Trying to make a peep sight, should be easy.

[Eric Krewson]

I can't see sights anymore so I tried copying a peep made and sold by Lowell Harrier, I thought it would be a piece of cake, not so.

Here is Lowell's;

My first one was too far from my eye.

My second one was too sloppy;

My third one came out OK after hours of trying to bend everything so my sights would be perfectly lined up when I shouldered the gun and looked through the peep. Of course I will cut off the excess metal and file a nice round finial around the aperture, round and slick the whole thing up then brown it. My sights are fairly clear when I look through the peep. Bending the metal to perfectly match the curvature of the tang was the most frustrating part, all I have is a map gas torch.

Disclaimer: the gun in the picture is the first gun I ever build, from a plank no less. Let's just say it has .....flaws but had been filling the freezer ever since I built it. I did become a much better builder over the years.

 

[LeftHandGuy]

This is a really interesting project. What range would you be hoping to shoot out to?

 

[EC121]

Looks like you did the same thing I did and used metal that was too thick and hard to bend. Haarer's metal is about half as thick as what I used.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Yeppers. Looks like a simple task but a good end result can be tricky to achieve. I tried several for my Little Fella while the build was in progress, failed every attempt. Ended up with a real nice modified Johnson from the genius builder, Dave Person.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

I can't see sights anymore so I tried copying a peep made and sold by Lowell Harrier, I thought it would be a piece of cake, not so.

Neat idea for those who want a peep. Since I/we can't see under the peep, I have a question: How is the angular alignment kept if the sight has to be removed for any reason? I can only see the one connection via the tang screw.
Thanks for posting the sight
Flintlocklar

 

[Nameless Hunter]

Is that 11 gauge?
Might be my eyes playing tricks on me...

 

[Griz44Mag]

Might consider drilling that hole out and tapping it for an aperture, Make changeout a snap when switching from target shooting to hunting.
To use the standard Williams or Lyman inserts the thread is a 7/32 x 40.

 

[EC121]

Windage is only adjusted by twisting the sight, and then the hole goes from round to oval. The most accurate way for windage is to dovetail a peepsight into the base.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Windage is only adjusted by twisting the sight, and then the hole goes from round to oval. The most accurate way for windage is to dovetail a peepsight into the base.

Or - something like a Pedersoli Ghost - I fit mine with an aperture, You get windage and elevation easily adjusted.
For range changes I have worked out the number of half turns on the post I need to distances from 50 to 200 yards.

 

[Walkingeagle]

Eric, here’s one made from a simple spoon handle I picked up from a second hand store. Please excuse the rifle it’s on, but the sight was very easy to make. Used a thread to “string line” the original sights and mark the aperture location prior to removal of the original rear sight.
Fyi, the sight has since been removed once proven accurate, polished and cleaned up, then remounted.
Walk

 

[hawkeye2]

By drilling & tapping the folded portion of the sight near the vertical part a set screw could provide limited vertical adjustment. Bending the folded portion or shimming between the sight and tang could do it too.

 

[Eric Krewson]

I use the normal rear sight for windage and center the peep so the rear is perfectly centered in the peep. I have a normal sight picture looking through the peep.

My sights are set to hit 1" high at 50 and 4" low at 100. I don't do much target shooting, this is mostly a hunting rifle.

On this gun I will probably put a couple drops of JB weld under the sight to keep it from shifting side to side. On a better gun, if I need the peep sight I may drill and tap another hole forward of the first and through the tang.

At the present I can't shoot any of my open sighted guns accurately, the sights are blur. I made all my guns, no telling where they will go after I groak so another hole won't be a big deal. I am pretty good at filling holes and can if need to sell a gun.

I filled this one on a lock plate recently, it is to the rear of the bolster screw, you gotta' look close;

 

[dd832]

You might try the EyePal system - EyePal | Get back on the Range with EyePal
I'm in the same boat as you & works for me.
Mike

 

[sdilts]

I second the EyePal system. It works.

 

[Eric Krewson]

I have trifocals, I have tried the hole in the electricians tape thing, it was very hard to get it in the right place on a limited space so it would be just right when I put my cheek on the stock.

 

[JohnnieT]

Disclaimer: the gun in the picture is the first gun I ever build, from a plank no less. Let's just say it has .....flaws but had been filling the freezer ever since I built it. I did become a much better builder over the years.

Not sure what your disclaimer is for. The only thing that shows up on my screen is a very nice rifle.

 

[Flinty Scot]

Following.
I use an EyePal & swear by it. I'm nearsighted, but cataracts make a memory of clear sight pictures. EyePal sharpens the sights enough for me to shoot respectably.

These are all interesting; I've played with making a peep sight, but do not want to drill or cut another dovetail until I've rigged & tried one. You've given me several ideas. Thanks.

 

[SDSmlf]

Eyepal worked for a while...... but not anymore. Currently using 1.0 reading glasses. Allow me to see the sights with a bit of a blurred ‘target’. Going to get prescription glasses (right eye only, left will be progressive I believe, still researching) made to focus on gunsights after upcoming eye exam. A few in the group I shoot CMP with (military iron sights) have gotten them and they almost feel like they are cheating the way they can now see the sights. Progressive and trifocals seem to be the most difficult to use in different shooting positions as you have concentrate on moving your head to focus on sights instead of getting a good cheek weld with the stock. Just my opinion.

 

[Grimord]

One way to see if a peep sight will work for you, and where to place it on your rifle is to get a 3/8" donut shaped rare earth magnet. You can stick the magnet anywhere on the barrel or tang to find the best location. I have even just stuck them on the existing rear sight for a clearer sight picture. The magnest are usually available at True Value or Harbor Freight.

 

[Eric Krewson]

Rare earth magnets were my first test to see if this would work for me, Harbor freights were too big so I ordered some off ebay.