anyone add backup irons to a Kimber rifle ?

I have iron sights on most of my rifles, and yes, I do sight them in and practise with them. Seldom use them for actual hunting, but they are a good option and back up plan. If I were adding sights to a Kimber rifle, I would first look at the NECG front sights made by Recknagel of Germany. Excellent, elegant, and fully adjustable and with a wide range of front sight blade options. Combined with a good rear peep sight it would make a rugged and functional sighting system. I use the superb NECG/Recknagel peep on my Brno 21H, perhaps that sight could be adapted to fit other rear bases. there is a Ruger and a Weaver version as well. Stock comb height might be a limiting factor, it could be a problem getting cheek down far enough to see the irons.
 
Bartledan said:
The first thing to sort out is the rear sight, because it will control the height of the front sight.

Just had a maybe better idea. Drill and tap the rear base itself. I'm not sure how that would work out... Warne is my go to, but all their stuff is powder metal, and might not take a drill and tap operation well.

I've got a drawer full of extra stuff. Maybe I'll drag some in to the shop, and see what happens.
Click to expand...

I like your thinking here Bartledan. When a poster recommend the Skinner Sights I ended up looking at the same two you are talking about.

Yes, of course. Front sight hight will be determined by rear sight height.

I guess where we run into a problem are with guys who prefer the Tally light weight rings. I prefer them for weight savings too but pretty much negate rear sight possibility.

This is why I tend to go with light weight 1913 rails. I have a Rem. Mohawk 600 for example with trijicon sights. EGW rail is slotted so I can see the sights no problem if scope removed.

Of course this is a barrel mounted rear sight but it could just as easily be say a NEGC rail mounted sight and just raise the front. OR, something like the Skinner lo-pro mounted in another manner.
 
crazy_davey said:
A shortened Ruger in 35 Welen with NEGC front sight and rear peep, Mcmillan stock.
Click to expand...

That's a necg rear, but the front is factory ruger.


hoytcanon said:
I would really be interested in knowing how many hunters with "back up" iron sights ever shoot their rifles with the irons before they go hunting.
Click to expand...

I agree. When I make and/or install a set of sights, I always make sure they shoot where you aim from 50-100yrds depending on cartridge and purpose. Pretty useless if they aren't sighted in.
 
hoytcanon said:
I suspect that you are in the minority...

I am not talking about those that hunt with iron sight rifles... I know many of those... and they do practice and zero their rifles. I find it ironic though that many who insist on "back up" irons, intending to scope the rifle, never even check that the iron sights are zeroed.
Click to expand...

we are at least two more ...
 
a skinner lo-pro would fit the thread for scope bases, but I'm guessing Bartledan's idea is that you can quickly remove the rear sight.

I'd bet if someone emailed Andy at Skinner he would have made a set for a Kimber already and maybe have a picture to share. Lo pro would be the lightest option but his full size sights don't weigh much more than a scope ring.
 
conor_90 said:
a skinner lo-pro would fit the thread for scope bases, but I'm guessing Bartledan's idea is that you can quickly remove the rear sight.

I'd bet if someone emailed Andy at Skinner he would have made a set for a Kimber already and maybe have a picture to share. Lo pro would be the lightest option but his full size sights don't weigh much more than a scope ring.
Click to expand...

You've got it. A quick to attach rear sight that fits on weaver mounts, and doesn't cost a million dollars.
 
So do you guys run quick attach rings that you can take off quickly and throw in your backpack? I assume the whole idea behind backup sights is that your backup rifle is way too far from where you're hunting.
 
What about see through sights, or a small light backup scope on quick attach rings that you could have sighted in? I'd love to hunt the Rockies some day, what a beautiful region!
 
I used to carry a spare Leupold FX2 6x scope with Talley rings when an extra rifle wasn't an option. Everywhere I go I take at least two rifles, unless it's more of an extreme hunt such as sheep. When after sheep I leave with a very reliable rifle, no detachable magazine, and an extra scope and rings. I almost always have a rifle with irons as backup when an extra rifle is brought along.

For example last moose hunt with my father before he passed, I brought my xbolt 325 as a primary, with the JC Higgins as a backup witch sports a scope AND irons.
 
Cleftwynd said:
I used to carry a spare Leupold FX2 6x scope with Talley rings when an extra rifle wasn't an option. Everywhere I go I take at least two rifles, unless it's more of an extreme hunt such as sheep. When after sheep I leave with a very reliable rifle, no detachable magazine, and an extra scope and rings. I almost always have a rifle with irons as backup when an extra rifle is brought along.

For example last moose hunt with my father before he passed, I brought my xbolt 325 as a primary, with the JC Higgins as a backup witch sports a scope AND irons.
Click to expand...

Your backup scope has Tally Rings ? How do you accomplish the spare scope plan without using a good set of quick detach rings? Did I miss read something ?
 
Cleftwynd said:
Gunsmith universal tool, kind of a leatherman type tool. Never leave home without it!!!
Click to expand...

I do the quick detach thing without QD rings. I use 1913 rails with Nightforce ti/aluminum rings. All my stuff is torqued correctly, witnessed marked and zeroed very well. I carry a cut down wrench and loosen bolts to get scope off quickly if need be. If scope needs to be remounted turn bolts recorded # of turns to witness marks and GTG. It doesn't take that much longer to get the scope off than QD rings.

Reason I opted for this method is I'm not impressed with most QD rings. The only QD rings I like to date are the Larue Tactical, nothing comes close imo. Very expensive and although not real heavy they are not typical hunter light.

So is what you are doing kinda the same idea just with regular Talley Lights ? Or are you using Talley QD rings ?
 
There's a fellow on either the Rokslide forum or 24 hourcampfire that has done open sights on a Kimber. A little Googlefu should find it.
Fuzzy
 
madashell said:
I do the quick detach thing without QD rings. I use 1913 rails with Nightforce ti/aluminum rings. All my stuff is torqued correctly, witnessed marked and zeroed very well. I carry a cut down wrench and loosen bolts to get scope off quickly if need be. If scope needs to be remounted turn bolts recorded # of turns to witness marks and GTG. It doesn't take that much longer to get the scope off than QD rings.

Reason I opted for this method is I'm not impressed with most QD rings. The only QD rings I like to date are the Larue Tactical, nothing comes close imo. Very expensive and although not real heavy they are not typical hunter light.

So is what you are doing kinda the same idea just with regular Talley Lights ? Or are you using Talley QD rings ?
Click to expand...


Regular Talley lights. Basic tools. It's more than enough to replace a bad scope in the field or at camp.
 
If a scope fails on a hunt, replacing it in the field isn't hard, and to "zero" the scope I actually shoot the rifle at something.....
 
Cleftwynd said:
If a scope fails on a hunt, replacing it in the field isn't hard, and to "zero" the scope I actually shoot the rifle at something.....
Click to expand...

That's what I was trying to get at. Were you doing some kind of repeating zero method or re-zeroing. Thanks for clarifying.
 
Well made QD scope mounts do not require re-zeroing. I'm not sure about Talleys, but the Leupold QD mounts are precise enough to return to zero without requiring sighting in again, and most of the good European mounts are capable of this as well. EAW, Recknagel, etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom