Aperture sights have been popular on rifles
for several decades. Often referred to as “peep” sights, as
one peeps through the aperture and focuses upon the front sight,
these sights are very accurate in use. Long-range target
shooters often use aperture sights to shoot at distant targets
using antiquated cartridges in traditional-style single-shot
rifles. Hunters have also come to rely upon dependable peep
sights for use in rough terrain and inclement weather. An
aperture sight is very rugged, even in hard use, and will not
lose its setting after many miles riding in a pickup, ATV, or
saddle scabbard, as some scopes tend to do. Aperture sights,
even those with large apertures, are very accurate, allowing for
much more precise aiming than an open sight out on the barrel.
Most aperture sights are placed atop the receiver, and are
especially appreciated on handy single-shot and lever-action
rifles.
I have recently been introduced to Skinner
Sights. I had heard of this company previously, and had seen one
of their sights briefly a few months ago, but until a mutual
friend brought them to my attention, I had not really looked
closely at them. I am now glad that I did.
Skinner Sights makes some excellent aperture
sights that are as beautifully elegant as they are practical. I
especially like the two-tone “Black Gold” sights, combining
blued steel and brass, for what are likely the classiest-looking
aperture sights that I have ever seen. When I first saw a
picture of one, I had to have it. Pictured here is the long “Skinner
Express” sight, and it looks and functions perfectly atop my
short-barreled Marlin 336 carbine. This Marlin wears an eighteen
and one-half inch barrel, and placing a scope atop the receiver
detracts from both the aesthetics and handiness of the little
30-30 carbine. The front sight is blued steel, slightly ramped
into a serrated post configuration, and was easily fitted into
the front sight ramp of the Marlin. Skinner sends the front
sight a bit tall, so that the user can sight it in perfectly by
carefully filing the top of the sight. The rear sight can still
be adjusted to fine-tune the elevation by turning the aperture
in or out, and the rear sight is also adjustable for windage
correction.
Mounted atop my favorite rimfire rifle, my
Marlin Century Limited Model 39 lever gun, the brass Skinner
Sight adds both beauty and functionality to the handy little
rifle. I am often asked the question; “If you could only have
one rifle……….?”, which is a cruel question to ask a man,
but the answer would be this Marlin Century Limited. I can do
ninety-five percent of what I need to do with a rifle using a 22
rimfire, and this is my favorite rimfire rifle ever built. The
Skinner Sight gives me much better practical accuracy with this
handy little carbine, and the brass looks great with the other
brass accents on this rifle. I have often pondered mounting a
scope atop this sleek little Marlin, but a scope would detract
from its handiness and trim lines. The Skinner looks perfectly
at home atop this Marlin, and it will remain there as long as I
own this rifle.
Skinner makes these sights for many
lever-action and single-shot rifles, as well as the Rossi
Circuit Judge revolving carbine/shotgun. The Skinner Sights
are very affordable, functional, beautiful, and rugged. Skinner
Sights are built right, and built from solid bar stock in
Montana. They are available in brass, blued steel, or stainless.
Several aperture sizes are available, and the sight can also be
used without an aperture insert, for use as a “ghost ring”
sight in low-light conditions. They are also backed by a
thirty-day money-back guarantee, and will be repaired at no
charge, if ever needed. You can’t beat a deal like that, and
you can’t find a better, classier-looking sight at any price.
Check them out and order online at www.skinnersights.com
