Putting Peep Sight on Winchester 94?

IrvJr · October 8, 2010, 09:39 AM

I have a Winchester 94 Trapper (16" barrel, 44 MAG, crossbolt safety, angle eject) that I love to shoot. It's a handy and fun gun. I am thinking about using this gun to deer hunt here in NH. I have a nice hard cast load for my Trapper (that I also use in my Ruger revolver) that would be perfect for medium sized game. Where I would hunt, there are lots of trees and hills, and most shots would be within 100 yards. It would be rare for me to have the opportunity to harvest game beyond 100 yards. I'd like to set up my Winchester 94 so that I can comfortable shoot decent groups (baseball or softballl sized) at 100 yards.

I am considering putting on a rear peep sight for my Trapper 94. I found a Williams peep that can be installed using the two rear scope-mount holes on the receiver.

If I install the peep on my 94, what do I do about the existing rear sight on the gun? Should I simply just drift the sight out and leave the dovetail slot empty? I've seen metal blanks with a dovetail base installed on some guns with peep sights. Where can I get one of these that would fit my 94's dovetail slot?

Also, my rear sight has a little ramp that is used to adjust the elevation of the buckhorn sight. It looks like this little ramp is attached to the barrel. How can I remove this from my barrel without damaging the gun? Is this piece welded on to the barrel or is it just held in place by the tenstion of the buckhorn sight?

Finally (and most importantly), since the Winchester 94 is currently out of production, should I bother altering my gun? I like the look of the buckhorn sights, but I know I'd shoot it much better at 100 yards with the peep. I thought about putting a low power scope on it, but that seems even worse.

Thanks in advance!

jaguarxk120 · October 8, 2010, 09:53 AM

The Williams reciever sight is a very good piece, no projecting knobs to catch on twigs or branches. The existing open sight can be removed with the elevator, the elevator is a seperate piece that just slide on top of the barrel to lift the open sight up and down.

A "blank" can be gotten from who ever supplies the Williams sight, if not then Brownells gunsmith supply has everything. Don't forget to use "blue" loctite when installing the reciever sight. The red stuff is forever and will not come apart!

salvadore · October 8, 2010, 09:59 AM

I have an older 94 that is not drilled and tapped for a reciever sight. I purchased a lyman rather than the williams and the drills and taps needed.

I'm pretty sure the rear sight elevator is a loose piece you can remove by prying up the rear sight and slipping it free. Brownells has barrel sight blanks and if it is already drilled and tapped you can put it back to factory original by replacing the rear sight, removing the reciever sight and putting in the set type screws you removed to put on the reciever sight on. Those semi buckhorn sights are tough for me to see too.

IrvJr · October 8, 2010, 10:13 AM

Thanks all for the replies. I will look into getting a blank. Someone on another board mentioned that Marbles makes dovetail blanks and also folding rear sights (I'll be redundant and have two rear sights!).

I love my little 94. I wish Winchester still made them. When I bought my 94, the store that sold it to me had tons of 94's in stock. I remember seeing the boxes of 94's stacked up high behind the counter. They had Trappers in 45, 44, and 357 calibers. They also had other 94's. The guy opened a couple of boxes to pick the one with the nicest finish and wood grain for me.

I thought to myself - eventually I'll get a Trapper in 45Colt and .357 Mag, and then maybe get a 94 in 30-30.

billnourse · October 8, 2010, 02:31 PM

You can get a dovetail blank from Midway. The elevation slide on your buckhorn just slides out of the sight slot. You will not hurt the value of your gun as long as you save the buckhorn so you can reinstall it, and you do not put on any sight that requires drilling and tapping of additional holes.

Bill

Rondog · December 31, 2012, 06:03 PM

Apologies for dredging up an old thread, but IrvJr - I also have a 1994 Winchester 94AE in .44 mag, and I'm dying to put better sights on it. How did this work for you? Which rear peep did you use?

I'm looking at a Williams Fire Sight set from Brownells that mounts to the two scope mount holes on the rear of the receiver, and has a fiber optic front sight to replace the original front sight that's in a dovetail.

This "looks" like a good option, and "looks" like a no-gunsmith installation. Can you (or anybody else) vouch for this Fire Sight set? It's an "economy" set, but I don't need real high precision. Just for <100 yd. target and deer use.

Old Grump · December 31, 2012, 08:13 PM

I out a Williams on mine and it immediately doubled my usable range and speed I could get on target. I will never go back if I can help it. The best thing you can do for those with eyeball issues without going to optics.

Rondog · January 1, 2013, 01:06 AM

Thanks OG!

Hawg Haggen · January 1, 2013, 09:43 AM

Quote:

The best thing you can do for those with eyeball issues without going to optics.

