Help with a gas block Flip site to fit in a drop in handguard

[Thirsty Traveler]

I know that there are a few manufacturers that make a gas block front flip up/dn sight for my rifle. I have an M&P 15-5.56/223, that has the A2 front fixed sight. I had a long range scope mounted to it, although you cannot see the A2 front fixed sight in the scopes optics, I would love to replace it with a flip site. However, I Purchased and installed one of those drop in hand guards, I would like to know if they make a flip sight with a gas block that fits in that notch of the drop in hand guard, where the A2 sight protrudes out of?

Also, can someone please explain to me the science on how I cannot see that front sight that’s directly in front of my scope!?


TT

 

[NewLiberty]

A few things to consider:

It sounds like you have a standard front sight base with a fixed front sight. Pictures of the current setup would help.

Do your drop in handguards clip onto the back of the sight/gas block? That is typically a connection point for drop ins. If so, and you want to keep those handguards, you will be very limited in gas block selection for a new gas block.
They make gas blocks with picatinny rail sections on top, if you use one of those, use a metal flip up front, not a polymer one.

Another solution is to replace the gas block with a low profile, or chop the sight off the current one, and then put on a free float handguard on, then mount the front sight to that. This will probably require removing the barrel from the upper, which is very doable, but will require some specialized tools.

 

[Eric300]

Yankee Hill Mfg. makes a clamp-on that will work with standard handguards.

On roughly 4x on your scope, the FS will be a light shadowy blur or not seen at all. The higher the magnification, the less shadow of the FS you will see.

Front Flip Sight Tower, Standard

 

[Thirsty Traveler]

Thanks guys, sorry I should’ve include a photo. Here you go.

Also i don’t recall that the drop in hand guard locked in to the gas block, I think it only locked in to the delta ring. But I could be wrong, I’m new to the AR platform, this is my first one.
It was a fairly inexpensive one, here’s the link to it. I only paid $65 for it, and it seems well made. I know it’s not free floating, that would’ve forced me to take off the front sight and gas block.

Is it a crappy thing to do to just cut off the front sight, neatly of course?

VISM by NcSTAR VMARMLCE M-LOK EXTENDED LENGTH HANDGUARD 13.5"/ TWO PIE

TT

 

[Eric300]

Other than clipping into the Delta Ring, that handguard has to attach to the FSGB/hand guard cap somehow. Otherwise, it wouldn't stay very ridged. Cutting the FS isn't hard at all providing you have the proper tools and use a little finesse. But then you won't need that cut-out that your current hand guard has. Decide exactly what you want to do, how you want it, and buy the correct accessories once. You're just going to end up chasing your tail and spending money on stuff that you're just going to take back off and end up in a box of parts.

 

[Thirsty Traveler]

I agree Eric. I want to buy a decent hand guard eventually. I didn’t want this rifle with the front A2 sight. One Smith and Wesson had to rebate the ones without we’re all sold out and I happen to pick this one up for $539 when all said and done, so at this price I consider this my learning rifle I plan on buying another.

If do I decide to cut off that front sight, what do you advise would be the best method? I have a dermal cutoff tool, all types of saws. Or I can ask my local GS if he can do it cleanly.

TT

 

[Eric300]

Use a high-speed cut-off saw with a thin disc to lop off the sight tower as close as you can, then use a Dremel with appropriate grit wheel(s) to clean it up. Since you're not going to remove the FSGB (I'm assuming) to do the work, you can tape off the area around it and spray paint the exposed area where you did the cutting. The cut-off FSGB is usually completely covered by the new rail so once that's installed, you'll hardly see it. Not so much if you're going to put your current rail back on.

 

[Thirsty Traveler]

Use a high-speed cut-off saw with a thin disc to lop off the sight tower as close as you can, then use a Dremel with appropriate grit wheel(s) to clean it up. Since you're not going to remove the FSGB (I'm assuming) to do the work, you can tape off the area around it and spray paint the exposed area where you did the cutting. The cut-off FSGB is usually completely covered by the new rail so once that's installed, you'll hardly see it. Not so much if you're going to put your current rail back on.

