AR Q: Why do you guys keep the front sight..

[brentn]

With an red-dot sight or reflex sight?

I see all these flat top AR's with the huge front sight still attached and an aimpoint stuck behind it. Doesn't the front sight interfere with the aimpoint? whats the deal?

I'd rather just get a railed gas block, or a low profile one if I was going to use a reflex sight...

I must be missing something

 

[Chuck R.]

Well:

1. I don't even notice it when using my dot sight. The mount puts it in the lower 3rd of the scope.

2. If the scope goes down, that's one less thing to have to flip up should you need the rifle immediately. You can even use the scope tube as a giant ghost ring rear if you need to, and with practice hits at 50 yards are doable.

Chuck

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

co-witness with both the red dot and the front sight. with a flip up rear sight you can use the irons if the red dot quits.

I prefer flip up front and rear sights with a red dot....that way, the front sight isn't in the way, but I can still use irons should the battery run out

 

[41magsnub]

Keeping in mind I haven't handled an M16/M4/AR15 since I got out of the Army 10 years ago (wow, 10 years.. jeeze.. getting old)...

I don't believe removing the front sight is a trivial task.

Plus, if a person is smart they have a M16A2 style upper stashed somewhere for in case the scope is broken or lost.

 

[Jeff White]

The Aimpoint is extremely reliable. I have 4 of them. It's also a mechanical device, and as such, it can fail. If it fails, you can use the Aimpoint as a big ghost ring in conjunction with the front sight. That combination will let you shoot minute of badguy out to 50 meters or so.

The front sight is also necessary to use in conjuction with the backup iron sight.

I shoot with both eyes open and don't consciously notice the front sight base in my field of view.

Jeff

 

[gyp_c2]

well...

...murphy happens...If you can shoot without sights, more power to you...
I need all I can get...and a back-up...If you look closely, you'll notice a lot of flat-tops with BUIS, even if they sport several pieces of glass and batteries...

 

[DMK]

I use a Bushnell Holosight (just like the EOTech). I mount it on the flattop with a fixed front sight and an ARMS 40 Rear sight behind it. The sights are co-witnessed so the 'pip' of the red dot sits right on the tip of the front sight.

When I use the red dot, I leave the rear sight up and shoot though the rear ghost sight. With a red dot, you focus on the target. The irons sights are ignored.

When I use the irons (most of the time), I focus on the tip of the front sight, looking though the rear aperture and the Holosights window.

It's very easy for me to transition from one to the other.

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I don't completely trust electronic devices. (Of course I've worked as a computer network administrator for many years, so I've seen a lot of expensive electronic equipment fail when you need it.)

 

[TexasRifleman]

#1 As mentioned, it's nice for the backup and

#2 It's a real PITA to replace the standard front sight with another style since the gas block is integral with it and we can't all afford to buy a whole new upper.

 

[HorseSoldier]

The front sight post doesn't interfere with using the red dot for most shooters, as people have said, but is quicker into action as a BUIS than a flip up. I've only messed with a flip up front sight after getting my MRP, which has no front sight post at all. I can't see removing one from an upper that had one.

 

[Avenger29]

Plus, if a person is smart they have a M16A2 style upper stashed somewhere for in case the scope is broken or lost.

We've got carry handles that attach to the rails now. So you can either use flip up back-up irons, or attach a carry handle.

 

[OrvilleYertleson]

my military weapon has a front sight with an eotech and a gg&G flip up rear sight.

my personal weapon has flip up front and rear.

I like my personal weapon for casual, range and plinking use, since you have an uninterrupted field of view.

However, on my military weapon, the one I am actually banging around on a daily basis, I want the front sight.
Here's why: I have seen a bunch of eotechs/aimpoints break. A fixed front sight is one less thing you have to mess with when your optic stops working. Usually you can shoot 'well enough' simply by looking through the optic at the front sight post (50 yards and less) with no time lost because of the optics failure. It also doesn't bother me on a military weapon, because my PEQ laser fills up most of the lower portion of my field of view through the optic anyways. Also, a fixed front sight is sturdier, and I break things too often as it is.

 

[Bobarino]

in my opinion, a lot of people leave the Fixed FSB on because they think its too hard or requires gunsmithing skills to remove and replace it. its not a simple unscrew the handle and remove, install and tighten rear flip up sight. easy! BUT the FSB isn't really much harder at all. if you can change a tire, you can do it.

unload and make safe.

take the upper off the lower and remove the BCG/CH

remove the flash suppressor/muzzle brake and washer.

lighty lube the barrel to avoid scratching it when you slide the FSB off and your whatever on (i used the DPMS four rail gas block)

pop out the tiny roll pin that holds the gas tube into the FSB.

lighlty tap out the taper pins with a hammer and punch. sometimes it may take more than "light" taps. just be careful you don't scratch everything to heck.

slide the FSB off and your new gizmo on.

re-install the roll pin for the gas tube and align the gas holes. but Bobby, i can't see 'em! i know, grab a piece of 1/4" or 3/16" clear vinyl tubing, slip it over the gas tube in the receiver and blow while rotating/moving the new gas block around. where you get the least resistance is when the holes are aligned. leave it there and tighten the set screws.

re-install the washer and flash suppressor/muzzle break. install your front sight, go to the range and sight it in.

if you max out your rear sight adjustment, then your gas block is canted. loosen the set screws and rotate it in the appropriate direction and re-zero.

it seems more intimidating than it is. the hardest part about it is getting the top of the gas block level with the flat top.

Bobby

 

[Siderite]

Try running 30 rounds through the barrel and then touching the front sight (whatever style) - it gets quite hot. Flip sights can burn you if you don't have gloves.