Or get a full buckhorn. It makes a pretty good ghost ring.

sc928porsche · January 1, 2013, 11:52 AM

Williams makes a dovetail peep sight. Remove the buckhorn and slide the williams in.

emcon5 · January 1, 2013, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Williams makes a dovetail peep sight. Remove the buckhorn and slide the williams in.

Which misses one of the advantages of a rear peep sight, longer sight radius.

I mounted the receiver peep on my 94, and I like it. Makes it much easier to shoot accurately. I didn't bother with a dovetail blank.

The one I have is just the rear sight in your photo, I didn't bother with the front blade.

Well worth it, in my opinion.

bedlamite · January 1, 2013, 07:36 PM

I've got peep sights on both my 94 and 336c. They are by far the best option for a lever gun. I did have to install a taller front sight on my 336c from Skinner

PetahW · January 1, 2013, 08:23 PM

Please don't install a folding rear barrel sight, when a receiver peep sight's mounted - as it'll be unusable, anyway, and only occlude a clear sight picture through the peep sight.

Also, although many folks DO purchase a commercial dovetail slot filler blank, I can assure you that it's waaaay more satisfying to make one yourself, via filing one out of the dovetail section of an old longleaf rear barrel sight.

.

Rondog · January 1, 2013, 10:16 PM

Thanks all! Keep 'em coming! One of my main reasons for doing this is to extend the sight radius, it's just too short on this lil' carbine. Putting a peep at the rear of the receiver will extend it almost 1/3 more. The tang mount peeps just make me nervous, I don't know anything about them and they look too fragile.

The set I pictured in post #6....I'm not sure about getting the set. Another guy reported unhappiness with the f/o front bead, and I can get just the rear sight from Brownells by itself. So I might go that route. The other feller says the f/o bead covers a lot of target, like 8" @ 50 yds., and is very bright in daylight. So......

PetahW · January 2, 2013, 09:53 AM

FWIW - I've had a FO front sight on my Trapper for almost 10 years, w/o any issues. (lowermost rifle)

BTW - I believe the front sight in the Williams Firesight Peep Sight Sets are short, since they're designed for regular carbines with ramp-mounted front sights.

Trappers have front sights mounted direvtly in bbl dovetails, so if you're interested in a Williams set (they're available with either a 5D or FP peep sight), I would suggest telephoning William's Customer Service to order, so they can supply the proper height front FO sight with YOUR set.

.
.

October 8, 2010, 09:39 AM	#1
IrvJr Senior Member Join Date: June 2, 2004 Posts: 171	Putting Peep Sight on Winchester 94? I have a Winchester 94 Trapper (16" barrel, 44 MAG, crossbolt safety, angle eject) that I love to shoot. It's a handy and fun gun. I am thinking about using this gun to deer hunt here in NH. I have a nice hard cast load for my Trapper (that I also use in my Ruger revolver) that would be perfect for medium sized game. Where I would hunt, there are lots of trees and hills, and most shots would be within 100 yards. It would be rare for me to have the opportunity to harvest game beyond 100 yards. I'd like to set up my Winchester 94 so that I can comfortable shoot decent groups (baseball or softballl sized) at 100 yards. I am considering putting on a rear peep sight for my Trapper 94. I found a Williams peep that can be installed using the two rear scope-mount holes on the receiver. If I install the peep on my 94, what do I do about the existing rear sight on the gun? Should I simply just drift the sight out and leave the dovetail slot empty? I've seen metal blanks with a dovetail base installed on some guns with peep sights. Where can I get one of these that would fit my 94's dovetail slot? Also, my rear sight has a little ramp that is used to adjust the elevation of the buckhorn sight. It looks like this little ramp is attached to the barrel. How can I remove this from my barrel without damaging the gun? Is this piece welded on to the barrel or is it just held in place by the tenstion of the buckhorn sight? Finally (and most importantly), since the Winchester 94 is currently out of production, should I bother altering my gun? I like the look of the buckhorn sights, but I know I'd shoot it much better at 100 yards with the peep. I thought about putting a low power scope on it, but that seems even worse. Thanks in advance!

October 8, 2010, 02:31 PM	#5
billnourse Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2010 Location: Bloomfield, NM Posts: 366	You can get a dovetail blank from Midway. The elevation slide on your buckhorn just slides out of the sight slot. You will not hurt the value of your gun as long as you save the buckhorn so you can reinstall it, and you do not put on any sight that requires drilling and tapping of additional holes. Bill __________________ Cooper 52 25/06, Cooper 52 30/06, Cooper 52 338/06Cooper 57 .17HMR, Remington VS .22/250 all left handed. Rock River Predator Persuit AR-15, 1952 Marlin 336 in 30/30. 2 Kimber 1911, Colt 1911, S&W .357 Mag, Kahr .40 and .380

December 31, 2012, 08:13 PM	#7
Old Grump Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in a little hut in the woods Posts: 3,127	I out a Williams on mine and it immediately doubled my usable range and speed I could get on target. I will never go back if I can help it. The best thing you can do for those with eyeball issues without going to optics. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

January 1, 2013, 11:52 AM	#10
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,325	Williams makes a dovetail peep sight. Remove the buckhorn and slide the williams in. __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

January 1, 2013, 07:36 PM	#12
bedlamite Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2000 Location: WI Posts: 981	I've got peep sights on both my 94 and 336c. They are by far the best option for a lever gun. I did have to install a taller front sight on my 336c from Skinner __________________ A plan is just a list of things that doesn't happen.

