I have a Skinner sight on my 1894. I also had a Williams FP on my .444, but have since removed it in favor of a scope. I can't complain about either one. The Williams is a bit easier to adjust than the Skinner, but adjusting the Skinner is pretty easy, all things considered. The Skinner is made of steel, and IMO, is more robust. The effectiveness of one or the other is a non-issue -- either will produce the same results.

'Sides that, the folks at Skinner Sights are contrbutors to this web-site and all-around good people. If I was in the market to buy another, it would be the Skinner.

 

Just got my skinner Lo-pro to compliment my marlin guide gun with quick release scope mount.

I like the skinner a lot. It is unobtrusive but classy (I got a brass one) and I can replace the grand slam steel base with scope in quick order without having to resight!!. I like to carry a gun with peep for stalking but my eyes need a scope for longer shots :. Got both versions now.

 

I like the skinner sight

 

Just got my skinner Lo-pro to compliment my marlin guide gun with quick release scope mount.

I like the skinner a lot. It is unobtrusive but classy (I got a brass one) and I can replace the grand slam steel base with scope in quick order without having to resight!!. I like to carry a gun with peep for stalking but my eyes need a scope for longer shots :. Got both versions now.

How do you do the quick changeover from iron sight to scope so fast? I've got a leupold scope mounted on a rail at the moment.

 

I have no experience with the Skinner product -unfortunately. I like the look of it, as it compliments the lines of the Marlin 336 well, I think. I also like the steel construction.

I currrently have a Williams 5D on my 336. It is, frankly, kind of a pain in the arse. Oh, it works well enough if you're the "set it and forget it" type bent on regulating your sights for one load. Problem is, I'd like to be able to have repeatable "clicks" to dial my sights in for various loads.

The gunsmith who did my button style half magazine conversion on my 336 ordered the sight for me along with some parts he needed to complete the work comissioned to him. We had a communication breakdown which resulted in my winding up with the 5D on my gun instead of the FP with target knobs that I wanted. Oh, well....

I like the peep because it preserves the handling feel of the 336. I had a peep on my old Griffin and Howe Springfield and got on okay with it, taking game out to over 200 yards. In fact, in the whole of my life, I've only shottwo animals farther than 200 yards. Both were 275 yard pokes. One was on a pig with the peep sighted Springfield and the other was on a mule deer with a scoped Ruger Number 1 in .300 Weatherby. The peep on the 336 keeps me operating within the performance envelope of the .30-30 cartridge. I also like the fact that I can still have a clear sight picture in rain or snow with the peep.

T-C

 

The gunsmith who did my button style half magazine conversion on my 336 ordered the sight for me along with some parts he needed to complete the work comissioned to him. We had a communication breakdown which resulted in my winding up with the 5D on my gun instead of the FP with target knobs that I wanted. Oh, well....

What are the main differences between the FP and the 5D? The Williams peeps definately seem more adjustable than the skinners, but then again I am the kind of set it and forget it person. I tend to shoot the same load on mass without changing at all in between. I am however very focussed on having my guns sighted in perfectly at the range before I go hunting.

I hadn't even seen the Williams' in my search. Cheers for that, opened up a bit of perspective

Andrew

 

I have a Skinner sight on my 1894. I also had a Williams FP on my .444, but have since removed it in favor of a scope. I can't complain about either one. The Williams is a bit easier to adjust than the Skinner, but adjusting the Skinner is pretty easy, all things considered. The Skinner is made of steel, and IMO, is more robust. The effectiveness of one or the other is a non-issue -- either will produce the same results.

'Sides that, the folks at Skinner Sights are contrbutors to this web-site and all-around good people. If I was in the market to buy another, it would be the Skinner.

From the look of it the Williams has a much easier adjustability, no allen keys required. But as I'll generally be using the same loads over and over again a set and forget option would suit me. Can you get a few different eye pieces for the skinners?

Generally this gun will only be used for running around the Aussie bush (occasionally on bikes or quads), shooting off hand at pigs and the odd roo. Looking to build a 45-70 buffalo hunting gun soon tho

 

I have experience with the Williams FP. I did the same thing you are going to do and wrote a post a couple months ago about my first hunting experience with the sight. I have since taken the suggestions offered here and updated the aperture to the hunting version at .125" and that works much better than the smaller target version. I enjoy the lightness of the gun and overall, with the walking in thick stuff, climbing tall ladder stands, etc. I have found the gun to be easier to hunt with overall. I carry binoculars to identify does from button heads and yearlings that I have no interest in harvesting. Here is the link to that thread if interested. http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,81053.0.htmlt

 

While we are talking about the Williams peep sight... if the rifle is driller and tapped for both side mount as well as scope which model is better? The new one that mounts on the top (fp-336) or the older version that mounts from the side (fp-94/36)?

 

What are the main differences between the FP and the 5D?

The FP (fool proof) is adjusted by loosening a lock screw, adjusting micrometer click setting screws and tightening the lock screws. The 5D is set by loosening the mount screws, nudging the sight for windage or elevation then tightening the mount screws.

Can you get a few different eye pieces for the skinners?

Used to be, you could get apertures for the Skinner that went from 0.040" to 0.150" - - though not sure that all the sizes in-between are still available. You could go to the industry partners section, check on the Skinner Sights site and see what info is available there.

