Marlin GBL 45/70 sights??? I know it's a dead horse...

[Outcast]

Ok first off I know this has been discussed, debated and beaten to death.
I have a Marlin GBL 45/70 coming in the next week or so, need some help with some sights.
I have read other threads on this topic but many suggestions have been given guys are mixing and matching different ghost rings with other manufacturer front posts, I'm completely confused and would hate to buy something that's not going to work.

This rifle is a primary hiking rifle for protection against anything that might want to see how I taste. I'm looking for a sight system specific to guide guns or the GBL from 0-40 yards. Fast and efficient. I'm leaning towards the XS sight system

Let me know what you have on your set up and the specific front and rear gear.
Thanks in advance

 

[jjohnwm]

I upgraded an older Guide Gun with the XS sight set (front post with rear full-length scout rail and aperture) and it was perfect. I would still have it if I hadn't traded for an SBL with the same setup from the factory. Still have that one and love it. I have a low-mounted scout scope in QR rings on it most of the time, but leave the XS sights on permanently. Some people can't become accustomed to the fuzzy, out-of-focus image of the sights visible in the bottom of the field of view when using the scope, but it doesn't bother me. If you find it offensive it's easy to remove the aperture from the rail when the gun is scoped, which would also allow you to use a standard-eye-relief scope if desired. Alternatively, you could use higher, or even see-through, rings for your scope, but they would ruin the balance and handling IMHO.

I've also added an XS scout rail to my .44mag 1894 with complete satisfaction. You can't go wrong with XS stuff.

 

[Sun_and_Steel_77]

Ok first off I know this has been discussed, debated and beaten to death.
I have a Marlin GBL 45/70 coming in the next week or so, need some help with some sights.
I have read other threads on this topic but many suggestions have been given guys are mixing and matching different ghost rings with other manufacturer front posts, I'm completely confused and would hate to buy something that's not going to work.

This rifle is a primary hiking rifle for protection against anything that might want to see how I taste. I'm looking for a sight system specific to guide guns or the GBL from 0-40 yards. Fast and efficient. I'm leaning towards the XS sight system

Let me know what you have on your set up and the specific front and rear gear.
Thanks in advance

Go to Skinnersights.com and check out the Low-profile sight. It's simple, strong and LIGHT. I had XS guide sights front and rear and sold them on the EE awhile back, they worked fine and were robust but the skinners do the same thing with less weight.
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and assume you are doing most of your hiking in the coast range...I'm from the same area and spent most of my life in the mountains.

When backpacking low weight and unobtrusiveness are paramount. I have the same rifle as you and used to pack it everywhere. Laminate is HEAVY so I have since switched to an 1894P in .44MAG. The 1894, being designed specifically around a pistol cartridge is much lighter then an 1895 and is IMHO a way better "rambling rifle". Warm handloaded hard cast bullets will put the lights-out on any sasquatch dumb enough to F$*K with you.
I realize stainless is a nice to have on the coast so I am currently having a custom trapper-length 1894SS built for me by Dlask Arms.

Above is an older photo when I used to pack with my guide. I have removed the factory rear sight and filled the dovetail slot with a blank.

There's a good pic of the Ashley/XS system.

 

[Outcast]

Thanks for the info, definitely like the sights in the last pic. Just run 40 rounds through my brand new GBL. Beauty of a rifle, action was stiff but after working it and running the rounds through it , it's breaking in and feels good. Very happy with the rifle. I was incredibly surprised how well the crappy factory sights worked. I'm sure things would be faster with the other sights, but really I only want this rifle for large critters no farther than 30-40 yards. Big bang for close quarter issues.

Go to Skinnersights.com and check out the Low-profile sight. It's simple, strong and LIGHT. I had XS guide sights front and rear and sold them on the EE awhile back, they worked fine and were robust but the skinners do the same thing with less weight.
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and assume you are doing most of your hiking in the coast range...I'm from the same area and spent most of my life in the mountains.

When backpacking low weight and unobtrusiveness are paramount. I have the same rifle as you and used to pack it everywhere. Laminate is HEAVY so I have since switched to an 1894P in .44MAG. The 1894, being designed specifically around a pistol cartridge is much lighter then an 1895 and is IMHO a way better "rambling rifle". Warm handloaded hard cast bullets will put the lights-out on any sasquatch dumb enough to F$*K with you.
I realize stainless is a nice to have on the coast so I am currently having a custom trapper-length 1894SS built for me by Dlask Arms.

Above is an older photo when I used to pack with my guide. I have removed the factory rear sight and filled the dovetail slot with a blank.

There's a good pic of the Ashley/XS system.

 

[babine_lake]

For the use you describe the factory sights ought to be just fine. I have a 1895M in 450 Marlin I use for back up and I have a Williams FP. I like the FP but the open sights were fine as well. I am just used to using peeps on all my lever guns so I didn't want to change from what I am used to. I have a Skinner sight on my 1894 Cowboy in 44 and like it as well. If you can shoot fast and straight with the current set up, use it. But you wont go wrong with any of the excellent peep sights on the market. If it is strictly for close range stopping of nasty critters I wouldn't even consider a scope of any kind.