Just bought a Marlin 1894, question on sights

[Rexrider]

I picked up a new Marlin 1894 in .357/.38 special last Saturday. I have wanted one of these for the last 10 yrs. It just kept getting pushed down list by other stuff.

I really wanted on after my Aunt showed me the one she got last Christmas (I have a cool family, everyone at least knows how to shoot if not an active shooter). It has not helped seeing all the postings about them either

I have not had a chance to shoot it yet but I do have a question about aftermarket sights.

Where can I get some?

I really would like to install a set of receiver-mounted sites with a ghost ring setup. Marlin has a set from XS Sight Systems. Has anyone used these? Are they adj for windage and elevation?

I have seen other setups also but have not been able to find any. If anyone could point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.

Thanks everyone,
Rexrider

 

[Murphster]

I had Ashley aperture sights on my Marlin Guide Gun. Outstanding quality. Available through the factory, Brownells, etc. Liked to never found their web site for you. Turns out they've changed their name. Here's the link:

http://www.aosights.com/

 

[Rexrider]

Thanks for the link Murphster.

That is the same setup Marlin has listed and I was able to see they are fully adjustable. If I can't find anything else then it looks like that is what I will be ordering. They even have a scope base available in case I want to make the rifle more *cough* tactical but it is likely I will stay with the open sights.

I know I have seen a setup from a another manufacturer. I would like see if I can find that option before buying the XS sights.

Thanks again.
Rexrider

 

[Sisco]

I just bought a 1894FG, .41 mag, took it to the range for the first time a couple of days ago. Fun gun but my old eyes have a heck of a time seeing the rear sight.
I ordered a Williams peep sight from MidwayUSA, adjustable for windage and elevation. Mounts in the pre-drilled scope holes. Gave about $35 for it. They had another that had finer adjustments, for $60 but I figured once I got it set for my loads I wouldn't need to move it much.
It should be here in a day or so, can't wait to try it out.

 

[Brian Williams]

I am rather partial to my Marbles Tang Sight, but have heard great thing about the Williams sights too. I got my Marbles from American Backyard. $93

 

[PO2Hammer]

The XS/Ashley peep sight is fully adjustable, use the front sight provided. I have this set up on my 1894CP and love it. I also have the scout rail on it, but am waiting to get just the right red dot for it-a Millet SP-1-1".
Get the replacement rear aperture that is threaded. This will accept various 'peeps' for different light conditions or leave them out for a quick 'ghost ring' sight picture.
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/Store/AdvancedSearch.aspx

 

[Sisco]

Perfessr: I had looked at tang sights, like the looks but wondered if they got in the way of cocking the hammer and thumb placement on the stock.

Rexrider: not intending to hi-jack your thread here.

 

[MrMurphy]

While I personally prefer the Ashley Outdoors/XS sights Systems ghost ring, the other makers I know of are:

Williams: Firesights (fiberoptic)

Lyman: They were making peeps for leverguns when Oliver Winchester was still alive, and still are.

MMC: They make a pretty decent aperature/peep.

Wild West Guns: They make custom leverguns like the Co-Pilot, and also make a lot of parts, like an M3 light mount for leverguns, and good sights.

 

[ChristopherG]

Mine has the Lyman, which mounted easily on the pre-drilled holes and came with two different size aperature rings to screw in. The larger one, labelled for hunting applications, gives me a very nice balance between quick pick up and precision shooting. Haven't used a 'ghost ring' for comparison, but I'm very satisfied with the Lyman arrangement.

 

[106rr]

My 1894cs has the Ballard rifling as opposed to the microgroove. I also have the hooded front sight.
I'm using a Williams Foolproof aperture sight. It has the repeatable adjustments - this saves ammo during sight adjustments. I would like to chnge my front sight to a post or a fire sight. The rifle has been accurate and trouble free. It will feed and fire any 38 special or 357 mag except the 38 wadcutter. The wide variation in velocity makes sight adjustment frequent. If you stick with one load you could use a cheaper sight. Part of the beautyof this carbine is the versatility with light loads for practice or instructing and hell for leather Buffalo Bore loads for hunting or SD.

 

[Sisco]

"One Ragged Hole" should have sights available for the Marlin sometime this summer according to the email I got from them.

www.oneraggedhole.com

 

[Legionnaire]

I have the Lyman mentioned by ChristopherG. Works well. And if you want something that approximates a ghost ring, simply screw out the aperature and use the hole in the housing.

 

[Rexrider]

Thanks for all of the replies.

I have order the Williams 5D receiver sight from Midway. It seems to be what I was looking for and I like the fact it will work with the existing front site.

For $40 shipped it seems worth checking out. It was tough choice between that and the XS sights. If it does not work out as expected then I will try the XS setup.

I will let everyone how it works out at the range.

Cheers
Rexrider

 

[Sisco]

Got my Williams 5D sight today. The sight hangs over the rear of the reciever so you will need to use the hammer extension.
Thinking now I should add a Firesight front bead but I'll try the factory one first.
Gotta hand it to MidwayUSA for fast shipping, ordered the sight Saturday, it shipped Monday, I got it Thursday by USPS 1st class.

 

[Rexrider]

Wow, have to hand it to Midway for their handling of the order. Just received the Williams 5D sit today. That was the good news.

The bad news is there is no way to mount it on a 1894c without drilling and taping. I thought it would use the receiver pretaped holes but....it mounts to the side. Unless I am missing something, I don't see any way to use it without drilling holes. That I am not going to do. Not with other options.

I guess I will now see how well their return policy is. I did find a Williams site that is top mounted for about the same price and uses the same threaded peeps. I should be able to swap them out.

Sisco....
I posted you have a 1894fg in .41 mag and got the 5D also. How did you mount yours?

 

[Sisco]

Mine mounted right up to the rear scope mount holes on top of the receiver.
I got the model 5D-336, Midway product #774488

 

[Rexrider]

Thanks for the info Sisco.

Midway has the 1894 listed in the discription for the 5D-94/36. So does the package but the package has a notation that the 1894 may require drilling and taping (which it certainly will). The one you listed is the one I should have ordered.

Oh well, looks like I will call them on Monday to swap them out.

Thanks again,
Rexrider

 

[Sisco]

How did the exchange go with Midway? I've bought stuff from them for years but never had to do an exchange.
Just ordered a firesight front bead and a twlight apeture direct from Williams. Midway has the front beads but not in the height I needed.

 

[Rexrider]

Midway was excellent. It took 5 minutes on the phone to set up the exchange. I told them I needed to exchange the parts and the gentleman on the phone gave me a RMA # without even asking why I was returning it. The invoice comes with a return address and RMA form attached to it. All I did was put it back in the box and tape the address label on it and take it to the post office.

I decided to go ahead and order the replacement sight right away instead of waiting for them credit and then ship the replacement. So all I will need to do is confirm they credit my card. The new sight should be here by the end of the week.

No restocking fee since it was an exchange, not a return.

So, at this point I have to give them a thumbs up. I was sure to tell the customer service guy how pleased I was on how easy they made it.

Cheers
Rexrider

 

[ChristopherG]

I've had similar experience with Midway, when I misordered a part once, and once when they had one mislabeled. Good company.