I have ruined two sets of spectacles. My Sharps hunting rifle's recoil has forced the tang sight into one lens often enough to scratch the glass. An adjustable aperture sight [adapted to??] being mounted partly on receiver ring, partly on barrel will be right on the ragged edge of being too far forward - aperture need be ghost ring, I think.

On my muzzleloading double rifles I have Brockman's wing-protected adjustable aperture sights installed. But such an assembly would be, I believe, impossible to adapt to the Sharps side hammer.

I need assistance. Reducing my loads or using a "period" telescopic sight is not among possible solutions. I am hopeful that there is a simple, effective solution that I have overlooked. But I'm will to accept a complex, difficult one if that's what's available.

Any sight mounted farther forward would need an incrementally larger aperture, of course. First thing I would try with the existing sight is to coat the rim of the aperture in plastic-dip which is used on tool handles. Another option would be to glue an o-ring to the rim of the aperture. I know where you are coming from though, my 1874 Sharps comes back pretty hard with the 565gr bullets. I can't really help on different sights but there is one aftermarket sight made for Marlin and other lever guns that would sit on top of the receiver or barrel. I can imagine using an adapter block that would line it up with the front of the breach block. Can't think of the name at the moment but I could find it if you need it.

quote:

Originally posted by gzig5:
Any sight mounted farther forward would need an incrementally larger aperture, of course. First thing I would try with the existing sight is to coat the rim of the aperture in plastic-dip which is used on tool handles. Another option would be to glue an o-ring to the rim of the aperture. I know where you are coming from though, my 1874 Sharps comes back pretty hard with the 565gr bullets. I can't really help on different sights but there is one aftermarket sight made for Marlin and other lever guns that would sit on top of the receiver or barrel. I can imagine using an adapter block that would line it up with the front of the breach block. Can't think of the name at the moment but I could find it if you need it.

Many thanks for your input. While I am trying your quick-and-dirty solutions, please locate the after-market sight and adapter block.

Do you really need your glasses to shoot with aperture sights? If you do you might try adjusting the tension on the staff pivot screw or the spring detent. This will permit the sight to tilt forward when the rifle is fired.
I usually wear a baseball cap. My sight hits the cap bill sometimes but has never hit my glasses. If it hits the cap I position my head back a little more.

quote:

Originally posted by SR4759:
Do you really need your glasses to shoot with aperture sights? If you do you might try adjusting the tension on the staff pivot screw or the spring detent. This will permit the sight to tilt forward when the rifle is fired.
I usually wear a baseball cap. My sight hits the cap bill sometimes but has never hit my glasses. If it hits the cap I position my head back a little more.

Not only do I need spectacles to see, I need them to prevent double vision - I've been considering disposing of Zeiss binoculars because eye relief is insufficient for using with my prescription.

I am reluctant to adjust spring tension. Would not an easily moving sight would translate to reduced precision sight?

quote:

Originally posted by Naphtali:

quote:

Originally posted by gzig5:
Any sight mounted farther forward would need an incrementally larger aperture, of course. First thing I would try with the existing sight is to coat the rim of the aperture in plastic-dip which is used on tool handles. Another option would be to glue an o-ring to the rim of the aperture. I know where you are coming from though, my 1874 Sharps comes back pretty hard with the 565gr bullets. I can't really help on different sights but there is one aftermarket sight made for Marlin and other lever guns that would sit on top of the receiver or barrel. I can imagine using an adapter block that would line it up with the front of the breach block. Can't think of the name at the moment but I could find it if you need it.

Many thanks for your input. While I am trying your quick-and-dirty solutions, please locate the after-market sight and adapter block.

Take a look at skinnersights.com. Not a direct fit, but maybe it could be made to solve your problem.

Look at the Remington "Rough and Ready" sight (sometimes known as the "sporting rear") as manufactured and retailed by MVA for about $100.00. I have used these and they are the answer to your problem. The sight is approximately 1 & 1/2 inch long barrel sight/tang sight that butts up to the receiver. The elevator has a aperture sight that slides up and down the raised portion and folds flat into the base with a buckhorn on the end if you just need to use the buckhorn with front blade or post and ball. Two sights in one.

Dutch

quote:

Originally posted by Naphtali:

quote:

Originally posted by SR4759:
Do you really need your glasses to shoot with aperture sights? If you do you might try adjusting the tension on the staff pivot screw or the spring detent. This will permit the sight to tilt forward when the rifle is fired.
I usually wear a baseball cap. My sight hits the cap bill sometimes but has never hit my glasses. If it hits the cap I position my head back a little more.

Not only do I need spectacles to see, I need them to prevent double vision - I've been considering disposing of Zeiss binoculars because eye relief is insufficient for using with my prescription.

I am reluctant to adjust spring tension. Would not an easily moving sight would translate to reduced precision sight?

If the sight does not wiggle right to left it has little effect. I have several rifles and they all have enough recoil that the sight tilts forward on each shot. When the sight is returned to vertical it cannot have much effect on elevation unless it is way off. I am always concerned about any right to left motion but even the cheapy Pedersoli "throw away" sight will return to elevation and it does not have an adjustable detent spring.

But I must ask have you tried shooting with no glasses? The rear sight small pin hole minimizes the amount of your lens and retina exposed to the light from the target. Thus it minimizes the defect in your eye's lens that can screw up the focus.
I have some double vision too but on normal to bright days it is not a problem. I have a terrible time with it at dusk with some rifle scopes though.

Certainly not a "period" or correct sight arrangement, but you may want to take a look at the hood/lens arrangement used on NM type sights for M1A/M14, Garands, and AR 15. Some have replaceable different size apertures and can combine with a lens of various magnifications. These hoods are threaded and would fit where your current sighting disc goes now. May have to alter thread size/count??
You still maintain the tang sight, but with lens to suit you, eliminate the need for glasses. Various colors can be had as well such as green, amber, yellow, etc. Just might work.