Switching from a folding-front sight to a permanent front sight for an AR15

[usmarine0352_2005]

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A friend of mine on my department purchased a SW MP 15T which has a folding front sight (and free floated rail). Our department just authorized SW MP 15X's that have a fixed front sight. He asked if he could use that and my department said no. They said he had to convert it to a fixed front sight or get a new gun.

I told him he had three options, get a new gun (which he said he doesn't want to do), get a new upper if that was possible or see if he could switch the folding front sight to a permant fixed front sight (I'm not sure if th floating rail would make this possible.)


He's looking for the cheapest fix possible.



1.) Which option would be cheapest?


2.) If he was switching from a folding-front sight to a permanent front sight who could he buy that sight from that would be the cheapest?



3.) Would be be able to go online and see how it's done and do the conversion himself?



And please don't ask me why my department wouldn't let him use that rifle. I certainly would.

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[ugaarguy]

Have him ask the department if a fixed sight that clamps to the rail, replacing the folding sight, is acceptable. If so, that's his best, easiest, and cheapest option. You literally just unscrew the front flip up, and replace it with the fixed rail height front.
Here's a Troy Ind fixed front - http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=...zM4/Product/AR_15_M16_FIXED_FRONT_BATTLESIGHT
Here's a similar one from Daniel Defense - http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=...M4/Product/AR_15_M16_FIXED_BACKUP_FRONT_SIGHT

If you or he order from Brownell's call them on their toll free number, and let them verify that you're LE. They'll set you up an individual account under their MIL/LE Supply Group, and you'll get a nicely discounted rate.

If the straight sight swap doesn't work send me a PM here. I'll get in touch with a high up contact at S&W, and I'll have that contact get me a S&W LE contact for you. That contact may be able to get your fellow officer's 15T set up to dept. requirements at minimal cost.

 

[nastynatesfish]

you can just have him get a front sight gas block that is stationary. theyre not much in the scheme or ar accutriment

 

[MrCleanOK]

you can just have him get a front sight gas block that is stationary. theyre not much in the scheme or ar accutriment

Gas blocks are cheap, yes. But installing a standard FSB on a barrel which didn't come with one is not amateur-level work.

His cheapest bet will probably be to find someone interested in swapping uppers. If his department allows (though I suspect they would not), the fixed front sight option that ugaarguy recommended may also be a good option.

 

[Redlg155]

as stated previously, a fixed front sight that mounts to the rail is cheapest. A standarf fsb would be a real pain if you need to drill the taper pin holes. This is another option- a bolt on fsb.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/JP-Adjustable-Gas-Block-Front-Sight-Base-p/jpgs-2fs.htm

Personally I would call S&W and see what they can do. I would bet they would do it for free in the interest of supporting LE and good public relations. Especially so if the department has purchased duty weapons from S&W.

Edited.. I looked at a picture of the M&P15 T, and if the picture is correct, changing to a standard fsb is not possible due to the length of the handguard covering the gas block. You would have to refit a new handguard to utilize a standard fsb. This matter would be more complicated if it was a piston instead of a direct gas rifle.

 

[68wj]

ADCO can do it (the right way) http://www.adcofirearms.com/shopservices/shop_.cfm?code=5