Advanced Marksmanship Iron Sights and the M39

[huntmaster99]

I have a Finnish M39 and im looking to hopefully make it a vintage hunting gun or at least a rifle that shoots well and looks great. My problem is the iron sights, they can only be adjusted for windage and not elevation. I know you could use the rear sight and make that taller but thats not a really practical option or precise. I shoot the Lapua D166 200 gr and Sierra GK 180 soft points. I absolutly refuse to put a scope on it for authenticity sake. So if anyone has alot experience with fiddling with iron sights or has other advice I would love to hear it.

Huntmaster99

 

[Ledzep]

It depends on which way it needs to go, and exactly what you're expecting out of it.

I'm assuming you just want a 100yd zero and don't intend to adjust for longer range shots (200+yd).

In this case, if the rifle is hitting high, you can either have a new front blade made (or find one online maybe, that is taller than your existing one), or grind the bottom of the "slider" on the rear sight.

If the rifle is hitting low, you can slide the adjuster to a higher yardage, put a shim under the rear sight, or grind/file the top of the front post down.

Unfortunately most European rifles of the era don't allow for precise windage and elevation adjustment like the 1903, M1 garand, etc...

 

[Flint62a1]

I have an M39 Finn that shoots lights out. It's my backup deer rifle......unless I take my K98......or my 03...

 

[huntmaster99]

I have an M39 Finn that shoots lights out. It's my backup deer rifle......unless I take my K98......or my 03...

What ammunition are you using, i currently hand load and have the D166 projectile but i dont know what the velocity of the original ammunition was.

 

[huntmaster99]

It depends on which way it needs to go, and exactly what you're expecting out of it.

I'm assuming you just want a 100yd zero and don't intend to adjust for longer range shots (200+yd).

In this case, if the rifle is hitting high, you can either have a new front blade made (or find one online maybe, that is taller than your existing one), or grind the bottom of the "slider" on the rear sight.

If the rifle is hitting low, you can slide the adjuster to a higher yardage, put a shim under the rear sight, or grind/file the top of the front post down.

Unfortunately most European rifles of the era don't allow for precise windage and elevation adjustment like the 1903, M1 garand, etc...

This is something totally new to me. While they were manufactured to a high quality, im suprised that only the Americans had the idea of actually hitting the target at close-ish range. Im assuming this is a byproduct of WW1 experience. Maybe it will just be a good looking rifle that shoots decently, ill probably leave the precision shooting to my Bergara b14 hmr in 6.5 creed

 

[Ledzep]

Yeah it's interesting for sure. I think a lot of times it's anyone's guess where these old rifles hit with non-freefloating wooden stocks and handguards. A lot of variation even with a change in humidity or temperature. Could be that the fibers compress over time in the bedding area which causes more upward pressure on the muzzle end of the barrel, because they do most of the time hit higher than the sights indicate, even with correct period ammunition.

 

[Deleted member 113831]

This is something totally new to me. While they were manufactured to a high quality, im suprised that only the Americans had the idea of actually hitting the target at close-ish range. Im assuming this is a byproduct of WW1 experience. Maybe it will just be a good looking rifle that shoots decently, ill probably leave the precision shooting to my Bergara b14 hmr in 6.5 creed

European battle rifles hit high on purpose. The training philosophy was different overseas. Most of these rifles have what amounts to a 300m-400m battle sight zero.

Troops were taught to aim either at the belt or crotch. That way, as the bullets rises and falls through the line of sight, they maximize the danger space on a target the size of a man's torso. It is just the "maximum point blank range" concept in the extreme.

Point of aim, Point of impact, precision rifle fire for the simple foot soldier was a uniquely American concept at the time.

 

[Flint62a1]

What ammunition are you using, i currently hand load and have the D166 projectile but i dont know what the velocity of the original ammunition was.

I shoot sierra .311 150gr spitzers and 45.5 gr imr4895 don't know the velocity

 

[MK20]

The front blade is replaceable with different inserts. DO NOT GRIND YOUR REAR SIGHT. That would be a tragic way to improperly modify such a nice rifle. I have 2 M39s and they both shoot right on the money for each rear sight setting.

 

[huntmaster99]

The front blade is replaceable with different inserts. DO NOT GRIND YOUR REAR SIGHT. That would be a tragic way to improperly modify such a nice rifle. I have 2 M39s and they both shoot right on the money for each rear sight setting.

Where do you source your blades? its been rather hard to find a range of them. i think i had one shipped in from somewhere in Finland at one point.

 

[MK20]

I know that there is a company called empire arms that used to sell tons of Finn Mosins and I would reach out to them for info on where to get a sight. Otherwise check out Sarco maybe. I Know that I have seen them for sale by an American company before. Ah, just found it. Liberty tree collectors.
Good luck.