Rossi levergun sights

[Roknstevo]

I recently purchased a Rossi .357 carbine. Went out and shot it to zero. It operates very well with both .38 spl and .357. I’m 71 yrs young and the eyes aren’t what they once were. It came with a rear buckhorn sight. I can hardly define the relationship between the front sight and the crotch of the rear sight. Are there any useful alternatives that any of you have used or heard of?
Thanks for the help.

 

[PapaG]

I now, at 76, usually put on an aperture rear sight. You look through it, don't have to focus on it. Put the front bead on the target, squeeze, hit.

 

[A526051]

+1 on Aperture sights. I installed Skinner sight on my 1894CB Marlin

 

[gotboostvr]

I was going to put a set of peep sights on my carbine. There's a set that replaces the safety on top of the bolt.

But I dropped a red dot on top instead since it's a hunting rifle first and foremost I wanted every little bit of advantage.

 

[E1957T]

A fiber optic front bead works very well. It really jumps into your field of vision.

 

[DocRock]

Steve’s Gunz is the place for all things R92. Best would be a tang sight, but they don’t come cheap.

https://store.stevesgunz.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I have lots of lever guns with buckhorn sights on them.

This is a Full Buckhorn sight on a Marlin Model 39. Notice there is an adjustable insert with a small notch that can be raised or lowered. However with a Full Buckhorn sight like this it is common to use the sight similar to a ghost ring and allow the eye to center the front sight in the center of the 'ring'.






The next few sights are all variations of what are called Semi-Buckhorn sights.

This is a standard Marbles Semi-Buckhorn sight that came standard on an Uberti replica Winchester 1873. There is a sliding insert with a small notch in this one too. These sights usually come with a white diamond to help the shooter see the rear sight better, but CAS rules require the white diamond to be blacked out. So it is blacked out.






A folding Semi-Buckhorn sight on a vintage Winchester Model 1873. The blade can be folded down so a folding tang mounted peep sight can be used. This one also has an adjustable insert in the blade. At one time the diamond was probably filled with white paint, but the paint is long gone.






A Semi-Buckhorn sight on a modern Marlin Model 1894 carbine.






A Semi-Buckhorn rear sight on a vintage Winchester Model 1873. Notice the notch at the bottom of the sight is really, really tiny, and it is not adjustable in the body of the sight.






An inexpensive Semi-Buckhorn sight from Track of the Wolf on my Uberti 1860 Henry. I replaced the original ladder sight with this one. The notch is nice and big and it is easy for me to center the front sight in the notch.






This is a Flat Top Buckhorn rear sight on a vintage Winchester Model 1894. A sight like this is good for hunting because it does not obscure the target as much as a Full Buckhorn or Semi-Buckhorn sight does. This one has an adjustable insert and a pretty big notch.






Now just so you don't think I am a spring chicken, I just turned 70, and have been wearing glasses with lenses as thick as coke bottle bottoms since I was six years old. I guarantee you my vision was much, much worse than yours. I have been able to make all those sights work with my admittedly terrible eyesight. Most of my lever gun shooting is in Cowboy Action, and I am not concerned with pin point accuracy at 100 yards. I just place the sights in the center of the plate and pull the trigger.




I bought this vintage Winchester Model 1892 about 20 years ago when I first started shooting CAS. In those days I used to shoot regularly at a club that had a big steel bear target set out at 100 yards or so.






I removed the rear sight. I don't even remember at this point what it was. I had a gunsmith install this folding rear sight. It was a standard item out of the Brownells catalog.






And I had him mount this folding, tang peep sight at the rear. The idea was, for normal close up shooting I used the folding sight. For the bear I would pop up this peep sight. I kept it sighted in for 100 yards. This is a standard Lyman rear sight, you can even see the name Lyman on it. Note: this rear sight is only adjustable for elevation, not for windage.






The other choice is a Marbles folding tang peep sight. These are adjustable for both elevation and windage.

http://www.marblearms.com/standard-peep-tang-sight.html


Brownells carries the Marbles rear sights. Click on the link for the chart to see which rear sight will fit your rifle.

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...2-improved-peep-standard-post-prod105970.aspx



The Lyman sight is also available from Brownells. It is marked for the Model 1894, but I suspect the spacing of the holes might work for a Model 1892 also.

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...rear-sight-black-sku539050002-7961-20224.aspx


By the way, I had cataract surgery in January of this year and can now see 20/20 with my right eye (my aiming eye), about 20/30 in the left. I have not had much chance this year to bring my lever guns to the range and see how well I can see the sights with my 'new eyes'. I expect there will be a bit of improvement.

 

[brewer12345]

I struggle with vision issues as well. I have a tang peep and a fiber optic front sight. Works very well. I don't have to do anything but look through the rear peep and I can see the front sight very well.

