I saw a few examples of "PC" peep sights in Ohio..

[djb]

The T/C sight is much simpler and better looking than the Lyman. I'm not sure what retro-fitting would be required to mount it as I'm sure the holes would not line up.

I can understand keeping competitors on an even level of equipment for competitions, but the PC thing seems to get overblown. I have come to enjoy shooting black powder rifles for the increased challenge and nostalgia. Same as hunting with a bow or handgun. I view hunting with a fine rifle as part of the whole experience. I guess I'll never get into re-enacting or rondy's if I have to be walk around worried about what I'm wearing or carrying...heck I had enough of that manure in high school. Are you pc enough to shoot in competition if you had a flu shot?

Facts are that peeps were around and used. There were even crude scopes before the civil war. Our forefathers were creative and ingenuitive, and would have taken advantage of any advance they could to put meat on the table or keep hair on their head.

 

[brushbuster]

here,here!!!!

 

[Darkhorse]

The sight from TOW that interests me is the one that fits in the rear sight dovetail and is only adjustable for windage. Its simply a rear sight with a hole in it instead of a notch.
My question is how effective it would be?
I have shot rear mounted peep sights extensively in my younger target shooting days but those sights were always a lot closer to the eye.
Has anybody actually tried one of these?

 

Facts are that peeps were around and used. There were even crude scopes before the civil war. Our forefathers were creative and ingenuitive, and would have taken advantage of any advance they could to put meat on the table or keep hair on their head.

The "fact" remains,.... not all peeps are created equal !!

I would imagine Jim Bridger and his fellow trappers, would have also used 4-wheelers had they been available at thet time in history,.... but they weren't, and neither were modern Lyman peeps!!
So, the modern arguement of "if they'a had it, they'a used it",... is irrevalent today in all respects!!

I shoot muzzleloaders for the enjoyment they offer by use'n the same type of weapon (and sights) those early trapper's used.
This also dictates, thet I don't use all the other modern stuff such as imitation powder, sabots, jacketed bullets, and 209 primers,.... heck, if I needed or liked all thet modern stuff, I'd probly jest go "hog wild" and git a modern plastic-stocked inline. (YUK!) :shake: :cry:

I guess "what" I'm say'n is,.... if them old timer's could fashion a simple "screw" into a peep, then this old timer can too (and probably will)!! ::

YMHS
rollingb

 

[Slamfire]

I well remember "corn cobs", and the "slick pages" from Sears!! :haha: :thumbsup:

YMHS
rollingb

Two reds and a white.
Glossy tp is considered high quality in Germany. Maybe them old catalogs are worth a lot of money.

Back to the subject, I see one of the "fire sight" companies have developed a "ghost" ring. :huh:

 

[TexasMLer]

I guess "what" I'm say'n is,.... if them old timer's could fashion a simple "screw" into a peep, then this old timer can too (and probably will)!! ::

That is a good idea! I wonder if any old screws from back then are available and in good-enough condition to work with. A screw from the correct time period would be the perfect touch IMHO.

 

[Blue Moose]

I really like the simple Spence-style tang peep from TOW and Log Cabin. Unfortunately, I have a hooked breach so I'd have to remove the sight every time I remove the barrel.

Soooo...I believe I'm going to Home Depot and sort through thumbscrews. I'm not interested in being period correct or competition eligible (not yet anyway) I just want an effective peep for huntin' that looks "at home" on my rifle.

Being fairly new to sidelocks, I'm surprised that there aren't more options on the market for a simple, traditional peep. Oh well.

TM

 

[DanL]

Hi Darkhorse,

Yes, I have a peep sight similar to the TOW rear peep sight. As a matter of fact, the one you are describing from TOW was developed I believe by William Young. I have one that William showed me how to make. I have it mounted on 2 longrifles and it works great mounted at ~10" - 11" forward of the breech plug. I actually made mine initially with a 3/8" base in the event I wanted to change it.

I will have no other sight. It is great. It was developed from an original style notched sight and one has to closely examine the sight to tell the peep from an original style.

DanL

 

[shaggyshooter]

Hi Tg. I didn't mean to offend you. But,I didn't make my sight to be "pc" or"traditional".I made it to help me shoot my GPR better. Which to me equels MORE FUN!!!!!.As far as my veiws on "PC",it could be the year 2005, or 1830, I have a rifle, a problem, and the means to fix the problem. In 2005,at my shop, in 1830, at the closest blacksmith, or if I have the tools,I will fix it myself. the end result is the same. Just because it's 1830 dosen,t mean I can't think... shaggy. :imo:

 

[tg]

My post was not aimed specificaly at you Shaggy, The original post offered some PC options for peep sights and was a whisp of fresh air in a somewhat stagnent (modern) slanted forum and it quickly change to multiple posts of people trying to defend their use of modern stuff by trying to make it the same as the originals (in their minds)and a barrage of the old stand by, "if they had it..." dribble, it is amazing how upset folks get when one mentions that an item is not traditional or PC when it is being tossed around, yet they will crash a thread on PC stuff with the hoorahs about modern = PC = traditional by means of loose association....

