AR-15 sight options- primary, not as a back up

.223Rem

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
20   0   0
Hi,
I'm thinking about using iron sights on my AR. I don't like magnified optics and I want to try something different from my (or to use with) my EOtech.

I have a 16 inch bbl with a low profile gas block. I want a good, sturdy front and rear sight. I'd prefer non-folding if possible and plastic is not an option because of gas block mounting.

I don't want to spend more then $300-400.
Looking around I found a set from Midwest Industries, Troy and D.D. but nothing seems to be in stock.

Any advice on good sights, or even other canadian vendors who carry this sort of thing would be great.
Using just sights on a flat top seems rare nowadays so I hope I'm not sol.

Thanks!
 
I have DD and Troy fixed BUIS. They're both quality sights that work well and are considerably less than your price cap.
 
Hi,
I'm thinking about using iron sights on my AR. I don't like magnified optics and I want to try something different from my (or to use with) my EOtech.

I have a 16 inch bbl with a low profile gas block. I want a good, sturdy front and rear sight. I'd prefer non-folding if possible and plastic is not an option because of gas block mounting.

I don't want to spend more then $300-400.
Looking around I found a set from Midwest Industries, Troy and D.D. but nothing seems to be in stock.

Any advice on good sights, or even other canadian vendors who carry this sort of thing would be great.
Using just sights on a flat top seems rare nowadays so I hope I'm not sol.

Thanks!

I am also looking for a good iron sight but like the traditional carry handle kinds.


This is what I have found so far -


that there are at least three different kinds of AR carry handles. First are the ultra cheap Chinese knockoffs you see for about $35 and should avoid.

Then there are two different height US made CHs. The proper milspec height is used on Colt, BCM, Daniel Defense, Noveske, LMT, PSA, Spikes and others. This also is the same height that you see on most third party flip up sights like Troy, Magpul, BCM, MI and others. All these rear sights expect the proper height F-marked FSB or third party front sight. F-marked means flat top or M16A4/M4 height.

The second height for US made CHs is 0.04" shorter than milspec. Often it's called commercial height or A2 height and is used on DPMS, Bushmaster, ArmaLite and others. Depending on your front sight this may be the height you want. A2 is the same height as the old integrated carry handle on the M16, M16A1, M16A2 and M16A3.

Proper carry handles made at US forges like Cardinal, Anchor Harvey, Cerro Forge and others tend to cost from $80-135 new.

Arv
 
Well, I have some ARMS sights that I plan to use, hopefully soon since I finally decided on an upper. ARMS41-B-L($152)on the front and ARMS40L-SP($125) on the back, at least that's what my receipt says. The 41-B-L may not be what you're looking for since it's a gas block folding sight.

They feel solid, but I haven't had the chance to actually test them out yet. I got them from Wolverine Supplies.

As mentioned, double check the profile/height of the front and back sight or they'll give you some very wonky results.
 
For fixed rear, I'd probably go with a sight that has both elevation and windage adjustment. Unfortunately, there aren't too many of the more popular sights out there that have it (DD included).

Off the top of my head LMT fixed rear and Matechs are great rear sights, they run for around $150. You can usually find an LMT fixed rear on EE for a good price

Front sight can be basically anything. Daniel Defense makes a great slim profile fixed front sight.
 
What kind of advice is that?

Seriously.

Save your money advice.
It is a fixed sight. A piece of metal with a post in it. The low cost options on EBAY are perfectly fine.

No one has ever used my rifle and commented on how poor my sights are......because they can't tell the difference.
Take a look, you will be surprised.
 
Screw the eBay knock offs and buy the DD...

I run DD and love them... Bought mine from Brownells, Cheaper then up here... http://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...-15-m16-fixed-backup-sight-set-prod44370.aspx

1017349_10151752560453552_1965088540_n.jpg
 
I am also looking for a good iron sight but like the traditional carry handle kinds.


This is what I have found so far -


that there are at least three different kinds of AR carry handles. First are the ultra cheap Chinese knockoffs you see for about $35 and should avoid.

Then there are two different height US made CHs. The proper milspec height is used on Colt, BCM, Daniel Defense, Noveske, LMT, PSA, Spikes and others. This also is the same height that you see on most third party flip up sights like Troy, Magpul, BCM, MI and others. All these rear sights expect the proper height F-marked FSB or third party front sight. F-marked means flat top or M16A4/M4 height.

The second height for US made CHs is 0.04" shorter than milspec. Often it's called commercial height or A2 height and is used on DPMS, Bushmaster, ArmaLite and others. Depending on your front sight this may be the height you want. A2 is the same height as the old integrated carry handle on the M16, M16A1, M16A2 and M16A3.

Proper carry handles made at US forges like Cardinal, Anchor Harvey, Cerro Forge and others tend to cost from $80-135 new.

Arv


Hello,

Online In Canada I have found nothing but the Armalite carry handle for sale...are there any other sites that sell something other than the Armalite handle?. I am looking at doing a fixed sight setup on my JR Carbine and am looking for the perfect combination of carry handle/fixed front sight.

Thanks for the info!
 
I have used A.R.M.S FOLDING on a Colt C8 as BUIS for about 4 years and about 10,000 rds. Moved out of zero once due to rough force-on-force training, and endured thousands of hours of carry time. Hasn't moved since. Dead-on 1/2 inch low at 100.

One reason it holds so well........? Only has windage adjustment. Elevation is done through the front sight.

I use it to re-zero my wandering eotech (via co-witness) once a month.

So get an A.R.M.S folding sight and have a friend weld it in the upright position. lol 1/2 kidding
 
Hello,

Online In Canada I have found nothing but the Armalite carry handle for sale...are there any other sites that sell something other than the Armalite handle?. I am looking at doing a fixed sight setup on my JR Carbine and am looking for the perfect combination of carry handle/fixed front sight.

Thanks for the info!


Actually found what I was looking for at Wanstalls.
It's called Sun Optics AR carry handle adapter w/rear peep.

Arv
 
All elevation adjustable rear sights are slightly rotated.
434249_01_ar_15_carry_handle_rear_sights_640.jpg


0007132_rear-sight.jpeg


This means that when you rotate from large aperture to small there is a change in point of impact not just vertical but right to left. I have noticed this in A2 full carry handle, cheap aftermarket and even my Lewis Machine and Tool. You can zero with the smaller aperature, or the larger one but not both.

I would go with an A1 style either Daniel Defense
b23920a4af2a01a0ed4db6451d08cd07.jpg


or Troy fixed rear
xtcombofixem4.jpg


Then you can zero with the smaller aperature and it will still be zeroed should you flip to the larger one. Elevation adjustments for zero are done on the front sight anyway. The elevation adjustment on the rear is really for range. The elevation wheel is really only for when you are shooting beyond 300 Meters.

We used to compete with the C7 A1. If we were shooting at 500 Meters we just adjusted the front sight for the range It can be done.

There are different siight front posts. I think finer is better, but I have a tritium one on my tavor and it seems to work fine. Any questions about fixed sights where to get them. Please PM. They are cheaper but not site sponsors.

I have given this subject quite a bit a thought as I actully prefer to shoot ironsights over scope or red dot. I have an astigmatis and can shoot more accurately with an aperature then most scopes. People do not give the iron sight as much credit as its due. Folks compete in TR rifle out to 900 meters 985 yards with iron sights and have a 1 m0a bullsye.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom