“Other” brand AR buis

[BSA1]

I am finishing up a lighter weight (6#) AR-15. It will have a free float rail. It is going to get a Romeo5 Red Dot as it’s primary sighting system. However I don’t trust batteries so I want to put front and rear flip-up sights on it also.

Magpul is the big boy in the industry and I have them on my other AR’s. However they are on the large bulky size. As I am trying to keep the weight of the gun at 6# before adding the Red Dot sight I am looking for the “other” guys sights.

Mission First Tactical goes a long way towards meeting my requirements. They are low profile and lightweight. I like the way they look when they are closed. I have searched on YouTube for tests and evaluations but most of them are several years old. In one video they did not stay closed to well. Anyone with current experience with MFT?

Who else makes a good quality flip-up sights?

 

[rodinal220]

I use either surplus MATECH or KAC Standard or Micro 200-600 BUIS. I could never get things like the Magpul or even the A.R.M.S. #40L-P to zero perfectly straight, they always shot a bit left or right and never spot on.

 

[AlexanderA]

I use either surplus MATECH or KAC Standard or Micro 200-600 BUIS. I could never get things like the Magpul or even the A.R.M.S. #40L-P to zero perfectly straight, they always shot a bit left or right and never spot on.

MA Tech is what the army uses for a BUIS. A.R.M.S. makes a FSB with a fold-down sight. https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...-aluminum-black-sku100003742-26728-52288.aspx It's pricey, though.

In any case, I would put the front sight on the barrel rather than on a free-float rail.

ETA: The A.R.M.S. FSB referenced above fits a .750" diameter (heavy) barrel, so it wouldn't be suitable for a pencil-barrel, lightweight build.

 

[FL-NC]

We had problems with the MATECH BUIS (which was a SOPMOD block 2 item, IIRC). They are spring loaded coming up, but sometimes they would just randomly pop up on their own while you were shooting. Also saw more than a couple break the dovetail "grabber" on the sight. Most of the guys just kept their old KAC BUIS. We ended up getting rid of all of the MATECHs, and the unit got us rear BUIS from GG&G, which were good sights. They also make a forward BUIS that folds down. I like the Troy sights, if I am using both front and rear BUIS. Midwest Industries has some pretty decent BUIS sets too. I don't use any ARMS products.

 

[herrwalther]

We had problems with the MATECH BUIS

When was that? We were giving field test feedback on Matech sights at Benning in 2008. Those were possibly upgraded models compared to what you used. We never had an issue with them and they got used a lot. The CompM2 sights had such a poor battery life, the buis became necessary for some of us to qualify.

I would not recommend Matech sights for your build, as they work best with the standard A2 front sight post. Matech does not make a front sight that I am aware of so you would have to match the rear with a different front sight. This list might give you some more ideas.

https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-backup-iron-sights/

 

[FL-NC]

When was that? We were giving field test feedback on Matech sights at Benning in 2008. Those were possibly upgraded models compared to what you used. We never had an issue with them and they got used a lot. The CompM2 sights had such a poor battery life, the buis became necessary for some of us to qualify.

I would not recommend Matech sights for your build, as they work best with the standard A2 front sight post. Matech does not make a front sight that I am aware of so you would have to match the rear with a different front sight. This list might give you some more ideas.

https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-backup-iron-sights/

I know it was after '02 (because that was when I got back to a team after another assignment) but definitely before '05, because I dug up some old pics and saw what was on some of our guns during that time frame.

 

[Skylerbone]

Troy, GG&G, Diamondhead, Aero. I’ve never found the Magpul MBUS too cumbersome but the above makers offer mini size sights, some in polymer that might suit you better.

 

[herrwalther]

I know it was after '02 (because that was when I got back to a team after another assignment) but definitely before '05, because I dug up some old pics and saw what was on some of our guns during that time frame.

Makes sense. The ones we had in 2008 felt like a redesign. There were areas where the steel was thicker, like the corners along the front and back rails, the channel where the spring was etc. We were encouraged to abuse them. Try to break them. Want to see some happy privates? Encourage them to try to break something. Normally they break stuff anyway without encouragement. The only rule is they were medium threadlocked on install so we could not damage the screw. A few sights were broken off with direct blows to the flip up sight itself. Likewise we got the same encouragement to break the CompM2 sights. They were tough, but the battery life was horrendous even by standards of the day.

 

[Mk-211]

Depending on how much money you want to spend, PRI makes some nice sights.

 

[cougar1717]

I've used both the Mbus Pro (metal) and Troy Dioptic buis. The Mbus pro is very flat in the down position at the expense of not being a "push button" flip up. Changing apertures takes fine motor skill. The Troy sights - M4 or HK style are push button and are easy to flip apertures and adjust the sight at the expense of wider form factor. I could see how some may not like the "M4 dioptic diamond," but it is made to center the AR-15's rabbit ears.
IMHO, polymer buis are what they are - sometimes inexpensive (sometimes not); the material itself is light, but has to be thick to attain enough strength to hold zero. Which ends up being a chunky buis. Sights made of steel or aluminum can be thinner, although heavier.

 

[Obturation]

I use the plastic ruger flip ups. They aren't great but they're cheap and light and I can hit a soup can at 100 yards with them. I call it good.

 

[DustyGmt]

Mission First are probably the lightest (flimsiest) and lowest profile (quality), but...... Sorry, they are just bad. Poor design, poor quality. I cant recall weight specs but the added weight of the Magpuls or Brand X, Y, Z is worth it. Almost anything else will serve you better. Just one guys opinion. I'd give them to you for free if I still had em.

 

[KYamateur]

I’ve used a UTG aluminum flip up rear sight for about three years and thousands of rounds and it still works fine. I didn’t expect much when I bought it. I was waiting for Magpuls to go on sale at PSA. It worked fine so I’ve kept shooting and figured I would replace it when it tears up but it is still working fine. I think the rear sight is $25 on Amazon.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Troy. Hands down. Military Proven and great quality. I like the DiOptic (diamond aperture).

 

[DustyGmt]

Troy. Hands down. Military Proven and great quality. I like the DiOptic (diamond aperture).

Yeah you'll pay for those, but buy once cry once. I like the style of the Troy's. The magpuls work but I think I'd like a set of Troy's. Not just because they are more expensive, I think they would work better as well. Magpul is the cheapest route I would go though. I wouldnt go less than magpul

 

[BigBlue 94]

Yeah you'll pay for those, but buy once cry once. I like the style of the Troy's. The magpuls work but I think I'd like a set of Troy's. Not just because they are more expensive, I think they would work better as well. Magpul is the cheapest route I would go though. I wouldnt go less than magpul

I have two pair of Troy flip ups. They are rock solid! Price isnt too bad, once you can admire the quality and finish of them. I have some other all metal sights, and they are nice, but not up to the troy sights.

The words plastic and gun sight should never be in the same sentence...

 

[DustyGmt]

The magpul pros look very solid. I would like to give em a try but if I was going to spend $150+ I would go for the Troy's. I have always liked the Troy Micro HK look but idk, I think I would go for the classic troy battle sight. They seem to be like in the top 3 best of all time.