1917 rear sight conversion

[Jerome Cooper]

Somewhere back in time someone had a recipe for converting the rear sight on a 1917 to enable the shooter to correct for windage. IIRC they used a rear sight from an automatic weapon...nomenclature unknown. If one does not want to use a different sight, is it possible to somehow install/rig up a sight base screw that works similar to the system used on an O3-A3 that ratchets the Ladder assembly right and/or left with or without "clicks". It would seem to be preferable to pushing the front sight around. I admit to sometime lacking imagination, but I cannot understand why the designers/manufacturers of the 17 never made an adjustable for windage rear sight to begin with. I currently use a converted SKS front sight tool and while it works..its a PITA. Comments/ideas/info would be appreciated. Thanx. J.Cooper

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.

[Chuckindenver]

i think someone modfied a BAR, 1919 or Thompson rear sight for adjustments...not real sure what one...but it seemed like a bit of work.

[M94/14]

Jerome

It would be much easier, and likely less expensive, to buy an Parker Hale 5B sight off ebay. The 5B sight was designed to fit the P14 and offers elevation and windage adjustments. The good news is that also fits the M1917. I have one installed on one of my 17's and although the sight is graduated for the .303 mk VI round, I've found the settings to be very close with m2 ball.

Hope this helps.

[michael pollack]

The rear sight for the Model 1928A1 thompson machine gun used a Lyman type adjustable rear sight, later they incorperated a stamped model with NO adjustments The early one (Lyman)could be used on the Model 1917 ....Mike

[harry mac]

Why is adjusting the fore-sight a "PITA"? Surely it's a case of set n forget it.

[oldpaul]

For me it is a pain because on my P14, it is necessary to move the front sight so far to the left that it makes a very unnatural sight picture with the sight so close to the 'ears'. My eye wants to center the sight between the ears (somewhat like an aperture sight) and it is an odd picture with a lot of light on one side and little on the other. Other than a windage adjustable rear sight, the only other option I can see is turning the barrel in the receiver which is really a pain in the butt. Regards. Tom

[jamie5070]

Is your P-14 barrel bent? I once thought of taking a spare rear sight and grinding the sides of the base of the sight (where the screw goes through) and then running a tap through the screw hole. Then make up a windage screw for it. The problem might be that to make a windage screw that is large enough in diameter to engage the newly tapped hole in the rear sight would require slightly enlarging the existing holes in the rear sight ears. It was a thought but I never got around to trying. If you want to try it, I have an extra p-14 rear sight you can have that came with some '17 parts I bought.
john

[straightcut]

Chuckindenver is correct, it was a BAR sight. I read an article years ago in Precision Shooting magazine about a guy who had a machinist friend install one for him for long range shooting. I recall it required some custom work with a mill. I can't guarantee anything, but I'll see if I can locate the article.

[RCS]

There is a lot of work involved but these Browning rear sights have been installed, you also need the knob for windage (not shown). This sight is for the 30M1 cartridgeAttachment 45204