Lever action tang sights

[jimster]

Have a question for those that use peep sights mounted on the tang.  I like peeps on levers, but have only used receiver mounted peeps.  Did it seem awkward looking for a place for your thumb to go?
I have never actually shot a lever with the tang mounted peep, but have handled them.  I'm used to wrapping my thumb around the wrist of the rifle so the ones I've handled seemed awkward to hold.  The reason I ask is I don't want to drill and tap a receiver on a certain rifle, but want a peep....it's going to cost me well over 100 bucks for one, but if I mount one I'm wondering if changing the way i hold it, and lever it will be a huge thing to get used to.  Does your thumb need to do something a lot different, or be in a lot different place while using the tang peep sights?

Thanks for your input

Jim

[Castaway]

I have a tang on my Trapper and would do it again.  I don't have a problem with handling the rifle or carrying it with the tang.  Doesn't get in my way at all.  If you get one, I recommend a Marble over the Lyman.  The Lyman post wobbles.  Tried two different ones, even went so far as to remove the post and wrapped it with Teflon tape to tighten it.  The Marble on the other hand is rock solid.  Additionally, it has click adjustable windage, something the Lyman doesn't have.

[jimster]

Castaway, I have decided if I get one I do want one adjustable for windage.  Wondering, do you drape your thumb over the tang mount when you shoot, or do you keep your thumb up and out of the way?  Was kind of wondering how most people do this. 

Thanks
Jim

[Castaway]

My thumb is behind the tang when I shoot.  I've found that with heavy loads, I need to reset the tang to its upmost position as recoil makes it set back a smidgen.  Not enough to make a difference if shooting a second shot at a moving deer, but enough to drop the point of impact from the bench at the range, spreading the group downwards.

[LeverBar]

A few years ago, I acquired a '94 Winchester in a trade--Marble sight on the tang.  First time I'd ever shot with a peep.  I'm fortunate that the rifle had this sight.  I'm installing them on all my Winchesters.  My eyes are 53 years old and changing for the worse each day.  The regular rear sights on my rifles are getting too blurry to use quickly and accurately.

For me, the tang sight helps with speed on target, ease of target acquisition, visibility of target, and accuracy.  The front sight and the target matter; the rear sight (tang) just disappears.  --Great system!

Most people who have them get used to them without much bother.  My thumb is over the the stock.  I've read of shooters who lay their thumb along side the stock/sight.

Caution!!!  Shortly after I began shooting with the tang sight, I made a huge mistake.  From a lifetime of letting Winchester hammers down gently--wrapping my thumb over the hammer, keeping pressure on it, and slightly pulling the trigger, I goofed.  I wasn't looking at what I was doing, just naturally going through the steps.  Instead of having my thumb on the hammer, I had it around the tang sight.  Pulled the trigger--BOOM!  Fortunately, the rifle was pointed safely away from the people who were with me--my Sons!  I showed them what I had done--embarrassing, but if it helps them to not make this mistake, then I may have saved a life/lives.  Guess what I do now when it is time to move the hammer to the safe position?!

Definitely do mount a tang sight on your rifle.

[Mikey]

Castaway x 2.  Leverbar x 2 +.  Mikey.

[jimster]

Well, thanks for all the replies everyone, I've always liked peeps, and I'm going to try the tang peep for sure.  I'll be using my thumb over the stock also I would imagine to keep as close to what I'm used to as I can.  I have the tang sights boiled down to two options, either the Marbles, or the one that Steve Young the 92 guy sells...don't know what that brand that is but it's adjustable for windage like the Marble one.  Might be he sells the Marble one, I'll have to ask. 

Thanks again

JW

[prairiedog555]

I have a old 336 Marlin, would like to get a tang sight.  Do you need to replace the front sight?  Anyone use tang sight on a Marlin, which brand?

[AtlLaw]

I have a old 336 Marlin, would like to get a tang sight.  Do you need to replace the front sight?  Anyone use tang sight on a Marlin, which brand?

Got a Marbles (I think) on mine.  Used the same front sight.

[Rangr44]

Do you need to replace the front sight? - No.

You can do it a few different ways.
One way,is to remove the barrel rear sight, filling the dovetail slot with a filler blank, and just use the tang sight as you would any other peep.
Another way, would be to zero a folding leaf rear barrel sight for short range (say, 50-75yds), and zero the tang sight for a longer range (say, 125yds). If you hunt the brush with the barrel sight, there'll be enough time to unfold the tang sight, if game is spotted afar.


Anyone use tang sight on a Marlin, which brand? - Yes.

Pay your money & make your choice.

The Lyman is less expensive than the Marble's, but the Marble's has click-adjustable W&E, while the Lyman must be shimmed under one side of the base to adjust windage.

The Marble's has a thin upper stem, while the Lyman appears more robust in that area.

Both are available for the least money, AFAIK, from MidwayUSA.

[AtlLaw]

,snip>remove the barrel rear sight, filling the dovetail slot with a filler blank,

that's what I did.

zero a folding leaf rear barrel sight for short rage (say, 50-75yds), and zero the tang sight for a longer range (say, 125yds).

DARN!!!  What a heckova good idea!  I gonna do dat!