GTA
Airguns by Make and Model => Barra Airguns => Topic started by: a1rgunz on December 19, 2019, 03:56:48 PM
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I'm not the greatest shot with open sights, but I wanted to see if I could shoot tighter groups with my 1866 if I upgraded the sights. I settled on a Williams 5d series Winchester 94/36 receiver sight. The 1866 lacks any of the traditional mounting points for peep sights, so I super glued the sight base in place on the left hand side of the receiver. I then drilled holes in the receiver with a #31 drill bit and tapped them to accept 6-48 screws. I added a tiny drop of superglue to the threads of the screws before using them to secure the mount to the receiver.
This alone shrunk my group size from 1.2" to .98". Heading in the right direction, but the front sight was too short to properly zero the rifle. I then designed a short LDC with a shrouded front sight to correct this. I also designed a barrel stabilizer. Here's what it all looks like put together:
(https://www.airgununiverse.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/IMG_20191212_111841_2-768x242.jpg)
With the LDC being so short (45 mm long), it isn't whisper quiet at 10 pumps, but it really takes the pop out of the shot. It backdrafts the air into the space between the LDC and the barrel stabilizer within the barrel shroud. The front sight post extends downward from the top of the front sight hood. This gives a virtually unobstructed view of the target, something I've found especially useful in hunting applications.
So was this worth it? Have a look at this 25 yard 5 shot group:
(https://www.airgununiverse.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/IMG_20191206_164317-768x662.jpg)
I've taken quite a few squirrels (getting close to my possession limit) with this setup and it has held zero perfectly in spite of being hauled out in the woods in the cold and wet. The weather hasn't been great lately for paper punching, but I'm sure with some additional practice better groups are to be had in the future!
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I like your whole setup. You have done well
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I like peeps so much more than open sights. With my eyes, I can't aim accurately with open sights.
There's probably a peep sight that's better suited for your rifle but I don't know what it might be.
Who cares though as long as you are happy. A lot of peep sight systems for PBs assume that you'll have to drill and tap anyway.
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Not having that new lever yet, I am going to ask... What about a tang mounted peep?
That would look sa-weet!
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Not having that new lever yet, I am going to ask... What about a tang mounted peep?
That would look sa-weet!
lol, that it would! I almost went that route, but the Williams was a good deal cheaper than any tang sight I could find. That being said, I believe a tang sight would be much easier to install. A Lyman #2 tang sight for a Winchester 94 looks to be a near perfect match.
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I like it, the overall look brings to mind the Shiloh sharps Mathew Quigley used.
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Geo,
Did you 3D print the LDC/sight? If so, any chance you'd share the STL file? Thinking of getting one of these gun as a back-up.
Thanks
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Not having that new lever yet, I am going to ask... What about a tang mounted peep?
That would look sa-weet!
lol, that it would! I almost went that route, but the Williams was a good deal cheaper than any tang sight I could find. That being said, I believe a tang sight would be much easier to install. A Lyman #2 tang sight for a Winchester 94 looks to be a near perfect match.
I did spend the coin for a tang sight, cost more than the rifle. Easy to mount using the rear existing screw, and drill the front screw hole , I used a self tapping screw for that.
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I was going to post that James. ;)
If you would, please add a pic of yours here or a link to your post.
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I was going to post that James. ;)
If you would, please add a pic of yours here or a link to your post.
OK wow I post a lot :o seemed like I just posted that a few days ago ;D. yes the Lyman #2 tang sight is a perfect fit.
https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=95142.msg155872712#msg155872712 (https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=95142.msg155872712#msg155872712)
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Quigley
;)
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LOL last Sunday when we went out for brunch, a young man 20's ? came in wearing a western style trench coat and hat, SWMBO saw it and commented on how cool it looked, first thing that came to mind was wow that would coordinate well with my Barra 1866. I mentioned that to the young man, his name was Dillion, that I had the perfect accessory for his coat and hat, and showed him pics of the 1866, and told him where to buy one, his eyes lit up as he checked it out online.
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Nice set up....reminds me of my 1866 yellow boy reproduction in 45 caliber....
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Quigley
;)
Now he just needs a miniature wooden bucket to shoot at.
I haven't shot mine in a while, I just can't get used to how it shoulders.
I think some kind of lace on leather recoil pad will solve that, I may have to make something.