Alternative Uberti 1873 rifle sights

[Idaho Spud]

I have a new Uberti rifle that I have been practicing with. But I am really struggling with the buckhorn rear sight and the front post. I was wondering what other options are available for front and rear sights?

At the usual stores (Long Hunter, Smith Shop, Shotgun Boogie) I see flattop rear sights, bead front sights, and "Sure Hit" brass sights. Anyone have thoughts/experience with these?

Thank you for your time.

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

All my '73 rifles have the rear sight "buckhorn ears" filed down to be a flat open sight.  Better view when moving to next target in a sweep.   Most have a replacement bead that is slightly larger than factory.   The huge ones are not any faster for me, and when I need to take a 60+ yard shot, the huge beads cover up a lot of a standard target.

 

The rage 10 or 15 years ago was a tang mounted peep sight.  Those have fallen into much less favor now.  

 

good luck, GJ

[Boggus Deal #64218]

A flattened rear sight that has the notch opened up and the rear face serrated with a flat faced front bead works best for me.

[Sarge]

I'm using the Sure Hit brass front sight which I really like.  The back sight doesn't make much difference for me.  I've used a stock rear sight and a buckhorn rear sight.  Neither seemed to matter much.  Not even sure if I'm using it at CAS distances.

[G W Wade]

I have been using an 1/8 brass bead in front and use the buckhorn rear like a peep.   Cheap , simple and works good for me      GW

[Idaho Gunslinger]

What part of Idaho are you from?

 

If you are near Jerome or Boise I think they usually keep their targets close like is typical for cowboy action. 

In Idaho Falls and Rexburg the targets are a bit further out there. 

 

I mention this because for the up close distances in CAS the rear sight doesn't too much and some shooters even opt to remove it all together. But in my area (Idaho Falls) you likely still want it. I just picked up a LongHunter 1873 rifle last month that has a little bit taller rear sight than the flat top that is on my 1866. I think I like it better because it forces me to ensure I have my rifle in the right spot on my shoulder every time, but I'm still a new shooter (about 18 months now) and I've only had this rifle for 2 matches. It also has a brass bead front sight that I can pick up much faster than the standard black sight my 1866 has on it. 

[Idaho Spud]

Idaho Falls. So longer range is good. I'd probably get a smaller size brass or ivory bead so I'm not covering up longer targets.

[TN Mongo, SASS #61450]

All my rifles, and the wife's, are equipped with this rear sight from Long Hunter.  She likes a smaller white front bead, I like a bigger brass bead.  On the sight listed below, you must either turn the white diamond around or color it in with a black Sharpie.

 

 Flattop Rear Rifle Sight M66 (longhunt.com)

[Idaho Gunslinger]

2 hours ago, Idaho Spud said:

Idaho Falls. So longer range is good. I'd probably get a smaller size brass or ivory bead so I'm not covering up longer targets.

They're still not "long" range. I think the back of the bays are about 20 yards give or take a couple. 

 

Are you coming to the Match on July 6th?

[Chancy Shot, SASS #67163]

I use a tang mounted peep sight (I must be old school according to Joe.)  A brass bead front sight.  Works for me!

 

As a side note.  The rear sight fell off at our last match and I shot 4 stages without it.  No misses with the rifle, so maybe I won't put it back on.

 

Chancy

[Idaho Spud]

1 hour ago, Idaho Gunslinger said:

They're still not "long" range. I think the back of the bays are about 20 yards give or take a couple. 

 

Are you coming to the Match on July 6th?

I'll be on a river trip or I would stop by.

I also have a lot to do before I go to a match, I'm still getting practice and setting up my stuff.

[Idaho Gunslinger]

Just show up and try it out. See how other's stuff is set up to give you ideas. Everyone is friendly and there's a whole range of speeds the shooters shoot at so you likely won't even be bottom of the pack as a newbie. 

[WOODFOX , sass#34179]

I replaced the bead on my front sight with a spent small pistol primer ( Winchester Brass ) and filed the rear to make it a flat top

Woodfox

[Chas B. Wolfson, SASS #11104]

 Here is another option to add to the mix.

