Enfield no1 mk3 peep/aperture sight

[Suther]

Im looking for a rear peep sight for my No1 Mk3 Enfield rifle.

I have come across two styles in general, one is the old style that needs to be drilled and tapped, but offers windage and elevation adjustment, plus moves he sight father back than the original. Like this one: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/326669/williams-5d-smle-receiver-peep-sight-british-lee-enfield-nos-1-4-and-5-aluminum-black

or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Parker-Hale-PH5A-Target-Aperture-Sight-for-Lee-Enfield-SMLE-/261804313794?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cf4c0ccc2

The other option simply replaces the old v-notch with a peep, like this... http://www.ebay.com/itm/British-Lee-Enfield-SMLE-1-Mk-3-Aperture-Peep-Sight-CNC-Milled-Made-In-USA-/311299226416?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item487ae13b30


I understand the expensive, old ones like the Parker Hale ph5a appear on the EE once and a while, but they are typically priced too high for my blood - I only paid $110 for the rifle, i dont want to spend twice that for a sight.

So are there any affordable options available in Canada?

 

[the11]

When I can afford it I hope to buy one of the old Parker Hale (or similar) sights. The advantage is that there is no drilling or tapping required. I don't think of it as adding to the cost of the rifle, but as a stand alone accessory that O could use on any #1 mk3 rifle that I might happen to own over the years. Plus, they look as elegant as can be.

 

[W.R.Buchanan]

The problem is,,, that there isn't a really good solution to this problem other than the PH sight. It bolts onto the gun in holes that are already there.

It is a Target type Receiver Sight and you're right they go for $125-$250 US on Ebay when they show up.

The Williams 5D is pretty crude in relation to the PH sight, but they are fine if you only intend to shoot with one zero. They don't reallyhave repeatable movements and as such are perfectly useless for serious target work. Even the higher levels of Williams sights aren't all that repeatable. These sights are fine if you just zero the gun and leave it there. Biggest problem is that the gun must be drilled and tapped to mount these sights.

A long time ago Redfield made an adapter plate to adapt a Redfield Series 70 or 80 sight or a Lyman 66 series sight to Enfield rifles,,, but that adapter was for a #4 or #5 and won't work on your #1.

I actually am reproducing those and some other variations as well. My #4Mk1 has a Redfield Olympic mounted on it and it is a great setup. But once again it won't work on a #1.

If your gun is in decent shape IE; the barrel is good, and the exterior is not completely beat to ship or could be refinished so that it does look presentable, then the PH sight would be the best way to go. It would dramatically increase the value of your gun.

If your gun is a beater, then why not just enjoy it the way it is.

It's a lot cheaper alternative.

If you have older eyes and don't think you can shoot open sights anymore, I would suggest focusing on the front sight and letting your cheek weld take care of the alignment with the rear sight. Leave the target blurry. With a little practice you will get the hang of it. I won my clubs Rimfire Silhouette Championship last year with an open sighted .22. My high score was 32/40. I am 65.

You just have to work at it a little.

Randy

 

[Suther]

its from 1918, so its got a V-notch rear on top of the chamber area, and a post at the end of the barrel.

And its a total beater. I only paid $110. Thats why I have no problems with a drill/tap setup. In fact, it already has ungodly things done to it in the past so I really can't make it any worse.

The fact its a cheap beater is exactly why spending more than $100 on a new sight is totally not happening. I already decided to leave it as an iron sights rifle because the rings for the scope mount I have for it are also very expensive. So I was hoping to find a way to make it a bit more accurate (My groups at 100yards have terrible vertical spread. decent horizontal spread though. The gun shoots better than I do, thats for sure [which isn't saying much lol]) and I was thinking a cheap peep sight could be a possibility.

As far as the repeatability of the Williams sight, thats something that wouldn't bother me too much. I could live with something I set and forget. This is currently my back-up hunting rifle (and I plan to keep it for that purpose) so accuracy is certainly important, but at the same time Im not planning on shooting 300 yards with it (at least not at an animal)


If the old PH sights are worth what they are, why is nobody making reproductions? Seems like an easy money maker with the number of enfields out there?

Does anyone in Canada carry the Williams sight?

edit - I do wear glasses all the time, but Im not old. My eyes are certainly not the best, but thats not really the problem. Im not a highly experienced shooter, and I think I have trouble with keeping the sight aligned vertically. (3" horizontal spread, 8" vertical spread... highly doubt thats anything but me.)

 

[robin2y]

There is also the cooey 10A type sight for the 22 trainers that have been used on 303. BSA mada a sight and Central from Austrialia too.

 

[milsurpo]

You might try using a variety of paper targets- don't use ones meant for scope sighting in. You should be able to get decent groups with the blade sight ( I can and my eyes are getting old). Are you resting your left hand on a sandbag? I have PH and Central sights on SMLE's but they don't make an indifferent rifle shoot any better. There are many things that will cause a No. 1 or No. 4 to shoot large groups that are not your fault.

milsurpo