AR Rear Sight Suggestions ??

kymasabe · February 21, 2018, 11:34 PM

I've got a flat top AR that I'm building, carbine length with A2 front sight. I need a rear sight for it. I'm not planning on putting on a red dot, astigmatism makes it a red blur. Glass is out, ACOG and EOTech are too expensive so am thinking sinple rear sight. I used Magpul folding rear sight on my last build and that's ok, I really like the Troy battle sights with the di-optic diamond shaped aperture, but they're pricey. Also, I don't need a folding sight either so rear fixed is fine. Any have suggestions for affordable rear sights that are pretty durable and don't break the bank? Worst case, I'll use another Magpul foldin rear sight but...wanted to try something else.
Suggestions ?

imashooter · February 22, 2018, 07:44 AM

Price range and any specific type of shooting?

Mobuck · February 22, 2018, 07:46 AM

carry handle??

kymasabe · February 22, 2018, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imashooter

Price range and any specific type of shooting?

Well, range will mostly be around 100 yards. If I take it on a hog hunt, most of the shots will be in the 70-100 yard range. Type of shooting will be outdoor range with my daughters, occasional hog hunt, nothing too serious. I'm not doing bullseye, or long range, or 3-gun. Might drop a .300 Blackout upper on it some day too.
I was thinking of putting a carry handle on it but...I never use the handle, and I like to keep my AR's light so...I really like the aperture on the Troy, but the fixed rear sight is ugly as h*ll, am thinking maybe the Daniel Defense fixed rear sight might be a decent choice.

hdwhit · February 22, 2018, 03:43 PM

When my older son got his AR, he put a carry handle with the A2 rear sight on it and has loved it ever since.

If you want back-up sights so you have the option of still mounting an optic, check out CDNNinvestments.com they have several made out of anodized aluminum which look like they might be more durable the the plastic ones.

pete2 · February 22, 2018, 07:44 PM

I just bought a Vortex Spitfire Prism scope. The reticle is etched on the prism. It is black without power, power on and it illuminates the reticle red or green. The dot in the center is very small, also has circles. Mine is a 1 power, a 3X is also available. I haven't sighted it in yet but it doesn't have the star effect like a regular red dot has. Look it up on their website or youtube.

kymasabe · February 22, 2018, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete2

I just bought a Vortex Spitfire Prism scope. The reticle is etched on the prism. It is black without power, power on and it illuminates the reticle red or green. The dot in the center is very small, also has circles. Mine is a 1 power, a 3X is also available. I haven't sighted it in yet but it doesn't have the star effect like a regular red dot has. Look it up on their website or youtube.

Thanks Pete2, I'll look it up.
In the mean time, has anyone tried/used the Sig rear sight ? $20 at CDNN ??
https://www.cdnnsports.com/ar15-m16-...U#.Wo9nQ6inGUk

jonnyc · February 22, 2018, 08:32 PM

I've been really happy with Magpul and a recently purchased MaTech.

kymasabe · February 22, 2018, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnyc

I've been really happy with Magpul and a recently purchased MaTech.

I had a Magpul on my last build and really didn't have any problems with it. I was just bugged by the fact it was plastic and wanted something sturdier.
And I just looked up MaTech. Do you think the aperture is too small? I like sights with 2, MaTech looks like only has one small one. I'm old, eyesight's getting worse with age, prefer the larger aperture.

marine6680 · February 23, 2018, 02:44 AM

The MBUS Pro rear sight is nice. Light and slim, not bulky.

A 1x or 2x prism scope would work with your astigmatism.

Vortex or Primary Arms has options for under $250.

Primary Arms
Vortex Spitfire AR

Easier to use than irons, and can be used pretty quickly with two eyes open, with practice.

I am not familiar with their use with a fixed front A2 sight though... It moay not work well. Others may be able to pipe in on that point.

If you go with a fixed rear sight instead, the DD looks like a good one. Well made...

jonnyc · February 23, 2018, 06:25 AM

The MaTech only has the single aperture, but I found it worked very well fro 25 to about 150 yards.

Big Shrek · February 23, 2018, 08:11 PM

As a guy with Astigmatism, did notice that the green dot tends to be far less blurry...
There are even Dot scopes that have red/green/blue as an option...
but I find Blue tends to be a bit too bright, Green seems to be pleasing to the eye.
As always, your mileage may vary

Dragline45 · February 24, 2018, 03:20 PM

Doesn't get much better than the Daniel Defense fixed rear sight. I run one on my 14.5" mid length with a fixed A2 FSB.

Quote:

A 1x or 2x prism scope would work with your astigmatism.

Vortex or Primary Arms has options for under $250.

Primary Arms
Vortex Spitfire AR

Easier to use than irons, and can be used pretty quickly with two eyes open, with practice.

I am not familiar with their use with a fixed front A2 sight though... It moay not work well. Others may be able to pipe in on that point.

I have a Primary Arms 2.5x prism scope on one of my AR's and can highly recommend it, I paid almost half price but even at retail it's still a great choice. While I still prefer using one eye with it, it's no problem using both eyes open. I run a front folding sight on this particular rifle, but even with the folding sight up the optic is still perfectly usable as long as you use the supplied mount which has it just high enough to clear a rear folding sight, you just have a blurred front sight post in your lower 1/3 fov.

Ifishsum · February 24, 2018, 04:56 PM

I tried this one for an x39 build last year and have been pleasantly surprised how good it seems for $30: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/10...nt-ar-15-matte.

