Now that 336 owners can choose between two Williams FP sights, I am wondering which one is best. I know that they both are basically the same but it looks like the one that uses the scope mount holes only maybe a little more compact in size while the traditional model, on the bottom, may be more rugged in its size, but a little clunkier.

Assuming that you have a rifle D&T for a scope and for an aperature sight like this (D&T'd on side of receiver), which one do you think is better looking and a better choice?

http://www.midwayusa.com/mediasvr.dll/highresimage?saleitemid=968159

http://www.midwayusa.com/mediasvr.dll/highresimage?saleitemid=712881


I don't know why the pictures don't show - you may have to click on the URL to see the images. :confused:

With my rifles, it is either one or the other. (not a choice) My older Marlins sport the one on the bottom, because they are factory drilled and tapped on the side only. The more modern Marlins have scope drill and tap'd on the top of the receiver, and would use the top choice. They are very similar and function the same. Size is of little or no issue for me as well. The one attaching to the top seems a little more balanced perhaps.

I think the top mount looks just a little better. Take a look at the tang sights too. I have also found that if you use a full buckhorn rear sight like a ghost ring good groups are possible. Works fast too.

I have one 336 35 Rem. with a WGRS mounted on top of the receiver using the rear holes drilled and tapped for a scope mount. This is a very unhandy sight if one is going to use a variety of loads but works well for one set load.

I have a 336A DL that does not have holes for scope mounts. That rifle has a Williams Foolproof. It is readily adjustable for various loads.

For my money, I would go with the side mount. The day will soon come when those will no longer be manufactured (IMHO) and you will have no choice.

As Janis Joplin sang, "Get it while you can!"

I've a number of those williams side mounted rear sights both on lever guns and bolt guns. I have a XS on a Marlin and have a different peep one that wildwestguns mounted on one levergun and Iam confident to use anyone of them but I do like the Williams, they are so easy to acquire the target.

...what height front sight is needed for a 336 30-30 without a ramp(just a dovetail slot) and what height is needed for one with a ramp?

The Williams catalog shows a .343M for a 336CS (with ramp I think) and a .570M for a 30AS (which has no ramp, just a dovetail slot I think).

I like the looks of the one that mounts in the scope mount holes but would stick with the side mount.

Reason, It is more versitle. It will fit on a Win 94, Win 94/22, Win and Rossi 92, Marlin 39a, or for that matter, any lever action with a flat reciever. When you sell the gun take the reciever sight off and use it on your next lever action and reinstall the factory sight.

Another reason is that with the side mount, you can mount a scope for testing new loads without removing the sight mount.

Sixgun

Does the older style FP use the top receiver holes (the ones used for mounting for a scope base) in addition to the screw holes on the side of the receiver?

I am guessing it only uses the side screw holes whereas the new FP uses only the top screws because of the absence of the side screw holes on newer rifles.

Does the older style FP use the top receiver holes (the ones used for mounting for a scope base) in addition to the screw holes on the side of the receiver?

I am guessing it only uses the side screw holes whereas the new FP uses only the top screws because of the absence of the side screw holes on newer rifles.

It really is not the old style. It is called a side mount and only uses the holes on the side of the reciever. Some guns are already drilled and tapped for the side mount Williams FP sight, some are not. It will cost from $10 to $40 dollars to have a Gunsmith drill, tap and mount the sight.

Sixgun

Where is the best place to buy the FP these days? Midway has them for about $65 with shipping, Natchez about $57 with shipping, Midsouth doesn't carry them.

I don't have a 336 (yet...), but my 1895 is drilled for both. I went with the top mount arbitrarly (accidentally?) and it works quite nicely. I also have a Win 94 with a side mount FP, and it also works well. As far as I can tell, if the aperture is in the right place, it doesn't matter how it is mounted. If you have the choice of both, pick the one that is least expensive. Williams makes fine, sturdy products and I have no doubt that both will work perfectly well even in the worst of conditions.

On the "theoretical" side, there might be a reason that the side mount was dropped in favor of the top mount. It may just be economics on the part of Marlin, but given the number of people I have talked to and read postings from who have installed a Williams sight, if the side mount was significantly better, Marlin would still be drilling both sets of holes.