Why are rear sites so far forward?

ol vern said:

So us old farts can see them. :rotf: :rotf:

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Vern, that is really true. I bet most of us have to use reading glasses. Without them, when we look at a printed page we have to hold it at arms length so it comes into focus. Or worse, ask someone to hold it for us further away. I think it just come down to a focal length that works for older eyes.

I'm old, moldy, ugly; and bald.. and I squint.. that's why.
thom

flehto said:

When locating a rear sight, hand comfort is an important factor. This is how I do it....the fully assembled rifle is held at the balance point w/ the hand and there's 2 choices....forward or aft of the hand. I opt for the forward position which locates the sight over some part of the entry pipe. Have found this varies slightly depending on the swamped bbl, but always over the entry pipe. Have had compliments from buyers as to the above rear sight location and never had a complaint. Perhaps my builds were purchased by "older folks" who need a longer distance to the rear sight...Fred

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Great info, Fred.

I had one rifle with the rear sight almost smack dab over the balance point. NEVER again for me, thank you! That RS tore my hand up on more than one occasion, even though I rounded the edges a lot after the first time it did it.

Gus

Yes...a rear sight that's under hand can be quite painful.

Forgot to mention that the "sighting plane" w/ the rear sight approx. 12" from the breech and over the entry pipe still affords a sighting plane that's over 30" using 44"-46" bbls. That's a lot longer than most CF iron sighted rifles. Even w/ a 42" bbl, the sighting plane is more than 28".

So there's 3 advantages w/ placing the rear sight as I described...being able to see the sights better, still a long "sighting plane" and no rear sight under hand.

My LRs for a number of years have been "spec builds" so unknown buyers are the customers and the above rear sight location engendered no complaints.....Fred

Paid extra attention to this today and I'll have to admit, the read sight was a bit blurry. I had thought it was just the fibre optics being wonky but it doesn't seem to be. I appreciate the info!

You have seen my rifles!!

nhmoose said:

You have seen my rifles!!

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:wink: Now check them again in 14 years. :shocked2:

Fred, a tang mounted large aperture would solve all those problems,still be period correct although not as popular and more accurate to boot!

Appreciate your thoughts on this subject, but....tried "peeps" many years ago on a CF and although it worked well on targets, on game it "flunked".

Asre MLers....it kinda doesn't look like it belongs....in spite of perhaps being HC on a few original MLers....Fred

"Appreciate your thoughts on this subject, but....tried "peeps" many years ago on a CF and although it worked well on targets, on game it "flunked"."

Take the aperture out. Instant ghost ring. A small aperture is not suited to field use. Even with a large aperture peep sights are far faster and more accurate than any open sight.

Shooting w/ the small hole insert removed is the only way I shot a peep sight. On targets and level ground the peep was accurate, but hunted deer in country w/ a lot of steep wooded canyons and there it didn't work out. My buddy had the same problem.

Liked the peep on the M1 Garand when in the Army and shot very accurately w/ its large aperture peep, but again, level ground.......Fred

When a builder is making a rifle for a client, and the client is able to meet face to face with the builder, the builder will have the client hold the rifle to his shoulder and sight at the front sight. Then the rear sight will be set on top of the barrel and moved forward or backward until it is clearly seen by the client. This is the place where the rear sight will be placed. If, however, the rear sight ends up sitting at the balance point, the builder will usually move it forward slightly to get it away from the balance point.

If the builder and client cannot meet face to face, it is quite common for the rear sight to be placed just forward of the balance point. This is for comfort when carrying the rifle.