Trapdoor sights?

89diesel

89diesel

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
23   0   0
Location
SK
1873 Trapdoor currently has a Buckhorn ladder sight. Thinking I need a different one with more of a precise adjustment for long range target.

A tang sight would be nice, but have to mount it to the wooden wrist (steel tang is too short)

Suggestions?

Also, on a peep sight, is it necessary to have a windage adjustment?
 
89diesel said:
1873 Trapdoor currently has a Buckhorn ladder sight. Thinking I need a different one with more of a precise adjustment for long range target.
Click to expand...

You will probably have a hard time finding one, but if you can find a Buffington sight, I think that is the way to go. Very precise and used on the trapdoors I think from the mid 1880s on.

cheers mooncoon
 
89diesel said:
1873 Trapdoor currently has a Buckhorn ladder sight. Thinking I need a different one with more of a precise adjustment for long range target.

A tang sight would be nice, but have to mount it to the wooden wrist (steel tang is too short)
Click to expand...

The Marbles tang sight for the Model 99 Savage lever action has a longer extension on the base that comes very close to the tang on an "un-modified" trapdoor. The forward hole on the base would line up with the tang screw (a longer one is needed) then a second smaller screw would have to be set into the wood. If the gun is a beater with no collector value, you could have the tang extended thus providing the solid base you need...inletting the extension into the wrist and refinish on the tang would be in order, plus the precise curvature of the tang would have to be constructed.

The "Buckhorn Sight" you mention will do just fine for long range. Bear in mind that to make a trapdoor shoot to point of aim or even "six o'clock" aim point, a taller front sight is needed. You can easily install one that would also be wider, improving your sight picture.

I have used the Model 1879 "Buckhorn" rear sight in long range gong matches out to 300 yards, and informal rock shooting out to 500 yards with no problems. The Buffington does have windage adjustment though is a real pain to try and find.
Assuming you have a rifle your best bet would be to find an "R" marked (Rifle) Buffington sight, though a "C" marked (Carbine) would suffice...the "XC" marked Buffington (Experimental Carbine) is impossible to find. on the loose. If you win the lottery by finding one with no marks and the original rack and pinion ladder adjustment you have been blessed with extreme good luck.

Enjoy shooting the trapdoor, and be prepared to allow it to snack on the occasional Sharps...there is a story to that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom