Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Shooting Traditional Firearms and Weapons => General Interest => Topic started by: jtwodogs on December 31, 2016, 10:20:11 AM

Title: Sight problem?
Post by: jtwodogs on December 31, 2016, 10:20:11 AM
I have a 48 inch barreled flint lock. It has a normal rear sight and a blade combination. The problem is my older eyes are having a hard time seeing the front blade. I know there is the diopter solution don't really think that is an option for me.
Any other suggestions??
(http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq103/jtwodogs/15727236_1271777869528078_9557178952885642_n1_zps7zlnqmob.jpg)
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: RobD on December 31, 2016, 10:33:18 AM
stick a neodymium ring magnet on the rear sight - that'll allow for a very clear front sight, which is all that matters most.

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=21485 (http://traditionalmuzzleloadingassociation.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=21485)
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: jtwodogs on December 31, 2016, 10:56:59 AM
Interesting, how does that work?
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: RobD on December 31, 2016, 11:02:55 AM
Quote from: "jtwodogs"
Interesting, how does that work?

pure black magic magnetism.  :lol
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: rollingb on December 31, 2016, 11:07:50 AM
Quote from: "Rob DiStefano"
Quote from: "jtwodogs"
Interesting, how does that work?

pure black magic magnetism.  :shock:  :horse
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: RobD on December 31, 2016, 11:19:09 AM
Quote from: "Rob DiStefano"
stick a neodymium ring magnet on the rear sight - that'll allow for a very clear front sight, which is all that matters most.

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=21485 (http://traditionalmuzzleloadingassociation.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=21485)

oops, maybe you didn't see to click on the link and check it all out?

ring magnet rear peep sights (http://http)
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: jtwodogs on December 31, 2016, 03:19:11 PM
Yeah I did not see it. I like the square one
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: jtwodogs on December 31, 2016, 04:55:14 PM
Well I did some preliminary measuring my sight is .125 high off the barrel flat.
I was looking at 1/2" x 1/2" x 1/2" (- 0.127" hole)

Trying to get it right or close to it, since minimum shipping is around 20 bucks.

Thanks for all your help. If this works would it be to much of an abomination to put a antiqueish looking peep sight on a flintlock.
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: RobD on December 31, 2016, 09:02:43 PM
instead of an expensive-shipping-cost ring neo magnet, there are other creative options for a rear peep, or at least something that you can trial and see how well it works for ya.

you can ...

* double stick tape a washer to the existing rear sight.

* double stick tape on a hardwood rectangle that has a washer glued to it.

* bend a piece of sheet metal or brass into an "L" shape, on the vertical side of the "L" draw a vertical centerline and drill a series of 1/16" holes,then drill a larger hole in the L's horizontal "foot" side, use the breech tang screw to hold the metal foot - there are many more ways to make this quickie fixed tang aperture rear sight.

i've also super glued a hardwood block to an existing rear sight and then either drilled an aperture hole in the wood or added an aperture disc ...

(http://i.imgur.com/rPqlCo0.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/3QWsCZC.jpg)

i retrofitted a lyman 57sml tang sight to several trad sidelocks (as well as the 17a globe front sight) ...

(http://i.imgur.com/WyVKoUT.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/oSrXiGb.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/MMx5s5c.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/jpycjC5.jpg)

with some real creativity, and some serious thinking, you may be able to retrofit a marbles peep tang sight or some other "buffalo rifle" rear tang aperture sight (those can be really expensive - i know, i have more than a few for my sharps and rolling blocks).
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: Hood on December 31, 2016, 09:04:58 PM
Quote from: "jtwodogs"
Well I did some preliminary measuring my sight is .125 high off the barrel flat.
I was looking at 1/2" x 1/2" x 1/2" (- 0.127" hole)

Trying to get it right or close to it, since minimum shipping is around 20 bucks.

Thanks for all your help. If this works would it be to much of an abomination to put a antiqueish looking peep sight on a flintlock.

i have been wanting to try this as well. I would be interested in splitting the cost with you if you would be willing... Send me a pm if you want. Thanks
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: RobD on December 31, 2016, 09:16:13 PM
don't just order one size neo, order out more and make sure to include the round ones, too - they're neodymium rare earth magnets, and even the weakest one will not budge when barely stuck to a tiny rear notch sight on a .62 smoothie firing off 80 grains of 3f and a 325 grain patched ball.

(http://i.imgur.com/YzMfBIC.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/jYsqwoH.jpg)
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: jtwodogs on January 01, 2017, 09:56:31 AM
Thanks for all the info. Will let you know if I order.
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: Ohio Joe on January 01, 2017, 11:42:00 AM
I had no idea these even existed.  I'm going to order some myself as I believe they'd be a great addition to some of my other firearms where I may want to add a quick rear peep... And pricing sure looks right! Rob, thanks for posting this info.  :hairy
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: jtwodogs on January 01, 2017, 02:08:48 PM
I like the idea of a quick peep, and the fact that these are very strong magnets. I am just a subscriber to murphy's law, and if it can be knocked loose by some of he thick brush I hunt in it will happen just before I draw down on an animal. lol
I like your advice Rob about testing to see where best the peep should go.

I will go ahead and order some just play around and thank you for suggesting it.
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: RobD on January 01, 2017, 02:58:21 PM
trust me on this - these little neodymium rare earth magnets are incredibly STRONG.   even chucking the rifles in a padded soft case won't budge them, let alone going thru brush out in the field.
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: jtwodogs on January 01, 2017, 04:40:52 PM
Quote from: "Hood"
Quote from: "jtwodogs"
Well I did some preliminary measuring my sight is .125 high off the barrel flat.
I was looking at 1/2" x 1/2" x 1/2" (- 0.127" hole)

Trying to get it right or close to it, since minimum shipping is around 20 bucks.

Thanks for all your help. If this works would it be to much of an abomination to put a antiqueish looking peep sight on a flintlock.

i have been wanting to try this as well. I would be interested in splitting the cost with you if you would be willing... Send me a pm if you want. Thanks

Hood, sent you a pm going to try to order this week, so shoot me a pm as to what you want, also Ohio Joe, if you want to get in on the shared shipping shoot me a pm and we will work out the details. Thanks guys.
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: Keb on January 01, 2017, 06:08:18 PM
Back a few (many) years ago my eyes quit seeing the rear sight. I tried moving the sight forward which helped some but it wasn't good enough. The final fix was to quit shooting rear sighted guns. I've only shot smoothbored guns with no rear sight for 25 years now. I ain't no trophy shooter but I can still shoot some.
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: Muley on January 01, 2017, 06:44:33 PM
You don't need to see the rear sight very clear. You should only be looking at the front sight. Not the target or rear sight, but just the front sight.

That sounds like it shouldn't work, but it does. So, do all you can to see the front sight. A dab of white paint helps a lot.
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: jtwodogs on January 01, 2017, 06:58:53 PM
I did like  Rob said and drilled out a piece of wood the size of a peep for a test, and it worked perfect.
Thanks guys.
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: Muley on January 01, 2017, 07:03:00 PM
You can also put a small piece of tape on your glasses with a hole in it.

It works much better if the hole is close to the eye.
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: jtwodogs on January 02, 2017, 06:49:26 AM
Gonna put in an order for some magnets this week, if anyone is interested let me know, we can split the shipping. Thanks
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: Maven on January 02, 2017, 07:18:37 PM
jtwodogs, Check for those magnets on EBay & Amazon as several vendors are selling them for very little $$ and free shipping.
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: jtwodogs on January 02, 2017, 09:08:06 PM
I did, a lot of them are ceramic and very brittle. Don't know if any of these are any better.
Actually with the lack of interest in partnering up to help bring down the shipping, I am moving in another direction. Order a peep sight tonight off of track of the wolf will go with something a little more permanent.
Thanks for everyone's input especially Rob, you got me thinking in the right direction.
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: Muley on January 03, 2017, 09:13:47 AM
You do realize that with a peep sight you never ever look at the peep sight, but focus on the front sight?

Try doing that with your present rear sight. Your brain will automatically centered on the rear sight without you looking at it. Put some white paint on the front sight so you can see it better and focus on it. It should be easier with your long barrel.

Trust me it works. My vision is very bad, but I can still shoot small groups. I used to make a living shooting. I'm not just blowing smoke.
Title: Re: Sight problem?
Post by: Muley on January 03, 2017, 09:19:22 AM
Watch this.

Front Sight Focus - How To Instantly Shoot Like a Navy SEAL - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lMYzJpD4n8)