F22_RaptoR
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Edmonton, Alberta
So as many of you are aware (as the U.S. Department of State export Limit has been raised to $500 USD), Rainier Arms is now exporting items up to $500 dollars with a 50 dollar export fee, so with them carrying the full line of Diamindhead USA products the D-45 Swing Sights I have been after were available so I managed to snap up a set!
Firstly to say, Dealing with Alex at Rainier Arms has been an absolute Pleasure! Their website is not exactly set up for international orders right now, so I placed an order directly through their International Export guy; Alex. After my order was placed he created a Rainier Arms Account with the info set up for me, with instructions on further purchases to be placed through the website and then confirmed through Alex by Email with order number (that way your Credit Card info stays secure).
I am sure they will be working on getting a full Canada Export section set up on their order section in the near future, but Alex wanted me to say they are definitely willing to take advantage of the $500 dollar limit for Canadians! Although compared to Brownells they DO charge an extra fee for export, it's very reasonable for items such as the D-45 Swing Sights (which are IMPOSSIBLE to find right now so cost wasn't an issue right now). They ship Fedex which was about 25 bucks for Brokerage from Fedex which is pretty decent. On these higher priced orders we can definitely expect more customs brokerage to happen, the 100 dollar limit spoiled us a but I think.
For the Diamondhead USA D-45 I.S.S. (Integrated Sighting System) or D-45 Swing sights. There are many internet 'reviews' of these sights that get into the basics for a video review, but now many on the technical details, so I will try to give as much info on them as I can! Obviously any questions I'll be more than happy to answer!
First Image: D-45 Sights folded down. The sights stay in a 'locked' position even if bumped or hit. Many reviews seem to lead to the conclusion that the upwards swing is only held in place by a spring detente, which is incorrect. There is a locking lever bar that is hit by the right-most roll pin on the sight base, this actually unlocks the upwards swinging section allowing it to flip upwards into sight. If this part is not 'hit' the sight can't flip up, and therefore under actual usage conditions won't "accidentally" flip into your scopes F.O.V. It can only flip up and fully open if you press the deployment lever. You must be a little more cautious of placement, as these sights actually take up almost 3.5" of rail space front to back when stowed! They can use ANY standard Ar15 front sight post, which is nice for fibre optic or Tritium sight posts.
Image 2: Sights up: The sights stick out about 1.75" from the right side of the gun, and don't protrude more than any flashlight or laser you would put on a side rail. I purposely put mine a few notches back on the front rail so I could grab in front of the sight when stowed. If you have a longer rail you could put it right up front. If bumped from a forward or sideways direction they will simply fold out of the way without being bumped at all, which is nice for durability sake. For a bump from the rear, the sights seem to be pretty robust and would take a bump from a door frame without too much issue. The sights fling out sideways first then the detente is unlocked and the sight unlocks upwards.
Closeup of the sights around the Leupold CQ/T. As you can see all the edges are nicely de-burnished and there is not much to snag on. If moving forwards the sights will naturally want to fold out of the way if something hits it! The actual rail grabber is a nice steel piece that is keyed into the sight base with a big post, which is a VERY tough design. The sights seem to be no more complicated than they NEED to be; just enough parts to get the job done. All the springs seem to be beefy and the spring action is quite stiff which is good for rapid-fire, so you don't have to worry about your sights flopping around.
The Diamondhead USA diamond aperture is one of the cool standard features on their sights. Unlike a standard circular sight, your eye REALLY seems to suck the diamonds into each other, target acquisition at 5 yards or 25 seemed to be VERY quick and easy. The apertures are same-plane with a small and large for long-range and short range shots. It really does suck your eye into the middle!
So here are my final thoughts on the sights:
They are VERY well made, fit and finish is outstanding (which is probably why the availability is what is is, they are scarce with limited production), and the target acquisition is great on them. They flip out fairly easily with some oomph and don't flop around. (the release button requires a bit of pressure, not something you could accidentally open up).
They DO require a bit of rail space to properly use, as they form a zig-zag shape when stowed, Ambi-charging handles (like the rainier Arms Raptor) require a little more though. I put my rear at the 3rd from the back cross slot, and would actually prefer 4th cross slot, as the lefty charging handle pad is a bit cluttered when the sights are opened. When they are folded down the 3rd cross slot is completely fine. Both sides of the Raptor are completely accessible. Front Sight doesn't have any issues at all, anywhere from the very front to just under the scope seem to work fine, but you have to be careful with lights/lasers as the sight base is pretty wide, and can hit it, or deny access to the deployment button. They will work with plenty of room with a Daniel Defense PAK mount though, the Gear Sector mount I currently have requires the sight to be further back (which again; is nice because I can wrap my hand around in front of it)
They will work with left-handed use as well, you just turn the rifle 45* into your chin, although not the most comfortable use it's doable for sure!
I'm sure I've missed some stuff for now, but again; I'll be more than happy to answer any questions on these things!
Firstly to say, Dealing with Alex at Rainier Arms has been an absolute Pleasure! Their website is not exactly set up for international orders right now, so I placed an order directly through their International Export guy; Alex. After my order was placed he created a Rainier Arms Account with the info set up for me, with instructions on further purchases to be placed through the website and then confirmed through Alex by Email with order number (that way your Credit Card info stays secure).
I am sure they will be working on getting a full Canada Export section set up on their order section in the near future, but Alex wanted me to say they are definitely willing to take advantage of the $500 dollar limit for Canadians! Although compared to Brownells they DO charge an extra fee for export, it's very reasonable for items such as the D-45 Swing Sights (which are IMPOSSIBLE to find right now so cost wasn't an issue right now). They ship Fedex which was about 25 bucks for Brokerage from Fedex which is pretty decent. On these higher priced orders we can definitely expect more customs brokerage to happen, the 100 dollar limit spoiled us a but I think.
For the Diamondhead USA D-45 I.S.S. (Integrated Sighting System) or D-45 Swing sights. There are many internet 'reviews' of these sights that get into the basics for a video review, but now many on the technical details, so I will try to give as much info on them as I can! Obviously any questions I'll be more than happy to answer!
First Image: D-45 Sights folded down. The sights stay in a 'locked' position even if bumped or hit. Many reviews seem to lead to the conclusion that the upwards swing is only held in place by a spring detente, which is incorrect. There is a locking lever bar that is hit by the right-most roll pin on the sight base, this actually unlocks the upwards swinging section allowing it to flip upwards into sight. If this part is not 'hit' the sight can't flip up, and therefore under actual usage conditions won't "accidentally" flip into your scopes F.O.V. It can only flip up and fully open if you press the deployment lever. You must be a little more cautious of placement, as these sights actually take up almost 3.5" of rail space front to back when stowed! They can use ANY standard Ar15 front sight post, which is nice for fibre optic or Tritium sight posts.
Image 2: Sights up: The sights stick out about 1.75" from the right side of the gun, and don't protrude more than any flashlight or laser you would put on a side rail. I purposely put mine a few notches back on the front rail so I could grab in front of the sight when stowed. If you have a longer rail you could put it right up front. If bumped from a forward or sideways direction they will simply fold out of the way without being bumped at all, which is nice for durability sake. For a bump from the rear, the sights seem to be pretty robust and would take a bump from a door frame without too much issue. The sights fling out sideways first then the detente is unlocked and the sight unlocks upwards.
Closeup of the sights around the Leupold CQ/T. As you can see all the edges are nicely de-burnished and there is not much to snag on. If moving forwards the sights will naturally want to fold out of the way if something hits it! The actual rail grabber is a nice steel piece that is keyed into the sight base with a big post, which is a VERY tough design. The sights seem to be no more complicated than they NEED to be; just enough parts to get the job done. All the springs seem to be beefy and the spring action is quite stiff which is good for rapid-fire, so you don't have to worry about your sights flopping around.
The Diamondhead USA diamond aperture is one of the cool standard features on their sights. Unlike a standard circular sight, your eye REALLY seems to suck the diamonds into each other, target acquisition at 5 yards or 25 seemed to be VERY quick and easy. The apertures are same-plane with a small and large for long-range and short range shots. It really does suck your eye into the middle!
So here are my final thoughts on the sights:
They are VERY well made, fit and finish is outstanding (which is probably why the availability is what is is, they are scarce with limited production), and the target acquisition is great on them. They flip out fairly easily with some oomph and don't flop around. (the release button requires a bit of pressure, not something you could accidentally open up).
They DO require a bit of rail space to properly use, as they form a zig-zag shape when stowed, Ambi-charging handles (like the rainier Arms Raptor) require a little more though. I put my rear at the 3rd from the back cross slot, and would actually prefer 4th cross slot, as the lefty charging handle pad is a bit cluttered when the sights are opened. When they are folded down the 3rd cross slot is completely fine. Both sides of the Raptor are completely accessible. Front Sight doesn't have any issues at all, anywhere from the very front to just under the scope seem to work fine, but you have to be careful with lights/lasers as the sight base is pretty wide, and can hit it, or deny access to the deployment button. They will work with plenty of room with a Daniel Defense PAK mount though, the Gear Sector mount I currently have requires the sight to be further back (which again; is nice because I can wrap my hand around in front of it)
They will work with left-handed use as well, you just turn the rifle 45* into your chin, although not the most comfortable use it's doable for sure!
I'm sure I've missed some stuff for now, but again; I'll be more than happy to answer any questions on these things!
if you have 270 bucks floating around; it's probably one of the most ergonomic grips I've ever felt! Friend has one on his Swiss Arms rifle, and you can get them with the adjustable palm rest, and without (as mine is)
