1903 sight options

[sghart3578]

Hello friends,

I recently bought a Springfield(Remington) 1903 (not an -03A) that has been sporterized. The barrel has been shortened and the front and rear sights have been replaced. The rear sight is a Williams WGRS (I think) that has been mounted in the same general area as the original military sight. Bubba got the rear sight slightly out of alignment. I would send photos but unfortunately the rifle is still in limbo in the California 10 day waiting period (I know, I know).

My question is this: What are my options for a rear peep sight? I have had great results with the Skinner peep sight on my lever action and I was wondering if there was a similar concept available for this rifle.

I have searched the sight makers and most of them require drilling and mounting on the side of the receiver, for example the Lyman 5D, etc. Does anyone make a small peep the mounts to the top of the rear "hump"?

Thanks in advance for your help, this is my new winter project.

[Shiloh]

This perhaps??

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/457463/lyman-receiver-sight-with-target-knobs-57smet-mauser-and-springfield-aluminum-blue?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Shiloh

[sghart3578]

Shiloh,

I like that sight very much. At that price it would pretty much double the value of the gun. Ha!

But thank you, I put it on my Midway wishlist.

[Scharfschuetze]

Shilo's suggestion is really the best for your rifle.

That said, I do have a William's WGRS 03A3 sight specifically made to do what you want. I don't think that they are made anymore, but perhaps a search on the internet will find one.

[sghart3578]

The Williams WGRS for the 03A3 is a nice sight but it won't work on my rifle. I have a 1903. It does not have the rear peep sight so there is no dovetail for the Williams sight to slide on to. I like the WGRS but on my rifle there is no way to mount it.

The rear "hump" on my receiver is blank. There was no peep attached there from the factory. The previous owner did drill and tap a hole there for a scope mount.

Thanks guys, I will keep looking.

[gnoahhh]

Ah, I would just suck it up and fill the old sight holes and re-drill/tap for a Lyman 48, 57, or Redfield and be done with it. You won't regret it in the long run. Solid sights and perfectly compliment a rifle such as that. I don't care for modern Williams aluminum sights, for no good reason other than personal aesthetics, but they are good utilitarian sights. The Lyman 48 especially has dependably repeatable click adjustments- well worth the extra bucks they cost.

[sghart3578]

Ah, I would just suck it up and fill the old sight holes and re-drill/tap for a Lyman 48, 57, or Redfield and be done with it. You won't regret it in the long run. Solid sights and perfectly compliment a rifle such as that. I don't care for modern Williams aluminum sights, for no good reason other than personal aesthetics, but they are good utilitarian sights. The Lyman 48 especially has dependably repeatable click adjustments- well worth the extra bucks they cost.

Of course, you are right. I think that is the way I will go with it.

Thanks guys.

[Scharfschuetze]

The Williams WGRS for the 03A3 is a nice sight but it won't work on my rifle. I have a 1903. It does not have the rear peep sight so there is no dovetail for the Williams sight to slide on to. I like the WGRS but on my rifle there is no way to mount it.

Dohh! I even read that in your first post.

Well, I think that your best bet then is the Lyman or Williams sights. Here is a Lyman 48S on my parts gun 1903.

[sghart3578]

nice!

[weasel 21]

Ive got a 1903 that had been sporterized in the 1950's. It's a a gunsmiths for D&T a lyman 57 smet. No front sight ; want to put a 17A but no idea what height to get

[Coffeecup]

Ive got a 1903 that had been sporterized in the 1950's. It's a a gunsmiths for D&T a lyman 57 smet. No front sight ; want to put a 17A but no idea what height to get

I'm in a similar boat (except I don't want a 17A in front--had one when I was a kid, and it was a pain to hunt with). My plan is to get the rear sight mounted, then make a "blank" front sight blade. With the rear sight all the way down, I'll file the "blank" front sight to get the height I want, then get a "real" sight to match that height.

[Scharfschuetze]

I'm in a similar boat (except I don't want a 17A in front--had one when I was a kid, and it was a pain to hunt with). My plan is to get the rear sight mounted, then make a "blank" front sight blade. With the rear sight all the way down, I'll file the "blank" front sight to get the height I want, then get a "real" sight to match that height.

Were you using one of the aperture inserts back in the day? I use the 17A on several rifles with the post/blade inserts for just about everything, hunting included and they work a treat. Now the aperture inserts are great for bullseye shooting, but I do agree with you if you are referring to them in regards to hunting.

[Coffeecup]

Scharfschuetze, the problems I encountered were due to the nature of the sight, i.e., the tube surrounding the inserts. I normally used a post insert for everything. The sights were excellent for target shooting, silhouette (much better than the borrowed jungle carbine I started shooting silhouettes with), etc.

In the hunting field, I had trouble around dawn and dusk due to the tube blocking light. On a few occasions, I was "too close" to my target and it was difficult to select an exact aiming point. In those cases, I wound up looking over the sights, rather than using them to aim.

[gnoahhh]

Lyman used to (or maybe still does) make a 17A specifically for mounting in the stock '03 Springfield front sight base. It's really just a matter of switching back and forth then with the standard sight blade to suit the game being played.

[Scharfschuetze]

Here it is. Long out of production I think, but still seen from time to time at gun shows.

[StrawHat]

... Here is a Lyman 48S on my parts gun 1903...

Scharfschuetze, Is that an adjustable iris on your 48S? I have a similar set up on a M1922 and would like to find an adjustable type to screw in. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Kevin

[gnoahhh]

Merit Adjustable Iris. I don't know if they still make them but I see them fairly often on fleabay.

[Scharfschuetze]

Scharfschuetze, Is that an adjustable iris on your 48S? I have a similar set up on a M1922 and would like to find an adjustable type to screw in. Any suggestions?

Thanks


Kevin

Yes it is! The Merit variable aperture iris is still very much available and a search at any of the big shooting supply houses should get you positive results.

There are long stem and short stem versions as well as various diameters available. I've found that for hunting rifles the smaller "hunting diameter" to be the best option, while match rifles get the larger diameter. My match rifles all have sights higer above the barrel than my hunting rifles and thus the larger diameter does not impede my short range zero. My hunting rifles generally have sights lower to the bore and thus the smaller diameter allows you to use the sight at a lower position without the Merit running into the receiver.

Here is a link right to the Merit web site:

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

[StrawHat]

Thank you very much.

Kevin