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Posted: 3/30/2013 11:31:59 AM EDT
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Hello
Just bought my first AR (Bushmaster XM15 ORC) and I've already run into my first issue. I have a set of front and rear Magpul MBUS sights. The rear is no concern but my rifle has a "chopped" (sorry for the wrong term) gas block with no rail so I don't know how to put on my front sight. I've read that Bushmaster makes a clamp with a sight built on to it but I would love to have just the clamp with the standard rail on top to mount my MBUS. Is this possible? If so, what exactly am I looking for? Thanks! |
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You bought a rifle with the design intentions of only ever putting a primary optic on the upper receiver. Doing some research into ar15s before hand may have been needed had you had plans to utilize back up style sights.
Other then the bushmaster sights for the Orc, that, by the way are kinda chintzy, your kind of SOL unless you want to replace the gas block. Someone will be along shortly to tell you a drop in rail with the sights mounted on it is a fix to your problem. Being that these drop in rails are never stable enough for sights, its not a fix. You could shave down your gas block (instructions on the Internet abound) and mount any number of free float rails available and mount your sights to that. |
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Any recommendations on a decent optic for a reasonable price? I was just going to use the flip ups while I waited to save for optics. Money is tight. https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_30mm_Red_Dot_p/primary-arms-30mm-red-dot.htm These seem to get reasonable reviews. If you want a front sight you could replace your current gas block with this or this. Or you could do a little file work on that gas block and put a long handguard on which would cover the gas block, then put a front sight like your Magpul out at the front. |
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The part you are looking for is a YHM-9360K flip up front sight. The part was made by YHM for Bushmaster but I think they are either not made any more or are hard to find. This front sight was designed to clamp around the milled FSB used on the Bushmaster ORC carbines. It was listed as a part under the B.M.A.S Bushmaster Modular Accessories System but not seeing it listed now.
I do not see that part number listed on the Yankee Hill Machine site. I have to assume they made it at one time but no longer do. Here is one listed here but unsure if it's even available. Tactical Gear You can Google that part number and find numerous references and might help you find one. I have no idea why the old Bushmaster chose to use the standard FSB milled down rather than using a different type gas block/front sight combo. I guess at the time they had plenty of the FSBs to mill down to use. Once Bushmaster closed and moved and the new Windham began manufacturing I think they quick using that type of gas block. I will say however that pinned gas block is secure. |
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Here's how my Bushmaster ORC turned out.
Replaced the gas block with a Yankee Hills gas block/fold down front sight (70.00) You might have noticed the Spikes lower......Personalized serial # with my name 
I'd sell the front sight you have and put on the Yankee Hill gas block. That way you can add an optic later and still have iron sights that fold down out of the way when using the optic. 
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Here's how my Bushmaster ORC turned out. Replaced the gas block with a Yankee Hills gas block/fold down front sight (70.00) You might have noticed the Spikes lower......Personalized serial # with my name
I'd sell the front sight you have and put on the Yankee Hill gas block. That way you can add an optic later and still have iron sights that fold down out of the way when using the optic. http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/miketroyer/ar-15Medium_zpsae5ae698.jpg You have what I imagined doing to my rifle. Where did you buy the Yankee Hills gas block/fold down front sight? I can't find one. Also, how did you get that Magpul hand guard on? I thought it wasn't an option. I thought I had to get a free float hand guard. Thanks |
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Here's how my Bushmaster ORC turned out. Replaced the gas block with a Yankee Hills gas block/fold down front sight (70.00) You might have noticed the Spikes lower......Personalized serial # with my name
I'd sell the front sight you have and put on the Yankee Hill gas block. That way you can add an optic later and still have iron sights that fold down out of the way when using the optic. http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/miketroyer/ar-15Medium_zpsae5ae698.jpg You have what I imagined doing to my rifle. Where did you buy the Yankee Hills gas block/fold down front sight? I can't find one. Also, how did you get that Magpul hand guard on? I thought it wasn't an option. I thought I had to get a free float hand guard. Thanks Just to be clear the YHM this guy used is not the same as the one I posted about. The one I posted was indeed the clamp on the fit around the "milled" FSB that is on your barrel. The YHM this guy used is a replacement for the one on your gun. In other words it has to be unpinned and removed and replaced with a different type. The MOE hand guard only works with a Delta ring assembly so no free floating with that one. If you want to free float you either need to get one that works with the Delta ring or replace the whole hand guard assembly with a new free float hand guard which will also include a different barrel nut. To get a new barrel nut on you will have to remove any installed gas block to facilitate removal and installation of old/new barrel nut components. |
