Why are ar’s sold with a fixed front sight and not a rear sight

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scottsman

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Why are ar’s sold with a fixed front sight and not a rear sight

Perhaps I am out of the loop here. Why? Maybe it’s just preference but Inwould prefer a flip up sight and every cheap Ar I see has a permanent front sight block and sometimes no rear sight.
 
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The front sight post is an easy part to make and install. But back sights are often replaced by optics. When ARs only had upper handles, the option was to screw down a Colt straight tube scope or maybe attach a really long piece of rail that extended forwards 3 or 4 inches.
 
scottsman said:
Perhaps I am out of the loop here. Why? Maybe it’s just preference but Inwould prefer a flip up sight and every cheap Ar I see has a permanent front sight block and sometimes no rear sight.
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ARs used to have fixed carry handle rear sights. Then they scrapped the carry handle for an rail optics rail, which is a pretty simple thing to do. The front sight isn't just a front sight, it's also a gas block, an integral part of the system. They're extremely inexpensive because everyones been making them for decades and I'm pretty sure they're just molded.

So the question is, why *would* anyone replace that?

Or are you asking why everyone doesn't include a flip up rear sight? Well, again, why would they? It adds to the cost of the rifle, and so better to let the buyer decide what rear sight they want, or if they want one at all.
 
Consider the front sight a freebie. And if you buy something like an M&P 15 you can have both included at a low cost anyway. Win-win!
 
When I bought my Windham, I specifically chose one without at fixed front, but a pic rail gas block instead. At the time, there was no difference in cost.

I think it comes down to one is as cheap as the other, now, either a Fixed Front or a pic rail gas block. Why some come one way, and others the other, I think has more to do with marketing than anything now.
 
^^ If you're going to be using irons, nothing makes more sense than a fixed FSB. It's the strongest and most accurate front sight you can have on an AR. FF handguards flex, if your front sight is not integral to the barrel, your POI will shift depending on how you use the gun. If your barrel flexes, a FSB moves with the barrel.

If you're going to put optics on it and only ever plan on running an optic, having a FSB still makes more sense because it's the strongest gas block you will ever have.

Producing a barrel with a FSB costs more in manufacturing time and tools, not taking the cost of the FSB blank into account.

Many mfg's don't include a rear sight to keep the MSRP down and they know the end user has his own rear sight preference anyway.
 
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