Guys, I've come to the conclusion that I've got to make some changes to my 1895 405 Win. I've shot the buckhorns plenty, but I'm just not accurate with them. Just can't pick them up good enough.

Now, to that end, I've searched previous posts here etc. and have some questions. The two key options that I have are the Lyman 21 repro. which has come down in price, $135 now... I don't have a big problem with that, and a Williams receiver mounted peep. Can't do a tang sight because of the safety.

Now, I'll be totally honest and say that I have pretty much zero experience with peep sights, but I want something that is going to give me more precision than the factory buckhorns. Am I headed in the right direction? If so, which way would you guys go? The Lyman 21 means I only have to add 1 hole to the gun (it doesn't have a hole in the rear). A reciever mounted peep like the Williams I believe requires 2 holes. I'm not overly concerned either way.

Thoughts or suggestions anyone?

Why not a express sight? I have seen 1895's with island base 1 standing 2 folding and even front sight with a ivory bead many original 1895\s had this done for Africa and India.

The express sight suggestion is a unique approach to your particular rifle and would set it apart, but not sure if that would be an advantage to solve your problem in attempting to shoot more accurately?? Since you already use the buckhorn and find them wanting, I would suggest you go the peep sight arrangement. Not a lot to learn to use the peep since you look though it, not at it for your eye will automatically seek the center of the cirlce and you place the bead/post, etc. on the target and have only two things to focus on, bead and target. What you have is fine rifle, but would not worry about the extra hole hurting value. The addition of the Lyman repro will add to the value of the rifle and it's usefullness as well. Have shot both your model and originals w/ the peep arrangement and it is a very user friendly set up. Believe you would like it and the combo is an excellent hunting rifle in all respects for all but the most dangerous of game. Teddy liked it, so how can you beat that!! (Unfortunately we have no more Teddy's out there it would seem.)

Anything is better than buckhorns !! Peeps are both accurate and fast .I like a 1/8" square front and 3/16" peep [Ghost ring].I also like patridge with 1/8" square front and 1/8" square rear notch.

There are lots of options ,
I would look at lyman too. Similer to williams but look better and are a little nicer.
The lyman 21 coppy might be a great option, never messed with one. It would sure be more origional in apearence.
I do belive it would need 3 holes drilled to install but I am not sure.
Peeps are real good , I have used them on several rifles.
You also might look into differnt options of buck horns.
Someone I would think makes a replacment that slips into you dovetail and has a peep.
I always thought a diamond shaped hole in a peep with a cross on the front , would be very acurate and fast with practice...tj3006

When I had my 405 built I had an NECG pedastal rear with full adjustments combined with a NERCG masterpiece ramp with elevation adjustment and red flourescent bead. I was very happy with them.

ZIM, Look for my post with Pics " My 405 WCF "
I was in the same boat as you with my 405 WCF.
I sent mine to Fred Zeglin at Z-Hat .com
to have better sights put on, a recoil pad and more weather proof finish. I really hit better with the gun as it now.
AMRA

Much appreciated gentlemen. Very helpful as I would expect from fellow A.R. members.

I'm not worried about diminishing the value of the rifle. I plan to wear this thing out if I can ever get it to shoot straight! I did get it to put 3 rds into a 3" shoot-n-c at 100 yards at the indoor range, but that's under totally controlled conditions. Haven't been able to reproduce that outdoors. I'm hoping that the peep sights will bridge the gap.

Which Lyman should I be looking at (other than the 21 reproduction)? I can't tell which one matches the Williams. Anything else I need to know or should be aware of? Man, if I could get this done and a recoil pad installed before hunting season I'd be happy as a clam.

Have a Lyman66 on my 1895 405Win, much better than the buckhorn. Shoots into 1 1/2 to 2 inches at 100 with Hornady factory Spire Points. They shoot better than the roundnose. It require two holes to be drilled and was alot cheaper than the M21. Put a Lyman 57 on a Mauser Mk X in 9.3x62 and havent looked back. My M1A started me on this line and have been enjoying shooting rather than relying on technology to get me on target.

Estacado

Two other suggestions. Either an XS or a Skinner peep made for the Marlins but mounted on the flat topped bolt of the '95. Less obtrusive and not hanging on the receiver. Just an idea.

Have you guys had any trouble with the front blade being too low for the peep sight? Read about that problem on another board. Wanted to make sure it wasn't going to be an issue. The front sight blade on my gun is in a slot that runs the same direction of the barrel and is pinned. It's not left/right adjustable. I'm guessing that worst case scenario another blade would have to be machined?

williams foolproof--- I believe your gun is already drilled and tapped for it. the 3 I own are but they are in 30-06, 30-06 and 30-40.

