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efd162 · #1 05-29-2012, 12:13 PM

Hey all, I'm new to the forum and the Ar-15 platform. I own both the mp15 sport in 5.56 and the mp15-22. First let me say I love both of these guns. Being new to the platform I have a few questions. When mounting a scope on the sport, what is the thought among users about removing the front sight or leave it be? Ive seen pics of both, and was wondering if I leave the front sight intact is there any downfall to that? Is there a particular scope base I would need to purchase? etc. Im considering the Nikon P-223 3x32 matte bdc. Also any info you folks can provide in how to take off the front sight if I choose to would be very helpful. Thanks alot for the help

storeyteller · #2 05-29-2012, 12:55 PM

Welcome to the forum. I am one of those who decided to remove the front sight. I did this strictly because I didn't like the way it looked. I have a 3x burris optic, and could see a ghost of the front sight at the bottom of the sight picture even with a 0.75" riser. This didn't affect accuracy at all and again, I just didn't like it. There are tons of bases out there, any with a picitinny rail will do fine (I suggest 1" to 0.75"). You really don't have to use a base if you get high rings, but they are cheap so why not get one? The front sight is part of the gas block. You could get a hacksaw and cut the sight off or change the gas block. I opted to change the gas block. It is not hard at all. My advice is to shoot it for a while like it is before making any changes, then decide what like or don't like and go from there. Again, welcome to the forum.

CENTURION24 · #3 05-29-2012, 12:59 PM

Welcome to the forum,
For me my AR is a weapon first and a plinker last. So I try to set my gun up to be "battle" ready. I run an electronic sight. If it goes down then I'm screwed. For that reason I keep both my rear and front sight on my gun. If I ran a scope I would do the same. Scopes can break. Also high quality quick release mounts would be the way I'd go. Again, this is just how I like to set up my weapon.

GMC man · #4 05-29-2012, 01:30 PM

welcome to the club

.

I didn't believe it until I tried myself but having the front sight in front of the scope does not affect the scope at all unless its pretty much touching it. One other thing I found out is because of how the rifle is made I cant see properly out of the scope with it set right on the rail even with high mounts so I had to add a 1 inch riser. Now some people only added 1/2 and some 3/4 in to make their scope work for them so I would recommend if you can add a spacer under the mounts in those heights and see which riser works the best for you to see out of.

As far as the scope goes itself that all depends on the distances you want to shoot your girl at to what scope to get.

I hope this helps you a little

oneyeopn · #5 05-29-2012, 01:56 PM

Now with my sport I went to the extreme, I use a .5 inch riser with tall mounts and really dont have provisions for iron sights although I can mount a rail to the top of my handguard and install a folding front sight which I happen to have and a different folding rear sight. As it is I run a 6-24x50 AOE which has illuminated reticles but I never us them I just use the black reticule. After shooting my sport for bit I figured out that it would make an awesome varmint hunter and I shoot out to about 300 yards accurately with it. I have had it configured about everyway you can think of in the few months I have had it! The following pics just show after I got rid of my front sight and went to a railed gasblock and how it is now.
DSCF3787.JPG 004 (1024x768).jpg

Martimus · #6 05-29-2012, 02:08 PM

For me I tend to buy into the theory that the iron sights should stay on the rifle. In the event the scope stops working (for whatever reason) it's easy to move to the iron sights. If you remove the iron sights then you have no fall back position in the event of a failure.

If it were me, I'd likely consider removing the front sight/gas block and replace it with a rail height gas block and a separate folding front sight.

Capt Crunch · #7 05-29-2012, 02:14 PM

When I had a scope on my Sport I ended up having to get a riser for it to get the scope on. I'm of the opinion that you must keep physical sites on your gun, just to be sure.

efd162 · #8 05-29-2012, 03:16 PM

Wow guys , alot of information. You folks are very helpful. All the points are very valid and I will take them into consideration. Thanks for all the welcome notes, Im sure this site will be very useful to me.

Reggie T · #9 05-29-2012, 04:51 PM

Welcome from the Show Me state of Missouri.

Capt Crunch · #10 05-29-2012, 05:30 PM

Welcome from the People's Republic of New York

SW Gun Guy · #11 05-29-2012, 05:37 PM

I may have heard this wrong, but I thought I was told at the store that you can not remove the front sight on a Sport because it is integral with the gas block. Yes, you could remove the sight and replace with a different gas block. No matter what, I agree to leave the front sight on as it will not interfere with a scope and even will be OK with a red dot if you raise the red dot up 1/2 to 3/4 inch.

S&W Oldtimer · #12 05-29-2012, 05:40 PM

Welcome from Va.

Kodiakco · #13 05-29-2012, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SW Gun Guy

I may have heard this wrong, but I thought I was told at the store that you can not remove the front sight on a Sport because it is integral with the gas block. Yes, you could remove the sight and replace with a different gas block. No matter what, I agree to leave the front sight on as it will not interfere with a scope and even will be OK with a red dot if you raise the red dot up 1/2 to 3/4 inch.

Yes, you can shave the front sight down and turn it into a low profile gas block without issue. Having the M&P OR, mine did not come with sights. Due to some vision issues I run a red dot sight only and use a UTG .83" riser on a TRS-25 Bushnell.