New front sight advice

[Doxiedad]

I just got my first AR15. It's a S&W M&P15A. It has troy rear folding battle sights and a standard A2 front sight.

I'm wanting to replace the front sight with a folding one. The way I see it I can either get this front sight/gas block from YHM
http://yankeehillmachine.com/store/media/YHM-9394-H_sm.jpg

Or I can get a railed gas block and mount a matching Troy folding front battle sight.
http://yankeehillmachine.com/store/media/YHM-9385A_sm.jpg

My plans for the rifle are a Magpul MOE handguard and eventually an Eotech optic

This rifle if for target/plinking and maybe for home defense, but It's nice to have it if I need it.

I'm not a LEO or in the armed forces so it will not be seeing combat duty.

Will either of these setups be as rugged/dependable as the original A2?

Thanks.

[NeoNeanderthal]

Why are you replacing your fixed front sight? Many people assume that they should switch it out to clear their optic. but later find out that with a lower 1/3 co-witness mount (for the optic) that the front site is out of the way enough.

Another reason people switch out the front site for a folding is if they are going to run a long free float rail or tube. You mentioned the magpul handgaurd so i assume you're not going to do this.

I would save it for later. After you get your optic if you find that the front sight makes it too cluttered for you, then switch it out. put the money towards your optic and mount.

If you are really determined to go with a folder before getting an optic i will say that the troy is regarded to be a very rugged folder. I dunno if i would trust the YHM contraption on a possible home defense weapon- especially if i wasn't running optics yet. IE if it failed you would be ****ed.

[Doxiedad]

Part of the reason for wanting to replace it is just for looks. Another part is I'm concerned about the co witnessing. I guess I can go on youtube and see if there are videos showing it.

I see your point about going for the sight first though. Does make sense.

I like the troy sight better as well, but can i find a good quality railed gas block that will allow me to mount it? Like I said this is a "hobby" and mostly for fun for me.

Thanks for your advice.

[mikeahe]

Go with VLTOR VST-2C and don't look back.


ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

[MistWolf]

Shoot what you've got first. Then make changes. It may be that you find shooting the rifle with the optic & FSB doesn't bother you at all

[NeoNeanderthal]

The VLTOR VST-2C is really nice.

Another option is take the money youd spend on the railed gasblock + flip-up troy and buy a free float tube like a Troy or Vtac + a troy flip-up. Just shave your FSB down to clear the tube (with a grinder or dremel). and for a little bit more money (dunno how much the railed front block + install will cost) You get the ability to grip the gun further out, free float, bolt a flashlight or grip on and with a flip up.

This might come out cheaper because this is easier for a newbie to do then replace his gas block so you could do it yourself instead of paying someone to do it. Dont be scared to shave the Frontsight/gasblock. People do it all the time and it gets covered by the tube.

Just something to think about.

Also, If your concerned about looks i think a Vtac + flip-up looks way sweeter then a Moe Grip + anything else, anyday.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/PhotoGallery.asp?ProductCode=VTAC+Troy+STRX%2DELI%2DE0BT&PhotoNumber=5

[Chameleox]

This rifle if for target/plinking and maybe for home defense, but It's nice to have it if I need it.

This says it all. Ruggedness and simplicity rule for home defense, if there's a chance that the gun in question will be used in that role. Fixed Front sights, specifically the OEM FSB, has a few things going for it in this arena:
1. It won't fold when you need it most

2. No extra step to deploy your front sight

3. Already installed, meaning that:
a) You or your 'smith of choice won't have to screw with anything, and add another variable of proper assembly into the equation
b) You can use the money you save to put towards your optic, training ammo, a class, a light, etc.

I'm not a LEO or in the armed forces so it will not be seeing combat duty.

Home defense is combat enough. Simplicity, utility, and ruggedness rule the day over
just for looks.

My $0.02US is to leave it be, spend your money elsewhere, and revisit the option later on down the road.

[shootist~]

I suggest you get the Red Dot first and shoot it for awhile. My red dot/fixed FS rifle is setup for absolute co-witness where most people prefer the dot to be higher, or "lower 1/3". No issues at all (for me).

When looking at the FSB, it might appear to be an issue, but that's not how red dots are used - your focus is on the target. If in doubt, go lower 1/3 on the mount. (I just happen to prefer absolute due to a lower cheek weld that most.)

The sights you are looking at will probably require a gunsmith to fit - the grooves for the pins are not standard between different gas blocks. If you change your mind later, the original gas block may not be usable.

[87GN]

Cowitness video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj3NY2jwDEo)

[thei3ug]

I tried this a few years ago and felt the folding sight caused more issues than it solved. Best thing to do would be to buy the optic first, make incremental changes from there to suit your needs.

[markm]

You'd be replacing a much superior part with a folding piece of crap.. for "looks". Don't do it.

[Doxiedad]

Ok i watched the cowitness video and on that one I didn't see much difference between the Eotech absolute and 1/3 cowitness. I did find some other videos on the net though.

I also found this picture

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/9467/p1050758jk2.jpg

I could use that kind of sight picture, I don't mind the FSB being well below the red dot/holo sight.

Would I need a special mount to get that kind of cowitnessing?

[DaBears_85]

You'd be replacing a much superior part with a folding piece of crap.. for "looks". Don't do it.

Not to mention that your FSB is the most secure gas block you can get.


Ok i watched the cowitness video and on that one I didn't see much difference between the Eotech absolute and 1/3 cowitness. I did find some other videos on the net though.

I also found this picture

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/9467/p1050758jk2.jpg

I could use that kind of sight picture, I don't mind the FSB being well below the red dot/holo sight.

Would I need a special mount to get that kind of cowitnessing?

http://www.skdtac.com/LaRue_EOTech_Mount_QD_p/lrt.312.htm

Although it appears most places don't have it in stock.


J