Pedersoli sight purchased from Cimarron Arms.

Post is threaded and can be removed.  I remove some of the threaded end to effectively shorten the post.  

When engaging targets, as soon as color of target appears in sight, pull the trigger.  I don't see the post when engaging typical stage targets but it is useful for a precision shot such as a clay bird, etc.  Post can be removed if desired.

I use with both standard buckhorn and flattened rear sights.  Except for my Henry rifles, all my stage rifles sport this front sight.

Chas B 

[paradiddle]

Kind of a dumb question - you guys that file the rear sight down.  Do you just hit it with a bluing pen after you've done it?  I'm curious how you protect the raw metal.

 

Like this?

 

[Chas B. Wolfson, SASS #11104]

2 minutes ago, paradiddle said:

Kind of a dumb question - you guys that file the rear sight down.  Do you just hit it with a bluing pen after you've done it?  I'm curious how you protect the raw metal.

 

Like this?

 

Or blueing solution

[Captain Bill Burt]

On 6/10/2024 at 10:43 PM, Boggus Deal #64218 said:

A flattened rear sight that has the notch opened up and the rear face serrated with a flat faced front bead works best for me.

Good choice, the sight too.

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

Personally I like the full Buckhorn sight and a polished brass beed front sight .

With the FULL Buckhorn  you run it just like a reddot sight with the front sight right in the middle of the dot ! 

This is from a old post on the wire .

I run my setup just like Pic 1 .

 

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

Remember that you keep Both Eyes Open.

Rooster 

[Rance - SASS # 54090]

On 6/10/2024 at 9:10 PM, Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 said:

All my '73 rifles have the rear sight "buckhorn ears" filed down to be a flat open sight.  Better view when moving to next target in a sweep.   Most have a replacement bead that is slightly larger than factory.   The huge ones are not any faster for me, and when I need to take a 60+ yard shot, the huge beads cover up a lot of a standard target.

 

The rage 10 or 15 years ago was a tang mounted peep sight.  Those have fallen into much less favor now.  

 

good luck, GJ

What Garrison Joe said^^^^^^

[Griff]

On 6/11/2024 at 6:04 PM, Idaho Spud said:

I'll be on a river trip or I would stop by.

I also have a lot to do before I go to a match, I'm still getting practice and setting up my stuff.

There is a reason why the most offered advice to newbies is to come out to a match BEFORE you buy anything.  Over my nearly 40 years in this sport/game/fantasy, I've seen untold numbers of folks that switched guns, holsters, etc. multiple times in their first year.  And not because they wanted to change categories.  That's perfectly understandable, and sometimes, likely.  

[Idaho Gunslinger]

26 minutes ago, Griff said:

There is a reason why the most offered advice to newbies is to come out to a match BEFORE you buy anything.  Over my nearly 40 years in this sport/game/fantasy, I've seen untold numbers of folks that switched guns, holsters, etc. multiple times in their first year.  And not because they wanted to change categories.  That's perfectly understandable, and sometimes, likely.  

Yep. I've been doing this for 18 months now and already changed everything. Pistols, rifle, shotgun, hat, gun belt, and gun cart. 

 

The only thing I didn't change was ammo but I'm working on that now to see if I can get a little bit lighter load. 

[Dilli GaHoot Galoot]

Some of us don't 'buy' guns so much as rent them   

[Dilli GaHoot Galoot]

Before you go making big changes to the rear sight you might want to verify were the sights are in your natural shooting position.  Ideally when you shoulder the rifle the sights should be *right there* without having to smosh your head down on the stock or lift your cheek up off the stock.   Once you figure that out you can look at options that get the sight picture in line with your natural stance 

[Rillito Red]

I used a Buckhorn with a Beach front sight on a carbine a few years ago.  It was great for fast stages and it flipped to a standard sight for longer range stages.  Sold it with the gun and regretted it.