Thread: BSA Martini 22 Target rifle

no cant see what--try some photos looking from the front sight back towards the action - this is a strange one - you are possibly holding it canted to one side - one needs to keep everything absolutely vertical -i.e straight up and down - can you put it into a padded vice - true sides of action with a small spirit level - then look at it - even hang a plumb bob iin front so what you are looking at is all true to vertical - still looks canted ?? because for that front sight to be canted to one side if you are holding the action true straight up and down is a mystery - either badly knocked but that would be obvious the sight would be damaged -the barrel has turned slightly ?? does not seem possible - yeah some photos looking from the front

The 1st photo of the front sight does look to me as though there is less space on the right hand side of the wee post inside that front sight 'tunnel', which maybe suggests that the actual pin is bent to the right a tad?
Is that what you mean?

yes I suspect it will be something obvious - the front sights elements have two small lugs either side that fit foward into two slots in either side of the front sight - the back of the sight is then screwed back on to hold in place - are they all sitting square and fitting properly in place - is the front sight element bent -

Been trying to get a better photo but just not happening. there a few good forum members live local i'll get them to check it out and see what they think

Shoot it first before adjusting sights

It's more likely that the hood is canted due to a light ding, surely?

been a neat forum have had two of these and still have one so enjoyed this challenge - if there was damage to the foresight tunnel it should be obvious - they are made well and tough -one would expect to see a ding or crack - to check if that forsight element is true then draw an accurate square on a piece of white A4 - the square must be exact both vertically and horrizontally so use a drawing compass or similar - you want skinny neat black lines - place the element over the cross - align the two lugs either side to give you an accurate horizontal and the vertical should be exactly in the middle of the elements sight ring - or try putting the blade element in and see how that looks - if you are going to use this on bunnys etc the blade is a hell of a lot better anyway - the ring elements are designed for round small bore target's and can take some getting used to - the problem could be your eyes - many people do not see vertical well and have problems seeing if something is sitting true and level - all good keep us posted

Most older eyes have problems focusing aperture sights so you may not be able to get a good sight picture.

When I acquired my mk4 International I spent a good part of an hour trying to clear a bit of dust, lint or something from an aperture that ran 8 o'clock 2 o'clock. Only to realize that when rotating the whatever remained 8and2.Guess who has a cataract

@Barry the hunter The little gun is starting to get sorted out. I took it along to Mark at Waitaki Enginering today and he managed to get the screw out off the front stock. Hammer and punch were involved but came out intact so a bonus there, we both expected it to break off
regarding the front sight I was a bit off there, he reckons its the rear sight that needs shimmed on one side to true it. Mark thinks it is a model 13
I but a few rounds through it at the weekend I can't believe how accurate it is
Also the barrel Length is 29 inch is that the standard length for these guns
Next project will be to remove all the varnish off the stock, Barrel and action

I would be inclined to get a second opinion on that rear sight - it just seems improbable that it is out of line and needs shimming -the way it mounts on with two screws is so positive - not saying he is wrong but its not as simple as the windage has been wound over hard is it ?? and yes they were 29 in barrel

Originally Posted by techno retard

Most older eyes have problems focusing aperture sights so you may not be able to get a good sight picture.

The problem with ageing is not being able to get the foresight in sharp focus. You naturally centre in the rear aperture so no focus issues there. You will never shoot well if the foresight isn't crisp but it doesn't matter if the target itself is slightly blurry.

Links to MK3, plus from there links to Mk1, Mk2, Mk4, and Mk5.
It's a good resource to 'bookmark'.
https://www.rifleman.org.uk/BSA_Mart...al_Mk.III.html
Oh yes...I have a nice 12/15 sporter. They are a neat wee rifle. Everyone should have a Martini tucked away in the safe.

[QUOTE=Grey Kiwi;1564012]Links to MK3, plus from there links to Mk1, Mk2, Mk4, and Mk5.
It's a good resource to 'bookmark'.
https://www.rifleman.org.uk/BSA_Mart...al_Mk.III.html
Oh yes...I have a nice 12/15 sporter. They are a neat wee rifle. Everyone should have a Martini tucked away in the safe.[Great

great stuff but this is not the same model its much more basic but having owned two of the model in question and still have one - I just cant see how or what putting a shim onto back sight is even needed defeats me - put a shim where ??- has someone smacked the back sight with a hammer??- so I will leave this thread I cant make head or tails out of it

Yeah, sorry mate...bit of thread drift.
Re your problem...I think the shim mentioned was meant to be put in to the rear sight pivot pin, to push the rear sight either to the Left or Right.
I don't think that's quite your problem.
But...is your barrel straight? Hasn't been a tomato stake at some time?
Have you tried flipping the front sight reticle around (front to back) and shot that. Does it now throw the shot in the other direction?
Start with something simple like that maybe?