Upgrade sights or scope? All shots no more than 125. Old scope on it now from the 70s so let's face it it's time to update. Scope wise I'm looking st low power stuff and mainly vortex diamondback 1.75-5x32 but open to other ideas.

If I were going to get another scope I would go a a little higher up the quality scale than the diamondback. Low power quality scopes are very affordable.

Suggestions? This isn't going to be an everyday use type gun but the original marlin scope has to go.

What is on it now?

a good leupold 2-7x33 vx-II or 1.5-5x20 vx-3
will work well.
or if you can use you irons get a 5-D
williams rear.

I had a cheap bushnell banner on mine for a few years. 3-9x40. Only cost me about $100 and was really good glass for the amount of money I spent. I have since taken the scope off and gone back to irons. I really want to take something with it with just the iron sights.

Burris, Low end Nikon and Bushnell Elite series along with the Vortex Viper line of scopes would be my starting point. And don't over look the used market either. Not much demand for low power scopes and you can find some real bargins because of that.

If you want a more classic look, check out Skinner peep sights..

Irons if your eyes will let you.

Never looked right to me seeing a lever gun with a scope atop it.

eyes are good enough but like the fact I don't have to always carry binoculars with me too. it has a marlin 800a scope on it now. Glass sucks compared to the new stuff.

might just be the fact I haven't used them much but a peep sight doesn't do it for me

I feel like every deer rifle needs a scope. And if you plan to hunt with it, scope it. You may be able to shoot accurately with open sights, but a good, sighted in scope will always help you make better shots. It will never impact you negatively. If it's not going to be hunted with, it go with good open sights. Yes, I know hundreds of thousands have deer have been successfully taken with open sights 30-30s. I'm just saying a good, sighted in scope will always improve your accuracy.

I'll agree a lever gun doesn't look right with a scope but I'm much better shot with one.

I'm the opposite. My savage 99 has had a scope since the day great granddaddy passed it down to dad, and then he passed it to me. I've never seen it without a scope, so levers look weird to me without a scope.

Guess it really depends on the gun. I like a marlin with one. Winchester not so much.

A 99 is a different animal. I shouldn't have made such a broad original statement. I was meaning the Marlin 336 and Win 94 just look better to me without a scope. And I'm a guy that loves his scopes! Just not on that one rifle I own.

PEEP SIGHT

I have always liked the look of the 94 without a scope. However I like to use my 94 and not just look at it so it now wears a vintage 2x7 redfield. It claimed its first two pigs this week as well.

With my eyes I feel more comfortable having one. With regards to the look here's my scoped Browning...

I just replaced the scope on my Marlin 1895 45-70 with a Leupold HOG . Reticle subtension is a little heavy for my liking but it seems to be a good clear, compact scope for the money. I wish the eye relief was a little more, with a 350 grain bullet and heavy charge of 4198 it whacks me in the forehead . I went with a lighter bullet and toned down the load some and have no problems now.

I would like to use my dads win 94 32 spc but it has top ejection. He never had to use a scope my eyes are bad without bifocals, can't adjust all rear sight, front sight and animal at the same time. LOL

I put a Leupold VX-1 3-9x40 on my 45-70. Had been using an EOTech but can't see hogs well in low light so I switched to a scope. I'll probably put the EOTECH on the 30-30 for day time hog hunts.

Red dot?

I like fixed power scopes; have a couple old leopold 4x on my 99 and 94. Like someone above said I have them to shoot not to look at and dont trust my 60+ eyes with open sites.

I have a Marlin 336, marlin 1895, rossi 92, henry .22, and winchester 1895. I don't even own a bolt gun anymore. I would consider myself a lever guy. the winchester and henry wear factory sights, the marlin 1895 wears a williams peep, the rossi wears a skinner peep, and the 336 wears a 4-9x40 scope. Of the 5, my favorites are the marlin 1895 and the rossi. Out to 125 yards, I would go with the peep. You would be surprised how accurate you can be with a good peep sight. Yes, there are advantages to a scope in hunting situations. Scopes are better in low light, you do get a better picture of your prey with a scope, You will most likely be more accurate with a scope. The peep will give you faster target acquisition, and you could beat some of the peep sights with a hammer and not lose point of aim(not that I'm suggesting you do this), a peep is definitely minute of deer at 100 yards, and the rifle just looks better without a scope IMO.