Front sight opinions

[ww2farmer]

I have two identical mid length uppers, and I am bored with having two clones. I was thinking of turning one into a "faux" dissapator just to "have something different" ...............I.E. low pro gas block under a rifle length handguard. What are everyone's opinion on what front sight to use? I DO NOT want to make any permanent mods. to my barrel (like drill another set of taper pin holes, or have flats milled into it) in case I ever want to change it back or go with something else. The two front sights I was considering using are the Fulton Armory "power wedge"

http://www.fulton-armory.com/frontsightbaseforgedpowerwedgewsetscrewswobayolug-1.aspx


Or the this Yankee hill clamp on sight:

http://yhm.net/front-flip-sight-tower-standard-w-o-bayonet-lug.html

Opinions? Other sight suggestions?

Thanks guys.

[ColtSeavers]

I have used and abused an ARMS #41-bl as a flip up front sight/gas block for years on my frankenbeater and would recommend that.

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/sights/front-sights/ar-15-m16-41-bl-silhouette-folding-front-sight-prod26728.aspx


I would also caution you to measure your barrels' diameters to see what they are and what if any flip front sights will fit on them past the gas block journal.

[ww2farmer]

I have used and abused an ARMS #41-bl as a flip up front sight/gas block for years on my frankenbeater and would recommend that.

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/sights/front-sights/ar-15-m16-41-bl-silhouette-folding-front-sight-prod26728.aspx


I would also caution you to measure your barrels' diameters to see what they are and what if any flip front sights will fit on them past the gas block journal.

Thanks...........I didn't think about that. If they are NOT .750, what options do I have?

[ColtSeavers]

Thanks...........I didn't think about that. If they are NOT .750, what options do I have?

Search for front sight gas block that matches the diameter you need, or possibly use a shim of some sort is all I can think of off the top of my head.

ETA: The shim route doesn't inspire me with confidence, but I list it for the sake of completeness.

[ww2farmer]

Search for front sight gas block that matches the diameter you need, or possibly use a shim of some sort is all I can think of off the top of my head.

ETA: The shim route doesn't inspire me with confidence, but I list it for the sake of completeness.

I just went and measured the barrels I had in mind for this project...........neither are .750 ahead of the gasblock journal. There goes that idea. I too don't want to monkey around with shims or what not. Looks like this idea is scrapped. Now I'll look into putting a free float handguard on one of the clones. Thanks for pointing this out to me.

[Uprange41]

ADCO will turn the barrel to .625" and install a front sight in the Dissipator position for you if you want.

I've not looked at cost, but I have considered it myself.

[notorious_ar15]

I think the easiest route if you don't want anything permanent done to the barrel would be to mount a lo-pro gas block underneath an extended free-float rail, then just put a front sight at the end of that.
Lots of good options out there now with better barrel nuts meant for supporting extended rails, and can be had for very reasonable prices nowadays - Geissele, etc.

[ww2farmer]

I think the easiest route if you don't want anything permanent done to the barrel would be to mount a lo-pro gas block underneath an extended free-float rail, then just put a front sight at the end of that.
Lots of good options out there now with better barrel nuts meant for supporting extended rails, and can be had for very reasonable prices nowadays - Geissele, etc.

This is what I am going to do. What is everyone's opinion of the 13" Troy Alpha Rail ( I like that I can keep/reuse my standard barrel nut)

And this gas block:
http://yhm.net/low-profile-gas-block-pinch-screw.html

I don't want a set screw type, as I don't want to dimple my barrel

[GH41]

This is what I am going to do. What is everyone's opinion of the 13" Troy Alpha Rail ( I like that I can keep/reuse my standard barrel nut)

And this gas block:
http://yhm.net/low-profile-gas-block-pinch-screw.html

I don't want a set screw type, as I don't want to dimple my barrel

That YHM thing looks sketchy to me. Just get a normal setscrew lo pro block. Don't worry about dimples. One of the most respected names in the industry doesn't dimple theirs. Don't drink the coolaid. BTW... The Troy Alpha rail in it's day was OK before M-loc and Key-Mod. I know you are looking for a plug and play solution but I would pass on antique tech.

[notorious_ar15]

This is what I am going to do. What is everyone's opinion of the 13" Troy Alpha Rail ( I like that I can keep/reuse my standard barrel nut)

I want to say anything beyond a 9-10" and you are pushing the limits of stability using the stock barrel nut. IIRC, this was brought up in a Centurion Arms rail thread.

If you are going to change the gas block anyway, there are much better rails out there for what you want, including ones from Geissele, Bravo Company USA, Noveske, Daniel Defense, LaRue, etc. Most makers have different options as well. Maybe others can chime in to offer some other good choices for extended rails, or look around at some of the threads on this site.

Hope that helps.

[26 Inf]

I think if you are going 16 inch barrel a 15 free float would give you closer to the dissipator look.

As far as I'm concerned the ALG Rails are the best buy going the ALG 15' listed is 50.00 cheaper than the troy alpha 13' on the troy website. http://algdefense.com/ergonomic-modular-rail-emr-v3-m-lok.html

Add this gas block - best instructions in the world - http://algdefense.com/carbon-steel-gas-block.html

This front sight looks nice on the end of the ALG: https://danieldefense.com/components-parts/rail-mounted-fixed-front-sight.html

Everyone's taste is different but I'd really like the looks of that set up.



JMO