AR 15 sights

militant · February 23, 2013, 08:05 PM

I have an AR 15 with a flat top rail. It has no front or rear sights. I put a cheap red dot on it and was not impressed with it at all. Or it's just not my thing. I want some good old fashioned iron sights. What kind do you recommend? They would need to attach to the front and rear rail of corse.

kraigwy · February 23, 2013, 08:17 PM

Creedmoor Sports has some excellent sights for the AR. Doubt you'll find any better.

http://www.creedmoorsports.com/

BillyJack3 · February 23, 2013, 09:18 PM

Magpul MBUS on the cheap or Troy if you want to drop a couple hundred for solid, fold down sights. I like the Daniel Defense for fixed sights.

Also, you might have a better experience with a red dot if you get a better one. Optics is not something to cheap out on. That doesn't mean you have to drop $500. Primary Arms has a solid Red Dot for about $70.

dcludwig · February 23, 2013, 09:24 PM

I have the Magpul MBUS rear and Troy front. I really like the Magpul, but didn't get the front site because I "heard" there might be issues with plastic and the heat. Not sure of the validity of that, but I just didn't want to risk it.

slappy · February 23, 2013, 09:35 PM

Yankee Hill Machine or Midwest Industries both have some nice ones.

rep1954 · February 23, 2013, 11:58 PM

I've got to say the cheap red dots have not impressed me much either. That being said the Trijicon RX01 and the EOTech XPS1 have left me with feeling that if you dont need magnification they cant be beat.

WeedWacker · February 24, 2013, 05:28 AM

My YHM flip up irons are solid, more than the MI flip up rear sight I had for a while. I also have a Daniel Defense A1.5 fixed rear sight on my carbine build and it's solid. Troy also makes a fixed rear sight.

One sight that keeps coming up when I was searching for sights was the Knight's Armament micrometer sight.

http://www.operationparts.com/KAC_Kn...IS_p/98474.htm

Pricey but from what I understand it's worth it. I'll buy one eventually.

ETA: Don't use a Magpul front sight if you have a railed gas block. Not as hot if mounted on a free float tube, which is fine for use especially if the rail extends past the gas block to keep heat from being an issue. The magpul sights are also quite flimsy in comparison to steel. They can break fairly easily if you drop the rifle while the sights are deployed. Literally, these should only be used as backup sights when your optic fails and you need an aiming solution.

DnPRK · February 24, 2013, 06:21 AM

http://troyind.com/%20/back-up-iron-...ight-set-micro

madcratebuilder · February 24, 2013, 08:24 AM

My LMT sights are great, I prefer them over my Troy set.

Check out the 1-4X24 scopes on the market.

LSnSC · February 24, 2013, 10:10 AM

I like the Troy "HK Style" fixed front with a DPMS shorty A-2 style rear. If you dont need the elevation, the DD A1.5 is a really good rear sight.

FALPhil · February 24, 2013, 10:39 AM

I have tried several add on iron sights to my flattops. My favorite are the YHM. A close second is a MATECH rear sight (on my carbine that has a standard front sight).

I know this is going to be blasphemy, but I like the CAA plastic BUIS much better than the Magpul plastic BUIS. I put the CAA on my 9mm carbine.

BillyJack3 · February 24, 2013, 10:20 PM

Not sure why I didn't mention the Matech rear since that's what I run.

Great rear BUIS if you are looking for a flip up.

madcratebuilder · February 25, 2013, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FALPhil

I have tried several add on iron sights to my flattops. My favorite are the YHM. A close second is a MATECH rear sight (on my carbine that has a standard front sight).

I know this is going to be blasphemy, but I like the CAA plastic BUIS much better than the Magpul plastic BUIS. I put the CAA on my 9mm carbine.

I forgot about my MATECH, it's hidden under my M223. BAD makes a heavy duty clamp and screw for the MATECH. As I recall I picked mine off evil bay because the screw has busted, $20.

