Difference between standard A2 and NM A2 rear sight

[GlocksRock]

I'm exchanging the detachable carry handle on my flattop A3 upper for a detachable rear sight, so that I can have a rear sight to use with my optics when I eventually get them. I was wanting to know the difference between the NM and standard rear sight, and which would be better for use with and EOTech.

 

[Quintin Likely]

National Match means different things to different folks. Generally speaking, most "national match" A2 sights do away with the flipable aperture in favor of one smaller aperture that may or may not be hooded. The adjustments are changed from the standard 1 MOA windage 1/2 MOA elevation to either 1/2-1/2 or 1/4-1/4. On a highpower rifle, the rear sight is often teamed with a tapered front post that provides a crisper sight picture as well. Good match sights have very precise movements and firm, repeatable clicks on them; they track very precisely with each click.

I don't have any rifles with Eotech sights or the like on them, but I'd imagine if you wanted something quick and reasonably precise, a standard configuration A2 sight would probably be the best bet.

 

[Steve Smith]

First of all, there was never a National Match spec written for the M16/AR-15 so "NM" is a sales gimmick when it comes to AR sight sets.

Quintin is mostly correct. Usually "NM" sight don't do away with the flippable aperture, but no one actually uses the big one. If you put a hood on your small aperture then you can't use the big one anyway.

Some "NM" rears are very precise, but some are trash, and only a person with a dial indicator or a competitor would really know. I know that all my comp guns have been checked with a dial indicator but I wouldn't just throw a "NM" sight on a comp gun and shoot a match, as it is more of a sales gimmick as I said, when it comes to the big production houses out there (like Bushy, Armalite, RRA, and all the others). The reason for having very precise movements is repeatability. A Highpower competitor will move his sights from the bottom to the top of it's travel at least once per match and will move it up and down quite a bit at least three times per match. You have to know, from day to day, week to week that a certain amount of clicks always puts your first bullt in the center of the x.

You probably don't care to have one as precise as mine, so for you, it doesn't matter. The so-called "NM" rear sights will be an upgrade to the standard sights, but are usually not good enough for a serious competitor at THE National Matches.

 

[GlocksRock]

Thanks for the info. The reason I ask is because I was exchanging my detachable carry handle for a detachable rear sight, so that I can use it with my optics when I get them. I don't plan on shooting matches with this gun, but the difference in price for the so called "NM" rear sight was $5.

 

[Onmilo]

GlocksRock,
An A2 standard sight has 1/2 minute of angle adjustment per click on windage and elevation.
An 'NM" A2 rear sight has 1/4 minute of angle adjustment per click on windage and elevation.

I recommend NM 1/4 moa elevation screw bases coupled with standard 1/2 moa windage,(10-36 thread-standard battle apeture peep), on most general-use rifles.
This allows the shooter to fine tune his elevation zero without having to fiddle with the front sight too much and 1/2 moa adjustment is plenty good for setting windage on a battle rifle.
The National Match rear sight apetures are simply too small and precise for general shooting.
These tiny peeps will hinder more than help on a general use rifle.

Since you just need a back up sight to your optics, the standard carry handle A2 sight will work fine.

 

[GlocksRock]

Thanks for the info, but I decided to just get a refund for the carry handle and get an A.R.M.S. #40 flip up sight instead. I think this will work better for me with the EoTech I plan on getting.

 

[Jon Coppenbarger]

all my service rifles have match sights done by the same person that does steve smith's sights. We have them set up so that you may exchange the rear apeture to fit your light need threw the rear sight for the day.
now what you chose for either 1/4 or 1/2 really kinda depends on what you are doing.
For most folks 1/2 is fine but if you are planning on getting better then you might consider going to 1/4 as when you can start to adjust that 1/4 adjustment it comes in very handy.

Now all that is on a rifle I would compete with.
Now I also have a service rifle match upper that has the 1/2 windage but the elevation has the standard type wheel on it and I just go to 200, 300, 500 and 600 yards as came on the wheel. I also had it made up by the same person and asked that it be made precise and it is.

If you do not need match sights don't use them unless you pretty much know what you are buying or need.

 

[GlocksRock]

I'll keep that in mind for the future. My ARMS # 40 should be in soon, then I can shoot my new rifle for the first time.