Railed Gas Block question? Need help :)

[Supahrob]

Heya everyone - loooong time lurker here. I read a lot, try to learn as much as I can, but I believe this is my first time posting here.

Anyhow, I just brought home my new rifle yesterday. It's the M&P Sport 2 with the Crimson Trace red dot...and NO iron sights. This is my first ever rifle, and I am very new to all of this. I gotta admit, I went with this particular model specifically BECAUSE it came with the red dot sight - and I didn't think I would need the iron sights at all since I had a red dot.

Now that I have the rifle, I wanna get some training...but all the classes in my area (SoCal) REQUIRE iron sights. Maybe thats a universal requirement - I dunno. Anyway... So I figure, no problem, I will buy some iron sights and go from there.

A little searching on the web, and I encounter the concept of a "railed gas block." I then find out that the magpul sights I was going to get can't be installed on a railed gas block because the sight will melt. I then find out that railed gas blocks are lower than receiver height....THEN I find out that - apparently - Smith & Wesson railed gas blocks ARE receiver height....

Sheesh!!

I am sooooooo confused right now. Can someone take pity on me and recommend some flip up iron sights that will work on a Smith & Wesson M&P Sport 2 with a railed gas block?

If ya do I will light a candle in your name or bake a symbolic cake or something like that?

Oh, and I DID search here in the forum, but I didn't find anything that answered my question. Not saying the answer isn't here - I just didn't find it

Take care,
Rob

 

[Rastoff]

Just to be clear, is this the gas block you have?

If it is, then you do indeed have a rail height gas block. You are correct that the MagPul sights won't work. Because they are plastic, they will melt if used on a gas block like yours.

So, if you just have to have iron sights, look to Troy Industries. They make very good folding sights that are metal and will work on your gas block. Alas, like with all quality things, they are not cheap. I have a set I might part with.

But before you head down that route, where exactly are you in So Cal? I live in So Cal too and would be willing to spend some quality range time with you to get you on track with your new gun. I'm a firearms instructor and can help you with learning your new rifle.

 

[Pisgah]

As an inexpensive alternative, I went on eBay and ordered a Chinese-made set of folding adjustable steel backup sights for something like $29.95 that have turned out to be both rugged and precise. You might want to search there.

 

[bamashooter]

There are 2 heights.

1. Top of railed gas block is even with the rails atop the receiver

2. Top of railed gas block is a bit lower than rails atop receiver.

3. Purchased the appropriate "height" front sight.

The cheaper UTG sights are more than good enough. I believe their flip up sights come in both manual and spring-loaded.

 

[Supahrob]

Heya everyone - I meant to reply yesterday, but I was shooting a wedding (I am a wedding photographer), so here I am today

Ok, near as I can tell, Rastoff I have the gas block from your picture. Doing as careful measurements as I could, it DOES appear to be the same height as the receiver rail. I am (at this point) going the route Pigsah suggested and I ordered some cheap sights from eBay. I am still - perhaps naively - thinking that I will be relying mostly on the red dot sight, so I am doubtful that I need to spend a lot of money on the iron sights.

And, Rastoff, I am in the Inland Empire (Riverside, to be specific) - is that anywhere near you?

Take care,
Rob

 

[WR Moore]

You can rely upon the red dot sight until: 1. the battery fails, 2. the widget that generates the red dot fails or 3. something strikes the optic and the glass isn't there/you can't see through it. If, at that point, you really, really need iron sights, spending more than you wanted to will seem insignificant.

I personally have a standard front sight tower and fixed (non folding by Troy as it happens) rear sight by choice. They're always there, they doesn't need to be deployed. However, you may have other priorities.

 

[Rastoff]

And, Rastoff, I am in the Inland Empire (Riverside, to be specific) - is that anywhere near you?

Rob,
Near is relative. I'm in beautiful Tehachapi, about 130 miles north of you. If you're willing to make the trip, I'm willing to take the time to get you some quality training.

The AR style rifle is not difficult to learn to use, but it does have some unique features. I'm sure we can get you up to speed on:

• The rifle and it's parts.
• Proper zeroing technique.
• How to hit the intended target.
• Properly maintaining the gun.

Depending on how quickly you're picking stuff up, we can also include more advanced things, but you don't want to do too much in one day. It's better to work the basics and get those fully ingrained before moving on.