Anyone else put modern optics on an old rifle?

[BubbaBlades]

I put this green dot sight on a Weaver mount that I modified to fit this 1949 Mossberg 42M-C. The original aperture sight works great in good lighting but not so well in poor lighting. The green dot can be mounted or removed in seconds allowing the use of the aperture sights.

In my opinion, some older rifles do not look or work that well with modern sights.

Mark

 

[Tahoe01]

Nice optics

 

[iouri]

I put rails & scope on my Mosin. Didn't care much about preserving original looks.

 

[Texas Star]

Well, if I owned a Mannlicher-Schoenauer, I'd put a modern Zeiss 'scope on it. Maybe a Kahles or Swarovski.

I used to have a Model 1908 M-S and used just the iron sights. If I buy another, it'd be made from the 1950's-on.
I think the older ones should have the original sights and not be altered for modern mounts.

 

[gizamo]

I'm gettin to old, .... I guess.

Modern optics look about as good on guns, as spandex does on on some of the Walmart shoppers....I see in the store.

You know the ones...

 

[2152hq]

I like the period correct look even if modern up to date is better as far as optical quality goes. I'm not much for 'scopes any way. I like the iron sight look.
Of my 4 M/Schoenaurs, only one has the scars of the old claw mounts in it. I should find time to repair the rifle.
I have a Voitlander(?) scope that came attached in claw mounts to a double rifle in 9.3x74r.
Right for the period and rifle maker, but not something I like to use.

I just finished up fixing up a Model 1950 M/S for a customer.
It had seen 2 different 'scope mounts in it's life.
A side mount which was put on crooked & almost in the right space provided for. A gob of plastic wood filler to cover the space hacked out of the stock for the mount plate.
The other, a Leupold top mount made for the rifle but it required drilled and tapped holes through both the top ring markings and the side rec'vr markings.
9 holes in all. The side D&T's when through into the bolt raceway and magazine. A spiffy bright buff and blue job somewhere in it's life finished the rifle off.
All fixed now. Holes filled, all the lettering recut and a rust blue job to complete it.

If it needs a 'scope & mount, all it needs is what was originally intended to be on it.

..that flintlock w/the optic sight. That looks so very wrong...

 

[bushmaster1313]

Getting a 1950's Weaver for my 1950's Model 70

 

[gizamo]

Good period correct optics and original mounts are gettin pretty pricey. I am amazed at how much older optics are starting to fetch. They are also disapearing from the market, quickly.

Hmmmmm, ...

 

[ancient-one]

Not long ago I bought a Savage 219C in 22 hornet that had a El Paso made V2.5-7 scope on it. I am pretty sure it is about the same vintage as the rifle. For that particular rifle I wouldn't want a Red Dot etc. on it.
I think it depends on the gun.

 

[Cyrano]

If you get an old Weaver, make sure it works. The couple that bought the stock of Weaver parts and did wonderful work on repairing Weavers (I had a few done by them) retired a few years ago.

 

[LouisianaJoe]

I recently bought a Savage Sporter 23A that was in great shape.It had a Lyman peep sight and a JC Higgins scope on it. This model was made in the 20's and 30's. The optics were clear and at 50 yds, it shot under an inch. Someone told me that the scope was made by weaver for sears.

I have been thinking about getting a Scout Scope for my Mosin-Nagant. You can get mounts that can be mounted to the rear sight area using the pin that holds the rear sight on.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have a modern Shilo Sharps in 45-70, it has the 4 inch long tang sight that should be good just shy of a mile with the right loaded bullet. I don't have eyes for much beyond 300 with iron sights. I've pick up a Unirtel 15x 2" Varmenter to put on it. I'm look at 79MOA from a 200yd zero to be on target at 1000yds with a 520gr bullet muzzel vol. about 1150-1200fps black powder load. If I go with the 6x scopes from the guys in Montana they won't have the MOA's I need and cost several hundred more for glass that isn't as clear (but it will be pretty brass). I'm looking at getting the steel mounting blockes mounted this fall. The Montana scopes use a very well made copy of the old Winchester external adjusters, which are very corse compaired to the Unirtel's. If I ever decide to run smokeless loads into the 1300 to 1400fps range, I think I can stretch out to the 3/4 mile area (1320yds). Tom Sellick's Quigly shot of about 400 yards offhand at the bucket is still fantastic, but his cases are 7/10 of an inch longer and hold about 40 grains more powder.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Yes

 

[brucev]

Not yet. But, I am working up to it. I positively adore my 1903 and 1903-A3 rifles. I have several M-1 Garands that are to me nothing less than wonderful. For 30 years I've enjoyed shooting these rifles. My vision is now such that I must wear bifocals. With 1x reading glasses I can still use my beloved iron sighted military rifles to shoot vintage military rifle matches. But, for hunting, etc., I've got to make some adjustments. So... I will either drill and tap my Smith Corona and fix it up along the line of a 03-A4 rifle, or I will find a 03-A3 that has been D&T and use it as the basis for making a faux 03-A4. I have also discovered a company names Amega that makes a little item called the Amega Mount. This replaces the rear handguard on a Garand allowing one to mount a extended eye relief scope centered over the bore. I have on hand a 2x EER Nikon which I will use to scope one of my M-1's. I will use the two rifles for hunting. Another happy advantage is that I will be able to use both rifles in club centerfire matches. Given that most of the fellows are not shooting hotrod rifles but just regular everyday stuff, I figure I'll have as good a chance as anyone in putting up a good possibly even winning score.

 

[Out West]

I put a Burris Scout scope on a Mauser 98. Nice rifle: very accurate with the addition of the scope (I don't shoot iron sights so well these days). A bit heavy in the field so it doesn't make the hunting rifle rotation very often. I have no doubt about it's ability to get the job done.

Out
West