Best BUIS for Handguard

Dr Big Bird PhD · November 29, 2012, 06:23 PM

Just got a complete upper with a free-float handguard in the mail. Love it, but it currently doesn't have any sights. First thing I wanna get for it is a good set of BUIS, but the front sights will have to rest on top of the handguard since I have a low profile gas block.

Suggestions?

scsov509 · November 29, 2012, 09:54 PM

I think the Troy Battlesights are some of the more accurate ones, but if you plan to mount an optic then the Magpul sights are decent enough for an actual backup sight. I'm running those on a few carbines and like them just fine for a back up sight, especially at the cost in comparison to other options out there.

Dr Big Bird PhD · November 30, 2012, 01:17 PM

I'm familiar with both of those, but it is my understanding that the front sights are supposed to be mounted on the gas block, and not the handguard.

If Troy or Magpul make handguard fronts, then I'll just get one of those, but I can't seem to find anything regarding that.

scsov509 · November 30, 2012, 01:59 PM

Troy makes a rail mounted front sight and also one that's intended for a gas block as do several other of the nicer BUIS like Daniel Defense. The Magpul sights however are not intended to go an a gas block, and word is that they will in fact get damaged by the heat produced by the gas block. Generally anything marketed as "Rail Height" is intended for a railed handguard and anything intended for a railed gas block will be sold as a "Gas Block" front sight.

One additional thought, if you don't have a free float tube on your rifle then don't expect super high levels of accuracy out of anything mounted on a handguard. Though the amount of motion in a drop in handguard seems minimal, it's bough to make a big difference in the accuracy of rail mounted sights. Don't get me wrong, the accuracy is still serviceable at the sort of distances you'd actually be using a backup iron sight, but I just want to give you the heads up so you're not disappointed if you get something and don't see stellar accuracy. So if you've got a drop in non-free floated handguard I really think the MBUS at great sights since they're much less expensive and your not going to get a ton more accuracy from something like a Troy or DD anyways.

scsov509 · November 30, 2012, 02:01 PM

And I just re-read your post and saw that you've got a free-float handguard, so maybe the nicer sight is worth a look. Sorry for missing that, I'm laid up on a bunch of pain meds right now with a back injury. Brain is a little slow this week...

ripnbst · November 30, 2012, 02:12 PM

If you plan to mount your sight right over the gas block then you should be aware that people have melted their MAGPULS from the heat off the gas block. I really like MBUIS and I have them. Just be aware that if you plan on doing lots of sustained fire in quick succession you may melt it. That being said the Troy one would be my nice choice. The reason they aren't my first choice is they are so much more expensive than the MBUS and the MBUS are great.

Dr Big Bird PhD · November 30, 2012, 05:04 PM

Looks like I'll be investing in the Troy sights. Thanks everyone

DasGuy · November 30, 2012, 07:09 PM

If you mount the front sight to a gas block, make sure to get one that's the right height (taller). Standard Troy sights are meant to be mounted on the same plane of height.

WeedWacker · December 1, 2012, 07:52 AM

I have Yankee Hill Machine BUIS and they have worked fantastic. I would probably recommend you would replace the front post with a smaller one. It's a tad thick for my preference.

November 29, 2012, 06:23 PM	#1
Dr Big Bird PhD Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 779	Best BUIS for Handguard Just got a complete upper with a free-float handguard in the mail. Love it, but it currently doesn't have any sights. First thing I wanna get for it is a good set of BUIS, but the front sights will have to rest on top of the handguard since I have a low profile gas block. Suggestions? __________________ I told the new me, "Meet me at the bus station and hold a sign that reads: 'Today is the first day of the rest of your life.'" But the old me met me with a sign that read: "Welcome back." Who you are is not a function of where you are. -Off Minor

November 30, 2012, 01:17 PM	#3
Dr Big Bird PhD Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 779	I'm familiar with both of those, but it is my understanding that the front sights are supposed to be mounted on the gas block, and not the handguard. If Troy or Magpul make handguard fronts, then I'll just get one of those, but I can't seem to find anything regarding that. __________________ I told the new me, "Meet me at the bus station and hold a sign that reads: 'Today is the first day of the rest of your life.'" But the old me met me with a sign that read: "Welcome back." Who you are is not a function of where you are. -Off Minor

November 30, 2012, 05:04 PM	#7
Dr Big Bird PhD Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 779	Looks like I'll be investing in the Troy sights. Thanks everyone __________________ I told the new me, "Meet me at the bus station and hold a sign that reads: 'Today is the first day of the rest of your life.'" But the old me met me with a sign that read: "Welcome back." Who you are is not a function of where you are. -Off Minor

December 1, 2012, 07:52 AM	#9
WeedWacker Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2006 Location: Body: Clarkston, Washington. Soul: LaCrosse, Wisconsin Posts: 1,591	I have Yankee Hill Machine BUIS and they have worked fantastic. I would probably recommend you would replace the front post with a smaller one. It's a tad thick for my preference. __________________ - Jon Disequilibrium facilitates accommodation. 9mm vs .45 ACP? The answer is .429

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November 29, 2012, 09:54 PM	#2
scsov509 Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 819	I think the Troy Battlesights are some of the more accurate ones, but if you plan to mount an optic then the Magpul sights are decent enough for an actual backup sight. I'm running those on a few carbines and like them just fine for a back up sight, especially at the cost in comparison to other options out there.

November 30, 2012, 01:59 PM	#4
scsov509 Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 819	Troy makes a rail mounted front sight and also one that's intended for a gas block as do several other of the nicer BUIS like Daniel Defense. The Magpul sights however are not intended to go an a gas block, and word is that they will in fact get damaged by the heat produced by the gas block. Generally anything marketed as "Rail Height" is intended for a railed handguard and anything intended for a railed gas block will be sold as a "Gas Block" front sight. One additional thought, if you don't have a free float tube on your rifle then don't expect super high levels of accuracy out of anything mounted on a handguard. Though the amount of motion in a drop in handguard seems minimal, it's bough to make a big difference in the accuracy of rail mounted sights. Don't get me wrong, the accuracy is still serviceable at the sort of distances you'd actually be using a backup iron sight, but I just want to give you the heads up so you're not disappointed if you get something and don't see stellar accuracy. So if you've got a drop in non-free floated handguard I really think the MBUS at great sights since they're much less expensive and your not going to get a ton more accuracy from something like a Troy or DD anyways.

November 30, 2012, 02:01 PM	#5
scsov509 Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 819	And I just re-read your post and saw that you've got a free-float handguard, so maybe the nicer sight is worth a look. Sorry for missing that, I'm laid up on a bunch of pain meds right now with a back injury. Brain is a little slow this week...

November 30, 2012, 02:12 PM	#6
ripnbst Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2010 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 1,552	If you plan to mount your sight right over the gas block then you should be aware that people have melted their MAGPULS from the heat off the gas block. I really like MBUIS and I have them. Just be aware that if you plan on doing lots of sustained fire in quick succession you may melt it. That being said the Troy one would be my nice choice. The reason they aren't my first choice is they are so much more expensive than the MBUS and the MBUS are great.

November 30, 2012, 07:09 PM	#8
DasGuy Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2011 Posts: 318	If you mount the front sight to a gas block, make sure to get one that's the right height (taller). Standard Troy sights are meant to be mounted on the same plane of height.