Blackpowdersmoke

Hello fellas...

I know many of you who've now visited this new traditional forum are flintlock (and sidelock percussion) shooters and many of you use peep sights on some of your rifles. Here in PA, for many years our traditional (flintlock only) season allowed OPEN iron sights only (no peeps allowed). It then progressed to open iron sights with fiber optic inserts allowed as long as the sights remained OPEN (no peeps). Now, and I believe it's been this way for the past two seasons, peep sights are allowed on flintlock rifles during our late, flint only, season.

Have any of you fellas ever mounted a peep on any of your flinters? If so, what are your thoughts on using a peep on a flintlock rifle? PA still considers our late ML season to be traditional and it's meant for flintlock ignition firearms only... but they're only stipulation now is that telescopic sights are not permitted. Your choice of open or peep sights is allowed.

I have several Renegade flinters. One of which has the earlier T/C tang with three screw holes which was meant to accommodate their peep style sights. For grins, I considered mounting a peep on it but have yet to do it.

If I do, what are some of your recommendations? I know the original T/C hunter style peeps are getting extremely hard to find, and sell for WAY more than they're worth IMO. I've heard that the Lyman SML is a good peep but is it compatible with T/C's existing tapped holes? If so... how's the availability on them nowadays? Do you need to remove any wood as well or do they sit nicely alongside the Renegade's stock?

And I appreciate any/all comments from all members in advance. Idahoron... I know you have them on your rifles... are you out there Bud?

BPS

MountainDevil54

Have you checked for the Williams peep? I know I saw one for a CVA octagon barrel but you might get lucky.

Blackpowdersmoke

MD...

I'm not looking to barrel mount the peep. If I choose to do it at all I'll mount one on the tang.

BPS

idahoron

It is going to take me some time to remember we have this forum, I do appreciate. I have Lyman SML peeps on several guns. I can't comment on a flinter but I can shed light on putting one on. The tang must be drilled for it to work. This is not as hard as you would think. When I drill them I take a piece of Masking tape and I lay it on the tang. I line it so one edge goes through the center of the front and back hole in the tang. Then I lay the sight base on and mark where it needs to be drilled. Then I thread it and it should be good to go. I have only messed one up. I welded it shut and drilled it again. Please forgive the plastic stock.



After I get that drilled and tapped I do one of two things. I either remove some of the metal from the back side of the sight like this.







By using a angle grinder I can do that pretty quick. I have done a couple like that.

I also have made a spacer for them. In this picture you can see the spacer under the sight. I made it out of aluminum and filed it to be tapered. I did that so the elevator would move more vertical. I also wanted to get a little more distance with this gun. So giving it a spacer allowed me to get a little farther out.



The SML fits better on a Hawken than it does a Renegade but they are not hard to get fitted.
In my opinion the peep sight is a great one but a Lyman 17 AML globe sight with a Lee Shavers insert is the thing that gives me the most accuracy.




I can aim at a milk jug at 150 yards and focus on hitting the label. I was about 1" high on hitting the label.



The thing that I think is the one thing that the Lyman 57SML brings to the table is the ability to use a range finder get the range and set the sight for that shot at hand. Once I set my sight to do this I find that I am MUCH more accurate at all ranges out to 300 yards. This three shot group is interesting. I had two shots at 150 and then I moved to 100. I changed the sight and shot the 100 yard shot.




Lastly the slider or "elevator " can be removed to put in your pocket for safe keeping. You push a single button and slide it out. That is the same button I use to slide it to the different yard marks.
In this picture you can see how I have my elevation marks made. Just to the left of the 0- you can see a button. You push it to the right and it releases the slider.



I don't have to twist the knob to raise or lower the sight. Just push the button and slide it. Now the Williams FP sight you have to twist the knob. It is not as quick at the lyman and it is not really able to remove it if your going to put the gun in a scabbard on an ATV or horse.
I have both and the Lyman pee with the lyman globe and Lee Shavers inserts are the best sight I have found for my style of shooting.

bronko22000

Barry - I have peeps on all my sidelocks both flinters and cap locks. I have 3 styles. The T/C 7194, Lyman 57 and williams (model ??). I find I can shoot much more accurately with them. And a plus with me being a lefty is that the peep blocks a lot of the flash from my flinter and I can shoot those better than without one.
I'm sending you a PM.

Blackpowdersmoke

Ron...

Very informative post, I appreciate that. I do have one Renegade Flinter that has a 3-hole tang, that's why I was toying with the idea of a peep. I have one of The T/C 7194 (I believe) on a Hawken .50 percussion rifle with the Lyman front globe and inserts. I have yet to play around with it, but probably will have it dialed in before another season. Might be a good one to use in our early ML season when we're allowed to use both percussion and flint.

bronko...

Thanks...I'll get back with you on that.

BPS

Semisane

I have peeps on most of my sidelocks also, including two Great Plains flintlocks. They work so much better with my eyes that regular open sights would be a distant second choice.

Oldtimr

I have a Merit optical attachment instead of a peep sight. It is essentially am aperture sight that mounts to your glasses with a small suction cup and attached to the suction cup is an aperture sight that can be adjusted to your eye. I bought it for handgun hunting because I didn't want a scope on my Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt. It works well and is less expensive than installing an aperture sight on your Flintlock rifle. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/978...th-suction-cup

Blackpowdersmoke

Oldtimr...

That's kinda unique... don't know how it would fair in inclement weather. Did you remove the rear sight on your Blackhawk? Does this thing act as a rear sight or does it just help you focus on your existing sights? Not sure I understand how it works other than giving you a non-adjustable hole to see through...

I can see me folding it into position only to find it's crusted over with ice or snow during our flintlock season here... I could always slip a cover over a peep if necessary.

BPS

Oldtimr

It makes the front sight clear and takes the place of the rear sight although you can still look through the rear sight. Since the front sight being in focus is what is important it makes a huge difference in being able to shoot with confidence. It does the same thing as an installed peep sight and that is making your focus clear when looking through a small hole, you really should not be focusing on your rear sight anyway, it is just to line you up with your front sight. Rear sight blurry, front sight clear. Just a suggestion to save you money and keep your flintlock traditional.