This may sound stupid, but on a S&W M&P15 can you remove the front iron sights?

K

Kimio

New member
Without having to saw them off? I kind of like the flip up sights, but I can't seem to find a model of the M&P15 that is flat top that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

I tried looking around on the forums, and many posts seem to imply that I may need a new upper in order to get rid of them.

I was planning on replacing the hand guards with these

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Daniel-Defense-EZ-CAR-7-0-Rail-Carbine-Handguard-p/dd 5010.htm

(I'm pretty sure these should fit just fine on the M&P15)

The reason I ask is that I don't really like the idea of having to get a riser for any optics I want to mount, I'd rather be able to replace the stock sights with flip ups if I can. This also applies to any pre-assembled uppers that have the front bunny ear irons, I'd really rather not do anything damaging to them if I can help it.
 
I put a riser on mine just to block around the rear flip sight...I thought it looked better that way. I put a Burris 3x9 short mag scope and while the front sight is directly in front of the scope, even at 3x, I can't see any hint that it's out there. I like the ease of taking off the riser with scope mounted to go to iron sights and being able to just pop it back on and not have to sight the scope in.
 
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Unfortunately the gas block rail likely will get too hot for the Magpul MBUS. You want to find a good metal flip up instead.
 
Any suggestions? I really like the look of the Magpul flip up sights, so something similar would be great.
 
Yeah, they're nice too, a little bit pricey, but I guess they should be for the quality you're getting.

I've also looked into Daniel Defense' flip up sights, those are really nice as well. But it seems my main question still remains unanswered. Is it possible to remove the front irons without damaging them? If not, are there other alternatives than buying a different rifle that doesn't have them fixed at the front?
 
Removing the standard FSB and installing a different gas block is fairly difficult unless you have the tools and know-how. Very easy to end up with a rifle that short strokes or other problems. For many people it's something best left to a knowledgeable gunsmith. The concept behind actual task isn't so hard but executing it properly is a whole 'nother ballgame.

If you haven't bought the rifle yet I'd definitely go with an optics ready version if that's what you want. And something to consider, a lot of people use optics along with the A2 FSB.
 
I have an M&P 15 of this model, and it came with the Troy BUIS's. I got it in a trade, but the price being asked was about $300 less than what retail shows.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57785_757784_757784_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

By the time you try and do all the modifying and changing things around, would you be any better off price wise?

I will say though, the Troy sights are only OK. They do work, but they are kind of cheap, and have a lot of movement in them, and the GG&G set I have on another gun seem to work much better and I have better results with them.
 
Let's see:

1) Yes, the FSB comes off. It isn't easy to clamp the barrel down so it won't move, but you have to drift out the taper pins.

2) You don't have to remove the FSB to install that EZ CAR handguard. That model goes on just like any other regular handguard: pull back the delta ring, pull off the handguard halves. If you want to freefloat, the DD Omega Rail is a very good option and also does not require removal of the FSB.

3) The FSB will be less in the way than you think. With a regular 1x optic, you can co-witness the sights to the optic. Since you need a mount anyway, a mount that results in a lower 1/3 co-witness will enable use of irons without having to remove the optic. If you go with a magnified optic, the front sight is out of focus and doesn't impede the sight picture.

4) If you REALLY want to get rid of the front sight, you'd be better off removing the FSB and replacing the handguard with a longer free float model that you could mount a front sight (like the MBUS) to, in which case you may as well just send it someplace to be done because it's going to require vise blocks and tools you may not have.
 
Yes, you can remove the front sight from your S&W M&P15. That said, you need the proper tools (front sight block, various punches and hammer) and the know-how to remove it.

You'll need to replace the sight you remove with a gas block, and then you'll need to buy another flip up/fixed front sight to mount on the railed gas block.

I would try shooting the gun as-is with whatever optic you're going to purchase. You might find that the front sight doesn't get in the way at all.
 
So in the end, I'd either have to buy a set of metal flip up irons for the OR version of the M&P15, buy a set of rail handguards to place the MBUS sights on the front, or get the non OR M&P15 and just get a rear flip iron (or fixed) on top of getting a riser to place any optics I may want on the rifle in the future.

Decisions...so hard to really make them at the moment lol.

Thank you for the help everyone. I'll have to dwell on this for a bit. So far I don't really care for the looks of many of the metal flip ups. The M&P15T is quite expensive, but for what you get, I think it's a much better value than the Colt 6920, since you get Magpul MBUS flip up sights AND a rail system for quite a bit cheaper.

The only ones I actually like that are metal are from Troy
 
I started out with the M&P 811000 with A2 fixed front sight and handle. This may be cheating but I unscrewed and removed the front sight post, detent plunger, and spring, added a TROY Drop In BattleRail and front and rear folding sights. My EOTech holo is on order and that will go on top also.

If you really want a low-profile weapon or a longer sight radius, this mod isn't for you, but it suits my purposes because I have an optical sight with folding backups and can put it back to the original configuration in about 10 minutes plus sighting time.
 
I have the Midwest Industries flip up sights on my M&P15 PSX and they're awesome. A little more than the magpul's but they're well worth it in my opinion.
 
S&W M&P-OR (optics ready) It cost me a little over 1K for 4boxes of ammo,rifle and flip up front and rear sights from CTD :)
 
The middle one is a M&P 15 OR ($849). It has a Troy drop in handguard. the iron sights are from the M&P 15-22 above it. Cant use MBUS as the front sight block does get very hot.
The bottom one is the M&P 15 Sport ($599). I actually got it because I want the iron sight's.

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Some just hack saw or Dremel the front sight post off leaving just the gas block. Then use a front sight that is mounted to a railed hand guard.

If the muzzle devise is pinned and welded removing the FGB can be a pita with out some special tooling.
 
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