Quick-Detachable "Peep"
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2024 11:58 pm
I have long been a fan of Receiver "peep" Sights and like the Pacific and Redfield "No-Drill" models, that were made for the U.S. Krag.
These commercial sights allowed civilian owners to add a receiver sight without requiring professional services.
The "No-Drills" used existing openings on the Krag receiver, so no drilling and tapping of mount holes was required.
(Collectors love that no permanent blemishes were inflicted, when these 'sporting' sights were used)!
I do like to leave the magazine cut-off lever, in place, on a Krag.
I never use the magazine cut-off; but I like something occupying the machined cavities of the receiver.
The shaft part of the cut-off lever serves a role in the smooth feed of cartridges, through the Krag action.
The Pacific Krag sights neatly replace the cut-off unit.
The Redfield no. 70K and no. 102K sights require removal of the cut-off lever and leave some "raw edges".
There are aspects of the Redfield "No-Drill" sights, that I prefer.
I experimented using a Redfield no. 102K sight on a Krag, leaving the magazine cut-off lever in place,
and dispensing with the Sheetmetal plate that is screwed to the back of the base and hooks into the cut-off opening.
The only thing attaching the sight was the extra-long side-plate screw, that replaces the original SA screw.
This seemed to work, but later, I noticed there had been some rotation of the sight-base on the single anchor screw.
I improvised a replacement plate from a strip of scrap copper. Instead of a 'hook', the copper plate is shaped to the contour of the cut-off lever and has a 'finger' that fits under the lever.
The copper plate prevents the cut-off lever from being accidentally applied and it hold the sight from moving or rotating on the single mounting screw.
The Redfield sight is now solid and can be quickly taken off and put on any U.S. Krag rifle, by removing and switching one screw.
(BTW - The long side-plate screw, in the photo, was fashioned from a replica 1903 Springfield rear barrel-band screw. The screw was cut to length and the shank reduced in diameter, just above the threads).
These commercial sights allowed civilian owners to add a receiver sight without requiring professional services.
The "No-Drills" used existing openings on the Krag receiver, so no drilling and tapping of mount holes was required.
(Collectors love that no permanent blemishes were inflicted, when these 'sporting' sights were used)!
I do like to leave the magazine cut-off lever, in place, on a Krag.
I never use the magazine cut-off; but I like something occupying the machined cavities of the receiver.
The shaft part of the cut-off lever serves a role in the smooth feed of cartridges, through the Krag action.
The Pacific Krag sights neatly replace the cut-off unit.
The Redfield no. 70K and no. 102K sights require removal of the cut-off lever and leave some "raw edges".
There are aspects of the Redfield "No-Drill" sights, that I prefer.
I experimented using a Redfield no. 102K sight on a Krag, leaving the magazine cut-off lever in place,
and dispensing with the Sheetmetal plate that is screwed to the back of the base and hooks into the cut-off opening.
The only thing attaching the sight was the extra-long side-plate screw, that replaces the original SA screw.
This seemed to work, but later, I noticed there had been some rotation of the sight-base on the single anchor screw.
I improvised a replacement plate from a strip of scrap copper. Instead of a 'hook', the copper plate is shaped to the contour of the cut-off lever and has a 'finger' that fits under the lever.
The copper plate prevents the cut-off lever from being accidentally applied and it hold the sight from moving or rotating on the single mounting screw.
The Redfield sight is now solid and can be quickly taken off and put on any U.S. Krag rifle, by removing and switching one screw.
(BTW - The long side-plate screw, in the photo, was fashioned from a replica 1903 Springfield rear barrel-band screw. The screw was cut to length and the shank reduced in diameter, just above the threads).