 

[Ifishsum]

I do like peeps but I can also do very well with a flat top rear sight....buckhorns and semi-buckhorns are just really inconsistent for me. I just ordered a flat-top rear sight from Pioneer Gun Works for my R92, will see how that is but based on experience I'm confident it's going to be a significant improvement.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I couldn't hit a pie plate at 50 yards with the factory sights on my Rossi. I replaced them with a rear flat top and small brass front from Steve's Gunz. I can now shoot respectable groups at 50 yards.

 

[35 Whelen]

The Rossi sights are, in my opinion, a bit of an abomination, but easily enough fixed.

The first problem is the notch in the rear sight is too narrow. I simply worked mine over with a needle file, opening it up slightly-



The biggest problem for me though was the ridiculous brass bead front sight. Brass front sights, while fine for close range stuff such as CAS, cause all sorts of problems when one is attempting to shoot with any precision. The brass beads reflect all sorts of light, causing one to shoot this way and that. Being a fan of the simple Patridge front sight, I took to this sight with the files as well, squaring off the brass bead then hitting it with some flat black paint-



At 57 years of age, I don't yet have big problems with open sights, but I'm still a huge fan of aperture sights. If and when my vision does go south, I intend to adapt a receiver sight to the little '92 Rossi.

35W

 

[PapaG]

I've got one of those ugly full buckhorns on my original 92 (gun, not sight). Gun not drilled for aperture but since I converted it to 357 back in the sixties I doubt two more holes will hurt the value much. Still can't bring myself to do it. Maybe mount that tang sight sitting in the drawer.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Pretty much the best option I have found for a red dot setup on a 92.

https://www.turnbullrestoration.com/gun/fastfire-barrel-mount-model-1892-1894/

 

[Mosin Bubba]

I have one of the old Puma 92s. It came with square sights, like what you'd usually see on a pistol. Not as Old West-ish as the buckhorn sights but a heck of a lot nicer for shooting

 

[Project355]

Marble "bullseye" rear. "Sure hit" front brass accessory bead (slips over factory bead).

 

[Roknstevo]

Howdy

I have lots of lever guns with buckhorn sights on them.

This is a Full Buckhorn sight on a Marlin Model 39. Notice there is an adjustable insert with a small notch that can be raised or lowered. However with a Full Buckhorn sight like this it is common to use the sight similar to a ghost ring and allow the eye to center the front sight in the center of the 'ring'.

View attachment 955998




The next few sights are all variations of what are called Semi-Buckhorn sights.

This is a standard Marbles Semi-Buckhorn sight that came standard on an Uberti replica Winchester 1873. There is a sliding insert with a small notch in this one too. These sights usually come with a white diamond to help the shooter see the rear sight better, but CAS rules require the white diamond to be blacked out. So it is blacked out.

View attachment 955999




A folding Semi-Buckhorn sight on a vintage Winchester Model 1873. The blade can be folded down so a folding tang mounted peep sight can be used. This one also has an adjustable insert in the blade. At one time the diamond was probably filled with white paint, but the paint is long gone.

View attachment 956000




A Semi-Buckhorn sight on a modern Marlin Model 1894 carbine.

View attachment 956001




A Semi-Buckhorn rear sight on a vintage Winchester Model 1873. Notice the notch at the bottom of the sight is really, really tiny, and it is not adjustable in the body of the sight.

View attachment 956002




An inexpensive Semi-Buckhorn sight from Track of the Wolf on my Uberti 1860 Henry. I replaced the original ladder sight with this one. The notch is nice and big and it is easy for me to center the front sight in the notch.

View attachment 956003




This is a Flat Top Buckhorn rear sight on a vintage Winchester Model 1894. A sight like this is good for hunting because it does not obscure the target as much as a Full Buckhorn or Semi-Buckhorn sight does. This one has an adjustable insert and a pretty big notch.

View attachment 956004




Now just so you don't think I am a spring chicken, I just turned 70, and have been wearing glasses with lenses as thick as coke bottle bottoms since I was six years old. I guarantee you my vision was much, much worse than yours. I have been able to make all those sights work with my admittedly terrible eyesight. Most of my lever gun shooting is in Cowboy Action, and I am not concerned with pin point accuracy at 100 yards. I just place the sights in the center of the plate and pull the trigger.




I bought this vintage Winchester Model 1892 about 20 years ago when I first started shooting CAS. In those days I used to shoot regularly at a club that had a big steel bear target set out at 100 yards or so.

View attachment 956005




I removed the rear sight. I don't even remember at this point what it was. I had a gunsmith install this folding rear sight. It was a standard item out of the Brownells catalog.

View attachment 956006




And I had him mount this folding, tang peep sight at the rear. The idea was, for normal close up shooting I used the folding sight. For the bear I would pop up this peep sight. I kept it sighted in for 100 yards. This is a standard Lyman rear sight, you can even see the name Lyman on it. Note: this rear sight is only adjustable for elevation, not for windage.

View attachment 956007




The other choice is a Marbles folding tang peep sight. These are adjustable for both elevation and windage.

http://www.marblearms.com/standard-peep-tang-sight.html


Brownells carries the Marbles rear sights. Click on the link for the chart to see which rear sight will fit your rifle.

