Rifle Sights on a Smoothbore?

[flmason]

Hi All,
   As mentioned elsehwere, bought a 20 ga. single shot Pardner. Was wondering about the idea of putting adjustable sights on it for slug use?

Anyone ever done it? Does it cause problems with wingshooting?

Any recommended makes and models of sight?

Kind of thinking one of the things that makes smoothbore so versatile is that you can switch to slugs at a moment's notice, kind of wanted to optimize that without wrecking the wingshooting. I'm just guessing that if one uses the Churchhill sort of method it shouldn't be a problem?

[tacklebury]

Don't know how much messing around you want to do, but for smoothbore, this might work.  You could use a bit of epoxy and a good straight edge to keep these aligned and glue them to the barrel.  Then if you don't like it, you can hit it once or twice with a rubber mallet and knock it off.  If they work, you could then solder them on or use more epoxy. 
 
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/truglo-slug-series-remington.aspx?a=420487

[spikehorn]

I have a red dot on a 20ga smoothie mod choke switch back and forth from shot to slug all the time. I shoot red dots with both eyes open easy for wing shooting.

[flmason]

Those are both interesting ideas. Thanks much gentlemen.


@Spikehorn - Ever tried the Red Dot on a rifle? Have to admit, never tried one, but have a Mosin Nagant that if it's like most of them, will be shooting way high at it's lowest sight setting. Might be interesting to try a Red Dot on it if I can figure a decent mount out that won't mess the gun up.

[Spanky]

Call H&R and order a set of sights or look around for a Tracker I 20ga. barrel. The Tracker I is a smoothbore with sights. It's cylinder bore but you could have it threaded for choke tubes.
 
 
 
Spanky

[rio grande]

I made an excellent (to me, anyway) small rear sight of aluminum for my 12 ga.
Worked with the standard front bead.
Glued it on w/ 'gorilla glue', which I assume it a form of epoxy.  After a few shots it fell off.

What kind of epoxy do you guys use?

I don't think the problem is the sights, but how to attach them to the relatively thin barrel.

[PHATINJUN]

I believe there are a few epoxies listed in the faqs one thing you want to do though is make sure you rough up the surface. Kurt

[spikehorn]

Those are both interesting ideas. Thanks much gentlemen.


@Spikehorn - Ever tried the Red Dot on a rifle? Have to admit, never tried one, but have a Mosin Nagant that if it's like most of them, will be shooting way high at it's lowest sight setting. Might be interesting to try a Red Dot on it if I can figure a decent mount out that won't mess the gun up.

Never tried one one a rifle. I do have one on a mossberg 835 And shoot federal 3" #5 and 3 1/2" #5 turkey loads and it has held up. I do know someone who has one thier AK47.

[tacklebury]

I made an excellent (to me, anyway) small rear sight of aluminum for my 12 ga.
Worked with the standard front bead.
Glued it on w/ 'gorilla glue', which I assume it a form of epoxy.  After a few shots it fell off.

What kind of epoxy do you guys use?

I don't think the problem is the sights, but how to attach them to the relatively thin barrel.

Gorilla glue isn't epoxy and it isn't really meant for this type of application.  If you get a 5 min set quick epoxy, it will take about 7k psi.  IF you get a slow set 15+ minute epoxy, it will often take 10k+ pressures.  So for testing purposes use one small spot of 5 min and then when everything is proved out, tap it off sideways with a leather or plastic face mallet and apply 15 minute epoxy after cleaning the surface of the old epoxy.  Once this is on the surface let it dry for about 3 minutes to "tack-up" some before sticking it in place on the barrel.  Then attach it making sure it is aligned correctly, as you will not be able to break this off as easily, then use a heavy rubber band twisted up on a stick to hold it tight so it won't creep off that spot.  Leather thong wrapped around and around works good too, but if epoxy squeezes out, it might bond to it...  lol

[woodchukhntr]

JB Weld works very well.  I have used it on front and rear sights and even for a scope base for a "scout" setup on a H&R .45-70.  I cheated though and used a single screw into the the screw hole for the rear sight.  If you ever want to restore the barrel to original condition, just heat the part with a propane torch until the part comes off and then wipe the remaining epoxy off the barrel while still it's still soft with a coarse cotton cloth.

[quasne.inc]

I am thinking of trying one of the ATI heat shields with ghost ring sights on it.  http://www.atigunstocks.com/p-67-deluxe-heatshield-with-ghost-ring-sights.aspx
It may not look as nice as what some of the fellas have already suggested, but it would be easier to remove I would think.

[gcrank1]

Sights a just a point of reference, about any combination that works for this can be surprisingly accurate, even dual beads as on some shotguns, that you visually 'stack' one on the other can work well for single projectiles as long as they are pointed the same way the 'ball' goes.

[flmason]

Sights a just a point of reference, about any combination that works for this can be surprisingly accurate, even dual beads as on some shotguns, that you visually 'stack' one on the other can work well for single projectiles as long as they are pointed the same way the 'ball' goes.

You have a point there. I saw one "Bubba job" somewhere, where the owner had used two pull ties around the barrel, with the clasp of each one just on either side of the centerline.  I s'pose if the elevation is right, probably works just fine. I suppose even small enough single tie put just ahead of the forend and wittled down a but to serve as a mid barrel bead could work too, if one doesn't mind that sort of thing. At the very least it'd let you work with the idea and see if a permanent mod if worthwile.

[gcrank1]

Just so.

[rio grande]

Thank you woodchukhntr and tacklebury for the epoxy info. I printed it out for reference.
My rear sight is very small, radiused notch to match front bead, aluminum so easy to make by hand with files and emery paper....and light so less stress from recoil.  Radiused on bottom to match barrel.
You hardly notice it and no sharp edges.
You have to daub on some black paint.
I used it with a .45acp insert adapter and also aguila 12 gauge mini-slugs.

[tacklebury]

Np and hope it helps.   

[reliquary]

I used JB Weld to hold a rail onto the dust cover of an AK, worked fine.  Later got a factory version, but still have the old one.  If you do something like that, attach the scope and boresight it (or the Bubba equivaleent, like me) before the stuff sets.  Saves a lot of adjustments later.
 
I used the Red Dot on my Hi-Point .45 carbine but switched to a Sight-Mark Sure Shot and am very happy with it.  The Red Dot is now on an SKS.

[Airsporter]

Don't know how much messing around you want to do, but for smoothbore, this might work.   
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/truglo-slug-series-remington.aspx?a=420487

I don't think the TruGlo sights include any barrel bases, just the dovetail 'inserts' on top.  The picture definitely shows a factory Remington base.