Fishbed77 · February 25, 2013, 12:54 PM

You can't go wrong with Troy Battlesights (either fixed or folding).

$150-$200 invested in Troy iron sights is a much better option than any $150 optic you can buy.

sholling · February 25, 2013, 01:58 PM

A cheap red-dot is enough to sour anyone on optics. If you want glass invest in a decent 1-3x20 like this Weaver in this Burris mount or 1-4x24 scope like this Vortex in this mount or a professional quality electronic sight like EoTech or Aimpoint. Even if you go with an optic you should still have back up iron sights installed. For open sights I like Troy's folding sights.

Revoliver · February 25, 2013, 07:33 PM

Not enough people giving the correct answer here...

Troy battle sights (fixed or folding).

After that it's personal preference.

RC20 · February 26, 2013, 12:22 AM

Well the above aside.

I do not like Magpul. Quality is fine, but I can't see them worth a hoot (they got put on the one gun when I sold id. My better BUIS are actually a set of cheap UTC that I had to modify the front to get it down (buggers do not tell you its setup for a gas block height not a flat rail). I kludged and carved and modified the front and got it down low enough. Looks like *&^% but it works fine (it got to be a challenge!)

The other thing I did not like about Magpul is they slide over the rail, not a clamp type. Hard to get on and off (I put a scope on the gun a lot and the rear needs to come off).

That said I have the combo. Eotech and the fold down UTC. Works fine and they co witness.

And while I like Eotech, the others are reputed to be good and a good quality holographic or lighted (ACOG) are great out to 100 yards.

I have tried the Troys and they are good, so maybe Magpul plastic reflects a bit different for some eyes. They stuff is good so again not a quality issue though I did not care for the mounting style.

Bamashooter · February 26, 2013, 05:14 AM

I stayed with the magpul theme on my Delton Echo 316/MOE and put Magpul BUIS on to backup my Eotech 512. I shoot with the Magpul BUIS very well and the Eotech is just a whole new level of accurate shooting.

Skans · February 26, 2013, 09:18 AM

duplicate

Skans · February 26, 2013, 09:24 AM

I've been looking at some of the cheaper "no-name" flip up sights in the $60/pair range. They seem to be decent quality, but I haven't read any reviews on them.

It is hard to tell which AR parts you can safely go "cheaper" and which ones you can't. I installed a free-floating 12" single piece rail system - made by Omega. I paid about $70 shipped to me. It's rock-solid, matches up to my upper receiver perfectly. I like it better than some of the other systems offered by Daniel Defense, YHM, Troy, LaRue, etc. On the other hand, I've seen some cheaper knock-off stocks that look like they would be solid but they don't have the heft and strength of the Magpul stocks.

Sometimes its worth taking the chance on lesser known brands; other times you will get burned - it is very hard to know without physically handling the hardware.

sholling · February 26, 2013, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skans

I've been looking at some of the cheaper "no-name" flip up sights in the $60/pair range. They seem to be decent quality, but I haven't read any reviews on them.

I've tried the ~$80/set plastic Magpul sights and in my opinion they're okay for short-range backup "iron" sights for the average homeowner. I just wouldn't want to rely on them for longer shots or if I were kicking doors for a living but they are nice and light and far-far-far better than not having any backup sights and they sit nice and low while folded. I've also tried some inexpensive aluminum flip up sights (I forget who's) and my only complaint was that even when folded they still sat a bit too high to clear the ocular bell of a scope and I wound up having to replace them. Be sure to double check the folded height if you plan to mount a scope.

Troy folding sights sit very low when folded yet demonstrate rock solid construction and a well thought out design.

Fishbed77 · February 26, 2013, 02:55 PM

Quote:

I've tried the ~$80/set plastic Magpul sights and in my opinion they're okay for short-range backup "iron" sights for the average homeowner.

I agree. I own both Troy Folding Battle Sights and Magpul MBUS sights.

