Avatar
Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon
98a - Bolt Peep Sight - Changes and fit?
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Avatar
Pound, WI
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 82
Member Since:
March 1, 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
March 8, 2024 - 2:16 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hello all, 

I finally located a replacement 98a bolt peep sight for my 1936 M71

The sight will be here in a week or so.

I noticed after purchasing that the sight I have coming has some differences and I am wanting to know if there will be an issue fitting this in my existing bolt?

My current sight has a single slotted screw on top just behind the aperture and the sight that’s coming has TWO slotted screws in that location (See photos)

I also noticed that the breech end of the sight I am getting has a slightly different shap to the base.

So, the question is….will this new sight work with my current original bolt??

Also, the new sight is missing the elevation nut and spring, but I am hoping I will be able to use my existing nut/spring.

Would appreciate your thoughts and tips on how to carefully do the swap without doing damage.  

Another member has already given me some tips, but I am open to all the guidance I can get.

https://i.postimg.cc/G2F1zgF4/early-98a-sight.jpgImage Enlarger

https://i.postimg.cc/j2RY16cZ/Later-98a-sight.jpgImage Enlarger

Tom Graham - Salmon, Idaho

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 459
Member Since:
November 8, 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
March 9, 2024 - 4:28 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I have both variations and I don’t see any differences in the way they fit the bolt.  I believe they use the same bolt cut out.

However, I’ve never tried to fit them in a bolt myself.   

Avatar
Pound, WI
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 82
Member Since:
March 1, 2011
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
March 9, 2024 - 4:45 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I have removed my existing sight from my M71 

Here are photos of the bolt/sight 

https://i.postimg.cc/0QSWJxrL/IMG-0586.jpgImage Enlarger

https://i.postimg.cc/T1qtC9V0/IMG-0587.jpgImage Enlarger

https://i.postimg.cc/BZx7SqrF/IMG-0588.jpgImage Enlarger

https://i.postimg.cc/3NHLX6vW/IMG-0589.jpgImage Enlarger

Tom Graham - Salmon, Idaho

Avatar
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 305
Member Since:
September 21, 2016
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
March 11, 2024 - 1:05 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I’m guessing the 2 screw variation came along later in production as a design change. I’ve seen them both variations. 

It would be interesting to see the rest of your early 71… looks like the stocks are carved?!

Avatar
New Mexico-AK-AL
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 83
Member Since:
April 3, 2018
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
March 16, 2024 - 11:56 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

An interesting 98a thread series and Model 71. I just got another M98a sight and installed it. It was missing a through-pin so I made one

that functions well. I have three pre-war Model 71s that are fitted withe the Winchester 98 a sight. It was not unusual for Winchester to change

or improve a rifle or sight design slightly. One of my early M-71s is chambered in 450 Fuller, a wildcat cartridge similar to the 450 Alaskan and

originating from the same rifle shop in Cooper Landing, AK.  The 1886/M-71 rifles and Browning-designed rifles were and still are popular in Alaska and Western Canada.

The reason is fast reliable cycling and cartridge feeding in bear country. 

As strong as the 98a sight is, there might be a useful combination that have discovered for my Model 71 in 450 Alaskan:

a Lyman 56 combined with a Marbles 95 fold-down sporting rear sight. Should the LY 56 become damaged in any way, field use of the Marbles 95

can be instantly brought into play as a back-up sight.

Avatar
Rusty Knox
Guest
WACA Guest
6
May 6, 2025 - 5:46 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Where did you find the 98a sight, are they available at other places?

Avatar
Santa Clara, CA
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 898
Member Since:
January 27, 1992
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
May 8, 2025 - 12:10 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

The second screw in the top of the sight is a ‘set screw’ for sight “ZERO”.  When the sight’s ‘ZERO’ is established, the second screw is screwed down to contact the bolt. This will not allow  the sight to go lower than “ZERO”.  In the field if the sight is raised for a longer shot it can quickly and positively be returned to “ZERO” eaisly.  RDB

Avatar
Northeast Washington
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 486
Member Since:
July 3, 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
May 8, 2025 - 7:41 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Rusty Knox said
Where did you find the 98a sight, are they available at other places?

  

I have a couple available right now.  However, they are packed and loaded in my van for the Colorado show next week.  PM if interested.  Ben

Forum Timezone: UTC 0
Most Users Ever Online: 4623
Currently Online: mrcvs, deerhunter, Big Larry
Guest(s) 112
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
clarence: 7119
TXGunNut: 6192
Chuck: 5609
steve004: 5034
1873man: 4658
Big Larry: 2507
twobit: 2478
mrcvs: 2129
Maverick: 1936
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 18
Topics: 14430
Posts: 128393

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 2021
Members: 9786
Moderators: 4
Admins: 3
Navigation