Can I run a scope and keep the fixed front post ?

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Wanderling

Wanderling

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So, I took my new and first ever AR-15 to the range today, and while I am pleased with results, I am starting to think that I need a magnified sight for 50-100 yard shooting, if I am to enjoy the process. Before that, I was planning on getting a red dot, but I could barely see a 2" dia bullseye at 50 yards. It's not going to be much fun if I have to squint all the time.

My AR has a fixed front sight, and a folding rear peep sight, and ideally I'd like to retain them and use a scope that sits just above the front sight.

Is this realistic / doable ? Any recommendations ?
 
I end up with very high rings on ARs just for the correct cheek weld, im pretty sure any scope you pick will put the front post low in your line of sight.

In any case at any power over about 4 the front sight wont be visible anyway.
 
Which type of front sight is it? It sounds like an A2 sight....if that's the case I would say no, it would have to go in lieu of a pop-up style front sight.
 
LoonWulf said:
I end up with very high rings on ARs just for the correct cheek weld, im pretty sure any scope you pick will put the front post low in your line of sight.

In any case at any power over about 4 the front sight wont be visible anyway.
Click to expand...

unless he's using a wider A2 style front post....wouldn't you agree? I haven't had that style front post on my AR, but even with my red dot and my front post (HK style) up, it doesn't really bother my accuracy. The red dot sits right on the tip of my front post.....but if he is using a scope with an HK style front sight, he wouldn't need risers or taller rings if it's more comfortable for him being lower.
 
Hrrmmmm thats a good point.
Im not really sure, with my buis up im looking a good ways over the front post, but ive never used an A2 style sight and a scope.
I think at higher power it would still pretty much just go away, but it could be an issue lower in the power range.
 
LoonWulf said:
Hrrmmmm thats a good point.
Im not really sure, with my buis up im looking a good ways over the front post, but ive never used an A2 style sight and a scope.
I think at higher power it would still pretty much just go away, but it could be an issue lower in the power range.
Click to expand...

I'll agree with this. I can possibly try and look at this when I get some time on Monday. My dad has an A2 style front post and a Vortex Viper that he can attach to his Colt. I'll see if I could hold it up relatively close to where it should be and see if I notice anything.
 
FSB front sight is not a problem with a scope in my experience. At 2x power you will see the front sight but it won't interfere with your shooting. At 4x or more you won't see the front sight.
 
As others said you probably won't even be able to see the front sight in the scope at powers much over 4x or whatever.

But another thing to consider is that to set the scope to the proper eye relief you may need to need to remove your rear iron sight. You may settle on a set of rings that hold your ocular bell high enough to sit over it when it is folded down, but whatever happens, you won't be able to pop it up because a scope far enough forward to let the sight come up will be too far forward to see clearly through.
 
It's an A2 fixed front post.

So what style sights would work with it ? I've only ever used a 3-9x scope, have little idea on what else is out there
 
How long is your rail? La Rue Tactical has a very good assortment of scope mounts. If you have enough rail length and use their forward off-set mount you could prolly use a scout scope with enough eye relief to still keep your iron BUIS at the rear ...

http://www.larue.com/ Give them a call and see what they recommend?
 
Short answer: Depends.

Long answer: Over 4x you won't even see the front site. Lower than that you will see it but blurry.
 
Wanderling said:
My AR has a fixed front sight, and a folding rear peep sight, and ideally I'd like to retain them and use a scope that sits just above the front sight.

Is this realistic / doable ? Any recommendations ?
Click to expand...

Yep. Lot's of options out there. The AR carbine shown below has a 1-4x Leupold with 1" tube, Aero Precision Extended mount, and a Brownells generic fold down rear sight.

arma-pig-1.jpg


The view through the scope as shown below is at 1x and 4x. That is with the autofocus of a smart phone camera. In reality, the 1x view of the front sight is a ghostly blur.

piggy1-4.jpg
 
^^^^
I have a very similar set-up on 1 AR. I have a larger 3-9X40 on another. On 1X I'm aware the front sight is there, but it isn't any more distraction than it would be without optics. On any magnification greater than 2X I can't see it at all.
 