Alas, my 405 is not tapped. Only one hole tapped in it and it's for the Lyman 21 in the forward area. The rear of the receiver is hole free aside from the screw which runs through the stock and it's too low for peep mounting.

This is a picture I swiped off of gunbroker of a High grade, my reciever is like this one, i.e. no rear holes. Surprisingly, many of the new production 30/06's etc. did have two holes tapped in the rear for a peep. Boo.



So it looks like an FP-71 (saw that one on another 95), a Lyman 21, or a Lyman 66? I've got a couple votes for the FP-71. Any other big supporters or reason I should buy the 66? For $125 I can get the reproduction 21 which doesn't bother me a bit... but if it's functionally not as good as the Williams, or the Lyman 66, then am perfectly cool going with either of those.

great looking shooter! mine are plain janes next to that beauty!

lol, so is mine! I've got a Grade 1. The one in the picture is a high grade. I just used it for illustration i.e. no screw holes. I will say though that they were really choosy with the wood on my grade 1. It has absolutely excellent wood. That and the fit and finish on the gun is really fantastic. Bluing is deep, glossy and perfect. Anyway, I digress...

Anything else about the sights anyone?

I didn't like the buckhorns on my '95' either. I put on a lyman 66WB reciever peep sight. I really like it and the rifle is dead on! Check out Buffalo Arms. They have several versions for the 1895 Winchester.

I'm thinking of putting the same sight on my 1886. I still have the buckhorns on it.

A good receiver sight is your best bet, no question about that, at least for accuracy..I like the shallow V Express sights but they are no more accurate than any shallow V, U or buckhorn..The Lyman 21 would be my choice, but you must take pains to be sure it stays put as the levers tend to move and the sight fall down.

Thanks for the input all. I'm ordering the Lyman 66WB from Buffalo Arms in the morning. I like the classic looks of the Lyman 21, but it's more mechanical than the 66 and at twice the price, well...

I'll reply back as soon as I get the local gunsmith to put it all together. Shouldn't take him long at all.

I do not frequent the forum. In fact had forgotten about it until I saw someone refrence it on another forum.

Anyway, I was glad to see this thread as I have two 1895's in .405, one in high grade, the other a shooter. I had been wanting a receiver sight but had been put off by the price and ordered one after seeing this. Now to get it in and have it installed.

Within days of this discussion I ordered a Lyman 66WB from Buffalo Arms. The gun has been at the gunsmith for 3 weeks now. He said "4 weeks at the outside" so it should be ready any day now! I'm definitely looking forward to it. With gas prices and such, I haven't been shooting nearly as much as I normally would and this will give me an excuse to get out there.

My father picked up a Ruger in 416 Rigby for me about a month ago. The express sights on that rifle show up really well for me for whatever reason. So Atkinson was definitely correct there, but whether or not I can use them in practice is another thing. If not, I'll order a Williams peep for the Ruger too! I'll respond back with pictures and opinions etc. as soon as I get the 405 back.

Kingfisher, you won't be disappointed. My early 405 Repo does everything I want. The Lyman 66 is perfect for my porposes and looks right on the M95. The whole combination is a great way
to go back in time and yet do it with a rifle that doesn't yell "dont shoot or alter me, I m collectors fodder". "Teddy"s" rifle is just plain "cool". That coming from a 63 year old who is discovering a non-tech way to enjoy shooting and hunting again, and have a bit of fun with the youngin's out there who never heard of Roosevelt.

Estacado

I just had Tipp Burns put on a copy of a Lyman 21 made by Providence Machine and Tool on my new model Win 95 and I really like it.

SRT, any pics? I entertained the notion of getting the PMT Lyman 21 but in the end just decided the 66 would be less to screw with. Plus it was cheaper.

I just dropped of my Mod 95 and the PMT /Lyman 21 at the gunsmith to have it installed. Was told it would take about two weeks as they have a backlog of cleanups/restorations due to water damage from hurricane Ike.

I haven't figured out how to do the pictures. My 95 is one of the Texas editions with the case colored receiver, the sight is blue and it looks real sharp. They even have an option to put a Marble sight base on it that accepts the screw in peep discs.
An added plus is is much cheaper than the Ukranian one from Buffalo Arms even though it is a Mod 21 and not a Mod 38 and it comes with a drill and the tap to complete the job and it is made in the USA. I believe they are selling them to Buffalo arms now as it was getting hard to get the Russian copy...
www.peabodyrifles.com

Buffalo Lyman 21 installed. Picked it up today. Haven't tried it yet and I have to remove the barrel mounted rear sight.

quote:

Posted 12 October 2008 02:15 Hide Post
Buffalo Lyman 21 installed. Picked it up today. Haven't tried it yet and I have to remove the barrel mounted rear sight.

