My first AR. Fixed sights or no?

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Jbird45

Jbird45

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I am in the process of purchasing my first AR. I want to buy one complete, and I have narrowed it down to the DPMS Oracle or the Ruger AR-556. These are within my budget, and I'm not really interested in the m&p after shooting one that a friend has. I have shot the Oracle, but not the Ruger.

Here is my dilemma. I like the option of no sights on the DPMS, but I absolutely hate the factory hand guard on the barrel. I hate the look of it, I hate the feel of it, hate it. My friend swapped his out with a metal one that looks really cool and is quite comfortable. But after buying a new shroud and sights I'm over budget.

The Ruger on the other hand has everything I pretty much want to start, and us within budget, but the fixed front sights make me nervous. Am I limited to the hand guards I can use because of the fixed front sight? Will the sight get in the way of a scope or red dot if I decide to put one on? I like the idea of iron sights in case a battery or something goes bad on the red dot.

I suppose I could always get an upgraded upper for either one, but how many people prefer fixed sights? Am I overthinking everything?
 
It depends on your purpose really.

I have several carbines setup with fixed FSBs, with both RDS and LPVOs and don't have an issue with it as far as shooting goes. That's either a lower 1/3rd or absolute co-witness. With a magnified optic the FSB literally disappears as you increase the magnification. With an RDS my focus is on the TGT and I don't even notice the FSB.

It will limit your ability to use any free-float rail though, or at least make it more difficult to install. Depending on the model, you'd have to take the FSB off before installation. Then it's be a biatch every time you want to take the FF off. IF you don't need a FF, there's lots of other options available for replacement.

For a defensive gun I like at least a fixed FSB. It's one less thing to fuss with should my RDS crap out. Simply use the tube body as a giant ghost ring rear and it's easy to still get hits out to 50yds.
 
The fixed sight will not impact you for the activity and type of sight you intend. Buy it and shoot it well! After 500-1000 rounds, you'll have a better idea of what you want...or you'll be convinced you like the irons. Either way, buy and enjoy! Good luck.
 
Seems impossible, but a scope looks right through that front sight. If you buy a gun with a pinned on sight tower, all you have to do is remove the muzzle device, knock out the pins with a punch, and install a low profile gas block. The tools to do it will be about $40, the gas block another $20 and while your that far in you will want to change out the handguards to a free float setup which can be anywhere from $20 to $400 which requires the same tools but is more difficult because the barrel nuts can be a real booger.

watch the Larry Potterfield Midway USA video where he builds an AR upper, it’s quite informative.

I just recently got a used Ruger AR-556 and I like the gun. It has had all of the above mentioned modifications to it and it now wears a cheap holographic sight, but I have not yet had opportunity to shoot it.
 
Just my personal opinion based on my own personal experience here. I am a firm believer in having fixed sights any any rifle that will be used for HD/SD and all scenarios where Murphy will show his ugly face. I went into the Army during the Cold War and was always taught not to rely on electronics too heavily. A good EMP blast will kill any and all electronic sights. While I do like and use red dot sights, I want backup sights just incase something happens to my red dot.

You will get a lot of varied responses to this question and there is really no wrong answer. Go with what works best for you.
 
If I'm using an optic, I like to get that front sight out of the way and install a free float tube. Then usually add flip sights.
 
I was unaware the AR-15's had fixed sights. The F-marked A frame has the A1 or A2 sight, either of which are adjustable for elevation. Whether A1 or A2, the windage adjustment is on the rear sight.
 
DPMS furniture is definitely a pisser, I'm with you there. The easiest solution IMO would just be to pull the handguards on the Oracle and drop in a slimmer pair of CAR handguards or maybe a Magpul set.

Or, Ruger makes an "MPR" variant of the AR-556 that comes with a free-float handguard out of the box. Costs a couple hundred more, but by the time you get to the cost and trouble to put a FF on yourself it'd probably be worth it.

1.jpg
 
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Jbird45 said:
I am in the process of purchasing my first AR. I want to buy one complete, and I have narrowed it down to the DPMS Oracle or the Ruger AR-556. These are within my budget, and I'm not really interested in the m&p after shooting one that a friend has. I have shot the Oracle, but not the Ruger.