I agree with the others. I would be more concerned with the rear sight. As long as nothing interferes with the mounting of the scope or your view through it, the front sight shouldn't be a big issue.

I have a Mini-14 ranch rifle that wears a 1-4x Leupold in the stock Ruger mounts. At anything below 2x or so I can see the front sight through the scope but it's blurry and moves around a lot with any motion of the rifle. Pretty much like chicharrone's pics. I just ignore it and it shoots just fine.
 
Yes, I want to keep the front post.. Besides by the looks of it, it's not easily removable anyway.
chicharrones said:
Yep. Lot's of options out there. The AR carbine shown below has a 1-4x Leupold with 1" tube, Aero Precision Extended mount, and a Brownells generic fold down rear sight.

arma-pig-1.jpg


The view through the scope as shown below is at 1x and 4x. That is with the autofocus of a smart phone camera. In reality, the 1x view of the front sight is a ghostly blur.

piggy1-4.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks, that's very convincing !

I will start looking at sights now...

What is the advantage of that Aero Precision mount vs just getting a 1/2" riser and a couple or Q-rings ?
 
Wanderling said:
What is the advantage of that Aero Precision mount vs just getting a 1/2" riser and a couple or Q-rings ?
Click to expand...

#1 Selling point would be it is very light weight at about 3 ounces, which helps offset the weight penalty of adding a scope to some degree.

#2 Selling point would be you don't have to guess about scope height for an AR. It's meant for an AR and ready to go.

If you go for the Aero for your AR, be sure to get the extended version for proper scope position due to eye relief of a typical scope. The rear ring is moved forward 1" compared to the non-extended version. See a review here. http://www.varminter.com/aero-precision-ultralight-extended-scope-mount-review/
 
Also the Aero Precision Extended mount lets you move the scope forward to the proper position to get your eye relief right when in the traditional "nose to the charging handle" AR shooting stance. The flat top uppers don't really have the real estate to place a scope properly (fore-to-aft) with traditional rings, in my experience.

Check out the pics in the thread: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/low-power-scope-for-ar.816979/

Notice where the ocular bell ends on all those scopes, where the adjuster turrets are in relation to the front edge of the receiver, and where you'd want to place a set of rings.
 
Ok, so I put my son's 3-9x scope from his .22 on this gun.. .the scope wouldn't fit because of the rear sight, but I was able to confirm that the front post is invisible.

So, I just ordered Nikon Bushmaster 3-9x40 scope and some cheaper offset mounting rings - if they work out there's no need to shell $$ for Aero's. May have to add a quick lock riser.

Thanks for help !
 
Wanderling said:
So, I took my new and first ever AR-15 to the range today, and while I am pleased with results, I am starting to think that I need a magnified sight for 50-100 yard shooting, if I am to enjoy the process. Before that, I was planning on getting a red dot, but I could barely see a 2" dia bullseye at 50 yards. It's not going to be much fun if I have to squint all the time.

My AR has a fixed front sight, and a folding rear peep sight, and ideally I'd like to retain them and use a scope that sits just above the front sight.

Is this realistic / doable ? Any recommendations ?
Click to expand...

I have a Nikon P-223 3x scope with Nikon mounts on a Ruger AR556 with the stock front post still on. I have no issue what so ever with the 3x scope. I would say it would work with other similar setups.

-Jeff
 
chicharrones said:
#1 Selling point would be it is very light weight at about 3 ounces, which helps offset the weight penalty of adding a scope to some degree.

#2 Selling point would be you don't have to guess about scope height for an AR. It's meant for an AR and ready to go.

If you go for the Aero for your AR, be sure to get the extended version for proper scope position due to eye relief of a typical scope. The rear ring is moved forward 1" compared to the non-extended version. See a review here. http://www.varminter.com/aero-precision-ultralight-extended-scope-mount-review/
Click to expand...


Right on. The Aero mount is first class and very light :)

Yes, it's more money than an eBay chinese clone, but it works as it should - first time, every time.

I believe it is called a Proper Eye Position Ready (PEPR) mount system. So in your searches, you can use that acronym :)
 
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