October 8, 2010, 09:53 AM	#2
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,682	The Williams reciever sight is a very good piece, no projecting knobs to catch on twigs or branches. The existing open sight can be removed with the elevator, the elevator is a seperate piece that just slide on top of the barrel to lift the open sight up and down. A "blank" can be gotten from who ever supplies the Williams sight, if not then Brownells gunsmith supply has everything. Don't forget to use "blue" loctite when installing the reciever sight. The red stuff is forever and will not come apart!

October 8, 2010, 09:59 AM	#3
salvadore Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Posts: 1,366	I have an older 94 that is not drilled and tapped for a reciever sight. I purchased a lyman rather than the williams and the drills and taps needed. I'm pretty sure the rear sight elevator is a loose piece you can remove by prying up the rear sight and slipping it free. Brownells has barrel sight blanks and if it is already drilled and tapped you can put it back to factory original by replacing the rear sight, removing the reciever sight and putting in the set type screws you removed to put on the reciever sight on. Those semi buckhorn sights are tough for me to see too.

October 8, 2010, 10:13 AM	#4
IrvJr Senior Member Join Date: June 2, 2004 Posts: 171	Thanks all for the replies. I will look into getting a blank. Someone on another board mentioned that Marbles makes dovetail blanks and also folding rear sights (I'll be redundant and have two rear sights!). I love my little 94. I wish Winchester still made them. When I bought my 94, the store that sold it to me had tons of 94's in stock. I remember seeing the boxes of 94's stacked up high behind the counter. They had Trappers in 45, 44, and 357 calibers. They also had other 94's. The guy opened a couple of boxes to pick the one with the nicest finish and wood grain for me. I thought to myself - eventually I'll get a Trapper in 45Colt and .357 Mag, and then maybe get a 94 in 30-30.

December 31, 2012, 06:03 PM	#6
Rondog Member Join Date: March 15, 2009 Posts: 28	Apologies for dredging up an old thread, but IrvJr - I also have a 1994 Winchester 94AE in .44 mag, and I'm dying to put better sights on it. How did this work for you? Which rear peep did you use? I'm looking at a Williams Fire Sight set from Brownells that mounts to the two scope mount holes on the rear of the receiver, and has a fiber optic front sight to replace the original front sight that's in a dovetail. This "looks" like a good option, and "looks" like a no-gunsmith installation. Can you (or anybody else) vouch for this Fire Sight set? It's an "economy" set, but I don't need real high precision. Just for <100 yd. target and deer use.

January 1, 2013, 01:06 AM	#8
Rondog Member Join Date: March 15, 2009 Posts: 28	Thanks OG!

January 1, 2013, 08:23 PM	#13
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 3,288	Please don't install a folding rear barrel sight, when a receiver peep sight's mounted - as it'll be unusable, anyway, and only occlude a clear sight picture through the peep sight. Also, although many folks DO purchase a commercial dovetail slot filler blank, I can assure you that it's waaaay more satisfying to make one yourself, via filing one out of the dovetail section of an old longleaf rear barrel sight. .

January 1, 2013, 10:16 PM	#14
Rondog Member Join Date: March 15, 2009 Posts: 28	Thanks all! Keep 'em coming! One of my main reasons for doing this is to extend the sight radius, it's just too short on this lil' carbine. Putting a peep at the rear of the receiver will extend it almost 1/3 more. The tang mount peeps just make me nervous, I don't know anything about them and they look too fragile. The set I pictured in post #6....I'm not sure about getting the set. Another guy reported unhappiness with the f/o front bead, and I can get just the rear sight from Brownells by itself. So I might go that route. The other feller says the f/o bead covers a lot of target, like 8" @ 50 yds., and is very bright in daylight. So...... Last edited by Rondog; January 2, 2013 at 12:34 AM.

January 2, 2013, 09:53 AM	#15
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 3,288	FWIW - I've had a FO front sight on my Trapper for almost 10 years, w/o any issues. (lowermost rifle) BTW - I believe the front sight in the Williams Firesight Peep Sight Sets are short, since they're designed for regular carbines with ramp-mounted front sights. Trappers have front sights mounted direvtly in bbl dovetails, so if you're interested in a Williams set (they're available with either a 5D or FP peep sight), I would suggest telephoning William's Customer Service to order, so they can supply the proper height front FO sight with YOUR set. . .