Savage 42 horrible sights, great customer support
 

I tried to shoot this brand new rifle at 25 yards at the range after already knowing it was rediciously high when shooting at some targets and critters. To my surprise it was 7" high at 25 yards and out of rear sight adjustment. I wasn't about to change my sight picture i had used just to make this rifle work and was ready to buy a rail to put a red dot sight on and scrap the sights. I called savage and without hesitation the service rep said a new rear sight will be put in the mail today for free and will fix my problem. No getting upset no having to talk to managers, 5 mins on the phone and problem solved. I will deal with savage again as I already know there good shooters. This high impact on paper was about the same for the .22 as well as the .410. Just thought I'd share with you guys the good news because I would have certainly trashed them on here if they didn't try to fix the prob. Have a good day, im off to the range.

The other cure for this, if the new rear sight does not fully solve the problem, is to install a taller front sight. This will get you back some usable adjustment on the rear sight. Other thing I found helped the Savage sights a lot is a Williams WGRS series peep sight that mounts directly to the scope rails. Much easier to use than the notch sight. I have one on a Savage 22/20 gauge and it works very well.

I have SPARC red dots on a Savage 24 22/410 and a Baikal 22/20 gauge, and while they work well, it does make the gun a little less sleek and handy. I have them on there as my brother likes to use the guns for grouse on cutlines and has relatively poor eyesight. If your eyes are good enough to shoot well with the open sights I like that solution much better.

Good to hear Savage continues to maitain their great custoemr service.

Old thread, I know but just got a used savage 42 with same useless rear sight. I called savage and they know nothing of a better sight. Anyone get one of these lately to shoot less than 6 inches high?

If you want to keep the open sights, far and away the easiest and cheapest fix is a taller front sight. This will cure your problem. You can shave down the top of the rear sight a little at a time if you want to try that instead, might have to deepen the notch a bit at the same time.

How do you get a taller sight for this thing, sight is the barrel band for both barrels.

Well that sucks. I just looked at a picture on line, those really are crappy looking sights. I don't see an easy way to put on taller front sight. Only thought would be to crazy glue a piece on top of it.
I don't have the 42, I have 24s and the Baikal. Assuming the distance between front and rear sight is about 15" you need a front sight .1- .15 an inch taller. That means the rear sight would need to be shaved .1-.15. I would do this a bit at a time out at the range.

Sights on this thing a total joke, sights seem to be the same height but front is mounted on the barrel witch is .130 below the rear sight, i would have to cut my rear sight to half its height, would be nothing left. The 24 was such a nice gun, why go to this is beyond me.

I think the crazy glue add on bit might turn out to be your easiest choice, or go to a scope/red dot. Let me know how you make out.

No scope mounts either, going to try adapting a old pellet gun sight and/or the glue thing. Like to keep open sights on this.

Well, if that is the case I think I would flog it and get a 24, Chiapa or a Baikal 22/20. The Baikal I have has excellent open sights, and the barrels are well regulated. Can you post a picture of the rear sights and receiver, I can't find one on Google. Curious because it sounds like mounting a scope is not an option, which I would think would cut way down on sales.

Will do, like new used bailkal here is 700, out of my league for a beater rifle, would sell it if i could.

Rear sight,https://cdn.athlonoutdoors.com/wp-co...Model-42-5.jpg

Decided to consign it and find something else.

Good choice. Had a close look at one a couple of days ago. That is one really poorly built piece of crap in my opinion.