doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Fun with Brown Rifles.

Jerry Fisher installs his ebony forend tips with a tenon like that.

Where can I get a Springfield sight so I can shorten the barrel on my Krag?
How about a Rice sight? It came with a cheap Redfield that shoots 18" high at the lowest setting.


I thought this was going to be a fun shooter, but it has about 17 problems and I don't have much time to work on my own projects.
Front sight too high, can't adjust Redfield low enough, barrel (almost) too long to fit in my safe, too much tension on forend band, barrel channel filled with plastic wood, horrible bedding, won't feed because sight is installed in cut-off hole and cases hang up inside action.....at least it was cheap!

Steve,
While it may have cost you a few bucks, it does make me feel good that even a custom gunmaker can buy themselves into a basketcase like that now and then... Boy can I relate...

Steve, what diameter is your bbl at your desired length? I have a few band-type ramps, both Lyman and Redfield, that may be the proper diameter. Higher front ramps for Springfields are sometimes a problem, usually more with the 1903 however. PME makes a nice band ramp of different heights but the NECG product is limited in its height choices.

You'll probably end up bench-making your Rice peep because it's so simple that it shouldn't take long.
Regards, Joe

Blair,
The new wood will outlive me by a long while.

Steven,
"The Cobbler's Children Have No Shoes" If I had your rifle I would get a later 1903 sight that has a blade and not the early dovetailed one I have. Install the sight where you want it and make a TALL blade, set your Redfield flush with the rifle and file the sight at the range to the yardage you want. Finding a Rice sight is not impossible but darn close. I see them all the time on Krags at places like GunBrokers but not alone. I suspect if they are away from the rifle not many would even know what it was.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=117129189

I may have an early 1903 front sight and if I do I'll mail it.

Eureka! Found a brand new one, I have no use for it, if you want it it's yours.

Steve, a good thing about your Krag is that the wood on the left side is carried up over the magazine cover. It makes the rifle a bit thicker through the middle but stiffens the stock considerably.

The little Krag specific Redfield (can't remember the designation, mine has one) may go a bit lower if you replaced the peep insert with one of smaller diameter. If that gun shoots 18" high with the front sight I see in the picture, the barrel is bent.

On a hunting rifle the peep insert is superfluous.

Not to me.

Brent, I've got $250 and a copy of my latest book invested so it looks like a bargain compared to the auction rifle Mike posted, eh?

J.D., Much thanks, but I'd be nuts not to take Mike up on his most generous offer!

I think you've got my address Mike, just don't expect to see it on the rifle very soon, but it will find a home on a hopefully, shortened barrel. I know the sight height drill from muzzleloader days. How long is you Krag brl with the '03 sight band? Are Krag barrels notoriously difficult to remove?

I think I can make the Redfield work if I fit a longer screw to flush on the inside so cartridges won't hang-up on the cut-off screw hole. (Didn't cotton to the Allen head anyway.) Anyone understand what I'm saying?

Mark, It's a cheap stock of it's day, but you're correct it's less likely to become a two-piece. The grip cap came installed, as did the not-to-bad steel buttplate, but the inletting is abysmal. When remove the rear action screw, the action pops up about 1/4". Tooo much front tension!

8B, I know, I tried!


So let's see your favorite Brown Rifle, even if it's been buffed and blued like my Krag!
Thanks to all!
Steve