New Rossi M92 .357, darn old eyes, need a scope...

[lezmark]

Ok, wanted a lever 357 for a long time and nothing is getting easier to find here in So Cal, so although i would have preferred a Marlin, I jumped when a local store had these on sale for $479. That darn rear sight is a blur no matter whether i am wearing glasses or contacts. Darn eyes. I have read in a couple places that there is 4 tapped holes beneath the rear sight? It appears some have reported success with this mount: http://www.amazon.com/Braztech-Rossi-M92-Scope-Mount/dp/B0035M1FAY

If there are those holes, how hard is it to remove the original rear sight? Looks pretty on there to me...
I could use some help as it just looks like a scope is my only choice, so i have to find a way. I really dont want to have to fork out a bunch if money to a gunsmith. Suggestions or experiences folks? Thanks

 

[Jackal]

Tap it sideways with a brass drift, it will fall off.

 

[Ed Ames]

Have you considered a bolt mounted peep, or a tang rear?

If you have a round barrel you will need to have it drilled for a tang but it can be done.

I have an m92 that came from Rossi with a scope base. It also has (and needs) a cheek piece. I mounted a leupold deltapoint on that carbine.

 

[lezmark]

I appreciate the input, but have two choices: I can see great real close up (no sight aids) or great distance (glasses/contacts), but not both at the same time. The best I can do is see the front sight clean. It is NOT fun. Please keep feeding me ideas, I really need them - thanks.

PS: can someone confirm the tapped holes beneath the rear sight?

 

[Ed Ames]

Have you tried a peep? The small aperture helps with depth accommodation.

 

[lezmark]

not yet...

 

[chicharrones]

Yeah, if you can see the front sight, get a rear mounted peep sight. You look through the peep without focusing on the peep.

It is just about the only way to go when you have old eyes and still want to use open sights.

 

[lezmark]

Suggestions for a replacement of the current rear sight so i dont have to take it out to be tapped?

 

[Ed Ames]

http://store.stevesgunz.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19_20_27&products_id=5

Bolt mounted.

Then one of these to hide the sight dovetail:
http://store.stevesgunz.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=6

He sells other sights e.g. a ghost ring sight that goes into the rear sight dovetail, but the bolt sight seems cool to me.

 

[9mmfan]

Stevesgunz.com has a few options, including a peep sight that replaces the safety. I believe he also sells a blank to fill the dovetail for the rear sight, if you opt for the aperture.

Edited to add: Ed Ames beat me to the punch!

 

[Jackal]

Here's another option. Skinner makes good stuff. http://www.skinnersights.com/rossi_firearms_23.html

 

[lezmark]

easy removal of M92 rear sights! ...

I may be blind, but the grey matter sometimes kicks in. Research said I needed a brass punch to knock this puppy out. Dont have one, and the local Home Depot doesnt either. What they DO have is brass door hinge pins, 4 for $.69. Of course I only needed one and decided to splurge. One light tap on the left, second harder tap, third a little firmer and she is halfway out and the next it was out. Not a scratch anywhere on anything - that pin end was the perfect size. I know someone, sometime, is going to find this a great solution.

 

[Jackal]

Necessity is the mother of invention, lol.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Two words for you:

Skinner

Peep

http://www.skinnersights.com/

You'll thank me later

 

[BCRider]

The forward mounted "peep" sights that mount in place in the stock location are more of a ghost ring like setup as far as the eye is concerned. To achieve a wider depth of field so your sight picture sharpens up you pretty much need to get the small aperature back near your eyeball instead of being up forward where the rear sight is located. A tang mounted sight does just that.

The Skinner is also going to do the job but most folks end up seeing them as more of a ghost ring setup again since the Skinner is still a little too far forward and doesn't have a large enough disc to separate the area outside the peep from the area in the peep. Again that is where a tang mounted peep that fits in closer to the eye works better.

As a stop gap you can try out a depth of field improving aperature stuck to your shooting glasses. If this trick works out for you then the tang mounted Marbles or similar would be your answer. There are suction cup versions you can buy or you can try out this cheap and easy version I came up with some time ago;

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=712731&highlight=stick+on+peep

 

[BCRider]

Lexmark, a lot of brass stuff these days is typically brass plated steel. Try a magnet on those hinge pins before you use them again. The plating may well have been enough padding THIS time but it'll soon wear or chip away leaving the steel core.

If I'm wrong and the magnet doesn't stick to your "brass" then they are real brass and you got one heckuva deal to buy 4 pins for that cheap. With the price of copper and copper alloy metals anything made from brass is rather princely up this way.

 

[HARV6]

I suggest you join the forum over at rossi-rifleman.com Tons of excellent info over there... including what scopes and how to attach them.

 

[rhinoh]

Lexmark, a lot of brass stuff these days is typically brass plated steel. Try a magnet on those hinge pins before you use them again. The plating may well have been enough padding THIS time but it'll soon wear or chip away leaving the steel core.

If I'm wrong and the magnet doesn't stick to your "brass" then they are real brass and you got one heckuva deal to buy 4 pins for that cheap. With the price of copper and copper alloy metals anything made from brass is rather princely up this way.

I was thinking the EXACT same thing! Plan to stop by HD on the way to work this morning and see what they have....

I'm also on the quest for better sights for my aging eyes on my two Rossi 92 lever actions...a 357 and a 45 Colt- anyone know where a 44 mag 92 is- I'd like to know!

 

[OilyPablo]

I would get some prescription shooting glasses. (and a scope if you like)

My eye doc fixed me right up when I told him what I needed.

 

[baz]

If you are still interested in a scope...

This will be an unusual recommendation, and not for everyone, but I have the Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 1.75-4x32 Shotgun Riflescope mounted on my .357 1894C. In my case, it is mated to the XS Lever Scout mount. This is an intermediate eye relief scope (6"), with an unusual (for a rifle?) "Circle-X" reticle. While I imagine the latter was intended for quick shots at birds on the wing, I find that it makes for fast offhand target acquisition with pie plate or "minute of deer/hog" accuracy at ranges appropriate for a .357.