Author Topic: Smiths ladder sight?  (Read 1503 times)

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Offline Badnews Bob

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Smiths ladder sight?
« on: March 01, 2005, 06:12:57 AM »
Anyone have one yet? I am considering one for my .38-55 and am real interested in your opinions. I also need to get a lower front sight, Has anybody looked at maybe using a straight front blade instead of the globe?

I'm thinking the rifle might look good with a german silver front and the Smith ladder rear. I'm a sucker for straight iron to begin with, What are you thoughts? 8)
Badnews Bob
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Offline James B

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2005, 08:09:59 AM »
I would like to get one. They are not however windage adjustable so I would have to go with a windage adjustable front sight. I need to do some more looking to find the right combo.
shot placement is everything.

Offline quickdtoo

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2005, 08:15:41 AM »
The windage adjustable part was where I got stumped....but I never found a windage adjustable front sight that costs less than $165!!  :eek:
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Offline Badnews Bob

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2005, 08:26:13 AM »
thats pertly why I'm looking at a front blade, been drifting them for years. 8)
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Offline quickdtoo

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2005, 08:29:03 AM »
If you're not interested in making windage adjustments for actual shooting conditions, but just to sight in, the Smith ladder sight appears to be adjustable within the dovetail base, FWIW. Between it and the lateral adjustment in the front dovetail, there should be plenty of adjustment range. :wink:
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Offline Badnews Bob

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2005, 08:34:25 AM »
I don't shoot well enuff for that yet Quick but I'm purdy good at Kentucky wiindage, it's in the blood ya know. :wink:
Badnews Bob
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Offline quickdtoo

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #6 on: March 01, 2005, 08:36:31 AM »
Yup, I know whatcha mean! :wink:  :-D
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Offline Haywire Haywood

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #7 on: March 01, 2005, 10:52:28 AM »
Bob and I were talking about the windage thing with the Smith Ladder (which I have on order.. can't wait for it to arrive).  What about opening up the dovetail just enough to allow moving the sight by hand and then installing a set screw in the middle to secure it in place once you adjust it. That's basically how the factory Williams sight works.

Ian
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Offline GrampaMike

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #8 on: March 01, 2005, 11:07:32 AM »
I am thinking about putting one on my Buffalo Classic 45-70, but the lack of windage adjustment has stopped me so far.  But I also figured I would use Tennessee Windage (upgrade from Kentucky Windage :) ).  But the Smith Ladder Sight sure would look better on the BC in place of the Williams.  I could take the BC Williams rear sight and put it on another Handi-Rifle (would it fit on a non-BC rifle?).  I think I just talked myself into it.  Where is the place place to order the Smith Ladder Sight?
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Offline Deadeye47

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #9 on: March 01, 2005, 11:21:20 AM »
Quote from: Haywire Haywood
Bob and I were talking about the windage thing with the Smith Ladder (which I have on order.. can't wait for it to arrive).  What about opening up the dovetail just enough to allow moving the sight by hand and then installing a set screw in the middle to secure it in place once you adjust it. That's basically how the factory Williams sight works.

Ian
Now that!  :idea: Is a good idea!  If ya got enough meat to get a good size set screw in there....I don't know if a really small set screw would hold up with moisture and etc reaking havoc on it...too easy to bugger up... :roll:
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Offline sureshot2040

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #10 on: March 01, 2005, 11:32:33 AM »
you wont need to open up the dovetail any iffin yours is like mine
i tapped it lightly with a soft hammer and drift and almost knocked it plum out of the dovetail. a set screw might be a good idea you have almost a quarter of an inch of adjustment in the dovetail without getting the base outside of the dovetail
sureshot

Offline quickdtoo

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #11 on: March 01, 2005, 11:41:46 AM »
Mike, the Williams WGRS-H&R sight that comes on the BC will fit all H&R rifles that are drilled and tapped for the H&R scope rail. The Smith sight is available at Buffalo Arms.

http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,4191.html
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Offline GrampaMike

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #12 on: March 01, 2005, 12:00:45 PM »
Thanks Quick, will order one tonight.  

Any suggestions on which H&R/NEF rifle that might like the BC Williams sight?
Grampa Mike
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Offline quickdtoo

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #13 on: March 01, 2005, 12:10:01 PM »
I put one on one of my 45-70 barrels...I have a Williams shorty ramp and firesight bead ordered for it, should be here Friday from Midway...





http://www.castbullet.com/shooting/1871.htm
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Offline GrampaMike

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #14 on: March 02, 2005, 11:17:24 AM »
Ordered my "Smith Ladder Sight" for my BC.

Thanks Quick for the link.
Grampa Mike
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Offline CAS Marshal

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Sight question
« Reply #15 on: March 02, 2005, 04:00:41 PM »
Where can you get a front blade sight and what height should it be to go with a smith sight?

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Sight question
« Reply #16 on: March 02, 2005, 04:06:36 PM »
Quote from: CAS Marshal
Where can you get a front blade sight and what height should it be to go with a smith sight?


