AR-15 Mounting Locations for Front Sight

[Anthony]

Hello Everyone,

Beyond the cosmetic difference are there any practical advantages or disadvantages to mounting the front sight on an AR-15 on the forearm, gas block, or the traditional sight tower permanently attached to the barrel itself?

Thanks for the input.

 

[DMK]

I think folding front sights are a gimmick. I have quite a few flattops with standard fixed front sights. I've used scopes on them without any trouble. Never noticed a blur or any other anomalies.

I actually like the front sight there for the red dots. I'm starting to think even folding rears are unnecessary with red dots. I never fold my ARMS #40s, just flip 'em to the large aperture.

 

[Dallas Jack]

For an AR setup with a red dot sight the standard sight tower works fine. On an AR with a scope I would perfer the sight be a flip up on the gas block.
Dallas Jack

 

[rbernie]

I like to run a 16" middie with a lo-profile gas block, rifle length forearm, and the front sight on the forearm. This gives me the OAL of a carbine with the sight radius of a rifle.

 

[Essex County]

Whatever worked in the sixties is good enough foe me....Essex