I have bought three different front sight adjusting tools for my M&P15 5.56/223 AR15. None of them work. It seems the distance between the two inner edges of the side lips is not wide enough. So far Smith & Wesson has given me the run around by directing me to their supplier. They sent me a took that didn't work either. Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions outside of buying a new sight?
Bad fron sight
- Thread starter ron37388
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Tbat
Member
Different brands of front sight tools fit differently, usually about any sight tool will fit and work on the fixed type front sights. If all else fails you can use the tip of a 5.56/.223 round or small pick to adjust the front sight.
cyphertext
US Veteran
What type of front sight do you have?
SiGfever
Member
cyphertext
US Veteran
Ok, so standard "F"marked front sight. S&W typically does not include a sight tool for these. I am guessing the tool they sent you is for adjusting the Magpul front sight, and as you have experienced, it doesn't fit.
I use the tip of a FMJ round, like we did in the military, or a small screwdriver. No need for a specialized tool.
So, if it's not the Magpul brand, what brand do you think it is? I have used a nail and the tip of a .223 round, then a small set of needle nose pliers to adjust it. It works, but I just don't think it's right not to have the correct tool. I feel like I got ripped off by S&W by getting an installed front adjustable sight that I can't adjust!
78Staff
Member
It's a standard Mil-Spec F version front sight. Get the correct tool, or use a FMJ round as already stated. You have not been ripped off. Honestly, I don't think there's 3 different tools available, unless you are buying cheap chinacom ****, which makes me think it's operator error more than anything.
cyphertext
US Veteran
In the military, the tip of a round was the correct tool. Once you have the front sight set, you don't mess with it anymore... you should be done with it after the first day of sight in and probably never touch it again. If you don't have elevation adjustment on your rear sight, zero it at 50 yards, and you will be within +/- 2 inches out to 250 yards. If you do have elevation on the rear sight, follow the zero instructions on your particular sight and you can adjust for known distance.
The confusion with S&W comes into play because the manual is for all versions of the M&P 15, but not all versions have the same sights. The rifles that are equipped with Magpul sights come with a Magpul adjustment tool. The rifles that have the standard mil-spec sites do not come with a tool... but again, no tool is really required. You simply depress the detent with the tip of a round and then rotate the sight by moving the round either clockwise or counter clockwise. You can use a nail, a punch, a small screwdriver, etc. to accomplish this.
The confusion with S&W comes into play because the manual is for all versions of the M&P 15, but not all versions have the same sights. The rifles that are equipped with Magpul sights come with a Magpul adjustment tool. The rifles that have the standard mil-spec sites do not come with a tool... but again, no tool is really required. You simply depress the detent with the tip of a round and then rotate the sight by moving the round either clockwise or counter clockwise. You can use a nail, a punch, a small screwdriver, etc. to accomplish this.
FiremedicMike
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Honestly it should only be done once. Zero yourself in at your desired range, then leave it alone.
MichiganScott
Member
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This is the reason they "ripped you off" and didn't include a tool.
S&W rep sent me his own tool that he got from Brunnels. It worked like a charm. I had bought the one from Amazon, just like the one pictured by Sigfever above. It didn't work. Sent it back. Unlike some, I prefer the correct tool to do a job. Being a mechanic all my life (70 years), I have learned that you can do just about anything by improvising, such as using a nail or the tip of a round. However, I have also learned that using the proper tool to do any job is always the way to go. The alternative is good to use in a pinch, but I'm still glad I have the correct adjusting tool.
cyphertext
US Veteran
If it was the correct tool, Uncle Sam would have issued me one with the rifle. It is an aftermarket part, made to separate you from your money. But if it makes you happy...
rojodiablo
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If you are ever in a position where you have to help or sight in 10+ rifles in a morning....... you will not be poo-poo'ing that simple invaluable tool.
Well worth the $5-8 at most shops. Well worth it.
cyphertext
US Veteran
If you are ever in a position where you have to help or sight in 10+ rifles in a morning....... you will not be poo-poo'ing that simple invaluable tool.
Well worth the $5-8 at most shops. Well worth it.
Nevermind... I probably should not have responded earlier... He wanted a tool, he got one, he is happy, end of story.
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rojodiablo
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Tinker toys for men....... the AR15. Add tools, some accessories, and maybe a way to plug some Legos on there, and they would be perfect!
uncledoggle
Member
Friend of mine just got a sport with the same problem.
Even using the tip of a pen to try to do the adjustment the protective ears are so narrow it is not easy to get it to rotate to the next notch. I have a handful of ARs myself and shot plenty of others and never seen one this way before.
There is no way any of the tools that work on all of mine would fit this one.
It is a Sport model.
Even using the tip of a pen to try to do the adjustment the protective ears are so narrow it is not easy to get it to rotate to the next notch. I have a handful of ARs myself and shot plenty of others and never seen one this way before.
There is no way any of the tools that work on all of mine would fit this one.
It is a Sport model.
I have had the same problem with my Sport model. Almost impossible to adjust with a cartridge tip (FMJ). FYI I spent over 30 years in the Army, the bulk of it carrying the M16A1, A2, and M4. I also shot the rifle in Army competition for over 10 years. This does not appear to be the sight I was used to.
