skeeterfogger
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Guess that depends on your eye sight.
My first AR. Fixed sights or no?
- Thread starter Jbird45
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CraigC
Sixgun Nut
It’s kind of an inside joke for fans of the Garand Thumb YouTube channel.
giggitygiggity
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That was answered in post #33
Haha. Thanks Gunny! I was lazy and hadn’t read all responses to the OP.
rdnktrkr
Member
I found with a reddot or reflex sight that flip up sights are convenient, when I've mounted a scope the rear scope bell seems to interfere with their operation.
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Jbird45
Member
So I have a few newbie questions. Hope it is ok to ask here.
This is the first semi auto rifle I have owned, except my .22 from my grandpa.
As far as releasing tension from the bolt with no mag or rounds in the gun, what is best practice to release the bolt. Do I hit the bolt release and let it take itself home? Do I pull back the charging handle, hit the release and let it go? Or do I ride the bolt with the charging handle and use the forward assist to seat it.
This is with an unloaded rifle, and with or without a mag.
I know this may be common sense, but it doesn't say in my manual and I don't want to ruin my gun. Thanks for the insight
This is the first semi auto rifle I have owned, except my .22 from my grandpa.
As far as releasing tension from the bolt with no mag or rounds in the gun, what is best practice to release the bolt. Do I hit the bolt release and let it take itself home? Do I pull back the charging handle, hit the release and let it go? Or do I ride the bolt with the charging handle and use the forward assist to seat it.
This is with an unloaded rifle, and with or without a mag.
I know this may be common sense, but it doesn't say in my manual and I don't want to ruin my gun. Thanks for the insight
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Jbird45
Member
Sorry, I looked at the manual again and they do have instructions. It says remove the mag, pull the charging handle fully rearward and release, or to push the bolt catch button.
It advises against riding the bolt.
Maybe it's just me, but doesn't this seem like excess force to the charging handle? I didn't think it was designed to slam forward.
Will I damage the gun by riding the bolt? I have been doing this while getting familiar with my gun as it seemed gentler, but the manual advises against it I guess.
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benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Always feel free to ask! And it’s a good question.
If I am closing the bolt on an empty chamber with no magazine, I’ll use the charging handle to close it gently.
The instructions to not ride the charging handle apply to chambering a round; the bolt needs a running start to reliably strip a round from the magazine and feed it reliably, so if you ride the handle down in that case, you can have it not close all the way and might have to use the forward assist to fully seat it.
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mustanger98
Member
And the original AR-15/M-16 didn't have a forward assist. Ride the handle while loading and you probably won't get it to battery.
GunnyUSMC
Member
I have always said the stupid question is the one not asked. Asking questions is a way to learn, no matter how silly some people think they are.
On closing the bolt on an empty chamber, remember this. The charging handle, if not in contact with the bolt carrier, it can be damaged. When the bolt catch locks the bolt to the rear, just make sure of one of two things. #1 if the charging handle is in the locked forward possession it does no harm to hit the bolt release and let the bolt go home. #2 you can use the charging handle to release the bolt from the bolt catch. Just be sure that the charging handle is in contact with the bolt carrier when you let it go. Basically you pull the charging handle to the rear and then let go.
Possible damage can occur if you let the bolt slam home when the charging handle is forward of the bolt, but not fully forward. The bolt carrier will strike the front of the charging handle and could cause damage.
Here is a video the has info I think will be helpful.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjhq82l7-3pAhUSW60KHe6oDU4QwqsBMAF6BAgJEAQ&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQJUBHtvr_0&usg=AOvVaw0bvlIi_C62mpCWWW8NsGDn
On closing the bolt on an empty chamber, remember this. The charging handle, if not in contact with the bolt carrier, it can be damaged. When the bolt catch locks the bolt to the rear, just make sure of one of two things. #1 if the charging handle is in the locked forward possession it does no harm to hit the bolt release and let the bolt go home. #2 you can use the charging handle to release the bolt from the bolt catch. Just be sure that the charging handle is in contact with the bolt carrier when you let it go. Basically you pull the charging handle to the rear and then let go.