Charlie98 · February 25, 2018, 12:24 PM

If you are OK with a fixed rear sight, Daniel Defense makes a fantastic rear peep...

Ibmikey · February 27, 2018, 09:09 PM

Maytech is the best all around sight available, adopted by the military and built solid—-just get a set of sighting instructions with it. E bay usually has new samples for about $50.

kymasabe · February 27, 2018, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibmikey

Maytech is the best all around sight available, adopted by the military and built solid—-just get a set of sighting instructions with it. E bay usually has new samples for about $50.

Matech is a good choice, and the only thing keeping me from buying one is the fact that it's only got one aperture, the small one. With old eyes, I need the larger aperture unless I'm trying to reach out to 200 yards or more. I thought about drilling the aperture larger but...wasn't sure if that was a smart move.
So, am leaning towards the Daniel Defense fixed rear or the Troy fixed rear with the diamond shaped aperture.

squid8286 · March 11, 2018, 04:17 PM

If I wasn't going to make use of a red dot, I would find a quality Mil-Spec carry handle. Don't buy one you see somewhere for $29.95. I doubt it's anything but made in China crap. You can find new/used in the EE on a lot of gun web sites for $60 to $70.

February 21, 2018, 11:34 PM	#1
kymasabe Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2005 Location: SW Florida Posts: 2,747	AR Rear Sight Suggestions ?? I've got a flat top AR that I'm building, carbine length with A2 front sight. I need a rear sight for it. I'm not planning on putting on a red dot, astigmatism makes it a red blur. Glass is out, ACOG and EOTech are too expensive so am thinking sinple rear sight. I used Magpul folding rear sight on my last build and that's ok, I really like the Troy battle sights with the di-optic diamond shaped aperture, but they're pricey. Also, I don't need a folding sight either so rear fixed is fine. Any have suggestions for affordable rear sights that are pretty durable and don't break the bank? Worst case, I'll use another Magpul foldin rear sight but...wanted to try something else. Suggestions ? __________________ God's creatures big and small, eat them one, eat them all.

February 22, 2018, 08:32 PM	#8
jonnyc Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,731	I've been really happy with Magpul and a recently purchased MaTech. __________________ 2024 PA Cartridge Collector Show; Aug. 16-17, 2024!!! Buy...Sell...Trade All Types of Ammunition & Ordnance PM or email me for 2024 show details.

February 23, 2018, 06:25 AM	#11
jonnyc Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,731	The MaTech only has the single aperture, but I found it worked very well fro 25 to about 150 yards. __________________ 2024 PA Cartridge Collector Show; Aug. 16-17, 2024!!! Buy...Sell...Trade All Types of Ammunition & Ordnance PM or email me for 2024 show details.

February 23, 2018, 08:11 PM	#12
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	As a guy with Astigmatism, did notice that the green dot tends to be far less blurry... There are even Dot scopes that have red/green/blue as an option... but I find Blue tends to be a bit too bright, Green seems to be pleasing to the eye. As always, your mileage may vary __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

February 25, 2018, 12:24 PM	#15
Charlie98 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2006 Location: Great state of Texas Posts: 1,077	If you are OK with a fixed rear sight, Daniel Defense makes a fantastic rear peep... __________________ _______________ "I have this pistol pointed at your heart!" "That is my least vulnerable spot."

February 22, 2018, 07:44 AM	#2
imashooter Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 395	Price range and any specific type of shooting?

February 22, 2018, 07:46 AM	#3
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	carry handle??

February 22, 2018, 03:43 PM	#5
hdwhit Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2017 Posts: 1,011	When my older son got his AR, he put a carry handle with the A2 rear sight on it and has loved it ever since. If you want back-up sights so you have the option of still mounting an optic, check out CDNNinvestments.com they have several made out of anodized aluminum which look like they might be more durable the the plastic ones.

February 22, 2018, 07:44 PM	#6
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,566	I just bought a Vortex Spitfire Prism scope. The reticle is etched on the prism. It is black without power, power on and it illuminates the reticle red or green. The dot in the center is very small, also has circles. Mine is a 1 power, a 3X is also available. I haven't sighted it in yet but it doesn't have the star effect like a regular red dot has. Look it up on their website or youtube.

February 23, 2018, 02:44 AM	#10
marine6680 Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2012 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 4,594	The MBUS Pro rear sight is nice. Light and slim, not bulky. A 1x or 2x prism scope would work with your astigmatism. Vortex or Primary Arms has options for under $250. Primary Arms Vortex Spitfire AR Easier to use than irons, and can be used pretty quickly with two eyes open, with practice. I am not familiar with their use with a fixed front A2 sight though... It moay not work well. Others may be able to pipe in on that point. If you go with a fixed rear sight instead, the DD looks like a good one. Well made...

February 24, 2018, 04:56 PM	#14
Ifishsum Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,033	I tried this one for an x39 build last year and have been pleasantly surprised how good it seems for $30: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/10...nt-ar-15-matte.

February 27, 2018, 09:09 PM	#16
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Maytech is the best all around sight available, adopted by the military and built solid—-just get a set of sighting instructions with it. E bay usually has new samples for about $50.

March 11, 2018, 04:17 PM	#18
squid8286 Junior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 5	If I wasn't going to make use of a red dot, I would find a quality Mil-Spec carry handle. Don't buy one you see somewhere for $29.95. I doubt it's anything but made in China crap. You can find new/used in the EE on a lot of gun web sites for $60 to $70.