 

[Old Charlie]

DANL could you post some pics of the sight? I would like to see it.
Old Charlie

 

[rayb]

agree with what Old charlie said.

Old eyes need help, yours sounds like a possible solution.

thanks.

rayb

 

[DanL]

Old Charlie and Rayb,

I will try to get some photos. I will investigate the "how to" on posting photos.

DanL

 

[Protrucker]

I have one of the T/C tang mount peep sights. It works on hooked breech guns & I have seen it listed for T/C Renegade, Hawken, & the Lyman GPR. To put it on my Renegade I used one of the existing holes in the tang & had to drill one more hole in the tang. That would probably be the way to mount one on the GPR too.

 

[JOHN L. HINNANT]

Greeting All,

This #%@*&%! PC #@%$&^! business finally caused me to end my teaching career at 37 years when I wanted to make 40 years.

So when it when it comes to being PC in my ML shooting, I am pretty short tempered. Being near 66 myself, I have no problem with using Aperture (peep) sights whenever the rules allow it. When the rules require tradition "open sights", then I use shooting glasses that are specifically prescription ground to see the sights and target like 20 year old eyes.

Even that greatly disturbs a number of the of the PC crowd; particulary if I manage to win a few baubles or some tin-ware.

If you gentlemen have not tried prescription-ground shooting glasses, give it a try. I would not be without mine when shooting tradition "open sight".

Best regards, John L. Hinnant

 

[silverfox]

Okay for my :m2c:Old eyes get one of the long Hawken sites and put it on backwards. This moves the rear site about 4 or 5 inches further forward on the barrel without cutting new dovetails. That will help some of us. Now peep sites a neet one I've seen was made from an ancient coin (gold silver) your choice just not a new nickle and put on a long tang screw. You could also just tap a new hole in the tang or where ever it suits you. Adjustment is by turning the screw a half turn for elevation and windage by moving the front site. Looks good and cheap to make. Put a nut on the screw to lock in place. Just be sure the screw is long enough.
Fox :thumbsup:

 

[DanL]

OK. For a view of the peep sight I described....

Look at TOW website and go to item # RS CA PEEP. It is located in the gun parts section under rear sights.

I will try to get a pic of mine as installed on the rifle tonight and post later.

DanL

 

[DanL]

Sorry, unable to post pics. Interested parties PM me and I will e-mail them to you.

Thanks,
DanL

 

[Herb]

DanL- Here is a rifle in the State Historical Museum in Des Moines, Iowa. It has what is called a closed buckhorn sight. I didn't write down anything about this rifle. But there is an original Hawken in the National Park Service museum in St Louis by the Arch, and it also has this closed buckhorn sight. Looked like a 1/4" flat washer for a rear sight. I have made and used them and like them. Actually took a big buckhorn sight and bent the horns closed. Also made my own. Muzzleloader Builders' Supply has a blank, you can drill your own hole. Doc Gary White, who owned the old Green River Rifle Works, told me he shoots a closed buckhorn sight and nobody has challenged him on it. Some original MLs had a tang peep sight, you see photos of them in some books. I make my own by turning an 8x32 oval head bolt into the tang until the slot lines up snugly cross ways. Then solder a penny in and drill a small hole (1/16") for the peep. If it's not right, plug or solder it closed and redrill to correct.

 

[Smoke Rookie]

I've posted here before about wishing for a fiber optic sight that would fit on my GPR. I love that rifle, but think the front blade is about the most worthless thing on earth. It's like holding out my arm, sticking my thumb up, and pointing at something. I know it's not traditional, but I WANT somthing better. I guess I'll try Lyman's front bead sight until something better comes along. I don't like the looks of Lyman's peep, so I guess I'm stuck. What do people think of that fold down Lyman rear sight. Should I get that too, or is it a pain when you're out hunting?

Thanks for any help,
Brandon

By the way, people told me once that there ARE fiber optic sights for the GPR, but I could never find any. Are there ones that will fit the .380 euro of Lyman, (or whatever the number is) or would I have to do some additional work. I ask because I'm not exactly "handy".