Williams FP or Marbles Tang?

[Steve in Michigan]

I have lost part of the vision in my right eye, so I can no longer see through a scope very well, however I can still see quite well through a peep sight. My question is this. I have a Savage 99, 1953 production, that I want to mount a peep sight on. The tang is drilled and tapped and will take the Marbles Tang Sight. I'm not sure if that is the best way to go versus the Williams FP (I would have to get the receiver drilled and tapped for this). As for the old Redfield receiver sights that fit on the tang, they are almost impossible to find.

Which sight is going to be a better setup in regards to durability and ease of use? Is it worth getting the receiver drilled and tapped to have the Williams FP?

You guys with the Marbles Tangs - what do you think of the sight and tang sights in general?

Thanks for any opinions you can direct my way,

Steve

[Rangr44]

Here's a Redfield 102 peep, for auction - with 9 hours left until close:

http://cgi.ebay.com/REDFIELD-RECEIVER-SIGHT-102-SAVAGE-1899-SCREWS-PEEP_W0QQitemZ120279723687QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item120279723687&_trksid=p3286.m14.l1318

Good luck

[Tencubed]

I don't shoot a savage but do use the tang mounted peep on a few '94 Winchesters.  They are durable and dependable.  I like the ability to fold them down when they are in a boot, keeps them from getting hung up on limbs and brush.

I do have fold down open sights in the barrel dovetails as a backup in case the tang sight gets damaged.  To date I've never had to use the backup but still nice to know it's there.

Mike

[Helice]

Steve,
I have a Savage 1899 in 250-3000.  It is equiped with a tang sight with a very open aperture-- kind of a l920s ghost ring.  These rifles are so delightful to carry.  I could not imagine hanging a block off aluminum of the side of your weapon.  For me it would just be in the way.  I have a Marble tang sight on a 94AE Trapper and it is huge.  It is always in my way.  But the tang sights for the 99s are small and graceful and far enough forward that you can still wrap your thumb around the stock.  Follow your heart here Steve, but you owe it to yourself to get your hands on a 99 with a tang sight on it before you drill into a beautiful Ol' Savage.    If you weren't so far away I'd loan you mine and you could get a feel for it.  Helice

[Lloyd Smale]

I dont like tangs. I put them on a few guns because i thought they looked cool but ended up getting rid of all of them because they interfered with the natural way i gripped the gun. If it were mine considering its an old classic id try to find an old steel redfield or lyman apature sight that had a little bit of a worn look to it to match the age of the gun. I think a new anodized aluminum one would look a liittle tacky

[Steve in Michigan]

Thank you all for the really great responses. I did check with my local gunsmith about drilling and tapping the receiver so I could install a standard Williams FP 99S receiver sight. He said it would cost $60 to drill and tap, but on some of the 99s they had to anneal the back of the receiver because it was too hard and that would cost an additional $20 if they had to do it. Luckily, I did find a Redfield tang-mount receiver sight on Auction Arms. Not cheap, but less money than the drill and tap program and no chance of butchering up my 99. I think I prefer it to the Marbles tang sight. Time will tell. If I don't like it, I can always sell it, probably for what I've got in it or more - that's the nice thing about old classic receiver sights. Thank goodness for the internet. I would never have found one without it. Surprisingly, I found about four different ones on eBay, Auction Arms and Gunbroker. Some of them went for as much as $160, but at least they are out there.

Thanks again for your responses.