Anyone want to help me out on front sight posts?

[TheGewehrGuy]

I am not satisfied with the imprecise front sight post I have on my Ar-15, at 100 yards I am getting at best 3" groups, but then again this is only my first time at the range with these sights.

I am looking for something that is very precise but thats not going to break the bank, and I would go with a scope but that at least $200 that I don't have for that, so I am looking at under $35 for 1-2" groups at 100 yards with open sights on a bench rest.

I am looking at these two sights, and I wanted to know what your opinion is on them, whether you've used them or not, or whether you'd like to suggest another kind. Thanks!

http://www.knsprecisioninc.com/mm5/...e=KNS1&Product_Code=RND052&Category_Code=AR15

http://www.knsprecisioninc.com/mm5/...e=KNS1&Product_Code=ARHDDU&Category_Code=AR15

 

[230RN]

I'm not clear on what your "imprecise" means. Do you mean a sight with a finer post? Or that it wiggles around? Or the quarter-turn height adjustment is too big?

Actually, that's not such bad shooting for iron sights.

However, in my opinion, the front sight is amenable to considerable improvement in terms of slop and tolerances.

They already put just about the strongest plunger/detent spring they could in there, presumably to push the sight "up" tightly against the threads and back against the back wall of the sight post hole. Nevertheless, it can be pushed around by light finger pressure, at least on mine. Considering it's being hit by about a 5000 psi pressure wave, let alone by the forces of recoil and barrel vibration, I believe it would be a miracle if it really stayed put from shot to shot.

Terry, 230RN

 

[243winxb]

competition micro-aperture.

3" groups @100 yds, nice shooting. Try a smaller rear site, maybe something like this> http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=714261 A smaller competition micro-aperture.
may help keep your head more in alignment. Additional micro-apertures ( 0.036" , 0.046" , and 0.052" ) are sold separately.

 

[LKB3rd]

You can get a national match front sight post, which is a big improvement if you are using the standard wider post.

 

[Dave P]

"100 yards I am getting at best 3" groups, but then again this is only my first time at the range with these sights."

That is a fine start. I say leave the sights alone for now, and work on your shooting skills: cheek weld, distance from rear peep, shoulder and hand positions, breathing, point of focus, etc etc.

 

[243winxb]

Front sight, something like this one http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=463361

 

[Slamfire]

You have really got to pay attention to sight alignment and trigger pull on a AR. The short sight radius is the rifle equivalent of shooting a snubbie revolver. The slightest error, and I mean the slightest error of front and rear sight alignment, and your groups go God knows where. You have to, on every shot, with an AR, check to see that the post is exactly in the center of the rear aperture.

You will also find that stock weld is critical. Use the cocking handle as your face locator. Target shooters let the cocking handle touch their nose to establish consistent stock weld.

Service grade AR’s are light twitchy things. Target shooters add lead to the buttstock and underneath the hand guard. Mine weigh 15 to 17 pounds. This is totally unrealistic in terms of a field rifle, but it reduces group error.

I have one of those M4 Forgeries, I cannot shoot it as well as one of my NM AR15's as the sight radius is even shorter and the whole gun is feather light.

But it sure is a lot easier to carry.

 

[CraigC]

Firstly, that's good shooting on your first outing with that sighting arrangement.

What's more important is your target. You have to match your target to your sights. You need a target that you can consistently bracket your front sight against. If you're having trouble with a consistent hold against your target, you need a different target. I find a plain black square to be best for shooting with a post front sight.....or handguns.

I have yet to try any of the crosshair front sights but I have tried a bunch of different posts. The national match post is by far my favorite. It is narrower than the standard post and tapered. A smaller aperture would also be very beneficial. If you are up to it, you should have no problem shooting very close to the rifle's potential with a good set of peeps. Very little improvement should be seen with a scope. If you shoot significantly better with an optic, you just need more iron sight practice.

 

[mfcmb]

John Farnham says:

"Most utility/battle ARs are capable of 2 MOA (minutes of angle) accuracy....Most military ammunition is, at best, capable of only 3 MOA."

(http://www.defense-training.com/quips/2010/15July10.html)

Since you're already shooting 3 MOA groups, maybe you should evaluate your ammo.

FWIW

 

[APIT50]

That is a fine start. I say leave the sights alone for now, and work on your shooting skills: cheek weld, distance from rear peep, shoulder and hand positions, breathing, point of focus, etc etc.

+1 Assuming your rifle is capable of better than the 3" you're getting these things will help the most. I shoot both combat and high power with service rifles and sight picture and sight alignment make the biggest difference in shooting an AR type rifle.

Use the money for more or better ammo.

 

[AR27]

I prefer the round national match front sight posts