Rice sight for Krag

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Would anyone have any information or insight into the Rice rear sight for a Krag? This is the one that mounts via the extractor screw on the bolt. The issue sights are great for young eyes, Not so great with what the good Lord seems to think I can get by with! I've located a Rice sight but was wondering if anyone had any opinion/experience with them. Other no drill type recvr sights for a Krag are obscenely high. Thanks!
 

Ben

Moderator
Staff member
I had to do a bit of research on this one.
Here it is : ( Good luck with your search )

pyViCgY.jpg
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
That's the one. Only downside is some models of Krag used a screw to hold the extractors and other used a pin. Mine has the pin. Not sure how to handle that issue, but I've got some ideas. Incredibly simple sighting solution though, isn't it?
 

Missionary

Well-Known Member
Went to GB and looked at some closeups of the rear receiver area. Looks like those windage bolts snug up against the flat sides.
Very simple - effective way to get a receiver sight on a good rifle or carbine.
 

Ben

Moderator
Staff member
That was my thoughts also.
A skilled machinist could easily make that.

Ben
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Need a sheet metal brake. Far easier to form the sight than to machine it. Looking at the photo it was a stamped piece to begin with.
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I don't think a sheet metal brake is going to be required. It went for far more than I would have paid. I have spring steel and I'm not afraid to use it! I'll see what it ends up looking like and if it's worth a picture.
 

Rushcreek

Well-Known Member
I looked at them online for awhile, got outbid on a couple, then bit the bullet one day and stayed on the keyboard watching for last minute buzzards- and won a Redfield 102K for $115. I got over that ouch fairly quickly because the Redfield is fantastic. I had bid one of the Kings up to $60 before a swooper snagged it. I'm not opposed to stamped sights or aluminum sights, but I love those all steel coin adjustable Redfields. And Krags.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
I do too! so I just taped the right side of the receiver and used a 1903 Springfield sight.
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I have sights that would fit, but I don't want to drill and tap my carbine. There are some bolt mounted cocking piece sights I really like but they cost as much as my last car!
 

Missionary

Well-Known Member
Are the Krag receiveres case hardened ? Any special info to tap one ?
I know our sporters would be well served to have receiver sights.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Yes, all Krag's were case hardened. However, that stuff that looks shiny that flakes off the action, is actually the case hardened layer. Most have that layer flaked off. So did mine, an 1898 action, with a reworked new Remington 2 groove 03A3 barrel cut off and rechambered. Drilled the holes with a carbide drill and it tapped just fine. HTH
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Even if it were still there, a touch with a small stone in a Dremel tool will go through the .005" case hardening. Then prick with a sharp punch to start the drill.
 

Missionary

Well-Known Member
That was my thoughts also.
A skilled machinist could easily make that.

Ben
Looking at the Rice sight it would seem to me if there is a piece of channel the right width and depth it would be a simple job with a hack saw, files and drill .
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Flat stock of maybe 16 ga, bend 2 long sides down, rear up, drill and tap sides for stay/jam screws for windage, drill and tap top ahead of peep sight for elevation, drill and weld a small nut to front of sight where the extractor pin/screw come up from underneath. File or grind the thing to whatever you think looks right and have at it.!