I posted this in the Marlin forum but not getting any traffic. Hoping some of you levergun aficionados can offer your experience:
I am beginning to play around with a Marlin 336C in 30-30 and would like to try a version of the Skinner Sight. It would be great if I could keep the original front sight and am wondering of those who have tried them if you had to change to a different front sight for elevation? I would most likely be shooting factory equivalent 150/170 gr loads for the most part.
I see the 'Express' version is a bit lower and might be a more likely match. I can't decide which version I prefer for looks between the shorter and longer so the likelihood of keeping the original front sight might be the deal breaker.
Any real-world experience?
Most of the time you will need a taller front sight. I think the Skinner Lo-Pro may work with your original front sight. Did you look at the Skinner website ? They have a lot of good info on choosing a front sight. They are quality sights.
I did look at the website but didn't see the Lo-Pro-stuck to the Marlin page and missed it. That might be a good direction to go. Thanks for pointing that out.
I'd be replacing the front sight anyway. Not much sucks worse than a brass bead front sight. Go with a white/ivory front or better yet {at least for hunting} a green fiber optic front. Either is MUCH better in low light than that factory brass junk.
I may have to do that. I ordered a Skinner Lo-Pro to see how I like it. Seeing the front sight hasn't been a problem so far-just don't care for buckhorn rear sights much.
you will like it. my ancient eyes love mine.
Marlinowners is a great site and Skinner sights is a vendor there. Andy (owner of skinner) is very helpful and a pleasure to work with. I just picked up one of the limited runs of ladder peeps sights he made and am very pleased with their product & customer service.
I just got the Lo-Pro today-very quick shipping. It looks very well made and I'm anxious to try it out.
Ditch the factory front and roll with the Redfield blade.
I've got a set of the "Black Gold" Skinners on a Marlin 1894C & love them. I got the dovetail brass front sight ininsert in (I think?) the tallest one, installed the sights, set the rear about middle to allow for vertical adjustment and slowly and gently filed the front down to zero. Their front sight is thin/fine and with a smaller peep allows for a very fine aiming point. With 125gr cast FP's out of .38spl cases it's a squirrel machine to about 50-75 yards & with a warm .357 load I regularly bang steel at 200. The gold is a nice touch on the otherwise dull looking rifle. I swapped in a gold trigger & gold barrel bands & had my receiver screws gold plated to match. Wife fusses every time I take it out that it's too nice to hunt with now.....
Range work was a success. I didn't shoot for groups but just laying my hand across the sandbags I was able to keep about 15 rounds into a 3 inch group at 100. It is hitting about 3 inches high with the rear sight all the way down but not a big deal.
For $37 I am pretty impressed.