What really bothers me about the MBUS sights isn't the polymer construction, but how poor the sight picture is through the squarish rear aperture. The Troys, on the other hand, are incredibly crisp.

The Magpul MBUS sights are OK for backups, but the Troy sights are good enough to be primary sights.

February 23, 2013, 08:05 PM	#1
militant Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2012 Location: USA Posts: 301	AR 15 sights I have an AR 15 with a flat top rail. It has no front or rear sights. I put a cheap red dot on it and was not impressed with it at all. Or it's just not my thing. I want some good old fashioned iron sights. What kind do you recommend? They would need to attach to the front and rear rail of corse. __________________ A hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a .44

February 23, 2013, 08:17 PM	#2
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 8,614	Creedmoor Sports has some excellent sights for the AR. Doubt you'll find any better. http://www.creedmoorsports.com/ __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Oct '78 Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

February 23, 2013, 09:24 PM	#4
dcludwig Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Posts: 21	I have the Magpul MBUS rear and Troy front. I really like the Magpul, but didn't get the front site because I "heard" there might be issues with plastic and the heat. Not sure of the validity of that, but I just didn't want to risk it. __________________ U.S. Army 1968 - 1971 5th SFGA, 1st SF Republic of Vietnam, March 1969 to May 1971 KNOW the law by heart as THEY don't always ->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWLxPC6YKlA

February 24, 2013, 05:28 AM	#7
WeedWacker Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2006 Location: Body: Clarkston, Washington. Soul: LaCrosse, Wisconsin Posts: 1,458	My YHM flip up irons are solid, more than the MI flip up rear sight I had for a while. I also have a Daniel Defense A1.5 fixed rear sight on my carbine build and it's solid. Troy also makes a fixed rear sight. One sight that keeps coming up when I was searching for sights was the Knight's Armament micrometer sight. http://www.operationparts.com/KAC_Kn...IS_p/98474.htm Pricey but from what I understand it's worth it. I'll buy one eventually. ETA: Don't use a Magpul front sight if you have a railed gas block. Not as hot if mounted on a free float tube, which is fine for use especially if the rail extends past the gas block to keep heat from being an issue. The magpul sights are also quite flimsy in comparison to steel. They can break fairly easily if you drop the rifle while the sights are deployed. Literally, these should only be used as backup sights when your optic fails and you need an aiming solution. __________________ - Weed 9mm vs 45 ACP? The answer is 42. Last edited by WeedWacker; February 24, 2013 at 05:35 AM.

February 24, 2013, 10:39 AM	#11
FALPhil Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 2007 Location: Racoon City Posts: 794	I have tried several add on iron sights to my flattops. My favorite are the YHM. A close second is a MATECH rear sight (on my carbine that has a standard front sight). I know this is going to be blasphemy, but I like the CAA plastic BUIS much better than the Magpul plastic BUIS. I put the CAA on my 9mm carbine. __________________ _____________________________________________ Questions about 7.62 NATO and 308 Winchester? Click here.

February 23, 2013, 09:18 PM	#3
BillyJack3 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2012 Posts: 260	Magpul MBUS on the cheap or Troy if you want to drop a couple hundred for solid, fold down sights. I like the Daniel Defense for fixed sights. Also, you might have a better experience with a red dot if you get a better one. Optics is not something to cheap out on. That doesn't mean you have to drop $500. Primary Arms has a solid Red Dot for about $70.

February 23, 2013, 09:35 PM	#5
slappy Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Posts: 928	Yankee Hill Machine or Midwest Industries both have some nice ones.

February 23, 2013, 11:58 PM	#6
rep1954 Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Location: Mid Western Michigan Posts: 683	I've got to say the cheap red dots have not impressed me much either. That being said the Trijicon RX01 and the EOTech XPS1 have left me with feeling that if you dont need magnification they cant be beat.

February 24, 2013, 06:21 AM	#8
DnPRK Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2001 Location: LC, Ca Posts: 1,723	http://troyind.com/%20/back-up-iron-...ight-set-micro

February 24, 2013, 08:24 AM	#9
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,864	My LMT sights are great, I prefer them over my Troy set. Check out the 1-4X24 scopes on the market.

