Add iron sights to handi-rifle?

[model 49 rick]

A few years ago, my son's "other grandfather" (not my dad) left a H&R handi-rifle to my son. It's chambered in .30-06, and the boy finds it a bit harsh on the recoil, so it's effectively mine for the time being.

It is set up for a red dot or other holographic sight. I'm not that kind of guy. I can't bring myself to trust a sight that depends on a battery, even though it is very accurate.

I want to have iron sights added to it. For me, price is not really an object. I can afford it. The trouble I have run into is finding a gunsmith that is up to the job.

Can anyone make me a recommendation - preferably within 100 miles driving distance of Indianapolis, IN - of a gunsmith that you know from personal experience who can make the necessary calulations (because it needs both barrel & rear) and the machining or silver soldering to put a high quality set of iron sights on this gun?

It currently has a 4" picatinny rail at the rear of the barrel, and no provision for a front sight at all.

 

[jlrhiner]

How about just buying a barrel with iron sights on it? Put the '06 up till the young sir is of age and wants it.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

H&R has a barrel fitting program so you can add different barrels to your son's inherited rifle. If the .30-06 is too much for him, you can get 7-08 or .30-30 barrels or smaller fit to the receiver, and the .30-30 comes with iron sights. If you really want to have fun with iron sights, you can have a .500 S&W barrel fitted!

ECS

 

[M3Stuart]

Here's the link to H&R's website. Appears that the barrels come in several varieties (good) and that there's only a few 'types' (also good).

H&R 1871 - Barrel Accessory Program

It might be cheaper just to send it to them, see if it passes inspection, and get whatever barrel you want that fits - in your case, one with iron sights.

 

[model 49 rick]

good one

I totally did not know you could just swap out a barrel with those guns. Now that I think on it, I don't see not being able to do it. As long as the firing pin lines up with the center of the different bore, why wouldn't it work just the same?

Thank you gentlemen!

Update: It turns out there are a few hoops to jump through. I'll have to verify when the rifle was made to see if it's eligible for the accessory barrel program, and see if the frame is the right type. Then I UPS it to them for inspection and fitting of the new barrel. Price is really reasonable, but the number of calibers that they make with open sights and drilled/tapped is limited. I think the 20" .223 will be my choice if the gun passes muster.

It's still a great option - thank you again!