Ishy 2a questions

[redbaron]

Anybody know how the rear sight on the 2a are attached? Are they soldered on or pinned or something? I've talked to a gunsmith about removing it and he said the only way he knew how was to grind it off.

As a side note, anybody use the Williams receiver peep sights that Midway sells? Was just wondering how stable they are, if they're prone to breaking off, etc.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Claven2]

It has the same rear sight assembly as a No.1MkIII except the ramp angle is different. To remove it you drift out the pin and the ladder comes off. If you also want to remove the base, you drift out the pin for the front sight and also the transverse pin through the base. Then using a brass punch, first drift off the front sight base, remove the barrel collar and then drift off the rear sight ramp. It is not soldered on.

[redbaron]

Ok, so I see a small screw in the rear sight base when I lift up the rear sight ladder. So just take out this screw and drift off the rear sight base? Thanks in advance for the help, I just want to make sure I don't mess anything up

[Claven2]

You need to remove that screw, plus there is a pin going through the base cross-wise. You drift it out to the side.

[scrmblerkari]

RedBaron, do you have a Cooey (?) Canadian rear sight such as you would find on a 1910 Ross rifle? I have one that came with my 2A .22 rifle and it is a very fine sight indeed. Numrich gun parts has them for about $30 which is the deal of the century if they fit. They look identical, but one never knows until actually fitting up the sight. I am at work but could look this up for you when I get home if you are interested.

[redbaron]

No, I'm actually planning on installing one of these MidwayUSA - Williams 5D-SMLE Receiver Peep Sight British Lee Enfield Nos. 1, 4, and 5 Aluminum Black . The v-notch sight on the rifle is pretty bad, and I've always liked peep sights more anyway

[Swagman]

redbaron,
That Williams sight looks like a real answer to the one thing I don't like about my Ishy; the rear sight.
Question: can you remove the bolt for cleaning with the Williams sight installed? It looks like the bolt head group would contact the sight during removal of the bolt.
Swagman

[redbaron]

That's a good question, I didn't think about that little bit on the left sticking out too far. I suppose it would matter how you mounted it exactly. Maybe it sits high enough up on the receiver bridge that you can flick the bolt head group out. I'm thinking it's not much of a problem seeing as the reviews it gets don't mention anything about that, and that would be one of the first things I would complain about if it was happening on my rifle.

Guess i'll just have to give it the old school yard try and see what happens

[Swagman]

redbaron,
I ordered the Williams FP SMLE TK sight direct from Williams
Williams Gun Sight, Inc. | Gun sights for rifles, pistols, shotguns, muzzleloaders, and more Delivery took only four days.
This one has micrometer elev. and windage ajustment and target knobs, for $82.50 US.
Unfortunately, It was misassembled in that the aperture carriage was put on backwards. It's on it's way back to Williams for reassembly.
Swagman

[Kansas Volunteer]

I found the Ishy sight on my bubbaed rifles to be to be first set with a set screw running downwards through the base. Then there was a cross pin toward the rear of the base that had to be driven out. Finally the base was soldered on and required heat to remove it. The sight itself has to be removed to get to the set screw in the base.

When you remove the sight, there will be a small cross hole in the barrel. Save the pin you knocked out to refill this hole. Lightly peen the hole to make a tight fit for the pin put a slight taper on one end of the pin and drive that end through the hole. Once in, file the exposed part of the pin flush with the barrel. You will hardly notice the repair.

You will probably find the Williams sight will not work well until you remove the charger bridge. Lyman made a sight specifically for the No1 MkIII action that mounts on the right side of the reciever and is contoured to be a perfect fit, unlike the Williams. There is one offered on ebay right now. It too will probably require the charger bridge to be removed. But, I'm uncertain as I've not installed new front sights on my rifles to give it a proper test. Messing with the Lyman sights does suggest to me the charger bridge will have to be removed.