P14 Rear Sight

[mausernut]

Does anyone know if the rear sights were the same on Winchesters and Remingtons or were they different? Reason I sm ssking is the one on my Winchester has been replaced because the #s don't match and it shoots quite low.

Information

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[jamie5070]

The front sight insert may have been replaced with one that is too tall. Some places like Springfield Sporters used to sell packs of different height front inserts. You can also file down your front sight.
What kind of ammo are you using?

[mausernut]

Igman and Privi. Both 180 gr. What I happen to have on hand

[M94/14]

The sights were regulated with Ball ammo, 174gr flat base projectile @ 2440fps. These rifles are now 99-100 years old, with stocks that have likely shrunk over the years. The stock bedding surfaces may be worn somewhat and the pressure pad at the front of the stock may not produce the upward pressure it once did causing points of impact to change. The rear sights were essentially all the same from the 3 manufacturers. Obtain some correct ball ammo and head to the range. Before firing, flip up the sight ladder. Then select the 200m setting and fire a careful grouping of 5 shots at 100m. If the group prints approx. 3"-4" above point of aim you're good to go. If much higher, or lower, an front sight change is likely needed.

[us019255]

and it shoots quite low.

Don't forget that the Brits regulated their rifles to shoot point of aim not the 6 o'clock hold taught in the USA. I have never shot a P14, but my SMLE's and No. 4 requires the sights to be set at~400 yds to hit a 200 yd target using a 6 o'clock hold.

[browningautorifle]

It's more simple that that, many of these rifles have now been cobbled together from parts and contain what came to hand. It maybe wrong from one end to the other... A start would be correct ammo and tight screws, change the front sight for height, and it will probably shoot fine.

[Kiwi]

Taken directly from the instructions for Armourers 1912 (reprint 1916) Addendum Instructions for care and repair of rifles, magazine .303-inch, Pattern 1914. Printed 1918. I am happy to be corrected on this, but it would appear to me that the instructions for armourers states that back sights are not interchangeable as that is not noted in the remarks column, as it is for example for the magazine platform where ERA and RE platforms are specifically noted as being interchangeable. I guess that is why the back sight was numbered to the rifle. I'm not sure if the reason for not being interchangeable was because it would change the point of impact or for other tolerances issues such as width, thickness of sight parts, etc.

If it has not been provided before on this site, I could provide a scan of whole original document for future reference to fellow P14 collectors if there is interest.

[M94/14]

I guess the first question I should have asked... Is the rifle in full wood "Military Pattern" configuration, or has it been Sportered?

Full Military Pattern rifles had a pad in the front of the barrel channel of the stock that produced some upward pressure on the barrel. If the rifle was Sportered, it will no longer have that pad creating the upward barrel pressure and will shoot to a different point of aim.

I wouldn't worry too much about the rear sight matching as many don't. If the sight physically fits the rifle, and is in fact a P14 sight and not an M1917 Sight, then just find the correct sight blade to give the impact point you want.

Or...if the rifle is going to be a shooter only, with little collector value, then find a Parker hale P5b rear target sight and you'll have all the adjust ability you could ever want.