I have been looking for a set of express sights to replace the folding sight that came on my Win. M-70 Super Express. I have looked at several different sights, looking for one that has a fixed standing blade. Folding blades are not needed, but I will not count out the sight if it has them. Brownells used to carry a Whitworth Epress Sight which has one standing and two folding leaves, but the item was discontinued. I now see that Cape Outfitters has the sight for sale, marked down to $59.95. Does anyone know anything about this particular sight or have any experience with it? I am interested in good or bad points about it.
I asked this same question a while back, and got some replies suggesting that quality was variable. I didn't use one at the time, but do plan to use one in the future. How can you really go wrong for $60?
If you really just want a single standing leaf, look at the Dakota that is sold by Brownells.
Todd
Posts: 1248 | Location: North Carolina | Registered: 14 April 2001
JON, the sight Cape Outfitter sells is the same sight that is on the Whitworth African rifle, and is fine if you are only useing it for a back-up. The key here is it may not be high enough to use with the stock you plan to use. I have mounted the sight it's self with out the island base in the rib of several doubles, and reshaped the wide "V" to wider, and flatter! New England Custom Guns, makes some quality sights, as well!
Posts: 14634 | Location: TEXAS | Registered: 08 June 2000
I'm pulling this out of the air, but the new M-70 Safari Express has a solid-looking rear sight. It's adjustable with a screwdriver, but the blade does not fold. Hope this helps, Okie John.
The rear sight on the new safari express winchesters is made by NECG. It is a solid affair although mine was lose after a few rounds my gunsmith said it was attached with the wrong screw and fixed it. Now its nice but I bought a slanted solid blade from NECG in the white for about 20 dollars that I am going to fit and file one of these days. NECG has a sale on some of there rear sights right now so check them out.
Posts: 1554 | Location: NC | Registered: 10 June 2002
Just got a Cape Outfitters flyer & their having a sale on several different express sights right now.
Posts: 8351 | Location: Jennings Louisiana, Arkansas by way of Alabama by way of South Carloina by way of County Antrim Irland by way of Lanarkshire Scotland. | Registered: 02 November 2001
I would have to say that the design of the new rear sight on the M70 is horrible. The sight blade is held on by two miniscule slot head screws that lock down under recoil, making them almost impossible to loosen for sight adjustment without stripping out the head (YES, I was using a screwdriver that fit properly). And on top of that Winchester can't even sell you replacement screws, they want to sell you the entire rear sight assembly for something on the order of $51.75. I have spoken to them three times about it and I am going to have to take the rifle in to an authorized repair center just to get two tiny screws that without I can't even shoot the gun. Needless to say I am not really happy with this gun at the moment, or Winchester.
McBain,I do not know what the set-up is on those sights but would it be possible to replace the screws with more robust Allen Head capscrews? I have seen some in amazingly small dimensions.
