focus.

[Old Ironsights]

My biggest problem with most of the fiber optics is bead size.

They are all running at somthing like .7mm and I would much rather have .3 to .5.

[mescalero1]

Centershot,
Thank you

[Borregos]

I use a similar set up on my turkey gun beads are small but work well with my tired old eyes
I use a Williams Firesight on my Marlin '94 in 44Mag and Marlin 1895 with a Skinner peep in each case, again these work extremely well for me.

[.45colt]

Here is My experience, for Me the fibre-optic sights are like a low power scope. I'm in my mid 50's and the Eyes ain't what the were. a few years ago the brothers had a "shoot" down on the farm.the range is in the woods,kina dark. I show up with the Winchester legacy .45 colt. the targets are steel plates across the pond around 60yds. Keith's load with the Lyman 265gr hard cast. I kept those plates just jump in like there was an earthquake,one shooter said "I bet that would hurt." I don't get out much but the sight's sure stick in my head.Big Fun.

[Bigahh]

I like the look, and may try it myself.

[Blaine]

Nice conversion!!

[mescalero1]

I still would like to hear from someone with first hand knowledge of the opticlly enhanced peep sights.

[Old Ironsights]

I've used a Firesight front with a Peep Rear... and it's not all that great.

The Firesight is just too big and because of the halo effect too indistinct for anything but a "bead is the bullet" type of scenerio.

Unfortunately, a .7mm (+ halo) ball in the middle of your peep isn't really as conducive to accuracy/shot placement as a narrow post.

Not bad for >50 yds though. Quick as blazes.

[Ysabel Kid]

I want to put a pair of fiber optic sights on Y2K's Henry "large loop". After seeing you pic's, now I will need to make it a priority!!!

[iceman]

I had the Williams on my muzzle loader, but found them too fragile. I tore the little fiber out of the sight when it rubbed against the bark of a big maple tree. I know your not supposed to do that ,but a post or a bead would not have been hurt. Just my .02. Iceman

[gamekeeper]

Thanks for posting. I have a 9422M and 60 year old eyes. I did use a scope for a while but it ruined the balance and never looked right.

[Pete44ru]

Hobie: Some companies have green fronts available. I have one bead that came with six interchangeable rods/beads - 3 each in red/green in both 1/16" and 3/32". I can't recall if the maker was Hi-Viz or Tru-Glo.

Joe: NO ONE is gonna make a square FO bead anytime soon, unless the technology changes.
FO beads are actually short sections of a cylindrical ROD, formed during manufacture when glass fibers are stretched and layered together.
The round sides is what gathers the illuminating light, and a square rod probably wouldn't gather enough light to be useful as a gunsight.

OI: You are in error. There are a few companies, or at least retailers, that sell small/"fine" FO bead front sights - Tru-Glo and T/C (Fox Ridge Outfitters) to name two.
FYI, the front bead I installed on the 9422 above measures 1/16" (I'm metrically challenged) - and that's as small/fine a bead of ANY hunting type that ANY commercial sight maker has available.
Most offer beads in either 1/16" or 3/32" in various materials (Ivory/Gold/etc) - the same sizes as FO makers.

BTW - I have used the T/C open sight FO sets (many are listed), meant for the T/C Omega and for the T/C Firehawk, on Marlin's, a TCR, and a Savage 170 pump to achieve a satisfactory hunting zero by thinking "out of the box".

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[AJMD429]

I can see the green but lose the red on background. Those are my eyes and color deficient sight. Your photos aren't that bad. That last one has everything in focus.

I'm pretty sure Williams sells a kit for the Firesights that allows you to switch colors and so forth. That way you could have a green or yellow or something up front. For that matter, they look like the fibers for bow sights, which I KNOW you can buy (although the bow sight fibers may be smaller diameter - which would not necessarily be a bad thing either...)

I do wish the Firesights came with extra-tall protective hoods; the Marlin hoods won't go on the bases with the taller ones in place.

[Pete44ru]

If a sight hood IS placed over FO sights, they won't work, as the light will be blocked from reaching the side of the FO rod ( which is the light collector ) - unless the mid-section of the hood's "roof" is cut away.