February 24, 2013, 10:10 AM	#10
LSnSC Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2010 Posts: 501	I like the Troy "HK Style" fixed front with a DPMS shorty A-2 style rear. If you dont need the elevation, the DD A1.5 is a really good rear sight.

February 24, 2013, 10:20 PM	#12
BillyJack3 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2012 Posts: 260	Not sure why I didn't mention the Matech rear since that's what I run. Great rear BUIS if you are looking for a flip up.

February 25, 2013, 12:54 PM	#14
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 1,477	You can't go wrong with Troy Battlesights (either fixed or folding). $150-$200 invested in Troy iron sights is a much better option than any $150 optic you can buy.

February 25, 2013, 01:58 PM	#15
sholling Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Hemet (middle of nowhere) California Posts: 4,252	A cheap red-dot is enough to sour anyone on optics. If you want glass invest in a decent 1-3x20 like this Weaver in this Burris mount or 1-4x24 scope like this Vortex in this mount or a professional quality electronic sight like EoTech or Aimpoint. Even if you go with an optic you should still have back up iron sights installed. For open sights I like Troy's folding sights. __________________ Proud Life Member: National Rifle Association, California Rifle & Pistol Association, and the Second Amendment Foundation. Annual Member: Revolutionary War Veterans Association (Project Appleseed) and the Madison Society. Last edited by sholling; February 25, 2013 at 02:04 PM.

February 25, 2013, 07:33 PM	#16
Revoliver Member Join Date: September 4, 2012 Location: USofA Posts: 66	Not enough people giving the correct answer here... Troy battle sights (fixed or folding). After that it's personal preference.

February 26, 2013, 12:22 AM	#17
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 1,422	Well the above aside. I do not like Magpul. Quality is fine, but I can't see them worth a hoot (they got put on the one gun when I sold id. My better BUIS are actually a set of cheap UTC that I had to modify the front to get it down (buggers do not tell you its setup for a gas block height not a flat rail). I kludged and carved and modified the front and got it down low enough. Looks like *&^% but it works fine (it got to be a challenge!) The other thing I did not like about Magpul is they slide over the rail, not a clamp type. Hard to get on and off (I put a scope on the gun a lot and the rear needs to come off). That said I have the combo. Eotech and the fold down UTC. Works fine and they co witness. And while I like Eotech, the others are reputed to be good and a good quality holographic or lighted (ACOG) are great out to 100 yards. I have tried the Troys and they are good, so maybe Magpul plastic reflects a bit different for some eyes. They stuff is good so again not a quality issue though I did not care for the mounting style.

February 26, 2013, 05:14 AM	#18
Bamashooter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2010 Posts: 1,674	I stayed with the magpul theme on my Delton Echo 316/MOE and put Magpul BUIS on to backup my Eotech 512. I shoot with the Magpul BUIS very well and the Eotech is just a whole new level of accurate shooting.

February 26, 2013, 09:18 AM	#19
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 6,256	duplicate Last edited by Skans; February 26, 2013 at 09:25 AM.

February 26, 2013, 09:24 AM	#20
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 6,256	I've been looking at some of the cheaper "no-name" flip up sights in the $60/pair range. They seem to be decent quality, but I haven't read any reviews on them. It is hard to tell which AR parts you can safely go "cheaper" and which ones you can't. I installed a free-floating 12" single piece rail system - made by Omega. I paid about $70 shipped to me. It's rock-solid, matches up to my upper receiver perfectly. I like it better than some of the other systems offered by Daniel Defense, YHM, Troy, LaRue, etc. On the other hand, I've seen some cheaper knock-off stocks that look like they would be solid but they don't have the heft and strength of the Magpul stocks. Sometimes its worth taking the chance on lesser known brands; other times you will get burned - it is very hard to know without physically handling the hardware.