Scope or Skinner sight for my Marlin

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pyscodog

Active member
Marlin 1894/44 mag. Open sights are kinda hard for me wearing bifocals so I was thinking a lower powered scope or Skinner sights. I sure like the way the Skinner sights look, especially the ones with the brass insert. What do you think?
 
For what purpose? I like a good aperture sight and have several on various rifles. I shoot a peep sight very well. With that said, I wouldn't argue with a good red dot or low powered scope.
 
GC, it will mostly be used at the club. Maybe ringing steel and punching paper. I shoot in the summer with guys that shoot straight wall case rifles so mostly for fun. Maybe...if I got a chance to hunt hogs, I might take it. Maybe a trip to the deer woods. I'm not 100% sure just what I will do with it. I just plan on keeping it simple. Just not sure if I want to hang a scope on it yet as it looks pretty good without one.
 
I'm looking at the sights from Ranger Tactical for one of my lever guns; looks like the design protects the aperture pretty good, and is still pretty streamlined.
 
Originally Posted By: obaroI'm looking at the sights from Ranger Tactical for one of my lever guns; looks like the design protects the aperture pretty good, and is still pretty streamlined.

I just looked on their site. Didn't see anything in the way of sights.

You sure it wasn't Ranger Point? They offer a sight that is protected. Pretty nice to.
 
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I prefer Peeps like the Skinner for my Lever rifles.
I use my rifles the same as you describe.
I wear progressive lenses.
 
I ran peep/receiver sights for many years on my short range deer rifles. I had cataract surgery and could no longer use them as I couldn't focus close enough and they were just a blur not enough definition to discern the opening and had to switch to scopes. I wish I had done it earlier, they are faster and easier to see obstructions, branch and weeds between the rifle and target. The only drawback is in heavy snow or rain, where I could just blow the snow off the receiver sight, that will fog a scope and they need to be cleaned with a cloth. For aesthetics I find the receiver sight really looks the best on a lever action even my Savage 99's.

I ended up selling off all my collectable rifles that couldn't mount a scope with out D&Ting them, mostly early Savage 1899's and 99's that weren't D&Td from the factory.
 
I like the idea of a peep. I like the way the look. If my rifle was a 30-30 or 35 Rem, I might go with a low powered scope. I think for the 44 Mag, a peep would work best for me. And the Skinner has one that you can change the size of the hole from large to small if need be. They also offer blued, blue with a brass insert or all brass. You can "Bling" it up a little if you want. LOL!! I refinished the stock and it turned out really nice and with the brass saddle ring, the sight with the brass insert should make it look nice.
 
I put a set of Skinner sights on my Marlin 45 colt, there nice sights but I use this gun for hunting and even taking the insert out and using it like a ghost ring I couldn't get a good enough sight picture in dim light like early am or late afternoon. I ended up replacing it with a XS ghost ring rail with a Burris fastfire 3, I don't really care about looks more about function.

 
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I have receiver peeps, tang peeps and one .30-30 with 3x9x40 on it. Depends on use.

During the "golden" hour, while hunting is where the scope really shines. Like Rich44 said, sometimes even taking the inserts out will leave you wanting more clarity.
 
I also wear bi-focals and its really hard to get the sights on target quick in hunting situations.
I would recommend an old school straight tube weaver.
1.5 or a 2.5 power would be perfect.
I say that cause that's what I did with my 35 marlin and I LIKE IT!
 
I have a 444 Marlin, by Marlin. Deer/pig gun for thick cover.

Scoped it with a 1-4X Leupold and very happy with that setup.
 
Originally Posted By: Stu FarishI have a 444 Marlin, by Marlin. Deer/pig gun for thick cover.

Scoped it with a 1-4X Leupold and very happy with that setup.


I think if I didn't go with a peep that something like this would be a better option for me anyway.
 
Those old Weaver K-1.5's are dandy scopes, I have one on a drilling for hunting in the timber 7x57R/16ga/16ga. I had one on my Marlin 1894CL 218 Bee for a while. They are getting a little long in the tooth though and are out classed by the Leupold 1-4's and the new Freedom 1.5-4's. The Weaver V-3 is a nice scope also, I have one on my Rem 760 35 Rem.

Old Weaver K-1.5 on the drilling.

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Ranger Point has a nice cloverleaf site that I’m going to put on my Marlin 44 Mag. This gun has been my pickup gun for a couple years now and I want a better open site and I have a buddy with this setup, and I like it. I have a Leupold 1-4x20 on my 1894C, 357 and I love that setup.
 


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