PNW, Centra, Phoenix rear sight?

[Heavies]

New to irons, and I would like to hear the experienced opinions, GOOD and BAD, on these rear sights. I know Warner is the best, but I would like to hear about these other more budget friendly options.

Thank you

 

[Bob3700]

I owned two PNW sights. They were excellent quality sights and very repeatable.'

Only reason I sold them was they were service rifle direction and I went to match rifle direction knobs on everything I owned.

Ron Herms is great on customer service. Price on those sights is friendly too.

RGDS

Bob Beckett

 

[Heavies]

Bob,
Thanks for the insight. That is nice to know seeing that PNW seems the most budget friendly. Any thing about backlash in these sights?

Anyone else use the others and can compare, pros/cons?

 

[swehrman]

I have four Phoenix Precision sights, and one PNW. I would go with the Phoenix over the PNW unless they're out of your price range. The Phoenix has bronze bushings, while the PNW are plastic. You can read both the windage and elevation scales on the back of the Phoenix (while you're in position), and you can't do that on the PNW. Plus you can also see the direction indicators on the back of the Phoenix sight. They come in handy to make sure you're spinning the knobs the right way.

I've never owned a Warner, but have plenty of friends that do. I personally don't see what they offer over the Phoenix to justify the extra cost. The Warner is a little more trim and slim then the Phoenix, but I don't see that as either a positive or negative.

That's my two cents.

-- Scott

 

[NateG]

Of those three, I've only had direct experience with the Phoenix. I've had three: one top-mount one that the mail lost on the way back from having it converted to 1/8 minute clicks. (Mail guy also lost a rear sight base that was supposed to be delivered the same day from WOA)

Anyway, I was very impressed with how Gary handled it, and the replacement sight (a side-mount) was excellent as well--I used it to get my smallbore prone master card (finally--it only took two full seasons to get enough record shots to get reclassed up).

I've since ordered another side-mount with 1/8 clicks (switching to LH threads/MR direction), and it looks good, too, but haven't mounted it yet.

The designer of the Centra sight, Robert Chombart, posts here occasionally (as R.G.C.) and I know of a few folks who use them quite successfully.

I've also got a few Warners, and in some ways like the Phoenix better. The knob zeroing is better on the Phoenix--there's a screw that keeps the knob from going flying across your basement an losing the spring-loaded bit when you un-do the locking screw, and the windage scale is readable from behind. The latter being a preference issue, of course, and since I look at my Warner's windage scale more than the Phoenix (the phoenix is on my smallbore gun), I've gotten used to it being on top--but having it on the rear's nice.

 

[Heavies]

Awesome reviews, thanks all. I'm liking the bronze bushings vs. plastic, and the position viewable scale.

I forgot to mention that I'll be using one of these for mid to long range shooting. Any issues with any of these brands for long range(windage/elevation), on a mid to high recoil rifle? Any one using a Centra?

 

[NateG]

I can't speak to the recoil on any other than the Phoenix... but my Phoenix holds up to a .308's recoil just fine. (Although the sight is about 15 minutes from the bottom, not up way at the top) I would expect the others to, too.

For sight height, any of them should be fine. If you've got a tube gun, get a Lipski base, and you'll have a big range to set the mount, and you won't have any problems with the sight being in the right range. A top mount will give the right height in most situations, but if you want it particularly high or low, an adjustable side mount (I like the Lipski) will let you get to whatever height you like. And the Redfield bases are available for any gun you want to shoot--a top-mount will be somewhat more limited.

 

[Heavies]

Thank you NateG. I am going to be mounting to a Barnard S action, set into a traditional prone stock. I'll probably go with the side mount from MT. Looks high enough to clear the pic rail, but low enough to use the low ladder. I am going to be using the low Centra Goliath 30mm front.

 

[kentuckytroutbum]

I have four Phoenix Precision sights, and one PNW. I would go with the Phoenix over the PNW unless they're out of your price range. The Phoenix has bronze bushings, while the PNW are plastic. You can read both the windage and elevation scales on the back of the Phoenix (while you're in position), and you can't do that on the PNW. Plus you can also see the direction indicators on the back of the Phoenix sight. They come in handy to make sure you're spinning the knobs the right way.

I've never owned a Warner, but have plenty of friends that do. I personally don't see what they offer over the Phoenix to justify the extra cost. The Warner is a little more trim and slim then the Phoenix, but I don't see that as either a positive or negative.

That's my two cents.

-- Scott

+1 on the Phoenix sights. Have one on my match rifle for several years, and couldn't be more pleased with it.

Bill

 

[Erud]

Hey Heavies,
If you don't already have the sight base for your Barnard I've got a brand new one I'll sell you for $35 shipped. I got it from MT with my action and ended up with an Eliseo stock instead of a traditional so it's never even been mounted. Let me know if you want it.

Back to the question of sights. My first match red sight was a Warner #1 and my second was a Phoenix side mount. After using both extensively, I sold the Warner and now have several Phoenix sights. The Warner is an excellent sight(obviously) but I found no advantage in function over the Phoenix and I like the way the knobs are marked on the Phoenix better - less cluttered. Having each click marked with a # in the Warner would sometimes confuse me(I ain't the sharpest knife on the tree) particularly when counting down. Easier for me to keep track of the knobs on the Phoenix and I don't find myself spending extra mental effort during matches. Both are rock-solid sights and in my experience 100% repeatable. I did not like going back and forth between them and since I actually preferred the one that costs $150 less the choice was not difficult.

I have met and chatted with Gary several times at local matches and he is a stand-up guy who stands behind his product.

Just my $.02

Erik

 

[Nodak7mm]

I have met and chatted with Gary several times at local matches and he is a stand-up guy who stands behind his product.

Just my $.02

Erik

I dont shoot iron sights but have met & shot with Gary and his wonderful wife Brenda (Phoenix Precision), they are real good down to earth shooting folk and just from knowing them like that, I am sure they can help you out and answer any questions you may have.

Rod in Fargo

 

[Robert]

The designer of the Centra sight, Robert Chombart, posts here occasionally (as R.G.C.) and I know of a few folks who use them quite successfully.


Thanks, Nate.

Heavies,
Every brand has advantages, and the posts here shows individual preferences…

Only in technical, here are the points I considered when Centra asked me to design the sight:

-1) Backlash: This is a long term problem on friction pivots, and provision for adjustment (with all what that implies) is to be provided.
The Centra has 2 pre-loaded ball bearings on each leadescrew. This is an absolute long term zero backlash. The principle is similar to the CNC machines mpcements screws.
The Centra is the first to have used Stainless steel hardened thread-ground leadescrews. The bronze nuts length is 3 times the screw diameter, allowing 19 pitches engagement and te threads are of the accuracy tolarances of those of a micrometer…

2) Knobs; Must be independent of the hub for many reasons already expressed by posters here.

3) Scales; It was asked to be easy zeroing and visible on most directions. Placing them at 45° to the rear was the obvious solution, visible also when in position. The ‘Easy-zero’ system was a basic requirement as well.

4°) Modular construction: Make most of the parts identical for L/H and R/H, and also only one piece different for the various base fittings (5 different). This modular construction allow all possibilities: height (tube guns and AR heights), offset for aiming with the opposite eye, etc…The sight can virtually be built to the demand.
R.G.C