I'm new. Just found you guys. Born and Raised in Maine where I actively chase Whitetail deer around the state. Picked up a new rifle last year like everyone else. A Marlin 1895G in 45-70. Need some advice. I'm going to put a Williams Receiver sight on it and have a few questions I can't really get answered about it.

Is the 2D a junker compared to the FP (Fool Proof) What are the major differences, other than the micro minute adjustments?

Has anyone put a peep sight on there guide gun? Any thoughts?

I put a 5D on my 336 / .35 Rem (same hole spacing for all the Marlin centerfire guns I believe).

Anyway, it works well enough, beats that factory 'buckhorn' sights, I suppose the only gripe would be that it would be a pain to move around for different loads (no 'click' adjustments).

A lot of people like the Ashley ghost ring, but I prefer the Williams as I can still have a weaver scope base on the gun with about half an inch of the base cut off at the rear. Need a scope on the gun for shooting pigs a night.

If you are going to experiment with different loads, no doubt a click adjustment would be better. If you are going to stay with one load, then the cheaper version would probably serve you well.

Mike's advice sounds about right.

I've got a 1895LTD1 that I tried the 5D (Midway had a big sale on them a couple years back) and had the same results as Mike. Sold it to another feller for his Mod 39A and bought the FP model. It was a huge improvement over the 5D for precise adjustments. Considering the cost difference, I'd go ahead and get the FP and be done with it.

I called Williams and talked to the nicest fella about what I was looking for and how they could direct me. I guess the Guide gun was stopped manufactured with the side holes on the receiver a few years back. So I guess my decision will be made when I check my gun. The 5D is the same as the FP except if you run different loads in it the adjustment is much more difficult. I run the same ammo so the 5D will suit me fine, but I guess that depends on the year of my gun. I do have the holes drilled in the top, so I can go for that little one with the ramp, but I really don't like that one much. Only time will tell. Thanks all.

I have the FP on my 1895G and simply love it. Luckily, mine is side mounted. I sure wish they had not stopped that, but oh well, they didn't ask me before making the change :(
Anyway, the one thing I really like about the FP is I put a target knob on the elevation slide. However, I found that with the 405 gr. bullets I was shooting, I did not have enough elevation adjustment. No problem, I ordered a longer target knob and presto, I was back in business. I do not know if that option is available on the 5D or not. Otherwise, there is nothing wrong with the 5D. Since I sighted my rifle in, I have not touched the adjustment knob so I guess you could say it was not needed, however, that target knob really does make cranking in elevation quick, easy, and repeatable.

I've been shooting Marlin leverguns with Williams peep sights for a couple decades now. I've used both the 5D and the Foolproof. Sight adjustment is much easier and more precise with the Foolproof, as has already been pointed out, but then, when you hunt with one given load, sight adjustment isn't that big a deal. My older .444 has lived with it's same 5D sight since the third day I've owned it, and that gun has accounted for more filled game tags than all my other firearms combined. No complaints here.

Either sight you choose will give years of trouble free service.

God Bless,

Marshall

As for the holes in the side of the reciever for the sights,
any competent gunsmith can drill and tap them for you.
Just decide which sight you want and take the sight with the rifle.

I have both Williams and Lyman reciever sights on my lever guns. The Williams are the FP models, I almost never use the adjustment features except for sighting in. But I prefer this type to the other style. I think the click adjustments can do better fine adjustments.

I have also found the Lyman reciever sights have more available elevation than the Williams so I lean towards the Lyman now a days.

So I ordered the set up today from Williams. They did not provide the best price, but after speaking with the guy for three days I figured I owed the company that much. I ordered the 5D for my 1895G Guide Gun. It was the 336 model that looks the same as all the ones that attach at the side, except this does to the top screws on the receiver. I took some measurements and he set me up with a front firesight that should be high enough. Hopefully everything works out. Three boxes of ammo and I am in business.

Why would I need to have a gunsmith drill into my receiver if I can attach this sight to the top with factory holes? Just curious? Is there a disadvantage to attaching on the top?

Unless they've changed the mounting procedure, the Williams, Redfield and Lyman receiver sights all are side mounted - not top mounted. Takes 2 mounting holes to be d/t'd on the left rear side of the receiver. The beauty of these sights is that you can unscrew the aparature for a big ghost ring sight, or install various diameter apratures to suit your needs. They're all standard threaded. I've even got an extra one that has a brass outline and larger peep for dark days or morning/evening twilights conditions.

The screw on the top arm is just to ensure that the arm doesn't get bent down further after the sight is adjusted. It doesn't attach to the receiver.

Williams does make a reciever sight for the USRAC 94 AE rifles that uses the top two rear scope mount holes.
Check their web site, and if it doesn't show up clear, order a catalog.
However I don't know if this sight will fit a Marlin. This is why I mentioned having the holes drilled in the side of the rifle.

A real stupid move by both USRAC and Marlin for deleting the side mount screw holes. At least as far as I am concerned.

The Williams company now manufactors a M336 top mount sight. Looks identical to the side mount, but utilizes the top screws to be used with the new big bores. New Catalog item.

Thanks for sharing, hadn't heard that. A response to Marlin no longer drilling & tapping the receivers for side mounts, I would guess.

I'm real happy with my FP rear sight and the fiber optic "Firesight" out front. This is what I've always had on my 45-70 1895G. Perfect gun for Maine woods. Happy hunting.

My first Marlin, in 1962 (336SC-.35 Remington) I set up as my mentors recommended at the time: Williams Foolproof side-mount receiver peep, and Redfield Sourdough post front. That rifle slew a slew of game from chucks to rabbits to deer, as it was my only cf rifle for two years. It's still bringing home the venison in the hands of its third owner. My present Marlins, bought in 1981 and 1994, both still had the side of the receiver tapped for the Williams, and I slapped a couple of them on. Found some of the discontinued Sourdough fronts at a Gun Show, and I was in business. Nowadays, the simplest peep sight solution for Marlins is the Skinner set-up, and that's what I'd go with if I had to equip a new Marlin today. I don't like tang sights, or the Williams that mounts in the rear scope sight holes on top of the Marlin and hangs over the rear of the gun.