Rear iron sight

[Jayspec]

Bought a sw mp15 22 few days ago. Can't get to the range till Thursday. But was having a fiddle as you do with a new gun and was just wondering why my elevation adjustment wheel seems to be fixed in a certain position with a small pin. In the manual it says it can be height adjusted and on the sight it has markings for up and down. Is it meant to move ? Or do the factory set it in the ideal position for the 22lr and you have to use the front post if you wish to adjust elevation after that ?

 

[jagular]

The pin on the front sight is to lock it into position. I'm not sure if you have the mbus or OEM sights but you should be able to adjust elevation on the front sight by pushing the detent pin down and rotating the wheel at the base. If you have magpul mbus sights and don't have an adjustment tool, call them and they'll usually ship it for free. I don't have the rifle with oem sights but it should operate in the same way. You may be able to use a standard ar15 front sight tool on the oem ones. If not, use a small screwdriver.

Sights from the factory should be near center but do not know what range they use for zero or what range you will want to zero it in at. Put it at 25 yards and see where you land on paper.

 

[Destructo6]

You're talking about the fixed, non-folding, rear sight that is similar to a carry handle A2, right?

If so, look up "A2 battle zero" and brew up some coffee, because you got some reading to do and lots of opinions on the best method to sift through.

The front sight post is intended to set your elevation while zero-ing, while the drum on the rear sight is intended to set range to target once it's zeroed.

 

[GhostMutt]

If it is any help, mine was pretty much spot on at 25 yards, It wasn't long before i switched to optics though.

 

[Jayspec]

Yes it's the fixed A2 style sights. I understand and know how to make all adjustments on both front and rear sights. What I was saying was my rear elevation wheel that adjusts your sights after zeroing does not move at all. And is locked in position by a small pin it looks like coming up from underneath. I will probably never need this elevation adjustment. But I was thinking why is it locked in position ?

 

[tcon]

Can you post a picture of the pin? I would not think that the rear elevation drum should be locked. It should turn but don't force it until we know what the obstruction is.

 

[Jayspec]

I don't think I will be able to pick it out in a pic. I can just about see something sticking up I thought it was a bit of paint or something. But if you take the sight off and look at the bottom of it. It has a hole from the bottom where the pin comes up from below. I put a thin piece of paper underneath the wheel and it hits something solid on that side but not the other side. I will try to post pics tommorow

 

[tcon]

I've not seen the rear on a 15-22 firsthand - only a picture but here's a Leapers AR15 A2 rear sight and an exploded diagram. Flipping the sight leaf toward the rear exposes a hole. With the sight bottomed down to the lowest number, the drum lines up so you can access a set screw (part 11, uses a 1/16" Allen) that is supposed to be screwed in all the way down clockwise to lock the upper and lower knurled drums together. Note that the exploded diagram has part 11 on the other side of the access hole. Lining it up with the access hole, loosening it 3 turns and leaving the Allen key in the hole allows the bottom knurled ring to be turned to adjust the height of the sight body while the top ring with the markings stays in place.

Also note that there is a spring loaded ball bearing (part 16) under the bottom drum that is responsible for the detents/clicks when the elevation drum is turned. When viewed from the side, the ball bearing should be the only thing between the elevation drum and the body of the mounting fixture.

 

[Jayspec]

Thanks Tcon. That all makes sense. So the part underneath is a ball bearing. Thanks for taking time to put pics and info up. Now to find or buy a mini allan key and try it out. I will post if it works or not

 

[tcon]

If it were mine, I would try to unscrew the set screw so I could hear it release and then screw it down again. Once satisfied that the set screw is clear and not an obstruction causing the drum to not turn, I would give it a bit more elbow grease to make it turn. It might just be stuck needing lube and a harder twist. Don't turn harder than you think that will cause damage. If it still won't turn or if you finally get it to turn but it is stiff, call S&W - I'm sure they will send you a new sight. It should turn with clicks.

 

[Jayspec]

If it were mine, I would try to unscrew the set screw so I could hear it release and then screw it down again. Once satisfied that the set screw is clear and not an obstruction causing the drum to not turn, I would give it a bit more elbow grease to make it turn. It might just be stuck needing lube and a harder twist. Don't turn harder than you think that will cause damage. If it still won't turn or if you finally get it to turn but it is stiff, call S&W - I'm sure they will send you a new sight. It should turn with clicks.

Ok will do that. I've tried all my mini allan keys none fit. Most or all are metric. Just ordered a set of small imperial size including 1/16. So hopefully one will fit. I think it will be fine once I find one to fit

 

[Jayspec]

Got the Allan keys today none seem to fit. So I must have got a faulty rear sight. Not to worry I think that elevation on the rear sight is more used for further distances with a 223/5.56 round anyway. Took the rifle to the range last night. Was busy but got 140 rounds of cci mini mag through it. 2 stove pipes but I put that down to me maybe not loading mags perfect. Was shooting about 4 inches low at 25 yards. So I just have to order a m16 front sight adjustment tool now lower that front post and should be good to go. Get used to the irons and then look around for a red dot. Thanks for the replays

 

[Jayspec]

Replys not replays

 

[GhostMutt]

Replys not replays

You can use the edit function to correct little typos like this, don't worry about it too much, most of us can't read too good anyway

 

[Jayspec]

Thanks ghostmutt didn't know that

 

[Jayspec]

Thinking about it afterwards a gun should work from new including the sights. So after contacting the shop who I bought it from about my rear defective sight. They promised me a new one which never came after a few calls in which they said they would get back to me but never did. I rang the importer shield who were really good about it and straight onto the shop I bought from. The next day I received a rear sight. A working rear sight. So I'm a happy man. Just would like to let uk shooters know. If you do not receive the after sales service you should receive. Get onto shield and they will sort it for you

 

[tcon]

Good deal. Curious - did you find out why the drum on your original sight wouldn't turn? If you didn't have to send it back, now you can disassemble the old one, maybe "unstick" the stuck part, reassemble and have a spare.

 

[Jayspec]

Good deal. Curious - did you find out why the drum on your original sight wouldn't turn? If you didn't have to send it back, now you can disassemble the old one, maybe "unstick" the stuck part, reassemble and have a spare.

When I first spoke to them. They said when you receive the new one send the stuck one back,that was before they messed me about. Being as I had to take the matter up with the importer. They will not be getting it back,unless they request it again.which I doubt they will. I will give it a while then take apart see what's a matter with it. I will put a red dot on it later. But I like to use the irons first. I quite like them. They look quite decent. Will let you know what it was. If I can fix !