Williams Fool Proof sight

Ask about your Model 8 & 81
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texassako
Posts: 139
Joined: Sun Sep 25, 2011 7:27 pm

Williams Fool Proof sight

Post by texassako »

Anybody put one of these on their rifle? I noticed you can get one new from them, the FP-SSM model or FP-SSMTK if you want knobs instead of scews. A whole lot cheaper(~$80) than a vintage Marbles or Lyman and has windage adjustment as well. Also notice the 5D line is only ~$40.
DWalt
Posts: 513
Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2010 1:18 pm
Location: San Antonio & Brackettville TX

Re: Williams Fool Proof sight

Post by DWalt »

In case you did not know, the "5D" Williams sight originally meant 5 dollars. Only 8X that now, not so bad. They are actually pretty good sights, I have one on a later (post-1964) Model 94 (it has pre-drilled mounting holes on the side of the receiver).

Does it require drilling & tapping holes? I tried getting on the Williams website, but it does not seem to be working properly, almost like most of it has been taken down.

I did find this: http://www.williamsgunsight.com/gunsights/5D.htm but it gives little information. I have to assume receiver drilling is required. Not a difficult job, but it can mess up the value of a good M8/81.
Last edited by DWalt on Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:26 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Sarge756
Posts: 832
Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 10:17 am
Location: N.Florida on the coast

Re: Williams Fool Proof sight

Post by Sarge756 »

I agree with you on the point of the Williams being less expensive. The benefit of having windage adjustment is a plus also.I have used Williams sights on several rifles and have no complaints as to their accuracy and adjustment capability. I have not used one on an 8 or 81 though I have one in the parts bin. The detractors for me is that it is not a period correct original sight. It doesn`t use the existing factory drilled and tapped hole, which requires the drilling of holes in the receiver.This is something that I personally don`t like to do. If the 8/81 you are considering is to be a shooter and not a collectable I don`t see any harm in doing what you can to make it useful to you. Joe
".......ain't many troubles that a man cain't fix
With seven hundred dollars and a thirty ought six."
texassako
Posts: 139
Joined: Sun Sep 25, 2011 7:27 pm

Re: Williams Fool Proof sight

Post by texassako »

http://www.williamsgunsight.com/

Opens for me. There is a vintage one on gunbroker right now that looks like it uses 2 additional drilled and tapped screws with the stock one in the middle of the receiver. It set me to looking for info on them, and found out they still make one that fits. I don't know if the new ones are the same. I figure since my stock is easily seen as repaired now, the collector status is shot and a few mount holes will not hurt further.
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Sarge756
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Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 10:17 am
Location: N.Florida on the coast

Re: Williams Fool Proof sight

Post by Sarge756 »

The one on GB is a good looking sight and you are correct about two additional holes drilled to mount it.Looks like it would be a good fit and out of the way. The SSM that I have requires drilling the left side of the receiver and of course sticks out on the side of the receiver along with the bar across the top with aperture. One you are looking at has a much cleaner appearance. Good luck .
Joe
".......ain't many troubles that a man cain't fix
With seven hundred dollars and a thirty ought six."
texassako
Posts: 139
Joined: Sun Sep 25, 2011 7:27 pm

Re: Williams Fool Proof sight

Post by texassako »

Good to know the SSM is not the same as that other and is side mounted. I don't want to mess with a side mounted sight. Interesting thing is I found a Williams ad in a digital copy of an old Guns mag the other day saying their aperture sight and scope mount will not intere with each other without the swing away Pachmayr and some others had.
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