I'm new to AR-World as I just picked up my S&P 15 last weekend. I need to know what companies to research and those to stay away from. I'd like to limit my front and rear sights to around $150 total. I've been told that the gas system on these models is higher and, therefore, you have to use the proprietary "MI" company's sights. Is this true? Any and all info is great appreciated.

Alex

What model do you have? Are you mounting on a S&W gas block or a quad rail?

If on a gas block like the M&P15 OR, you will want irons due to heat. If on a quad rail, you'd be fine with polymer MBUS sights.

There's nothing proprietary about the sights you will need to use. Troy, Magpul, Midwest Industries, whatever... Just do some research and get what you like. Enjoy!

I've got the OR model.

I dont have iron sights on my 15or.The ones that came with my 15-22 are pretty nice(magpul mbus) and would work on the 15or fine(they attach to the picatinny rail).

You might try ebay and do a search and see if there are any bargains.

Assuming that you will mount an optic (dot or scope)

For the rear sight, you can use a polymer sight such as the folding Magpul MBUS, any other polymer rear folding sight, or a metal sight.

For the front sight, you will need a metal (preferably folding) front sight. The reason is that the front sight will be mounted to the rail atop the gas block. Since the gas block redirects hot gasses to cycle the action, it gets hot.

Now the exception to the prohibition on a polymer front sight on a gas block is if your intended use does not include quick or rapid fire. Forum member oneyeopn uses his 15-Sport for slow fire, longer distance target shooting & prairie dog hunting. He replaced his A2 post sight with a gas block. His style of shooting won't generate the heat to melt a polymer front sight.

^^^^I'm with JaPes on this one!^^^^^ Good advise

Agreed as well. However, I simply wouldn't risk a polymer sight (again) on the gas block. Even with slower shooting, I couldn't believe how much heat was generated on my gas block.

I have the OR model and use the sights from my 15-22 with great success. Originally, I had a Magpul foldoing polymer sight (MBUS) on the block. Thanks to the advice on this site and a visit to the range, I pulled it off and moved it to my 15-22.

The standard iron sight on there now works great. Just make sure to use some loctite. I'll end up with some folding irons in the future when I get some glass for long range shooting.

Coolio, thanks guys. I'll move on to Magpul's site for further research. Are these easy to install? I'm new to this AR World, fella's.

Oh, and will any of Magpul's folding iron sights fit the OR model? I was told that the OR has a high gas block which calls for a specific type of sight. Was that guy just high or is that right?

I have to disagree with you, my barrel doesnt even get hot, very slow, deliberate, calculated shots. Its my style I have never been one to waste ammo, I did do a mag dump one afternoon but that was before the changes, I dont keep the magpul front sight on the rifle. but it is in my shooting bag (JIC)...Its the way I roll

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Grover Oathkeeper

I just got the brownells catalog..lots of choices in there...I still look for what I want and then go shopping on the bay first...

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Grover Oathkeeper

Yes. The MBUS will fit on the OR. That's what I got for mine originally.

You wouldn't disagree with me if you were with me at the range yesterday. After some pretty decent precision shooting, my buddy and I decided to smoke the barrel and dump about $20 worth of rounds in 8 seconds to top off the day.

I dont do that in fact even when I did my mag dumps they werent that fast, so for you the poly sight wont work, but for someone else they might...but I bet it was fun!!! I just got to feeling guilty after I did my mag dumps money that could go elsewhere!!

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Grover Oathkeeper

Got mine too. It's the adult male version of a Toys R Us catalog.

Magpul, my friend oneyeopen's exception notwithstanding, says NOT to use their MBUS on a gas block right in the instructions.

Front sights come in two heights. One for flat top level gas block rails like the OR's and a taller one for Compact gas blocks. Be sure yours is the shorter one, regardless of brand.

I can recommend TROY but there are less expensive alternatives.

OR, since you aren't going to war with this rifle, just get an inexpensive red dot and get the irons later. Try Primary Arms dot com.

Because of everything I have read ( and I did go to Magpul's site) I am now on the search for a metal front sight to go with my Matech rear sight. Which means I will be selling a set of Magpul's soon to hopefully help cover the cost of my new front sight. Just In Case I do want to be able to have a weapon that can be used in an acronym action! OK I Give!! LOL

(was looking at my choices in the new Brownell's Catalog and thinking about it)

I know that the Troys are nice but I dont feel the need to spend 1/6th the cost of my rifle on one front sight, are there any other suggestions for sights that work well, or will basically any of them work?

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Grover Oathkeeper

https://www.primaryarms.com/Front_Sights_s/278.htm

NOTE. Confusion in that you do NOT want what they mark as "gas block sights" because they are taller and made for shorter, non same plane as the flat top gas blocks. The shorter ones fit flat top height rails and the OR gas block (or any same plane as the flat top rail gas block).