Here is my dilemma. I like the option of no sights on the DPMS, but I absolutely hate the factory hand guard on the barrel. I hate the look of it, I hate the feel of it, hate it. My friend swapped his out with a metal one that looks really cool and is quite comfortable. But after buying a new shroud and sights I'm over budget.
Click to expand...
Why have you narrowed it down to those two if you don't like the hand guard on the DPMS? Sounds like you need to keep looking. There are tons of other options available.
Jbird45 said:
Am I limited to the hand guards I can use because of the fixed front sight?
Click to expand...
Yes, somewhat.
Jbird45 said:
Will the sight get in the way of a scope or red dot if I decide to put one on?
Click to expand...
Scope, yes. Red dot, no.
Jbird45 said:
I like the idea of iron sights in case a battery or something goes bad on the red dot.
Click to expand...
Good idea, especially if you intend to get a low-mid budget red dot.
 
mustanger98 said:
I was unaware the AR-15's had fixed sights. The F-marked A frame has the A1 or A2 sight, either of which are adjustable for elevation. Whether A1 or A2, the windage adjustment is on the rear sight.
Click to expand...

Fixed sights on an Ar means that they are not removable from the firearm. The term has nothing to do with adjusting for windage and elevation of AR sights. Now a true A1 or A2 will not have a F marked front sight base while flat top uppers will (or should) when using fixed front sights. With the upper receiver, the A1, A2, and C7 with built in carry handle are considering fixed rear sights.
 
Go with the magpul front and rear flip up sights. They are usually on sale from PSA. You can also get a rifle with removable carry handle. If you are using a red dot as an optic, I don’t mind a front sight post. As long as you have a flat top or removable carry handle, you aren’t really limited in my opinion for optics on an AR. I just got used to using an ACOG or Aimpoint with a front site post, and it never caused an issue for me. Lots of options out there, and many lightly used rifles for sale. Keeping looking till you find what you want.

If you are on a budget, it is nice to have irons while you save up for an optic so you can still shoot in the mean time. ARs have much better iron sights than other rifles. Good iron sights are much better than cheap scopes.

This is all my opinion of course, and just how I set up my rifles.
 
I put a raised red dot on my Ruger 556 and it aligns perfectly with the included flip up rear and front A2 sight.
 
With your proposed specs, it seems like build-it-yourself is the way to go. This is a very simple process with the modular AR. Don't be deterred.
 
I got the Ruger as my first. Shot with irons for a short time. Then scoped it with a low fixed power scope. The scope looks right over that front sight. No issues what so ever.
Originally I had the idea I wanted irons, with 50 year old eyes my mind changed quickly.

Jeff
 
My first AR was a Ruger and I really like it. When I bought it all they made were the ones with a fixed post front sight. I would much rather have flip up front and rear sights. I think the Ruger MPR is a great gun but it was not out when I bought mine.
 
It seems like the OP made up his mind before he posted. The DPMS has things that he doesn’t like and the Ruger in within his budget.
But if you’re looking for what people like better, and why, so that you have a better idea of what you might like, that’s another story with many chapters. You will find that many people like different setups.
For home defense and general duty use, I like a front sight tower. The reason is that the rifle will most likely see rougher us a few the front sight tower will take more abuse.
Here’s what I like for a home defense gun.
669D1D28-F1BA-4DFB-9935-CFC64E9E85BF.jpeg B6F56FF4-EF7F-446B-A43A-C27262354F7A.jpeg 4B985B04-9340-4BFB-98B8-9DF7535C299F.jpeg

Now for hunting and range use, I like a rail with backup sights, with a scope or red dot as a primary sight.
456E3A60-C442-49F2-B72D-B2762A77CA2D.jpeg 139C1B74-D833-4E27-BF7A-977A90C5D90C.jpeg 38E6D44B-B728-439B-8C1A-41D352B83BB3.jpeg 95AB7865-7E16-4B93-841F-D541D7B3828C.jpeg 87ADE45B-77A7-4F95-9529-80BA5C87B898.jpeg 79321609-3513-4D97-8A53-9EB8CC41B228.jpeg
 
One time the scope fell off my AR-15 during a 3 gun match. I was not only thankful I had iron sights on my carbine but glad I had taken the time to sight them in.

I admit, I like the look of an old school front sight base/gas block on an AR-15. As several have already posted, it won't interfere with a red dot or scope.
 
12Bravo20 said:
Now a true A1 or A2 will not have a F marked front sight base while flat top uppers will (or should) when using fixed front sights. With the upper receiver, the A1, A2, and C7 with built in carry handle are considering fixed rear sights.
Click to expand...

Good thing I didn't say "a true A1 or A2 has an F-marked base". Just that I've noticed F-marked bases with A1 or A2 sight post. I'm understanding the difference is four notches vs five, but haven't yet noticed other differences.

Okay, so an A3 will have the F-marked front sight base? I've noticed some detachable carry handles were listed as compatible with this front base.

Is the F-marked front base a different height to the ones for the A1/A2, or is it some other difference?
 
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Yes there is a difference in height of the sight base and a difference in the length of the sight post between an F marked and standard front sight base. The F Marked FSB was designed originally for the M4 Carbine and the M16A4.

F marked vs standard.gif
 
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