Hey guys. Looking for some help here with sights. I recently bought an optics ready flat top and I've decided that I want a fixed front sight and a flip up rear sight. I'll probably run a red dot on it as well, but I really like the idea of the iron sights as basically the primary sights. Any suggestions for specific brands and can I use any fixed front with a flip up rear? From what I understand, this particular rifle's rails are on the same plane, correct? I'm fairly new to the ar platform so any input is appreciated.

You are correct. Your railed gas block is on the same plane as you flat top so stay away from "gas block height" front sights. There are several out there that are really nice. Daniel Defense, Sampson, LMT, YHM, Magpul MBUS Pro just to name a few. Stay away from MBUS Polymer sights as they can't take the heat. For the rear, you can run the Magpul MBUS. I prefer Matech rear sights.

Thanks for the info.

Just out of curiosity, why do you want a fixed front over a folder on an optics ready rifle? Most of the time, when someone says that they prefer the fixed front sight, they are referring to the front sight base, not attaching a solid sight to a rail.

Not saying that there is anything wrong with it, just it is different, so I was curious as to your reasoning.

If you add an optic such as a red dot, then the optic is the primary sight system, not the iron sights. The optic ready model comes the way it does, so that you can easily add a folding front sight, and fold it away when not using it, or forego iron sights all together.

ETA: Please don't take this as an attack... it really is just a curiosity. My dedicated .22lr came as an optics ready model, but it has both fixed front and rear sights. I used it only with sights, until recently when I added a red dot.

Troy folding front and rear battle sights are top notch.

__________________
-John

For a gas block fixed front sight I might even go with a cheapo UTG which is the same that SW puts on the 1522. There's a zillion of them sitting in parts boxes having been replaced with folding sights.

I've never entertained the idea of a gas block folding sight. Knowing me... after doing a few mag dumps I'd reach for it and discover how hot a gas block really gets.

My OR on the right with the front sight from my 15-22. Thought it was pretty ugly. The sight was bigger than the block. Here it is adjusting forward.



Adjusted one notch back.

Well I ordered the fixed front and folding rear Troy sights. Feel like I found a pretty good deal at Bigsupplyshop. As for a fixed front, I guess I just went with what a lot of the research I did told me. The majority of people said fixed front and folding rear. I don't know. I bought the optics ready because it was a good deal. Never put too much thought into the sights at the time. Maybe I should have! I know I'll end up ditching the red dot and just using the iron sights anyway. So I guess that kind of played into my decision as well. I guess we'll see how it goes.

Set up your rifle the way you want it. That's the best part of owning an AR-15.

If you go iron sight only, an A2 chopped rear sight is the best. It allows for both windage and elevation adjustments. No messing with a front sight post tool.

__________________
-John

Got the Troy sights on today. Solid sights. Wondered why they would cost so much. It's obvious once you handle them.

I was leaning towards the Troy folders for my OR - i like the fact that the Troy rear defaults to the large aperture (short range ie < 200) where most default to the smaller long range aperture... but there seems to be some backlash against Troy based on recent hiring practices, not sure of all the details but google will give plenty of info if so desired...

Anyway I already had the Magpul Pro folder (all metal due to gas block mount) on the front, so I just grabbed the rear Pro to match. I do like the Mappul Pro rear, it is very low profile and narrow, so it kinda disappears when folded down.

I may still go with the Troy rear, it's a pia to flip that little aperture every time I flip up the sight...or I guess I could just leave it sticking up (when folded down, I mean).

Apologies, cell phone pics here...