Marlin 1895 Guide Gun Rear receiver peep sight question

S

SpringOWeiler

New member
I recently snapped off the factory barrel tang sight on my 1895G and I'm looking to replace and upgrade too a rear receiver mounted peep sight. I've run into a problem that very few are offered specifically for the guide gun. My suspension is that the 1895 and 336 all use the same receiver hole spacing and the sight manufactures haven't bothered to update the application page for their sights. I mostly use 1 load for this rifle so quick adjustment isn't necessary for me. I really do like the Williams on my other rifles but I don't feel the need to go that route on this one since it's a field gun and is prone to be being banged and dropped around. Anyone have experience with this rifle and mod?
 
.

All Marlin CF levergun receivers (M336, M1895, etc) take the same sights and/or scope mount bases.

Older guns were factory prepped for a side mounted receiver peep sight, the newer gun utilize the scope mount prep holes for specialized receiver sights. (i.e., there are 2 different designed Williams 5D/FP series peep sights - one for side mounting, one for top mounting. A 3rd Williams peep is the top mounted WGRS)

The only differences between a GG & the other Marlin's is that the GG has a shorter barrel, a different buttstock, and (compared to the .30-30's) a larger bore, a larger mag tube with a feed bump & an enlarged ejection port.

I installed a Skinner sight ( www.skinnersights.com ) on mine, along with a higher (needed) fiber-optic ( personal preference) front sight blade, that works great, and is compact, to boot.

The Skinner's are available in blued carbon steel, stainless steel, or brass.

.
 
The entire 336 family* uses the same screw size and hole spacing. Anything that will fit a 336, 444, or (1972+) 1895 will fit the others, as well. (The side-mounted receiver sights mentioned by PetahW being a possible exception - since newer models aren't drilled for them.)

One thing to be aware of, however, is that the .45-70 1895 has a different barrel taper than the rest of the 336 family. It's really close to the 444, but substantially different than 336 barrels (.30 and .35 caliber). So, your front sight may need to be changed, in order to correct a height difference.
The .338 MX barrels are much closer to 336 profiles - in the off chance that that's what you've got.


*(The basic 336 receiver is the base for the 444, and the 444 receiver is the base for the 1895. External dimensions and many internal parts are identical. The only real differences are in the machining required for each cartridge the different models are chambered for.)
 
I would go with a receiver mounted peep, there's a couple versions that Williams offer a ramp style and their Foolproof style. X/S also makes a receiver mounted peep as well. Just depends on what you want. The receiver mounted peep will give you a longer sight radius which will improve accuracy.

Another option is to replace the existing sight on the barrel.

A tang sight is mounted to the tang on the receiver where the stock is attached just above the loop on the lever.
 
+1 on the Skinner sights. One of the things that makes them shine in my book is they also offer a drilled and tapped dovetail filler that holds an extra aperture. I ordered one to install on my uncle's Marlin 30AS along with the standard and next larger sized aperture. I went with the winged rear sight and I'm 99% sure I'm going to drill and tap the barrel and front dovetail filler for their winged front sight.
 
Just to add on the Skinners- they do ship with the correct 8-40 screws. That may have been on their web page, but I didn't see it.
 
Not to Hijack the thread but a question regarding the factory front sight and the Skinner rear on a Marlin 1895 45-70, is anyone still using the factory front or did you replace it with a taller/shorter front sight?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top