Iron Sights don't line up?

[Monte C]

I got a new S&W AR15 recently it's the flat top modle that sells for $899.00 and does not come with sights. When I bought it the dealer suggested Mid West Industries Iron Sights so I went ahead and got them but was told today at the range when I went to sight the gun in that they would not work for my gun as it's set up. They explained to me that the S&W Gas Block sets up too high and does not line up with the rail on top of the gun which they showed me and it was pretty clear the Gas Block top is higher. One of the guys mentioned adding a spacer or off set to raise the rear sight but in the end the gun smith on hand said it still would not line up??? Is this info correct I can't imagine not being able to put iron sights on the gun without having to modify something to make it work? Thank you for your help!!!!

By the way I got my kid a 15/22 at the same time and it's an awesome gun we've had a lot of fun with it!!!

 

[shawn mccarver]

I got a new S&W AR15 recently it's the flat top modle that sells for $899.00 and does not come with sights. When I bought it the dealer suggested Mid West Industries Iron Sights so I went ahead and got them but was told today at the range when I went to sight the gun in that they would not work for my gun as it's set up. They explained to me that the S&W Gas Block sets up too high and does not line up with the rail on top of the gun which they showed me and it was pretty clear the Gas Block top is higher. One of the guys mentioned adding a spacer or off set to raise the rear sight but in the end the gun smith on hand said it still would not line up??? Is this info correct I can't imagine not being able to put iron sights on the gun without having to modify something to make it work? Thank you for your help!!!!

By the way I got my kid a 15/22 at the same time and it's an awesome gun we've had a lot of fun with it!!!

I thought that the S&W optics ready M&P15 has a gas block that is the same height as the receiver Picatinny rail so that it would duplicate what you would get if you had a monolithic receiver or full length rail.

Most of the reputable manufacturers make front sights that are designed for the S&W optics ready rail, and one that comes immediately to mind is Troy Industries.

 

[wass]

I have the M&P 15 OR (optics ready) and it does not come with sights. The gas block is on the same plane as the rails on the receiver. However, at first glance it looks like the gas block rail is higher because the hand guard diameter is tapered smaller toward the gas block. Place a 12" ruler on the rails & gas block, or something similar, and you will see it lines up perfectly.

 

[Dikinalaska]

I have the M&P 15 OR (optics ready) and it does not come with sights. The gas block is on the same plane as the rails on the receiver. However, at first glance it looks like the gas block rail is higher because the hand guard diameter is tapered smaller toward the gas block. Place a 12" ruler on the rails & gas block, or something similar, and you will see it lines up perfectly.

Can't you just set it upside-down on a table?

 

[Dikinalaska]

And did you pay 799 or 899? Your two posts are conflicting.

 

[arizona98tj]

You were told to purchase the wrong sites for your rifle.

Lesson #1 - not all people that stand or are found in a gun store know what they are talking about.

Do a little searching in this forum for sights and the M&P15 OR (optics ready) model rifle. You should find info on what will work. Good luck!

 

[Monte C]

And did you pay 799 or 899? Your two posts are conflicting.

I apologize for making 2 posts on the same subject I'm new to the forum and realized I posted the first one in the wrong place. I actually paid $899.00 not $799 and the reason I mentioned that is it may indicate to you guys which model I have. After further inspection it appears that both rails are on the same plane. I'm starting to think the guy working at the range who told me there would be no way to sight it in may have been wrong. He was just so matter of fact and even said it's a known problem with the M&P 15s but the more I study it the more it appears to be lined up. The front sight package says "M1 flip up front sight hand guard rail model" the rear package says "M1 flip up rear sight for AR15 Same Plane Low Profile". I hope this is all just confusion on my part and the guy at the range!! I really appreciate all the help!!!

 

[Dikinalaska]

I apologize for making 2 posts on the same subject I'm new to the forum and realized I posted the first one in the wrong place. I actually paid $899.00 not $799 and the reason I mentioned that is it may indicate to you guys which model I have. After further inspection it appears that both rails are on the same plane. I'm starting to think the guy working at the range who told me there would be no way to sight it in may have been wrong. He was just so matter of fact and even said it's a known problem with the M&P 15s but the more I study it the more it appears to be lined up. The front sight package says "M1 flip up front sight hand guard rail model" the rear package says "M1 flip up rear sight for AR15 Same Plane Low Profile". I hope this is all just confusion on my part and the guy at the range!! I really appreciate all the help!!!

View attachment 98484

I wasn't meaning that to come off as harsh if it did, I was actually just wondering. 799 would've been nicer oh well, at least you got one. Welcome and happy shooting! Once you get it lined up that is lol

 

[Monte C]

Lol no problem I didn't take it that way I'm just embarrassed to have two posts on the same topic!!! Lol and yes I really thought it was $799 till I saw the receipt again today....

I just want to get my gun shooting as accurate as that 15/22 I bought my boy!!! Then it will be time to put a scope on it and I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions about that too....

 

[BillyJack2012]

You're front sight is correct from what I see. The low profile designation for you rear is likely the problem. I don't have personal experience with it myself though.

I would take the rear sight from your M&P 15-22 and slap it on the OR to see how that lines up. My sense is that it will and you need to swap your rear sight. I'd find a good, used Matech for around $40.

Plenty of range ninjas like to give information out there. Some of the stuff I hear is just baffling. I don't know of ANY "known problems" with the M&P. It's been an outstanding AR and absolutely one of my favorites.

 

[GianniG83]

I would read up more on your front sight. You mentioned it was a hand guard rail model. Perhaps there is some sort of compensation for a gas block since there are some manufacturers out there that don't align their gas blocks with the rest of the picatinny rails on the gun. I know that Troy has a gasblock model for each of their front sights. Thankfully I did research on this forum before buying that model.

 

[wass]

Perhaps these pics will help.

 

[Maddmax]

I just want to get my gun shooting as accurate as that 15/22 I bought my boy!!! Then it will be time to put a scope on it and I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions about that too....

Once you get that 15OR dialed in,it will "blow the socks" off your kids 15-22

 

[Maddmax]

I thought that the S&W optics ready M&P15 has a gas block that is the same height as the receiver Picatinny rail so that it would duplicate what you would get if you had a monolithic receiver or full length rail.

Most of the reputable manufacturers make front sights that are designed for the S&W optics ready rail, and one that comes immediately to mind is Troy Industries.

That's what I thought too.

On a side note. Just remember metal sights for that gas block. The polymer ("plastic") ones WILL melt under the heat.

 

[GianniG83]

I just spoke with a Smith & Wesson technical customer service rep about this. The picatinny rail on the gas block of the OR is level and on the same plane as the flattop picatinny rail on the receiver.

 

[wass]

I already said that, and I own one. And I took the time to create a grid in Photoshop to demonstrate this.

 

[ncSmitty]

The problem that I had with my 15-OR was that the gas block was canted a few degrees clockwise. It was not noticeable until I replaced the stock handguard with a 4 rail handguard. The rail on the handguard lined up perfectly with the rail on the receiver, but not with the gas block. I have the Troy Industries battle sights and like them. I'm sure they will be even better when the front sight on the gas block isn't leaning to the right.

 

[Dikinalaska]

I already said that, and I own one. And I took the time to create a grid in Photoshop to demonstrate this.

Hey at least I appreciate the work!

 

[wass]

^^

 

[Monte C]

Hey at least I appreciate the work!

I do too thanks yall for all your efforts and great help!!!