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Here's how my Bushmaster ORC turned out. Replaced the gas block with a Yankee Hills gas block/fold down front sight (70.00) You might have noticed the Spikes lower......Personalized serial # with my name
I'd sell the front sight you have and put on the Yankee Hill gas block. That way you can add an optic later and still have iron sights that fold down out of the way when using the optic. http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/miketroyer/ar-15Medium_zpsae5ae698.jpg You have what I imagined doing to my rifle. Where did you buy the Yankee Hills gas block/fold down front sight? I can't find one. Also, how did you get that Magpul hand guard on? I thought it wasn't an option. I thought I had to get a free float hand guard. Thanks Just to be clear the YHM this guy used is not the same as the one I posted about. The one I posted was indeed the clamp on the fit around the "milled" FSB that is on your barrel. The YHM this guy used is a replacement for the one on your gun. In other words it has to be unpinned and removed and replaced with a different type. The MOE hand guard only works with a Delta ring assembly so no free floating with that one. If you want to free float you either need to get one that works with the Delta ring or replace the whole hand guard assembly with a new free float hand guard which will also include a different barrel nut. To get a new barrel nut on you will have to remove any installed gas block to facilitate removal and installation of old/new barrel nut components. Thanks for the info. I'm thinking it may be better to replace the hand guard/forend with one with a top rail. I'm liking the looks of TROY INDUSTRIES, INC. - AR-15/M16 BRAVO BATTLERAILS. At http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/stock-forend-parts/forends-handguards/ar-15-m16-bravo-battlerails-prod54474.aspx?avs|Style_1=Free%20Float&psize=96 Would that work? Will it be long enough to cover the gas block? Is this stable enough to mount flip up sights? I'm very new to this but I do appreciate the help. |
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Here's how my Bushmaster ORC turned out. Replaced the gas block with a Yankee Hills gas block/fold down front sight (70.00) You might have noticed the Spikes lower......Personalized serial # with my name
I'd sell the front sight you have and put on the Yankee Hill gas block. That way you can add an optic later and still have iron sights that fold down out of the way when using the optic. http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq156/miketroyer/ar-15Medium_zpsae5ae698.jpg You have what I imagined doing to my rifle. Where did you buy the Yankee Hills gas block/fold down front sight? I can't find one. Also, how did you get that Magpul hand guard on? I thought it wasn't an option. I thought I had to get a free float hand guard. Thanks Just to be clear the YHM this guy used is not the same as the one I posted about. The one I posted was indeed the clamp on the fit around the "milled" FSB that is on your barrel. The YHM this guy used is a replacement for the one on your gun. In other words it has to be unpinned and removed and replaced with a different type. The MOE hand guard only works with a Delta ring assembly so no free floating with that one. If you want to free float you either need to get one that works with the Delta ring or replace the whole hand guard assembly with a new free float hand guard which will also include a different barrel nut. To get a new barrel nut on you will have to remove any installed gas block to facilitate removal and installation of old/new barrel nut components. Thanks for the info. I'm thinking it may be better to replace the hand guard/forend with one with a top rail. I'm liking the looks of TROY INDUSTRIES, INC. - AR-15/M16 BRAVO BATTLERAILS. At http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/stock-forend-parts/forends-handguards/ar-15-m16-bravo-battlerails-prod54474.aspx?avs|Style_1=Free%20Float&psize=96 Would that work? Will it be long enough to cover the gas block? Is this stable enough to mount flip up sights? I'm very new to this but I do appreciate the help. I'm not familiar with the one you linked to however I'm gonna say it probably will not work. Let me explain...your current barrel nut also has the Delta ring assembly attached. Your barrel also has the hand guard endcap in place. First I am not sure the Troy Bravo BattleRail will slip over the endcap. Don't think it will. Secondly I believe that although the BattleRail is designed to fit onto your existing barrel nut it still has the Delta Ring assy installed. To remove those pieces will require removal of the current gas block, end cap and barrel nut itself. I suppose it is possible for you to simply cut away the Delta Ring parts leaving only the barrel nut itself but not familiar enough to be sure this is doable safely. To completely cover the gas block as you desire to do will require the 9 inch mid length rail. Basically the Delta Ring assy limits you to hand guard choices. Also the not so easily removable gas block further complicates things. There are some choices for you to attach a free float hand guard to the Delta Ring assy which may suffice. But they are more expensive. $200.00 plus and easily $300.00 options. Perhaps someone else will come along and verify what I suggested. Welcome to the club. When I first got started I was loaded with questions too. |
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