I am about to order a Vortex Strikefire sight based on what I have read on here. Being a new guy
on the AR platforms, I need to know am I able to leave the rear sight on the weapon, and what
are the reference numbers on the rail for, and is this a decent sight for the money? Would a
small scope be better?

You're expertise and advice sought and welcomed.

Thanks

Did your Sport come with the Magpul rear flip sight, or the standard rear sight tower? Once we know that we can answer your first question.

As for the numbers on the rails, those are called T-marks. They are just a reference point for putting an optic or accessory back in the same spot after removing it. This helps to preserve zero.

What do you want to do with the rifle? Sit it on a bench and shoot groups, or more dynamic shooting? I'm my opinion red-dots are best for an AR, but that's also because of how I use ARs. What do you want to do with yours?

No way that sight can flip, so I guess it's the old tower type. I want this gun for an all around shooter. Accurate, but not for shooting clover patterns at 200 yds.

Thanks

Well, I would recommend buying a flip rear sight:

MBUS Gen 2 Flip-Up Rear Sight AR-15 Polymer

That way you can fold it down when you don't need the irons. This provides a cleaner sight picture through the red dot.

If you decide on a scope instead, then you have some others things to consider. You will not be able to use the iron sights through a magnified optic. So, one option is to just remove the rear sight and not have irons sights available. Another option is to buy a quick-detach (QD) mount for the scope, as well as the folding rear sight. Zero the irons, then mount the scope and zero it. If your scope gets damaged in the field, you can quickly remove it with the QD mount, flip up your rear sight, and your rifle is back in action.

I would not put a 9x or higher scope on your Sport, it completely defeats the purpose of the gun: a light, handy carbine. A 1-4x scope is a nice compromise, and of course the red dot is my recommendation for ARs.

Look at lots of pictures of ARs, and how different people set up their optics. There are many options, I have only covered some basic ones here.

Good luck in your decision.

Dragon, does anyone use a flip down scope mount for an AR?? I have one on my 30-30, and it works really well. I was thinking, maybe better to move the scope out of the way if it is not practical, yet not wanting to stop and unscrew stuff.

I'm sure there are some, yes. I know I have seen flip-to-side mounts for magnifiers. My big thing with ARs is keeping them as simple and light as possible. After you have been using an AR with half of Toys R Us bolted to it, pick up a plain jane carbine with plastic handguards and iron sights. It will feel like a million bucks.

A scope flipped to the side on an AR would really throw off the balance of the carbine IMO. I would rather take five seconds to flip the QD mount off and throw it in a pouch or bag. QDs come off really fast, it's usually two small levers. No bolts.

I'll poke around a bit and see what I find. I like the flop mounts on the 30-30. When you get into brush hunting, it helps so much to switch over to iron sights; the scope I use on the 30-30 is a fixed 4X and even that seems to restrict FOV at close range where the rifle is at it's best.
I thought about it for the AR for the same reason; hogs in brush, as well as 1/2 way down the corn field. But you are very right; I like the light weight and balance of the nekked rifle a lot, that was how we carried them way back when.

You could do a 4x scope on top with 45 degree iron sights on the side. Or even a Fastfire II on an angled mount. A 30-30 would not be comfortable to use like that, but ARs shoot pretty well when turned 45 degrees. Then you wouldn't have to swap or flip anything, just tilt the gun for whichever sighting mechanism you want to use when Mr. Piggy pops up in the bush.

Hmmm, is the Fastfire holographic in nature? The data sheet was not real conclusive on this.

My Sport came with the older version rear sight that doesn't flip. I bought a Magpul MBUS rear flip sight Dragon88 referred to. It works great with the Vortex Strikefire. I bought the Vortex Strikefire (red dot only). It's a quality optic for what I use it for, which is primarily at the range, especially considering the price.

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JT

Hey guys, some info that may help: I just ordered a Strikefire from 3 Rivers Precision and a Magpul MBUS Gen 2 rear sight like Dragon mentioned. Spoke to Brian (very helpful!) who contacted Vortex & they are sending their new extra high mount so I can co-witness with the front sight in the lower third of the optic. This allows me to see the red dot and a little beneath to better mimic my patrol setup at work. Will try to report and send pics later.

Rig worked out as good as I could have hoped.

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I want to do this set up but I have the stock mp 15 sport 2 with plastic handguard. Can I mount 45 degree iron sights without changing my handguard?

You need a rail to mount the sights. If you have a rail in the front and back, then yes, you can. If you have an A2 style front sight, then you can not.