OPTICS ON A MODEL 95 WINCHESTER, HOW, WHERE AND WHAT?

[45MAN]

I AM A 99.9% HANDGUN HUNTER BUT HAVE A FEW RIFLES FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, FUN AND JUST BECAUSE. I HAVE A MODERN MODEL 95 IN 405 WINCHESTER AND A BUNCH OF AMMO. I THINK IT IS ONE OF THOSE REBARRELED 30-06 OR 270's THEY COULDN'T GIVE AWAY. NICE GUN THAT MAY GET MORE USE IF IT HAD OPTICS. SO WHAT OPTICS CAN YOU PUT WHERE, AND HOW, ON A MODEL 95? WHO DOES THIS TYPE OF WORK? 

[nolongcolt]

Scoping a model 95 or most any other lever gun not specifically designed for it is an abomination in my view. It requires drilling holes in it. Usually on the side, I call it the swiss cheese look, I hate it and it ruins the value. Do everyone a favor. If you do d&t it, keep it.

[45MAN]

NOLONGCOLT: NOT REALLY KEEN ON SIDE MOUNTS AND WOULD NOT CONSIDER ONE. WAS WONDERING ABOUT A SCOUT SET UP, OR A RED DOT.

[nolongcolt]

Well that I don't know about as its something I would not do. Only thing I can think of is somehow using the dovetail for the rear sight, otherwise gonna have to drill some holes somewhere. Glad to hear you share my distain for side mounts. I have a couple of these rifles myself, one in .405 and a Browning in the Krag. I like shooting them with either the barrel sights or a peep.

[bradshaw]

45MAN.... this is a thoroughly enjoyable thread, loaded with context & perspective. Knew a couple of old timers who took pleasure in their Model 95’s in .30-40 Krag. Even saw a few .30-40 95’s in deer camps years ago. when spool magazine Savage 99’s and Remington Model 8’s still populated the big woods. Pf these, the Savage 1899 hung on the longest, probably for its lighter weight and as an easier gun to scope, as scopes came in.

Whereas a 95 Winchester in .30-06 sounds like a natural transition of the last of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th, a 95 Winchester in .270 sounds like mounting a rocket launcher on a Spad, a perfect example of abomination.

nolongcolt.... concise wisdom, to be savored.

45MAN.... someone will want that rifle one of these days. I, too, would leave it be.
David Bradshaw

[nicholst55]

My oldest son recently looked at an original 95 Winchester that was scoped. The receiver on this specimen had been 'swiss-cheesed' for a variety of mounts and sights, so I recommended that he pass on that. The current owner wanted WAY too much money for it, IMHO.

[jgt]

Next best thing would be a peep sight. May be able to mount a Redfield or lyman.

[Ken O'Neill]

Well, Rey... It's your gun, and you should feel free to do as you wish. I guess those who feel such a modification is a travesty can always buy it from you and preserve it any way they want.
A modern Browning or Miroku 95 is not the gun Teddy Roosevelt took to East Africa. It is never going to be such. It is something to be enjoyed as its owner sees fit.

I'm thinking that the most worthwhile optics set-up might be a barrel mounted Weaver or Picatinny type rail, and using a Scout, or more likely, a handgun scope. Red Loctite on base and on minimum of 4 screws. One might be custom crafted to fit the rear sight dovetail, and also be contoured to fit the barrel contour tightly, and also use screws. I'm just guessing here.
The base would also need anodized after machining, of course. Light weight (aluminum) will be your friend. A GOOD smith / machinist would be required for such custom work. You know there are such skilled people out there. I'd start with phone calls to those in Texas.

[taffin]

I KEEP IT SIMPLE--MINE HAS A RECEIVER SIGHT

[450ak]

I mounted an XS sight on the bolt. You could use a Skinner also. There is a fair amount of metal above the firing pin tunnel to drill and tap into. Mainer in ak has done a scout setup on his 95. I’ll try to find his pics

[450ak]

Found the thread but have no ideas how to link you to it. It’s on my bookmarks, maybe I can email it to you

[bigbrowndog]

Rey, I’m working with a mount maker now, to have a mount that utilizes the receiver sight base and would allow a small red dot to be used. So if your 95 is drilled and tapped for a receiver sight, this may work for you. My prototype is with them now, and they are working to make it one solid piece instead of the two pieces that I gave them.
I was going with a Burris FF mount, but they may offer it for all of the mini red dots.

Trapr

[45MAN]

450ak SENT ME A POST FROM SOMEWHERE AND APPARENTLY YOU CAN USE A BLR SCOUT MOUNT ON THE MODERN 1895's, BUT SOME D&T REQUIRED. I HAVE A STEYR SCOUT IN 376 STEYR, USED IT ON A NILGAI HUNT ON A 60,000 ACRE SOUTH TEXAS LEASE. ON THAT LEASE THE NILGAI ARE HUNTED HARD AND ARE WILDER THAN HECK AND MOST SHOTS WILL BE RUNNING SHOTS. DID NOT LIKE THE SCOUT CONCEPT FOR LOW LIGHT NOR RUNNING SHOTS. I FIGURE ON THE LOW END I CAN "SCOUT" THE 1895 FOR $500 - $600, BUT NOT SURE I WANT TO DO THAT.

TRAPR: PLEASE SEND ME A PICTURE WHEN YOU GOT THE RED DOT MOUTED ON YOUR 1895, AND LET US KNOW HOW IT WORKS.

[pacecars]

www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/13233780/browning-1895-scout-rifle-project

[bones]

I'd vote for a Lyman 21 receiver mounted peep sight. Classic, classy, sleek, and effective.