Welcome aboard! :D I would check out the sights at www.buffaloarms.com and give em a call, they should be able to help ya out with the correct sight.
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline CAS Marshal

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Sight question
« Reply #17 on: March 02, 2005, 04:23:34 PM »
Thanks for the welcome! I have emailed Buffalo Arms with my question.

Offline quickdtoo

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #18 on: March 02, 2005, 04:35:39 PM »
Cas, they don't answer questions by email unless it's about an order that has been placed, that's why I suggested you call them.

From their contact page...
Quote
Do to the volume of the emails and the complexity of our particular niche we are a unable to use the comment form below to answer all your questions. Please contact us during store hours at the phone number above and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have. We ask that you use the contact form only if you have a question in regards to a previously existing order or, if you are an international customer that cannot contact us because of time zone and language constraints. Be sure to include your order number, your name, address and phone number with any questions you may have.

We apologize if this creates any inconvenience.


http://www.buffaloarms.com/feedback.htm
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Offline ONE HOLE 4570

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #19 on: March 03, 2005, 03:36:06 AM »
Quick, what height are you using for your shorty ramp & fire sight?? with the williams peep?? I put one on mine but it is way too low shoots 18in high at 25yrds with factory 405's lead pmc for sighting on paper loads. Cant remenber what ramp I have I think it is the 3/16.

Nice looking 4570 how does she shoot with the monty stock not too high a comb??, like that fore arm
I find the monty a liitle too high with a peep but the shotgun stock a little too low, may have to sand some off one of my extra monty's when time permits.

good looking handi nice job
One hole 4570
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Offline quickdtoo

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #20 on: March 03, 2005, 05:54:26 AM »
I'm using the same sight height as Junior Doughty, 9/32''shorty ramp except the ramp is made for an .815" barrel so it fits better, and a .375" high insert. Since he is shooting black powder, you may even be able to go a bit higher....I haven't shot mine yet, so don't go exactly by what I'm using. His rear sight shows he's got plenty of up movement left to go but not much down movement remaining. Williams has both higher and shorter Firesight inserts. They come in .250", .290", .312", .343", .375", .406" and .450" heights.
The MC stock lets me line up on the sights just fine, must be an issue for some folks, though, it's been mentioned before.


http://www.castbullet.com/shooting/1871.htm

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=313376

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=685600
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Offline Haywire Haywood

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #21 on: March 04, 2005, 12:18:59 PM »
Got it in the mail today.  It's sweet.. I like it.  It mounts right up to the stock scope base screw holes.  Fit and finish are great.  The ladder is held in place by a spring loaded ball like a socket is held onto a ratchet.  The ladder has a series of detents on the edge that it clicks into.

Ian
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Offline quickdtoo

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #22 on: March 04, 2005, 12:21:13 PM »
Ian, the description says it has a peep hole slider, but the pic looks like it has a notch in it.....which is it?   An aperture or a notch???


Thx,

Tim
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Offline Haywire Haywood

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« Reply #23 on: March 04, 2005, 12:31:41 PM »
Yep, that pic threw me off too.  It's a peep and about the right size to boot.  The stock hood on the front sight frames up nicely.  Easy to center.

Ian
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Offline quickdtoo

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #24 on: March 04, 2005, 12:34:21 PM »
Well, I'm glad you ordered one cuz that's one of the things about it that I was apprehensive about....I may still get one after I get a shootin report from ya!!

Thanks again,

Tim
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline Haywire Haywood

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #25 on: March 04, 2005, 12:51:28 PM »
Hehe... me shootin... that'll be a laugh.  Between me learnin' the ins and outs of loading BP cartridges and learning a new sighting arrangement too, the targets should last a long time.. the target frames tho may suffer a bit  :) .  I'll post my results as soon as I get to a range.  If I can shoot decent groups at 100 yds, I've got 400 and change scoped out at a buddy's cabin an hour or so from here.

good shootin',
Ian
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Offline Badnews Bob

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #26 on: March 05, 2005, 02:00:10 AM »
Haywire can't even see a target at 400 yards I think he outta let me baorrow that sight or my .38-55. :grin:
Badnews Bob
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Offline Haywire Haywood

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« Reply #27 on: March 05, 2005, 02:06:09 AM »
Not all targets are equal Bob, I plan on shooting at a 2'x3' steel plate painted a really bright color.... and those rocks at the base are for holding the posts... they are not targets.. :)

Ian
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Offline Deadeye47

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« Reply #28 on: March 05, 2005, 07:30:18 AM »
You should get pretty good groups Ian with the BP at 100yds.....I was really surprised the first loads I shot with Pyrodex and not even the correct components......405 grain bullets w/GC with smokeless lube and and a wad under the bullet... you should be pleasantly surprised  8) ..........and really hooked then..... :wink:
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Offline Badnews Bob

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Smiths ladder sight?
« Reply #29 on: March 06, 2005, 06:51:16 AM »
After playing around with Ian's yesterday, I gotta get one. I think it will be all my .38-55 will need. I do believe a front blade will serve me better than the globe thats on it. I'm ate up with it boy and there aint no cure :-D  :-D  :-D  :twisted:  :roll:  :wink:
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