Adding Iron sights on a naked rifle barrel

[Considering Africa]

Does anyone know a ballpark figure for what it would cost to add iron sites to a rifle barrel without them? Is it more money if it’s an African caliber rifle?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I drilled and tapped my 30-06 barrel for both front and rear sights (1990's Winchester Safari Express sights on Springfield 03A3). The front sights were essentially Williams tall long ramp with two screws. This isn't a big job for a gunsmith with the proper jig, taps, and drill press. A hundred bucks top. Gunsmith who put the barrel on my 404J build asked if I wanted front and rear sights on it. I had the sights in the car plus the drill and taps so I said sure. He was set up for it. Turns out his starting tap was broken so I gave him my set. He charged me sixty bucks. Soldering on a front sight I would think should be about the same price if you provide the sight. Larger profile barrels might require slightly more expensive front sights depending on the model of sight.

 

[Ericedwinbates]

Go to NECG ( New England Custom Gun). They sell all the sights and sizes, barrel bands etc. They also have installation service. You can bet plus or minus the whole deal and reblued for around a grand.
Cheers

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

The cost is subjective, it will depend on lots of things. If you have the sights, do you need to purchase them or the smith purchase them, what type of sights, fixed, adjustable express, single leaf , multi leaf, etc then the front sight, fixed, adjustable for height(inserts) windage (hammer drift or vernier) . Do you want soldered on or screw on. Pop up night sight or aperture.
If multi leaf or fixed, will it need to be zeroed for each distance chosen for a given load, which is time consuming, shoot a round, file to adjust.
Then bluing, rust or nitre.
As mentioned above go to the NECG site and look to see what they have and you like, or go to the Recknagel website and look at their products
Gumpy

 

[gbflyer]

Depending on rifle, there might be options for a receiver mounted peep or ghost ring. Additionally, there are many banded sights that can be silver soldered, or easier yet there are some fabulous Loctite products that are used for the bond. The sights are pricy either way.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

My mistake. I thought you were wanting to add only a front sight. I bought my sights used (but like new) off ebay. As I recall, one set of sights as about $100 and the other was $150. Though they came off Winchester Safari Express, the front sights are Williams and I suspect the rear sights were too. Williams doesn't show the rear sight in their current online catalog, they do offer one very similar without the flip up leaf ... which is unnecessary. It's an excellent rear sight that is easily adjusted for both windage and elevation. It is attached to the barrel via a single hidden screw.

 

[R eight]

Does anyone know a ballpark figure for what it would cost to add iron sites to a rifle barrel without them? Is it more money if it’s an African caliber rifle?

Cost will depend upon what you want. I’ve been down this path before. I never intend to repeat it.

Either by a rifle with irons fitted or invest in a high quality QD mount system with 2 x scopes/ red dot fitted.

Scopes are easy to sight in. Much easier than mucking around with irons….don’t be surprised if you’re in the situation where you need a taller or shorter rear or foresight. And sometimes windage will be an issue if the rear sight/peep is fitted to the action. You’d be surprised how many barrels aren’t screwed in straight.

Good luck.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Cost will depend upon what you want. I’ve been down this path before. I never intend to repeat it.

Either by a rifle with irons fitted or invest in a high quality QD mount system with 2 x scopes/ red dot fitted.

Scopes are easy to sight in. Much easier than mucking around with irons….don’t be surprised if you’re in the situation where you need a taller or shorter rear or foresight. And sometimes windage will be an issue if the rear sight/peep is fitted to the action. You’d be surprised how many barrels aren’t screwed in straight.

Good luck.

You're not wrong. Setting up irons requires patience. First step was placing a square strip of red duct tape on the side of my garage in a spot visible through the dining room window fifty yards away. Pull the bolt and set the rifle up in my Gun Butler on the dining room table. Look through the bore, use padding in the Butler to line bore up on the red spot, then check the sights' alignment. Keep in mind a pair of iron sights can be adjusted multiple ways: windage and elevation adjustments on the rear sight, changing the ramp to front sight, changing the height of front sight bead, and if all else fails adding shims under the ramps. It requires a LOT of patience or a lot of luck. I had to order two new beads, one new ramp, and a sight pushing tool before both my rifles were finally zeroed. The good news is the process of bore sighting new irons doesn't cost me ammo. Just my time. Components for iron sights are relatively cheap compared to scopes, bases, and rings.

If you're looking for instructions on how to set up iron sights, check out Williams Gunsight website. As I recall the same instructions folded up are included with any sight purchased.

 

[Considering Africa]

I drilled and tapped my 30-06 barrel for both front and rear sights (1990's Winchester Safari Express sights on Springfield 03A3). The front sights were essentially Williams tall long ramp with two screws. This isn't a big job for a gunsmith with the proper jig, taps, and drill press. A hundred bucks top. Gunsmith who put the barrel on my 404J build asked if I wanted front and rear sights on it. I had the sights in the car plus the drill and taps so I said sure. He was set up for it. Turns out his starting tap was broken so I gave him my set. He charged me sixty bucks. Soldering on a front sight I would think should be about the same price if you provide the sight. Larger profile barrels might require slightly more expensive front sights depending on the model of sight.

Thank you

 

[Considering Africa]

The cost is subjective, it will depend on lots of things. If you have the sights, do you need to purchase them or the smith purchase them, what type of sights, fixed, adjustable express, single leaf , multi leaf, etc then the front sight, fixed, adjustable for height(inserts) windage (hammer drift or vernier) . Do you want soldered on or screw on. Pop up night sight or aperture.
If multi leaf or fixed, will it need to be zeroed for each distance chosen for a given load, which is time consuming, shoot a round, file to adjust.
Then bluing, rust or nitre.
As mentioned above go to the NECG site and look to see what they have and you like, or go to the Recknagel website and look at their products
Gumpy

Thank you for your thorough knowledge and information.

 

[Considering Africa]

Cost will depend upon what you want. I’ve been down this path before. I never intend to repeat it.

Either by a rifle with irons fitted or invest in a high quality QD mount system with 2 x scopes/ red dot fitted.

Scopes are easy to sight in. Much easier than mucking around with irons….don’t be surprised if you’re in the situation where you need a taller or shorter rear or foresight. And sometimes windage will be an issue if the rear sight/peep is fitted to the action. You’d be surprised how many barrels aren’t screwed in straight.

Good luck.

Thank you for your experiential information. The thought that occurred to me about scope and backup scope. it’s nice to have confirmation that someone else thinks the same way I do. at least in context.