Red dots and front sights: fixed vs. flip-up

[Gord]

Pretty simple question: when mounting a dot sight on an AR, specifically an Aimpoint Micro, is there a simple way of clearing the front sight (by use of a taller mount, etc.) without totally screwing up cheek weld, or is one pretty much limited to a folding front sight for an unobstructed view through the dot sight?

Thanks.

 

[foo]

I can't speak specifically to the Aimpoint Micro, but I've got an Eotech on a LMT flat top with a fixed front sight (i.e., not a flip-up). Before I tried the Eotech, I assumed the front sight would be a problem. However, I've found it's not an issue.

Have you tried the Aimpoint with your existing front sight? If not, you might be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Gord]

No; this is all highly theoretical since I don't even have my AR in hand yet (or built, for that matter - hence why I'm asking).

I suppose I don't really see the point of a dot sight if it's just to be cowitnessed with the irons. Sounds like nothing more than a really expensive fiber optic sight to me.

 

[twofourthree73]

Larue sells two different mounts. One for absolute co-witness and one for lower 1/3 co-witness. I should have and t-1 next week with the higher mount.

 

[HorseSoldier]

No; this is all highly theoretical since I don't even have my AR in hand yet (or built, for that matter - hence why I'm asking).

I suppose I don't really see the point of a dot sight if it's just to be cowitnessed with the irons. Sounds like nothing more than a really expensive fiber optic sight to me.

On an AimPoint or EOTech, cowitnessed or not, you're shooting the dot, not the sights, so you still get more speed and don't have to worry as much about head position and eye relief, etc.

I'd recommend trying out a red dot with it cowitnessed and/or without a riser and see if it really bothers you. Most people aren't as bothered by it as they think they'll be, or learn to work through it. With the sights cowitnessed you've got less of an obstructed field of view if you ever do have to switch to the irons, as well.

 

[possum]

i have a solid front sight post on my ar, why? because if the red dot goes down i have 2 options. one use the red dot screen as a big ghost ring sight and use the front sight as the aiming point. or if i do have time to flip up a sight i want to flip up one instead of 2, that is why i go with a solid front sight base, and a flip up rear sight.

 

[Gord]

On an AimPoint or EOTech, cowitnessed or not, you're shooting the dot, not the sights, so you still get more speed

I realize that speed is the whole point, but again, with a cowitness the whole thing just starts to look like a really expensive ghost ring/fiber optic setup to me.

The question comes partly because I realize that one of the reasons I tend to make better hits faster with a (low-powered) scope is that I have nothing obstructing my field of view but the reticle; makes it quicker to center on a target and fire without the sights in the way. I figure a dot sight would follow the same principle.

or if i do have time to flip up a sight i want to flip up one instead of 2

Yeah, I'd rather not have to stretch out and mess with a flip-up front either, but if it's between that and the front sight negating the entire reason for my mounting a dot sight in the first place, I'll take the flipping...

 

[benEzra]

You could use a mount with a little rise built-in, if it's an issue? Sort of like this one:

 

[JDGray]

I was worried about mounting my Eotech dirrectly to the flattop, but it works great without the riser. Not having to center up the irons, makes the reddot so fast. The Eotech has a 1 moa dot, which makes it very precise at close distance, without working to hard