Possible damage can occur if you let the bolt slam home when the charging handle is forward of the bolt, but not fully forward. The bolt carrier will strike the front of the charging handle and could cause damage.
Here is a video the has info I think will be helpful.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjhq82l7-3pAhUSW60KHe6oDU4QwqsBMAF6BAgJEAQ&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQJUBHtvr_0&usg=AOvVaw0bvlIi_C62mpCWWW8NsGDn
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Jbird45
Member
Sorry to bring this thread back but I have another newbie question.
I grew up around hunting rifles, so I am comfortable with lever action and bolt action guns, but I am quickly learning that AR's are a completely different beast.
My friend has the exact same rifle I do (Ruger MPR) and we cleaned all the shipping grease and oil from them before first use and gave them a light oiling. My gun came practically dripping wet from the factory.
My friend had 2 jams while firing after a bit and while doing some research it looks like some people suggest running an AR kinda wet.
My question is how much oil do you generally use? Am I ok to be liberal on the oil or does the less is more apply here. The manual suggests a light coating.
I know with hunting rifles less is more and generally a light coating is correct, but these also don't get the use of an AR.
Thanks again to everyone for putting up with the questions!
I grew up around hunting rifles, so I am comfortable with lever action and bolt action guns, but I am quickly learning that AR's are a completely different beast.
My friend has the exact same rifle I do (Ruger MPR) and we cleaned all the shipping grease and oil from them before first use and gave them a light oiling. My gun came practically dripping wet from the factory.
My friend had 2 jams while firing after a bit and while doing some research it looks like some people suggest running an AR kinda wet.
My question is how much oil do you generally use? Am I ok to be liberal on the oil or does the less is more apply here. The manual suggests a light coating.
I know with hunting rifles less is more and generally a light coating is correct, but these also don't get the use of an AR.
Thanks again to everyone for putting up with the questions!
Tommygunn
Member
Oil the guides on the bolt carrier, roughly at the ten and two oclock position, an eight and four oclock, the cam and inside bolt where the gas rings are.
ARs like being run wet, just not sopping wet.
FYI a lot of jamming problems are magazine related.
ARs like being run wet, just not sopping wet.
FYI a lot of jamming problems are magazine related.
mustanger98
Member
While that's generally true, a gunsmith recently told me some jams are caused by using the wrong weight buffer spring for the gas system.
GunnyUSMC
Member
This should help.
Tommygunn
Member
That is certainly another possibility that should be examined.
Trey Veston
Member
I bought the Ruger AR556 and mounted a Nikon P-223 scope and the front sight does impede the field of view a little.
I need to get a little higher mount, eventually..
I need to get a little higher mount, eventually..
I've suffered from neck problems since my 20s. I've recently jumped on the 1.93 height optics mounting options for AR15s. Red dot and variable optics alike. The new cheek weld takes a bit of getting used to, but it has worked for me. I did this without going out and dumping a bunch of money on all new mounts. Now, don't laugh, but I've been using the UTG risers. They are actually not bad. 6061 T6, CNC machined and decently anodized. I get them on ebay for around $20 shipped. I have one on the pistol on the left...https://photos.app.goo.gl/4M1fYAKPgXWN7Asu9 The one on the right has a Yankee Hill riser on it, but good luck finding one of those.
The 1.4"ish height of most mounts plus the .5" riser puts the optics in a perfect place for me.
Tommygunn
Member
Dunno why people laugh at UTG. Their risers are a-ok and their newer optics are pretty good at the price. They're not something SEAL TEAM SIX would use but they work for us civies.
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Jbird45
Member
Honestly I put a UTG riser on mine for the scope. I am happy with it.
LiveLife
Member
Yes, back up iron sights are a good idea. You can use folding sights like MagPul BUIS - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...hat-to-do-with-it.863573/page-3#post-11403768
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