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What’s the difference between a Lyman tang sight marked with an “N” and one marked with “NI” ? I know the “NI” is for a 33 caliber. But is it alright to put a “NI” sight on an 1886 that isn’t a 33 caliber ? Would it work okay ? Also, were early Lyman’s not stamped with any letter underneath the base ? Thanks, Dale.
35th Security Police Squadron, Phan Rang AB, RVN, May 70-71.
All gave some, some gave all.
A “N” or “NI” will fit any 86 or any Winchester for that matter since the hole spacing is the same but once its on no one will be able to tell the difference. You could also use a “S” marked one for a single shot as well. There might be a difference in staff height, I have never compared them but they will work. As far as code marks on the bottom. I have seen Lyman sights that are not marked but those tend to be sights that have patent dates on the base in the 73 sights. The 86 sights I have seen, all had code marks as I recall. The earlier thick base tang sights had the model designation stamped on the spring, either 73 or 76.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
The difference between the NI and N sights for the Model 1886 is the lowest and total elevation of the shaft. The 33 WCF had a much flatter trajectory than a 45-90, for instance, so the NI probably isn’t suited for the big calibers at longer ranges and the NI isn’t suited for the large calibers at short ranges. Also, the 1886’s bolt is much longer than the other lever actions so tang sights for any other model will get bumped when the lever is lowered on an 1886.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Thanks Guy’s, Just what I needed to know. Dale.
35th Security Police Squadron, Phan Rang AB, RVN, May 70-71.
All gave some, some gave all.
This is going to seem like a dumb question, but I’m new to lever actions and tang sights. The tang sights I’ve seen on the internet for the 1886 (mine is a 40 year old Browning made by Miroku) have two mounting holes. The tang on my rifle has only one hole. Do you have to drill a hole in the tang to mount the sight? Yikes, that scares me. Help me understand what I need to do to mount a tang sight please. Thanks.
Doug Bohman said
This is going to seem like a dumb question, but I’m new to lever actions and tang sights. The tang sights I’ve seen on the internet for the 1886 (mine is a 40 year old Browning made by Miroku) have two mounting holes. The tang on my rifle has only one hole.
The second point of attachment is the upper tang screw. With the original sights, a special screw having a small head to fit into the tang sight base was provided with the sight, but the factory screw may be long enough to go through the base into the lower tang by a couple of threads. Or you can find the correct small head screw (repros) on ebay.
Wincacher said
Also, the 1886’s bolt is much longer than the other lever actions so tang sights for any other model will get bumped when the lever is lowered on an 1886.
So get a Marbles’ “Flexible” & don’t worry about it.
You will have to drill another hole in the upper tang. Any good gunsmith that is familiar with the model 1886, can do the correct hole spacing and thread the new hole. However, you should know that the Browning ’86 has a very long marking on the upper tang. The new hole must be drilled through part of that marking.
Doug Bohman said
This is going to seem like a dumb question, but I’m new to lever actions and tang sights. The tang sights I’ve seen on the internet for the 1886 (mine is a 40 year old Browning made by Miroku) have two mounting holes. The tang on my rifle has only one hole. Do you have to drill a hole in the tang to mount the sight? Yikes, that scares me. Help me understand what I need to do to mount a tang sight please. Thanks.
The sights with two holes that you are looking at were not made for the replica Japanese Winchesters. Marble’s makes a sight for the imported Model 1886 with only 1 hole in it. No need to butcher your specimen and lower its value. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1005875584
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Wincacher said
The sights with two holes that you are looking at were not made for the replica Japanese Winchesters. Marble’s makes a sight for the imported Model 1886 with only 1 hole in it.
It was extreme carelessness or ignorance to omit the tang sight screw hole, & still call it a “Model 1886”; or did Browning assume these would be “collector’s items” no one was actually going to shoot?
Thank guys. Appreciate the feedback very much!
Don’t know about “carelessness” and have never handled a non-genuine Winchester but I believe the reason for the one hole tang is that they were required by new safety regulations to put a safety on the tang and this precluded the use of a tang sight. Not sure if this applies to the Model 1886.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Wincacher said
Don’t know about “carelessness” and have never handled a non-genuine Winchester but I believe the reason for the one hole tang is that they were required by new safety regulations to put a safety on the tang and this precluded the use of a tang sight.
A safety? That’s far more off-putting than omitting the screw hole. Who’d want one configured that way, unless Browning was just about giving them away…which I suspect is far from true.
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