Iron sights for Armalite?

M

mattamuskeet

New member
Hey, ya'll. I am new to AR's, and I just got an AR 10. It is a flat-top model and did not come with any iron sights. I mounted a scope, but I want to do some shooting with iron sights. I just dont know whether to get a detachable carry handle with sights or flip-up sights, etc. I want actually use them alot, not just to have in case the scope breaks...

I guess the main thing I was wondering is if the flip up sights are rugged and precise enough to use as a primary sight system?

Any help would be appreciated!

Mattamuskeet
 
Ive got the same rifle. I put a GG&G flip up front with a MAD rear. They are pretty accurate and worked well as a backup when I wanted to remove the optic. Ive started shooting 3 gun, and upgraded to a a fixed NM front and a DPMS shorty A-2 rear.
 
I have an Armalite M15A4 (T) that came with a factory detachable carry handle and detachable front post. From a "rugged" standpoint, they will probably hold up better than even a good set of flip up sights. Downside is, thats what youre stuck with, and you lose the use of the rail.

I dont use irons on that rifle at all, and sold them off. For that gun, I use a Leupold 1.5x5 on a lever mount, with a pre zeroed back up Aimpoint, also on a lever mount.

I do have a couple of other AR's with the flip up BUIS on them. Depending on what you want to spend will determine what you get. I have a set of GG&G flip sights on another Armalite, and they are much better than the Troy's that came with my M&P. The GG&G's are just better made, and it shows when you compare them. The Troys have a good bit of play in them, where the GG&G's have none. I know I shoot better with the GG&G's, and Im pretty sure the difference isnt the difference in the rifles. Both rifles also wear an Aimpoint, and the guns shoot pretty much the same using the dots.

Personally, to get the most out of the gun, Id go with a good set of flip ups. You can always add an optic down the road, and the flip ups are still going to be there. Once you start using a red dot, I doubt you'll use the irons much anymore though.
 
On my carbine I tried a Yankee Hill front folding gas block sight, with a taller post from DPMS, a cheap ebay Matech folding rear and like the combination.
They don't feel like back ups to me and they seem accurate enough.
850-pict1608.jpg
 
I really like my Troy folding battle sight, high quality, the rear aperture has both battle aperture size and NM size. The front post is .070, small enough for moa accuracy.

I use a scope for 75% of my AR10 shooting.

AR10noveske01.jpg


It is considerably lighter in fixed sight trim.

AR10003.jpg
 
It is considerably lighter in fixed sight trim.

Yes, I was thinking about that, as I want to carry it around in the woods some.

Thanks everybody for all the information and pics! The pictures are very helpful. BTW I love the rifle. I have been handloading for the M1A and my loads look like they will work well in my new rifle. I can't wait...I traded the M1A for the AR10 and it is ALOT more accurate.
 
Be aware that the flat unnotched area at the rear of the flat-top on an AR-10is dimmensionally different that the same area on an AR-15. I'm talking about that flat area just above the charging handle.

The reason this is significant is because some rear back up iron sights will not fold down on an AR-10 when they will fold down perfectly well on an AR-15. Rear BUIS that has ears, such as GG&G's BUIS may not work properly on an AR-10. The ears on the sight are not wide enough to fold down over that flat area I described above unless you move the site back to one of the last notches, then the base will interfere with the charging handle catch.

You need to look for sights that are suitable for the AR-10. GG&G's MAD BUIS will work well since it has no ears. It will lay flat on an AR-10 upper and is a high quality sight. Midwest Industries also makes rear BUIS suitable for an AR-10.

Just beware. The Armalite AR-10 flat top is not quite the same as an AR-15 and can effect what you can use.

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And if your AR-10 has a gas block and you want to mount a flip up front sight on that, make sure you get one for an AR-10. It requires a front sight that is taller than a flip up gas block sight for an AR-15.
 
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Micropterus said:
And if your AR-10 has a gas block and you want to mount a flip up front sight on that, make sure you get one for an AR-10. It requires a front sight that is taller than a flip up gas block sight for an AR-15.
Click to expand...

Good point. Not all AR15 BUIS are compatible with the AR10. Plus some of the other .308 platforms have different upper rail heights.

ArmaLite carries several brands of BUIS that are marketed for the AR10, MI, Troy and others.
 
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