Is there a rhyme & reason for which sight?

[Wyoduster]

Is there a certain sights (front & Back) that should go with a specific caliber or gun style??? I know thats a big question but What are the basics?? 

[rich pierce]

Longrifles before 1800 and often well beyond used low sights. Typically iron rear sight and brass dovetail/silver blade. Sometimes the front sight was 1/8” high or even lower.

Plains rifles sometimes had buckhorn style rear sights that were quite a bit higher and a silver bladed front sight correspondingly taller than earlier rifles.

Beyond that, lots of variation.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

On some of the rifles I have built for myself, especially ones I have copied from originals, I have installed sights that were as the original rifle.  My thinking was that if they were adequate in the day, I can make do with them too.  But I could not!!
So I ended up making front and rear sights that are sufficiently raised above the plane of the barrel that heat mirage is less a factor for the type of shooting I do.  I am quite competitive, and have enjoyed much success over the year, so the sights are vitally important to me.  I had to sacrifice the original look for the function that satisfied my shooting needs.

[Wyoduster]

Thanks guys ..
But is there a rule of thumb on calibers and size(heights) of sights ??
Or size barrels and size(height) of sights front or back?
 Honestly  so far I've just been putting on what looks good and working with them but it seems there should be a standard to go by..

[David Price]

If you are not going to shoot the rifle it makes sense to copy an original sight.

On the other hand if you are going to shoot the rifle what is the point of putting on a set of sights that you cannot see well enough to shoot well with

David Price

[TommyG]

I think what the guys here have told you is spot on.  Build/install sight that you can shoot, unless of course you are going to display the gun only.  However, I try to keep them school/style specific as there are differences.  I just study what is on that particular gun in pictures/disc or other reference materials and try to copy that.  Even if it means modifying the size a bit(taller?), I try to keep the sight architecture relative to the original that I am trying to copy.

[Long John]

Friend,

I agree with David Price.

I haven't been able to hit with "period-correct" sights for over 2 decades.  So when I build a gun for me, to shoot, I build it with sights that I can see well enough to hit with.  We need to remember that the average user of original guns was a 16 to 25 year-old kid.  I'm old enough to be that kid's grandfather! 

The front sight on my go-to hunting rifle is 1/8th inch wide and 1/4th inch tall, made from a silver dollar folded over on itself.  It's profile is similar to the period sights but with its back edge filed to 45 degrees to the axis of the bore.  The rear sight has a square sided notch that is wide enough that there is as much open space on either side of the front sight as the front sight appears when the rifle is held as if to shoot.  This maximizes the clarity of the sights for someone with "experienced" eyes.

I have probably made new, useable sights for a dozen rifles owned by friends and relatives.  Each time a rifle that had been relegated to the gun cabinet was returned to active use.

Decide what you are going to use the gun for and make the sights for that use.

Best Regards,

JMC
John Cholin

[Waksupi]

Friend,

I agree with David Price.

I haven't been able to hit with "period-correct" sights for over 2 decades.  So when I build a gun for me, to shoot, I build it with sights that I can see well enough to hit with.  We need to remember that the average user of original guns was a 16 to 25 year-old kid.  I'm old enough to be that kid's grandfather! 

The front sight on my go-to hunting rifle is 1/8th inch wide and 1/4th inch tall, made from a silver dollar folded over on itself.  It's profile is similar to the period sights but with its back edge filed to 45 degrees to the axis of the bore.  The rear sight has a square sided notch that is wide enough that there is as much open space on either side of the front sight as the front sight appears when the rifle is held as if to shoot.  This maximizes the clarity of the sights forol someone with "experienced" eyes.

I have probably made new, useable sights for a dozen rifles owned by friends and relatives.  Each time a rifle that had been relegated to the gun cabinet was returned to active use.

Decide what you are going to use the gun for and make the sights for that use.

Best Regards,

JMC
John Cholin
 

I do my sights exactly the same way, except I cut my sights from steel. Older eyes need some help, and it makes a great difference.

[Stophel]

Even with my eyesight not being what it used to be only a very few years ago, I still have no trouble with fairly low sights with a little V notch in the rear, and a pointy-top front sight.  Actually, I find it easier to pick up and center the pointed front sight in the V notch rear than modern square cut sights.  And they look a LOT better. 

My sights pretty much always end up with the front sight being around half the height of the rear (off the top of the barrel).  Say, a quarter inch tall rear sight with an eighth inch tall front sight, or somewhere thereabouts.

[Daryl]

Sounds like a 100yard zero, maybe a bit further, Stophel.

[Bob Roller]

My favorite is still the Lyman 17A with Lee Shaver's inserts and a tang peep
sight with an 8x40 adjustment screw that I make myself.To me,the old low
sights found on antique guns only serves to locate the top flat of the barrel.

Bob Roller

[flehto]

The rear sights on my hunting guns are  made w/ a square notch to accommodate  a .100 thick front sight blade w/ a silver , soldered in insert that has a lot of "daylight" on both sides of the blade. . These sights along w/ a rear sight positioned above  the entry pipe finial, suit my old eyes.......Fred


make image url

[Craig Wilcox]

I really like that front sight, Fred.  I am currently building a Don Stith kit of a full-stock St. Louis rifle, and the front sight provided has the same shape and height as that one, but the blade is in German Silver - or some other "white metal".
I have not got to the stage of fitting the front sight and polishing it, but it looks great already.
As has been said several times, install a sight that YOU can use!

[fahnenschmied]

Yes, there are certain style sights that go on certain style guns.  Especially if you have a firearms that is of an identifiable style.
 There is no rule - use what the gun has that you are copying.  It is possible to shoot with authentic sights.  Its always been amusing to me to hear folks complain about sights that are "hard to use" when dealing with muzzleloading flintlocks.  To me an authentic view over the sights is as important as anything.  Of course you can put whatever you want on anything, but you can't go wrong copying originals.

[Waksupi]

Yes, there are certain style sights that go on certain style guns.  Especially if you have a firearms that is of an identifiable style.
 There is no rule - use what the gun has that you are copying.  It is possible to shoot with authentic sights.  Its always been amusing to me to hear folks complain about sights that are "hard to use" when dealing with muzzleloading flintlocks.  To me an authentic view over the sights is as important as anything.  Of course you can put whatever you want on anything, but you can't go wrong copying originals.

You must be a young guy yet!