Marlin 1895 45/70~aftermarket sight options?

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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Hey guys~I'm going to really try to NOT scope this rifle...but boy, can't say I love the factory irons either. I also don't have the best eyes now that I've broken the half century mark..but that's been the case for a while. :) I've used Skinner sights on a buddy's 1895 and I can't say that I love the things...but they're better than what's there. What options are there for this gun, open to any/all suggestions...and of course, to seeing some photos. Links to retailers that have what you're suggesting (or just knowing where you got yours) would be very helpful too.

Looking forward to the replies, thanks for taking the time to respond!
 
a # of options available to a 1895 Marlin but the best option for you will depend on your use of the gun IE just for 100-200 yrd plinking, hunting to any specific distance or any of the lever-gun competitive discipline's (Lever-gun long range, Cowboy Sillywette, etc.) we use them for ,some out to 500 yrds or more (any 1895 Marlin is quite capable of holding it's own with most any S.S. "Buffalo Rifle" at long range).

If I were using one for hunting, scoping the gun is my preferred option especially as you say your "peepers" are showing age degradation. Nothing like a scope for quick target acquisition & identification as well as a bit of "longer range" bullet placement judgment for humane kills.

Most of the Lever-gun games we play at require some sort of open sights and you have already mentioned that the barrel mounted buck-horn-leaf-types or the Skinners type aren't your favorite...Pretty much leaves two types left as an option, the Marbles or Lyman type tang mounted shaft type peep sights (quite effective out to a bit more than 200 yrds) or a Vernier type long range sight good from 50 yrds to 800 or more depending on how long of "upright" you think you will need. The one thing you should know tho is that the tangs on all the modern 1895's don't have a second hole drilled & tapped for mounting sights. I have just used a "single point mount" with just the tang bolt being used and it works but you have to be very careful not to bump or drop your gun as it isn't as sturdy as a two point mounting would be. Also be aware that, if you have never used peep sites for long range shooting their is a bit of a learning curve to be practiced at before satisfying results will be achieved....but don't be discouraged, they are wonderful rifles and a lot of satisfaction can be realized once you become proficient with it.

I think Pro-Line Sports in Cow-town is still a Marbles factory direct dealer if you decide to go that way and Montana Vintage Arms or Buffalo Arms in Idaho both have extensive offerings of the L. R. Vernier sights ( or most any gunshow around may have o few on offer).
 
Sadly I went though this exercise recently, the XS ghost sights that came with the gun were Ok but ultimately for hunting I settled for a fixed 4x Leopold scope, clear with good field of view and perfectly adequate to the rounds ballistics.

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apu said:
Sadly I went though this exercise recently, the XS ghost sights that came with the gun were Ok but ultimately for hunting I settled for a fixed 4x Leopold scope, clear with good field of view and perfectly adequate to the rounds ballistics.

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Click to expand...

In the process myself...trying out the XS ghost ring have not had too much success. Might upgrade to red dot
 
Love my XS sights, keep in mind this is a 336 but the sights are the same. I am good to 140yrds shooting at an 8" gong from a standing position. Big sight picture as they are more of a ghost ring then a peep, but once you get used to them they are fast to acquire a target.
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I have one scoped, another factory iron sights and another with after market ghost site. At my age I prefer the scope however will be mounting a fastfire on one and compare. Just don't have the eyes anymore for iron sights.
 
I went through the same thing myself . I didn't want to scope my Guide Gun , not because of esthetics , I don't like the way a scope changes the balance on it . I currently have a Vortex SPARC2 on my 95 , so far , it works really well . I can shoot with both eyes open , it's fast to use and I can shoot as well with it as I could with aperture sights before my eyes ( and the rest of me ) got old . It all depends on how far , and where , you intend to shoot it .
 
Thanks for the replies so far guys, greatly appreciated. I've never owned a 45/70 before, and I feel safe admitting to fellow gunnuts~I have zero practical purpose(s) for a 45/70 in the first place. :) So, unlike most of my rifle purchases where the optics are sorted out before the rifle itself is, I figure I should use as is...then explore what might be best re: sights/optics. In the short term (at least) it's a "fun gun" so I'll have fun with it as-is first...then see if a future requirement demands that I slap a scope on it. I'm just thinking improved irons might be a good way to put-off buying a scope, yet enjoy the rifle more in the meantime.
 
I have two: one with XS Ghost Ring, and 2nd came from factory with a Skinner Peep Sight. Both rifles were easy to sight in and very accurate out to 100 yds, and thats their range. They are bush guns.
 
I went the ghost ring route and couldn't see a black bear in low light. I might scope my Marlin CB. Too many 45/70's to choose from to hunt, is now a problem.
 
I wanted sights but also the option to put a scope or red dot on it if i feel like it. I dont feel a picatinny rail has any place on a lever action. Skinner makes their express sight with a rail that doesnt have all the ribbing along it. Best of both worlds.
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That is indeed a slick rig! Best of both worlds for sure. A set of QD rings, a Leupold 2x or 1-4x, and you're all set.

OP, I don't know how much you have played with the Skinner sights, but a receiver sight with a large "ghost-ring" aperture works really well for hunting if you are willing to put in some time with it. It's not like a scoped rifle (that is pretty intuitive), it takes some practice. I'm going to assume that you have a few .22's (don't know why I think that...:)), so why not fit one with an aperture similar to what you think you want on the .45-70? That'll give the a chance to practice a lot for cheap, and the skill will transition seamlessly to the big rifle. I have a Marlin 39 set up that way specifically as an understudy for my .45-70 levers.

Make sure you aren't consciously trying to center the front sight in the aperture. Just look through the ring, put the front sight on the target, and squeeze off the shot. Again, takes some practice, but this method works best and is what makes the aperture sight so fast and useful.

If you aren't already familiar with it, look up the Marble Bullseye sight. It's a leaf sight that simply replaces the standard rear sight, and gives you many of the benefits of a receiver-mounted aperture while remaining very unobtrusive and low-profile. Quite inexpensive, too. I have this sight on a few levers and singles and like it very much.

And...be realistic in your expectations. A peep sight will work much better for your eyes than any open sight...but it will never be as bright, as quick or as effective in low light as a low-power scope.
 
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