For those of you who have used both the bolt peep and the standard rear buckhorn sights, which do you find superior or more desirable (and why)?? thanks.

I use Lyman peep sights on an 1886 action, [same size as your '71]
The peep sight allows you to see more of the animal, therefore enabling a sharper view of the target, and a more accurate shot.

Note: as dusk approaches, remove the aperture and use the ghost ring.

Gunner

I use a Williams receiver sight and for my 55 year old eyes, it is super.

I would love to have used the 98A bolt peep. As much as I like the Williams, the 98A is streamlined in comparison.

I have a Lyman peep on my Browning 71 and find it much superior to the factory buckhorn sight for speed and view of target. A bolt peep would be even better. I prefer using it as a ghost ring.

I've not used a bolt peep, but have a lot of time behind peeps on levers, mainly the Williams FP. An Aperture sight is a huge improvement over the factory buckhorns. On my M94 Winchester, I have changed out the factory sight for a Marbles bead, which was further improvement, but not as much as the aperture vs buckhorn.

Hello my friend Henry McCann! I just wanted you to know I still have your M71 Deluxe and the M64. Later on I bought a standard M71 with the bolt peep. I like your M71 better 'coz it literaly flattened a whitetail with one shot. I love it whan you don't have to go find'em.

I have a long tang rifle. I found a NOS model 98A bolt peep. Do you feel it would de-value the rifle to have the bolt milled and the sight professionally installed?

I have a M71 Deluxe with the bolt peep. Make sure that if you are getting one installed that you get a hood installed on your front sight like an original if you can (not sure if standard came with a hooded front - sorry). Something about the rear peep closer to the eye, then the circle of the hood with the bead inside of the 2 concentric circles makes it the best open sight I've ever used. I also hunt with a peep on my ML (M77/50 w /Williams) and shoot CMP matches with a M1 Garand. Peeps are head and shoulders above a buckhorn, IMO.

Goodluck - Johndog

Were some standards (not Deluxe) equipped with the 98A bolt peep from the factory? , or was the bolt peep reserved for the Deluxe model only?

Also, if you were going to have a 71 bolt milled to accept a model 98A peep sight, who would you have do the work? I was told by Turnbull that the do not provide that service in house. thanks

There were two types of rear aperture sights on original 71s. One was on the bolt, but the other was mounted from the side I believe.

The latter proved to be much more durable than the bolt peep. At least that is what I have been told by others and have seen on the 71 that have passed by me.

I have both a deluxe and a standard. The deluxe had a bolt peep but it was removed and now has a receiver sight. The standard has a bolt peep on it.

Having used both peeps and buckhorns-I'd have to say, both have advantages and disadvantages. First off, the key with the buckhorn is to use one you can see. If you have trouble finding the front sight, or seeing daylight around the post, then the buckhorn will simply not work. Assuming you don't have these issues then the buckhorn-for me-is the most accurate and the most easily adapted to elevation changes.
The peep sight is the most cumbersome to change for elevation, but assuming you shoot to your zero, and no farther, then the peep is by far the fastest to use.
I do find the aperture works on fewer focal planes than the buckhorn, but the aperture also limits the field of view.
If you have trouble seeing the buckhorn, an aperture can extend your enjoyment of iron sights for a few more years. When I could no longer see my buckhorn, changing to a peep allowed me to avoid having to mount an unwieldly scope. For how much longer, I dunno, but it worked for me. Hope this helps.

Bill,

Great to hear from you...I still have the email/pictures you sent me of the whitetail you shot with the my old 71. I miss the 71 and 64 at times, but when I tell people about them, I always say my friend from West Virginia has them and he likes them just as well or more than I did.

Congrats on another 71. I almost pulled the trigger on a Browning 71 not long ago. Might still have to buy a twin to the one I have! Brett

Hi Brett,

Great to hear from you again! I too have the Browning versions, a rifle and a carbine. Just wish I could have had more time to use them all this past season.

Take care!

I have a bolt peep and buckhorn.I love a peep sight except when it snows! Have to make sure you keep the hole clear. Mot easy when you are hoofing through the woods.

If anyone has a factory bolt peep they'd like to sell.... I bid on one on Ebay a while back. Don't even want to tell you what it went for.

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If I did I believe I would put it on Ebay.

There is a place called Frontier something, maybe Frontier America that sells a bolt peep for the 71. It isn't cheap. I don't remember the price but I do recall it not being economical.

http://frontieramericanaoffargo.com/

this is the place.

I happen to go to Fargo every few months. Going to check that place out. Thanks.

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I have two short tang deluxes with receiver sites, and one 1937 long tang with the buckhorn....@ almost 58 and in low light the peep on the receiver sites disappears....the buckhorn I can still see the sites.

I had the same problem with my M71's sights disappearing. It's my "old" eyes NOT the sights. Well a few years back I stumbled on a M71 that had been "customized" long ago. Someone drilled & tapped it for a Weaver side mount. It had a Weaver K3 scope & I can still use the open sights if I want...I would NEVER dream of altering a M71 but finding one that was already drilled has worked out great for me! I love the M71 and now with the scope option it has extended MY ability to use this fine weapon! I don't think there is a finer looking firearm out there than a M71 with the bolt peep!