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...2-improved-peep-standard-post-prod105970.aspx



The Lyman sight is also available from Brownells. It is marked for the Model 1894, but I suspect the spacing of the holes might work for a Model 1892 also.

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...rear-sight-black-sku539050002-7961-20224.aspx


By the way, I had cataract surgery in January of this year and can now see 20/20 with my right eye (my aiming eye), about 20/30 in the left. I have not had much chance this year to bring my lever guns to the range and see how well I can see the sights with my 'new eyes'. I expect there will be a bit of improvement.

Thank you VE

Howdy

I have lots of lever guns with buckhorn sights on them.

This is a Full Buckhorn sight on a Marlin Model 39. Notice there is an adjustable insert with a small notch that can be raised or lowered. However with a Full Buckhorn sight like this it is common to use the sight similar to a ghost ring and allow the eye to center the front sight in the center of the 'ring'.

View attachment 955998




The next few sights are all variations of what are called Semi-Buckhorn sights.

This is a standard Marbles Semi-Buckhorn sight that came standard on an Uberti replica Winchester 1873. There is a sliding insert with a small notch in this one too. These sights usually come with a white diamond to help the shooter see the rear sight better, but CAS rules require the white diamond to be blacked out. So it is blacked out.

View attachment 955999




A folding Semi-Buckhorn sight on a vintage Winchester Model 1873. The blade can be folded down so a folding tang mounted peep sight can be used. This one also has an adjustable insert in the blade. At one time the diamond was probably filled with white paint, but the paint is long gone.

View attachment 956000




A Semi-Buckhorn sight on a modern Marlin Model 1894 carbine.

View attachment 956001




A Semi-Buckhorn rear sight on a vintage Winchester Model 1873. Notice the notch at the bottom of the sight is really, really tiny, and it is not adjustable in the body of the sight.

View attachment 956002




An inexpensive Semi-Buckhorn sight from Track of the Wolf on my Uberti 1860 Henry. I replaced the original ladder sight with this one. The notch is nice and big and it is easy for me to center the front sight in the notch.

View attachment 956003




This is a Flat Top Buckhorn rear sight on a vintage Winchester Model 1894. A sight like this is good for hunting because it does not obscure the target as much as a Full Buckhorn or Semi-Buckhorn sight does. This one has an adjustable insert and a pretty big notch.

View attachment 956004




Now just so you don't think I am a spring chicken, I just turned 70, and have been wearing glasses with lenses as thick as coke bottle bottoms since I was six years old. I guarantee you my vision was much, much worse than yours. I have been able to make all those sights work with my admittedly terrible eyesight. Most of my lever gun shooting is in Cowboy Action, and I am not concerned with pin point accuracy at 100 yards. I just place the sights in the center of the plate and pull the trigger.




I bought this vintage Winchester Model 1892 about 20 years ago when I first started shooting CAS. In those days I used to shoot regularly at a club that had a big steel bear target set out at 100 yards or so.

View attachment 956005




I removed the rear sight. I don't even remember at this point what it was. I had a gunsmith install this folding rear sight. It was a standard item out of the Brownells catalog.

View attachment 956006




And I had him mount this folding, tang peep sight at the rear. The idea was, for normal close up shooting I used the folding sight. For the bear I would pop up this peep sight. I kept it sighted in for 100 yards. This is a standard Lyman rear sight, you can even see the name Lyman on it. Note: this rear sight is only adjustable for elevation, not for windage.

View attachment 956007




The other choice is a Marbles folding tang peep sight. These are adjustable for both elevation and windage.

http://www.marblearms.com/standard-peep-tang-sight.html


Brownells carries the Marbles rear sights. Click on the link for the chart to see which rear sight will fit your rifle.

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...2-improved-peep-standard-post-prod105970.aspx



The Lyman sight is also available from Brownells. It is marked for the Model 1894, but I suspect the spacing of the holes might work for a Model 1892 also.

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...rear-sight-black-sku539050002-7961-20224.aspx


By the way, I had cataract surgery in January of this year and can now see 20/20 with my right eye (my aiming eye), about 20/30 in the left. I have not had much chance this year to bring my lever guns to the range and see how well I can see the sights with my 'new eyes'. I expect there will be a bit of improvement.

Thank you very much for taking your valuable time to explain the various options for iron sights. I sold my ‘06 recently, which was scoped. I have stopped deer hunting......just watch them now, don’t eat them any more. However, I still hog hunt for food. Down here in the Suwannee River swamps I rarely have a shot of over 50 yds or so. Always wanted a lever gun, so bought one. Looks as if you have mucho experience with them, and I am grateful for your help. I’m also due for rt eye cataract surgery soon. I’ll let you know how my iron sight adventure turns out. Stay safe.
Steve

 

[Pudge]

I like this better than a red dot. I'm more accurate with a scout scope.

 

[PapaG]

View attachment 956226I like this better than a red dot. I'm more accurate with a scout scope.

This!