Redfield 75 Skunk Works

A convergence of issues.

For those of us who follow the NRA rulebook changes, we have been hearing over the past few years about legal and non legal sight systems for the Cowboy Silhouette game.  After what seemed like a great deal of wrangling, after the dust settled, it would seem the Redfield 75 sight was here to stay.  I don't play the Cowboy game very seriously but I do enjoy it as a means to learn more about vintage guns, handloading as well as casting.  I also find it fun to experiment and a good place to start new shooters who are not ready for the 1/5th game.

That brings me to the second issue.  What type of sights do you tell a new shooter to get?  You can't get them at a local store.  Some of the stuff made today is not of the same quality as it was made yesteryear.  Lastly, the good stuff that is made today is not a trivial investment.

With these two issues swirling about I had often wondered what all the hoopla was about these Redfield 75 sights.  Personally, with my big hands, I am uncomfortable with the tang mounted sights but I live with one on my 336 Marlin cowboy gun.  When I first started I had a TK Williams for my 39 and after a few matches I know why the prior owner gave it to me. Then I left Texas and my 39A behind as I knew I was not going to be using it in Memphis.  The steward of my gun put a vintage all steel Lyman 66MC sight her and WOW!  Problem being, Nomad wanted it back.  So I spent a long time waiting for one on eBay and that is what I use now.  Asking a new shooter to wait 3, 6 or even 9 months for one to come up is less than optimal.  These 75 Redfields come up pretty often and they are now legal.  So, I picked one up.  Less expensive than the Unicorn dust all steel Lyman 66MC.

The added challenge and expense of the Redfield 75 is the fact it does not attach directly to the Marlin.  Like any gun the 75 was originally was used, it needed a mounting block.  The NRA rule rub is that at the time 75 Redfields were being produced, mounting blocks for the Marlin or any lever gun for that matter were produced.   The logic is, since target sights like Pedersolies and EVA sights were produced and can be had today for $500 and up, why not allow a $100 solution such as the Redfield 75?  So, there are folks who make these mounting blocks for lever gun which enable you to mount the 75.  The picture to the left is an example.  Mine I found was not as well designed as it could have been.  I had to file the back off to make the sight fit flush but after my annoyance with an over priced 1/2 oz piece of steel was over, it works quite well.  Here is the info from a post on Steelchickens in 2012

Now if you want to go the 75 route, contact:
WWW.outbackgunparts.com
Out Back Gun Parts Inc.
2110 McLean Ave
New Albany, IN 47150

812-945-0480 (Tues - Friday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM EDT)