Shimming/raising iron sights?

[rhenriksen]

A friend of mine has an old Remington Woodsman 742 .308 with the stock iron sights. He tells me that he can't get his face/right eye low enough to line up the front & rear sights. I've observed him shooting, and it looks to me like he *does* have a good shooting position and cheek weld. He's Korean, so has these huge cheek bones which I guess is what's causing the problem.

So, I'm wondering - is there a way to raise the existing sights with some spacers? Or should I look for replacement sights? Don't think he's in the market to spend the $ on a scope.

 

[briansmithwins]

I'd probably try to really fix the problem by changing the stock to get his face lower rather than messing around with the sights.

A smith may be able to lower the existing comb of the stock and/or drop the angle so it fits him better.

BSW

 

[rhenriksen]

I got a quote for modifying the stock - at least $100. As I understand it, the rifle's not worth much more than a couple hundred bucks in the first place, and I don't expect him to do a whole lot of shooting with it. So am trying to learn what the cost of the different options are.

 

[briansmithwins]

I doubt having a competent smith work on the sights to raise them or replacing the sights is going to come in at much under $100, either.

Of course, just because a rifle is only worth $200 doesn't mean you can replace it for $200 for one that fits better.

BSW

 

[rcmodel]

No way to shim sights up.

Taller replacement sights are one option.
Or lowering the comb.
Or putting more drop in the stock by shaving off a little of the lower face of the stocks receiver contact point is another.

Or putting a tapered shim between part #69 and the stock is another.
http://www.urban-armory.com/diagrams/rem742.htm
The tapered shim idea is a freeby if you are the least bit handy with tools.

Perhaps your best bet though is just put a cheap low power scope on it and be done with it.

Cost about the same as new front & rear sights or extensive stock work.

rc

 

[TonyAngel]

The cost of the rifle is really a drop in the bucket compared to the overall package. The question is whether it's a good shooter. I have a $1500 scope and $500 barrel on a $550 rifle.

Raising the sights is the last thing I would do. I'd work on the stock. If it only costs $100 to go that route, it seems cheap to me.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=164718

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Models.aspx?catid=2033

 

[Picher]

The cheapest thing to do at this point is to modify the stock and refinish it. It's important to keep the same top line orientation, or to have it drop slightly toward the muzzle, so the stock doesn't punch him in the cheek when the gun fires.

Another option is to raise the rear sight as far as it will go and measure the amount it travelled. Put something that same measurement on top of the existing front sight and see if it allows him to see the sights at that height. If so, he can get a new front sight installed for about $15, or perhaps less. (Note: It doesn't work to just raise the rear sight without adding the same height to the front sight, since the line of sight won't be parallel to the original.)

That doesn't improve sighting accuracy, however. A low-powered scope or red-dot sight does that very well; a receiver sight, almost as well.

 

[BCRider]

If it's a wood stock what about seeking out a local home woodworker? Lowering the comb and refinishing the stock would be a pretty simple job for any woodworker that has done any sort of other carving or shapeing. But you'd want to have your buddy along for the trial fittings since a woodworker may not understand what shapes need to be maintained or when not to go too far.