Williams peep sight aperture mod, reduced size inserts.

[LoonWulf]

Williams sells replacement apertures, and they arent particularly expensive. They are something I would have to order to try out tho.

To remedy that situation I decided to see if i could tap a regular style aperture to take a set screw with a hole thru it.

Turns out its easier than one would expect. The hole thru the threaded size of the aperture is about right to run a 8-32 bottoming tap into. While it is a little large for the size threads, it is enough to hold a set screw in position properly, and securely.

To make the insert you only need a 8-32 set screw, power drill of some sort, and a bit the size of hole youd like to try. Since this was mostly experimental i used what i had on hand, and the smallest would be .062, the next size up ive got is .078.
Drilling a straight hole in a short set screw is actually pretty easy. I used a cheap hand drill on low speed and while it may not be perfect, its so close i cant tell.
Ive also used this method to make vent liners for a mossberg 500 muzzle loader barrel, I had to drill out the vent hole on.

Total cost of this modification is the cost of the bottoming tap (if you dont already own one, which i did), and the set screw. Your stock Aperture is undamaged if done correctly and functions fine without the inserts.

While im not sure if this is really more cost effective than just ordering a new aperture from Williams, it IS nice if you want to play with a bunch of sizes.

 

[roo_ster]

Very clever.

I am on the other side of the fence: I remove the insert completely and use it as a ghost ring sight.

 

[LoonWulf]

Very clever.

I am on the other side of the fence: I remove the insert completely and use it as a ghost ring sight.

Ive played with it removed like that also, I'll probably do the same when hunting in dark conditions.

 

[chicharrones]

Neat idea and execution. That method of aperture change has never crossed my mind before.

 

[GooseGestapo]

You can also put a dab of JB Weld in the apeture and next day drill the size hole you want. A dab of flat black paint covers the gray epoxy.
It’s a common practice in CMP competition as rifles must be “as issued” but you are allowed to use the JB Weld trick. Most common hole size is 0.047” as this corresponds to a wire-gauge drill bit. Next size up is 0.054”.
Smallest apeture Williams sells is 0.050”. Outside diameters are 3/8”, 1/2”, and 1”.
Also, two length of shanks. The “Guide” series use a longer shank, which is what I prefer as they can be used in all Williams receiver sights.

However, it would be neat to have various sized set screws.

 

[LoonWulf]

You can also put a dab of JB Weld in the apeture and next day drill the size hole you want. A dab of flat black paint covers the gray epoxy.
It’s a common practice in CMP competition as rifles must be “as issued” but you are allowed to use the JB Weld trick. Most common hole size is 0.047” as this corresponds to a wire-gauge drill bit. Next size up is 0.054”.
Smallest apeture Williams sells is 0.050”. Outside diameters are 3/8”, 1/2”, and 1”.
Also, two length of shanks. The “Guide” series use a longer shank, which is what I prefer as they can be used in all Williams receiver sights.

However, it would be neat to have various sized set screws.

That's a good idea! I didn't think of using straight epoxy, inhad considered epoxying an insert and drilling that, which lead me to the setscrew idea. Just putting epoxy in and drilling that would be alot easier, and still removeable after a fashion.

 

[mustanger98]

This may be just me, but outside of service rifle competition, I'm liking the sound of the deal with the set screw better. You can drill it out any size you want/need within the inside diameter of the threads.

 

[LoonWulf]

I certainly like being able to swap out the inserts easily, I need to make a few smaller ones.
I put them all in a drill bit box that came with a muzzle brake I had. I'm considering trying to make something that will keep them on the gun along with the Allen wrench to change them.

 

[mustanger98]

Does the stock have a butt trap? Set screws would probably fit in a M1's grease pot or British Enfield's oiler, but that leaves the question of the Allen wrench.

 

[LoonWulf]

no unfortunatly, its for my sks which is in an after market stock. I considered maybe making some kinda tube, or something, to go where the cleaning rod would usually go.

I can also make a small "screw driver" handled wrench that would work well enough, i think.

 

[JohnKSa]

Here's an elegant, off-the-shelf solution--albeit not a particularly cheap one.

http://www.meritcorporation.com/products.html

 

[LoonWulf]

gotta admit tho that Irising aperture its pretty niffty! More than i want to spend atm, but def neat.

 

[mustanger98]

The adjustable Merit aperture does look interesting. I've seen them show up on the secondary market and they're still priced high. I wasn't aware they were currently produced.

 

[stringnut]

Pretty cool idea Loonwolf. Personally I just drive to Williams if I want an aperture. Doesn't appear that would be your best option LOL. It is always interesting to see how other solve problems.

 

[ih772]

Me too, I live about a half a mile from there as the crow flies.

When I want to know if the outdoor range is busy or not, I just step outside and listen for a minute.

 

[LoonWulf]

The adjustable Merit aperture does look interesting. I've seen them show up on the secondary market and they're still priced high. I wasn't aware they were currently produced.

This was the first I've ever seen of them, I'll keep an eye on eBay for someone selling one cheap....might get lucky.

Pretty cool idea Loonwolf. Personally I just drive to Williams if I want an aperture. Doesn't appear that would be your best option LOL. It is always interesting to see how other solve problems.

Yeah if I didn't have to pay shipping I'd probably have just bought the .05 and called it a day. I'm pretty happy having something to play with tho. I do want to try something even smaller.

 

[roo_ster]

That Merit deal is nifty on stilts.

 

[JohnKSa]

I'm a sucker for stuff like that. I have a couple and love them.

Other than price there is one thing to be aware of. They are blued steel and have a number of moving parts so it's critical to keep them protected with some kind of an oil so they don't rust. But not an oil that will gum up because that's almost as bad as rust.