 

If you're a "set and forget" guy like me, the WILLIAMS 5D is great. I've picked up several used ones off eBay for under $30....counting shipping. They're perfect for my "beaters"...a RC and a TEXAN destined for better things. Right now, these are my woods walking guns, if I'm not carrying a 357 or 44, and loaners for family members during deer season.

I like the LYMAN 66 a lot better, but you don't see many used ones...or discounted. HOWEVER, you can pick up a sight for a WINCHESTER 94 and a little file work and touch-up blue will have it fit nicely. I have a 30/30 COWBOY and recently acquired one of the 24 inch, half magazine 336A models...they deserve a LYMAN 66 and a #17 front sight...and they aren't on the loaner list either!

Something else on the list is one of the MERIT adjustable aperture eye pieces for the receiver sight. BROWNELLS had them for around $50, but I always forget to include them on an order. I use the similar HADLEY eye cup on the MVA tang sights on my treasured BIG 50 SHILOH SHARPS.

 

I have a Skinner set up on a three fifty-seven carbine and it works as well as I can expect it to . On the 336-44 magnum I have some kind of Williams sight , I set it once years ago and it's worked for everything I've fed the rifle since then .

The thirty-thirty was a little different for me , I shopped around untill I found an fifties manufactured Lyman reciever sight for the rifle . Each sight has it's strong points but I think the rifle length barrels on the two guns work better with my older eyes . The carbine is a mite harder for me to direct proper .

Jack

 

I use a Williams WGRS rear peep and matching Firesight front post on my 336. So far so good...

 

I have Skinner sights on several Marlins and have nothing but good things to say about them. They are compact but robust, easy to adjust and shoot almost as well as a scope. This is one of the new DA models sitting on top of my guide gun.

 

I have Skinner sights on several Marlins and have nothing but good things to say about them. They are compact but robust, easy to adjust and shoot almost as well as a scope. This is one of the new DA models sitting on top of my guide gun.

I love the look of the skinners too. There are so many peep options out there and they all seem to be good. The skinner express in stainless would best suit my case I reckon. What marlins have you got skinners on? I'd be interested to know what loads you use and what your setup is with the front sight.

That is a good looking setup there mate...

Andrew

 

I have Skinner peeps on my 336 30/30. My eyes really need a scope, but the peeps work fine for me.

 

Andrew, I have the weaver grand slam steel 2 piece bases on my gun. The front base always stays on---the weaver GS base is very low and doesn't interfere with peep. I take of the scope in QRW rings with the levers (warne and Leu make them). I do have to remove the rear base cause the skinner uses the rear screw hole. The skinner goes in one screw hole and is very unobtrusive!! Then I put the rear base, with screws, back on the QRW mounts,with scope, and tighten it a little so it's always there! The QRW rings and rear base maintain zero within a nats a** when I remount. It's pretty quick and that's the set up I like. I just don't like scout scope set ups but that's the quickest alternative for both!!!

 

There are a lot of options out there these days for peep sights. Several manufacturers offering several styles and that is a good thing for us!

You have Skinner and Williams as you've seen.

Then there is XS Sights, Jim Brockman, Wild West Guns, and others.

I run both Skinners and Williams FP-336's on various guns and all of them are fine sights. The Skinner looks good and the FP's are a breeze to sight in and sit low and have a LOT of different aperature styles/sizes to choose from.

The Williams FP is probably the only model they offer that I would choose over a Skinner. Comparing their other offerings to Skinner's, as I said, I'd go with the latter. But I prefer the FP to all that I have tried. It just works well for me.

 

The difference between the FP and the 5D is pretty simple. The FP has tiny adjustment screws that have click graduations to help in sighting in or changing sight in. The 5D is more basic and is adjusted by loosening set screws and sliding the sight back and forth or up and down. Both are fine. Get the FP if you like to play with different ammo and will be changing POA/POI a lot.

So, if you like to tinker around with different loads, get the FP. If you are a pick an ammo, set it and forget it kind of guy, get the Skinner.

 

All my lever guns have aftermarket apenture rear sights but, all were made before they stopped drilling them for receiver sights? Why'd they do that? Three Lyman's and one Redfield, by the way.
Steve

 

I have 2 marlin 336 in 30/30. one set up with williams 5D peeps and front fire sight, the other a scout set up with scope.
I like the williams 5D peeps, I set them and leave them as I dont need no target knobs for changing different loads. i stick with 150gr for everything. Be prepared to increase the height of your fron sight with peeps, I had to do it on all 3 of my peep sighted levers.

My 336GBL is as new, does anyone have a as new standard finger lever they would like to swap for the large loop? i dont wear gloves here in australia and to be honest I believe it slows down my follow up shots.

cheers

 

Now you have got me thinking! I just yanked off my scope last week - it is so much more fun at the range using the old iron sights. Now I have another toy to research.

 

I've got a Marlin CS carbine in 30-30 with a Leupold Scout scope + the Marbles tang-mounted peep as a backup. That iron sight has multiple reticals and offers a longer sight radius than those that are receiver mounted. Your preferences of course dictate.

 

I favor the XS ghost ring sights myself. That said, I found a way to mount a quick detachable Burris FastFire ( the absolute fastest sight I have ever used ), and have an XS ghost ring rear permanently mounted and ready for back-up or primary duty. And on top of that I can carry the carbine with my hand wrapped around the receiver in the traditional "lever action carry mode".