Frequently Asked Questions

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

      Please read carefully before calling or emailing

QUESTION: Will this sight work with my factory front sight?

This is the most common question we are asked. The answer is......

MAYBE, MAYBE NOT, WE WONT KNOW FOR SURE UNTIL YOU INSTALL THE REAR SIGHT AND SHOOT YOUR RIFLE ON PAPER WITH THE LOAD YOU WILL BE USING.

Chances are, if your rifle is shooting to point of aim with the factory "buckhorn" sight and factory front sight, adding a sight to the top of the receiver will raise your point of impact enough to require a taller front sight.

The very best way to answer this question is to "Shoot N See".

QUESTION: How tall of a front sight will I need?

There are many variables that make determination of front sight height unique to each rifle.

Firearms are not like Automobiles. If you need a part for your car or truck, you can specify the Make, Model, Year, and serial number of your vehicle and get the part you need. This would also be true of many parts of your firearm. (stock, extractor, trigger group, magazine, etc.) Sight height however is much more individual because there are many variables that effect the path a bullet takes leaving the muzzle. Some of the variables are:

Ammunition: Bullet weight, Powder charge, Primer, Ammo brand, all effect bullet impact in relationship to the sights. There is a brand of Ammunition that features a flexible point on the tip of the bullet and generates more velocity than some loads of compareable bullet weight. This bullet has a better Ballistic Coefficiant which coupled with higher velocity results in flatter trajectory and normally groups higher than
conventional ammunition.

Rifle: Barrel angle to receiver changes are amplified when a sight is mounted on the receiver. When both sights are mounted on the barrel this variable is eliminated. Most rifles are lined up normally and work well with receiver sights. The crown of the barrel can also effect bullet impact on the target. This isn't the norm but also isnt totally uncommon. Each rifle has its own unique characteristics that may influence front sight height.

Shooter:  As the gun recoils, a shooters height, weight, strength of grip, cheek pressure, and trigger squeeze all effect the angle of departure as the bullet leaves the barrel.  Also, each shooter views or percieves the sight picture slightly different. (This is minimized with a peep/aperture sight.) This is why a firearm sighted in by one individual may group differently for another.

QUESTION: Do you make sights for (insert make and model not listed on this website)?

I'm always open to ideas about new applications for Skinner Sights. My passion is to make simple, rugged, accurate sights for "true shooters" who appreciate the attributes of a solidly built peep/aperture sight. Some firearms lend themselves well to mounting such a sight, some do not. At the present I have prototypes of several models mounted and in the testing stage. As time allows, these models will be added to the SKINNER SIGHT lineup and listed here at www.skinnersights.com

There are some models that work well on other firearms than they are listed for. (Such as the Henry Octagon Barrel Mount sight that will also work on the Browning BLR and the Skinner TC Contender/Encore which also works on the Rossi Single Shot Rifles, and the Marlin 1894 EXPRESS sight which also mounts on the ROSSI CIRCUT JUDGE revolving carbine. (with 6-48 screws).

If your model is not listed on this sight we do not have them in full production at this time.

QUESTION: Do you take orders over the phone?

Phone time is very limited due to noise and necessary focused attention while machining your sights. We also do not have any way of taking a payment over the phone. Credit Cards may be used through our check out CART here on the website. Our Credit card processor's site is VERY secure and we have never had any issues with credit card security.

If you wish to mail your order to me, please send a personal check or money order along with a detailed list of items you wish to purchase (plus $7 shipping inside the US) to:

Andy Larsson
P.O. Box 404
St. Ignatius, MT 59865

QUESTION: Did you receive my order I placed online?

If you recieved a confirmation of payment from Paypal, then yes, we received your order. We also try to send a confirmation when the order is printed for the shop.

QUESTION: When will my order/sights ship?

I'm making sights everyday.  Almost all rear sight models are in stock, others are in the process of being made. Most items ship in 24-48 hours from when you place the order, others take a bit longer. Front sights are produced between runs of rear sights to reduce tooling time. I make sights in model groups and am consistently working to produce the very best sights we can ship you.

Your order will ship as quickly as possible, however, that can sometimes be a while as that group of sights is being made.

If you ordered via the website, you will receive a confimation with tracking information when your order ships.

Some models ship as quickly as they are made. It is a good idea to place your order rather than wait till it might be in stock.

QUESTION: How do you ship?

We ship via USPS First Class.

QUESTION: What size aperture do I need?

We ship most sights with the Standard .096" aperture which works for most shooting conditions. For Target work the smaller two apertures are very popular, for dimmer light and hunting in the brush, the larger, more open apertures work very well.

We have made all 5 apertures available in our "Skinner SPECIAL"

QUESTION: Should I Loctite the threads on the mounting screws or elevation stem?

No... If you clean the threads and degrease them before mounting, there should be no need to loctite the screws. The Hex Keys provide enough torque to keep your sight firmly in place.

QUESTION: How do I adjust my sight?

Elevation is adjusted by loosening the lock screw on the left hand side and turning the aperture stem up or down on its threads, then locking it in place with the screw.

Windage (on models with dovetailed windage slides and Barrel Mounts) is adjusted by loosening the lock screw on top, then moving the dovetail left or right, (may require tapping with a brass punch) then locking back in place with the lock screw.

NOTE: Always move the rear sight in the direction you want to move bullet impact on the target. (example: You are shooting to the left, move the rear sight to the right. You are shooting low, move the aperture stem up.

QUESTION: Is the sight "STEM" fragile? Do I need the Tactical Sight with "Wings" to protect it?

The stem is NOT fragile. Our sights are constructed of good materials and will not break unless VERY severely abused. A simple fall will not break our sight stem. We know of two broken stems in the past several years. One was slammed in a gun safe door and was "sheared" off by the heavy steel plates the safe was made of. The other exited a vehicle that rolled on the highway at 60+ miles per hour. The sight ground off as the gun was sliding down the pavement.  We provided the parts to repair both sights.

IF it does ever break, I will repair it at no charge.

QUESTION: What finish are the sights?

All our sights are machined from solid barstock.

STAINLESS sights are constructed of Solid Stainless Steel.

BRASS sights are made of Solid brass.

BLUE sights are Carbon Steel and treated with a HOT DIP Black Oxide finish just like your firearm.

QUESTION: Do you make bead or fiber optic front sights?

Not at this time.

                     THANK YOU !