Mine has been at gunsmith about 10 days now, hope it comes back looking that good.

Richj, VERY SHARP! And a take-down model to boot!!! I called my gunsmith this week, he said he still hadn't gotten to it. I get the feeling he hasn't made it a priority. To many other hunting rifles coming his way I'm sure. I was told the job would be 3 weeks, 4 at the outside. It's been 5. When I talked to him the other day he certainly made it sound like delivery was imminent. We'll see. I'd still like to get my hands on another 95 in 405 (why have one when you can have 2 for twice the price!) and I'll definitely be entertaining the notion of the model 21 sight for #2.

Richj,

B E A U T Y !!!!

I have the Lyman 66 WB's on my 95, I also just put a set of 66WB's on my 1886 .45-70. The peeps are so much nicer than the buckhorns IMHO. Enjoy. I'm taking my 95 (.405 Win.)elk hunting this year we'll see what we see. Report and pics to follow.

quote:

Originally posted by Kingfisher:
Richj, VERY SHARP! And a take-down model to boot!!! I called my gunsmith this week, he said he still hadn't gotten to it. I get the feeling he hasn't made it a priority. To many other hunting rifles coming his way I'm sure. I was told the job would be 3 weeks, 4 at the outside. It's been 5. When I talked to him the other day he certainly made it sound like delivery was imminent. We'll see. I'd still like to get my hands on another 95 in 405 (why have one when you can have 2 for twice the price!) and I'll definitely be entertaining the notion of the model 21 sight for #2.

When I ordered mine, my dealer did not know what he could get so he ordered one each of standard and high grade. After a few minutes thought I took both home. The only thing that could have been better would be to have the standard in take down, but they did not make it that year.

I'd put a tang sight on it, regardless of what the factory put in that area.

Picked mine up last week. Installation is very neat. Color of the Providence Tool sight matches color of receiver very close. I'm going on vacation next week and hope to try it out.

Well folks, called the gunsmith today. He still hasn't even started on it. In fact, I talked to a kid who was minding the shop. The owner wasn't even in town. Probably out of town to hunt seeing as how this is opening weekend.

I was quoted "3 weeks, 4 at the outside" when I dropped it off. Today makes 8 weeks. Add the long delay with no update or progress to the estimate of "$145.00" when his website says "Drill and tap receiver or barrel for sights or scope mounts - $89.00" and I'm left with only one choice. I'm picking it up in the morning and taking it somewhere else. I'd rather go to the back of the line somewhere else than put up with this crap.

Am I off base here? What did you guys pay for the work to have yours installed?

Of course, you are NOT off-base!
The "smith" you chose apparently does not need your business. There are many others who do.

Kingfisher
I did the same thing with the gunsmith at DeGoff's in Mechanicsville, Va. He said it would take three weeks, I gave him six weeks and called. It was not done, he said it would be a couple more weeks, Ok says I. After the two weeks past it was not done, so I picked up and took it else where.

Jim

HI,

I have a browning 1895,it use to be in 3006,I sent it to Z-Hat customs and it is now a 9.3x62mm.I really like this gun. I have a scout scope,quick release and gost ring back up irons sights,20 inch barrel.It shoots extremly well and is the most relieable leveraction I have owned,not to mention is good to 250-290 yards and hits hard,Kev

Kingfisher, I had mine done at The Gun Shop, fancy name huh, in Jacksonville, Tx. Cost was 58.71 and that includes the tax. The shop had completely changed hands but the new folks did a good job, no scratches or marks added. It was in their shop less than 4 weeks, and probably had been done several days before I stopped by to check. My only complaint is that they did not call when the job was finished, but I would not hesitate to take another there.

I will second Z- HAT Fred Zeglin is second to none on working on the Winchester 1895.
Kev if you can post a photo of your 9.3x62 1895
I have been thinking of sending my 405 WCF back to Fred for a scout scope set up.
AMRA

Thanks for the confirmation guys. I went by there this morning on my way to Cabela's (man it's nice to be able to afford reloading components again). Apparently the kid that I spoke to yesterday is new. The gunsmith apologized and admitted that my 405 had been in there "way too long", and confirmed that the price is in fact $89, not $14x.00

He said it'd be ready Monday. He had a good excuse, but the lack of update is still disappointing. I don't mind a wait, if I know there's going to be one.

Anyway, should be good to go in the next couple of days.

Meanwhile, back to the reloading bench to load up some ammo for the new (to me) 416 Rigby!

I had a local gun smith install my sights on both of my Winchesters. Each cost $65.00 and I had it in a week. They did a great job. The bottom line though is to get it done right, especially on a gun like the 1895 which is rare.

Good luck.