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SOME NEW DATA

9K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  Parson 
#1 ·
[size=10pt]SOME NEW DATA:[/size]

Yesterday I dug into the gun room and selected 11 Marlin Rifles. Four were my everyday "User" guns and seven were stock new and vintage rifles with factory sights still intact. (as a side note, going through the rifles in my collection I was amazed at the number of guns which had replacement front sights on them. These were guns I acquired second hand whose previous owners had chosen to replace the front sights for some reason.)

THE RIFLES:

My every day user guns: 1894 .44 Mag. 16" barrel 1960's manufacture, a 1895 45-70 Stainless Guide gun, a Model 375 in 375 Winchester, and a Model 39 100 year anniversary edition with octagon barrel.

The Stock Rifles: 1894 .44 Mag. 20" barrel mid 70's manufacture, a 1895 45-70 20" also mid 70's, 336 in 35 Rem. pre safety, 336 in 30-30, (older rifle, beautiful walnut stocks, just a "classic"), 444 Marlin pre safety 20", Model 375 post safety, and a 39m Mountie.

First let me say... WHAT A WONDERFUL TIME HANDLING AND INSPECTING THESE BEAUTIFUL RIFLES!!! That was a treat in itself.

SO... After lots of measuring I did come up with something very consistent. "Top of Reciever Height above the Centerline of the bore" On all rifles (excluding the 39's) this dimension is right at .500" (give or take just a few thousandths) ALL of the centerfire recievers were the same in this dimension. The 39's are unique in that the top of the receiver is reduced making the top of the receiver .385" above the centerline of the bore.

Barrel diameters vary somewhat at the muzzle by just a few thousandths but ran fairly consistent model to model. Most factory front sights were .260" - .290" and Ramp Heights varied from .100" to .140".

RESULTS:

Model 39 Mountie: Barrel diameter at front sight = .590"
Ramp height to bottom of dovetail = .100"
Factory Front sight height from bottom of Dovetail = .290"

1894 .44 Magnum: Barrel Diameter at front sight = .640"
Ramp height to bottom of dovetail = .140"
Factory Front sight height from bottom of Dovetail = .280"

1895 Guide Gun 45-70: Barrel Diameter at front sight = .775"
Ramp height to bottom of dovetail = .125"
Factory Front sight height from bottom of Dovetail = .290"

1895 45-70: Barrel Diameter at front sight = .775"
Ramp height to bottom of dovetail = .125"
Factory Front sight height from bottom of Dovetail = .290"

444 Marlin: Barrel Diameter at front sight = .740"
Ramp height to bottom of dovetail = .130"
Factory Front sight height from bottom of Dovetail =.290"

336 30-30: Barrel Diameter at front sight = .650"
Ramp height to bottom of dovetail = .115"
Factory Front sight height from bottom of Dovetail = .260"

336 35 Rem: Barrel Diameter at front sight = .650"
Ramp height to bottom of dovetail = .115"
Factory Front sight height from bottom of Dovetail = .260"

336 375 Win: Barrel Diameter at front sight = .650"
Ramp height to bottom of dovetail = .115"
Factory Front sight height from bottom of Dovetail = .260"



After doing some calculations I am prepared to cautiously offer these suggestions for Skinner Aperture Sight / Front sight height combinations (www.skinnersights.com) for ramp mounted sights...

1894 .44 mag front sight .460"
1895 Guide Gun front sight .500"
1895 45-70 front sight .500"
444 Marlin front sight .480"
336 30-30 front sight .510" (based on customer results)
336 35 Rem. front sight .540"
336 375 Win. front sight .540"
39 .22lr front sight .400"


I would still recommend shooting your rifle with the factory front sight first and making the calculations since there are so many variables in individual rifles. (barrel angle, factory ramp heights, load performance, lighting conditions, shooter dynamics, etc)
Doing the "math" is only theoretical and intended to get you close enough to make final adjustments. Our .450" height for ramp mounted front sights and .650" high barrel mount sights have worked for most customers over the years.

The above figures will come close to bringing your sights level to the centerline of the bore which is also a good starting point.

Hope this helps...

Andy
 
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#2 ·
Wow! That is good information. I am amazed at the .500 height over bore centerline to the top of the reciever. Also-No wonder I can never find a good used Marlin around here. You've been beating me to them for years ;D.
 
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