Do iron sights add value?

[ndcowboy]

Got a question for all of you. Do the original M77 rifles have more value if they have iron sights? I ran across a M77 (red pad) with iron sights in 30-06. Rifle is in nice condition and the guy wants $475. Seems a bit high to me considering CDNN has brand new Hawkeyes for $499 right now.
Are those older rifles with sights worth that?

 

[DDDWho]

Considering sights only. With my old eyes I need optics so irons are not necessary. However I like irons on all of my guns... dunno why exactly. I think leaving irons off by manufacturers is a cost saving move. Whether value is added or decreased is up to the buyer.

You're right about CDNN... no sights on a new gun for $25 appeals to me.

 

[rugerjunkie]

Yes they are worth more and if the gun is in any kind of shape at all , $475 is a steal! The old ones have soul! Give it a home!

There is no problem mounting optics on one with sights and you always have a back up with the irons if the scope craps out on you.

 

[wunbe]

Usable iron sights add value. The stock Ruger issue irons are useless to me. The are hard to adjust, blackout in low light, and scream "cheaply made". The Boddington series of #1 s' irons demonstrate that Ruger can get it right IF they choose to.

wunbe

 

[rugerjunkie]

Wunbe,
They could be better but I didnt have any trouble splattering soda cans with my 77 7mag at 100 yards. Lighting was good though. Even if the factory sights leave a lot to be desired , they are good enough as a backup and for most game out to 100 yards. Deer sized , id feel comfortable out to 200.

The 77/22's and 10/22's are basically the same sights. Spend a day out in the woods like me and my buddies used to do...rabbits and squirrels and we'd leave the scopes at home on occasion. Open sights only! Lots of fun even if there were more misses.

 

[glw3151]

If you are asking if the redpad, tang safety 77 RS rifles bring more $$ than the redpad, tang safety 77 R rifles, all else being equal, yes they do.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

If you are asking if the redpad, tang safety 77 RS rifles bring more $$ than the redpad, tang safety 77 R rifles, all else being equal, yes they do.

Bottom line, people pay more for the Ruger rifles with sights. They have nice looking, fast sights.

 

[George]

I have a M77 Hawkeye 308 with out sights. Does anyone make a set that I can put on it? George

 

[Singleshotneeded]

I appreciate rifles without iron sights and just scopes from an artistic-smooth standpoint, and I rely on scopes for my hunting...when you get past 100 yards scopes are king! However, that being said, if I drive out of my nearby deer hunting area to go for moose or elk, I either bring my old 30.06 with iron sights as my primary rifle or as a back-up. The scope takes a hard knock and gets damaged, without iron sights your hunt is over! With iron sights, you remove your scope and you're hunting up to 150 yards, which beats the heck out of a long drive home and a big waste of time and money.

 

[GunnyGene]

Generally speaking, a gun that is all original and in good shape will fetch a higher price from collectors who are interested in that particular firearm because it is all original. Much like cars with all matching numbers. Non-collectors who are only interested in quality shooters with great optics may not be so impressed. The only way to find out is to put it up on an auction block and see what it fetches. Also, there are professionals who are looking at it only as an item that may make them a profit. It's a tough game, that I've played a few times.

 

[wunbe]

A spare scope already in rings and sighted in on the rifle is more than adequate backup for ironsless models.

wunbe

 

[George]

What power scope would be good for shots under 100 yards on this rifle? My wife has a collectors HawkEye in .308 and she does not want to smith in ion sights on it..It will be used for lite range use. George

 

[308longdistance]

Leupold FX II 4X

 

[George]

Thank you!

 

[rugerjunkie]

Range use is a bit different than hunting use out to 100 yards. There are a few lower powered scopes that will be ok but not great for target shooting. I'd step it up just a tad to a 2-7 or maybe a 3-9. Then if you ever do want to hunt with it , you'll have a wider range available.