Thanks, like I said, I may just leave it alone since it’s not even in my view. It just looks ridiculous with the long range scope on it.

TT

 

[NewLiberty]

Thanks, like I said, I may just leave it alone since it’s not even in my view. It just looks ridiculous with the long range scope on it.

TT

If it shoots well in its current configuration, leaving it as is would be simplest.

Another option, would be to just buy a second upper, have one dedicated for long range, one for closer in. That would help prevent you from having to swap sights.

 

[Thirsty Traveler]

If it shoots well in its current configuration, leaving it as is would be simplest.

Another option, would be to just buy a second upper, have one dedicated for long range, one for closer in. That would help prevent you from having to swap sights.

Yes, I thought of that too! Any recommendations?
Decisions, decisions!

Thanks,

TT

 

[Eric300]

Yes, I thought of that too! Any recommendations?
Decisions, decisions!

Thanks,

TT

Or.....86 that chunky LR scope and put something like a 1x-6x LPVO on it (preferably on a QD mount). Add a rear BUIS and you're in business. Esthetically, it'll look better (personal opinion), and 6x will get you out to 500m with no problem.

 

[Thirsty Traveler]

Wow! Both are beautiful! I’ll get there sooner or later. I’m still learning and burning, (money that is)!

I watched numerous videos last night on cutting off the front sight. Doesn’t look hard at all, only issues is I would need to buy a vice and some tools . We’re here visiting grandkids/kids for a few months, all my stuff is back down south in my garage. So I have 3 options right now, 1.either buy everything I need to do it correctly, 2. Pay a local gunsmith to do it or 3. Wait till I get home? (I don’t like #3 at all!)


Question, I see most everyone remove the gas lock/sight to do the cutting, why not just take off the upper and handgard, put the gas block in a vice and carefully cut it off?

TT

 

[Eric300]

Wow! Both are beautiful! I’ll get there sooner or later. I’m still learning and burning, (money that is)!

I watched numerous videos last night on cutting off the front sight. Doesn’t look hard at all, only issues is I would need to buy a vice and some tools . We’re here visiting grandkids/kids for a few months, all my stuff is back down south in my garage. So I have 3 options right now, 1.either buy everything I need to do it correctly, 2. Pay a local gunsmith to do it or 3. Wait till I get home? (I don’t like #3 at all!)


Question, I see most everyone remove the gas lock/sight to do the cutting, why not just take off the upper and handguard, put the gas block in a vice and carefully cut it off?

TT

Thanks.

Top is a Daniel Defense M4V7.

Bottom is a Daniel Defense M4 Carbine with a Geissele Super Modular MK8 13.5" M-Lok Rail. I removed the (pinned on) FSGB on that one and cut it myself so I could install the Geissele rail. (See Pic).

You don't have to remove it to cut it. But you can do a better job spray painting it if it's off.

I would go with Option 1. Emphasis on the word 'Correctly'.

 

[Thirsty Traveler]

Thanks Eric, yea, option 1 it is! I’ll just keep extra tools here.
I’m also thinking of just chopping off the top, keep the Handguard for now and cove the hole up with one of those pickatinny rail covers.

I also just saw a .22 conversion kit, made by CMGG Brovo. I was going to buy a .22 AR, are these kits worth it?

TT

 

[Eric300]

Yep. Just decide what you want, how you want it, and do it once. You'll save money that way.

CMMG makes a decent .22 conversion kit for the AR that work pretty well the majority of the time. Personally, I prefer a dedicated .22 rimfire. Mostly because the twist rate of a .22 rimfire barrel is more accurate than using a .223/5.56 barrel for .22 rimfire.

Therefore, I opted for the M&P 15-22. Great, fun little bugger!

 

[Thirsty Traveler]

like I said, earlier I already found that Yankees hill flip/gas block, but I have that drop in handguard, don’t know it the folding sight is able to fold in my Vism handguard slot that the A2 sight fits into. To me, it looks like is made for an AR with the standard, short handguard that runs from the delta to the back of the gas block sight. Here is a photo of it up close. The gap is a little wider than the pick rail and about 2.5” long. Does anyone have experience with this? Would it work with my handguard?

TT