I am very embarrassed to ask, but I've never used the picatinny rail system. I bought a carry handle rear sight that I attached with no problem, the tighteners being on the left. I got a 'traingle' or traditional front sight. It seems to not fit the short rail out front there and when tightened wobbles front to back. The tightener is also on the right. Did I simply get the wrong front sight? ANY advice for this ignorant AR guy woul;d be greatly appreciated. I'd just like some basic iron sights that don't cost much.
Oh, I also bought a magazine 'connector, where you can connect 2 magazines. About where on the magazine should this be fastened? If you can link me to images along with your explanations, I'd appreciate it even more.
Any help at all would be much appreciated. Be well and God bless.
~Jeremy

I am guessing you are talking about a gas block mounted front sight that looks like the normal front sight base. Picatinny, MIL-STD-1913 or STANAG 2324 rail is a spec for a mounting base to provide a standardized mounting interface. Problems arise due to the fact that many companies building parts do not strictly follow and build to the spec. Some mounts such as those made by LaRue and American Defense are adjustable to account for out of spec rails but low end stuff is all over the map. Likely the S&W gas block is closer to the spec than the front sight you are using. If you are mounting on the gas block first rule is don't use any plastic parts, it gets hot, if I were you I would use some aluminum foil in the rail slot to shim up the front sight for a temp fix. Then I would start saving for a better sighting solution, Aimpoint comes to mind. As far as connecting two mags together this is hollywood or mall ninga stuff and generally not a good idea. YMMV.

I believe the "short" rail you talking about would be the top of the gas block ( be careful what you mount on that, it gets real hot ). When it comes to sights, I believe you should never skemp. Troy Industries are my preference. As far as clipping two mags together, that's a little too mall-ninja for me; you'd have to ask someone younger.

To put mags together; install one in the rifle. Rotate the other one opposite- ammo will face downward, and forward. Use cloth tape; less residue than duct tape. Tape 'em together. Leave 1/2" clearance from the bottom of the receiver to the bottom of the inverted mag.

I'm 41, and damn near too old to do this.... (Homage to the other fossils who are pointing out mall ninja status)
I will tell you of the drawbacks in the real world doing this: Your flipped mag will be open to the dust and debris of the real world, unless you get magazine covers from Troy ind. for STANAG style mags, or you use Magpul Pmags and keep their cover on. One of 3 things will happen: You will be depending on the proper function of the rifle- let's say your life depends on it (training is real life) You will try to stuff that mag into the well with the cover on................ or, you will spend what seems like 2 hours getting that otherwise easy to remove Pmag cover off, so you can stuff it home. Last scenario, you will have attempted steps #1 and 2 previously. For mistake #3, you will run the flip mags without a cover. You will inevitably drop to the ground to fire. You will find that the flipped mag setup leaves the rifle propped up like 2 stories high, and you are having trouble shooting. You will also find that, during your haste, you dropped into a pile of fresh cow manure, and the magazine that was exposed on the bottom is now plugged with said manure. You will flip said mag into the gun, and the rifle will shoot like ****. ............


Wear Molle pouches brother.

Thanks y'all. I managed to figure out the 'mall-ninja' (?) mag-clamp. I'm 35 and so presumably should feel the stirrings of silliness, but I'm a handicapped shooter and so won't be in combat. (or if i am i imagine it will be a very short experience!) The mag-clamp. It is a purpose made piece of steel with a screw base, I just needed to stagger the magazines signifigantly.
As for Mack's no doubt excellent advice, I've no idea about half of the thing he mentioned. Please find a link to the rifle i bought here: Gun Review: Smith & Wesson M&P15 ORC | The Truth About Guns
This is it exactly. The rear carry handle sight I believe I've managed. It is a UTG #950 (model 4/15). The front sight is the problem. It is UTG #750 'High Profile Detachable Front Sight.' Please find a link to it's image here: UTG AR-15 Detachable Front Sight MNT-750
It is simply too long for the rail up there, and so overhangs on the back end perhaps a third of an inch.
What's y'all's opinion about all this?

Once again, I appreciate any and all help. Be well & God bless!

Jeremy

Wow, y'all! The Troy sights are $100+ for .5 of what I'll need. Other options if you all think I should simply replace?

Be well & God bless!
Jeremy

Geez, iron sights draw nearly as much stubborn dedication from the followers as do optics!
I like the Troy sight on the rear of my M&P. It's all out tougher than the Magpul that the newest group of M&P are using. It also has a roll-over optic window rather than the little flip in window.
I will go out and say it: I DO NOT like the Magpul sight for this reason. The flip up is good, the low profile is really good, but to monkey with that little window when you need to be shooting...it's not helpful. Not to mention, with gloves of any kind on, it is unworkable. I rarely shoot in the cold unless hunting. But if I use the rifle in the cold, it is not easy to work that rear sight with frozen fingertips.
This said, there must be 20 different peep sights of every flavor available. In the end, I really prefer the Troy sight.

Just use a standard 30 rd mag . Doublemags add to much weight and make aiming harder. Allso there is more junk hanging on the rifle making it ungainly. And more prone to jamming and breaking mags. 30 is fine get a nice bag to haul mags or pouchs. Leave the double mags to rambo and TV land.