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10/6/2014 3:31:14 PM EDT
Hello Everyone.

This is my first post. A brief introduction. I am from Canada. I have been shooting since I was 12 years old. I currently own a DPMS Oracle and S&W M&P 15.

Now, I have been looking a the new Colt AR15A4 that was just released. Only one gun distributor is brining them into Canada and they only have the Non F Stamped Gas Block Rifles.

Should I take the Non F rifle, or should I ask for my money back. What is the big deal between the two?
10/6/2014 4:00:06 PM EDT
[#1]
Quoted:
Hello Everyone.

This is my first post. A brief introduction. I am from Canada. I have been shooting since I was 12 years old. I currently own a DPMS Oracle and S&W M&P 15.

Now, I have been looking a the new Colt AR15A4 that was just released. Only one gun distributor is brining them into Canada and they only have the Non F Stamped Gas Block Rifles.

Should I take the Non F rifle, or should I ask for my money back. What is the big deal between the two?
View Quote

Take it. If it's a factory Colt rifle, it will work the way it was designed.

That said, I believe the F marked FSB as designed for carbines, which the AR15A4 is not.
10/6/2014 4:14:16 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote History
Quoted:

Take it. If it's a factory Colt rifle, it will work the way it was designed.

That said, I believe the F marked FSB as designed for carbines, which the AR15A4 is not.
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Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Hello Everyone.

This is my first post. A brief introduction. I am from Canada. I have been shooting since I was 12 years old. I currently own a DPMS Oracle and S&W M&P 15.

Now, I have been looking a the new Colt AR15A4 that was just released. Only one gun distributor is brining them into Canada and they only have the Non F Stamped Gas Block Rifles.

Should I take the Non F rifle, or should I ask for my money back. What is the big deal between the two?

Take it. If it's a factory Colt rifle, it will work the way it was designed.

That said, I believe the F marked FSB as designed for carbines, which the AR15A4 is not.

To the best of my knowledge, the F-marked FSBs are designed for flat top rifles - which the AR15A4 is. With a non-F FSB, it may or may not line up properly with the carry handle sight and/or any BUIS that is installed.

However, unless Canada has some law against it...you can always swap a F-marked FSB on to the barrel.

And I thought AR-platform rifles were "restricted" in Canada and not legal for civilian ownership?
10/6/2014 4:22:55 PM EDT
[#3]
I do not think any of the AR15A4's come with the "F" front sight base. Do a search, and I am sure you will see some other post about how people were complaining about Colt not putting them on these rifles...
10/6/2014 4:23:31 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote History
Quoted:

To the best of my knowledge, the F-marked FSBs are designed for flat top rifles - which the AR15A4 is. With a non-F FSB, it may or may not line up properly with the carry handle sight and/or any BUIS that is installed.

However, unless Canada has some law against it...you can always swap a F-marked FSB on to the barrel.

And I thought AR-platform rifles were "restricted" in Canada and not legal for civilian ownership?
View Quote View All Quotes
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Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Hello Everyone.

This is my first post. A brief introduction. I am from Canada. I have been shooting since I was 12 years old. I currently own a DPMS Oracle and S&W M&P 15.

Now, I have been looking a the new Colt AR15A4 that was just released. Only one gun distributor is brining them into Canada and they only have the Non F Stamped Gas Block Rifles.

Should I take the Non F rifle, or should I ask for my money back. What is the big deal between the two?

Take it. If it's a factory Colt rifle, it will work the way it was designed.

That said, I believe the F marked FSB as designed for carbines, which the AR15A4 is not.

To the best of my knowledge, the F-marked FSBs are designed for flat top rifles - which the AR15A4 is. With a non-F FSB, it may or may not line up properly with the carry handle sight and/or any BUIS that is installed.

However, unless Canada has some law against it...you can always swap a F-marked FSB on to the barrel.

And I thought AR-platform rifles were "restricted" in Canada and not legal for civilian ownership?

You're probably more right than I am, but if that is the case, then you can order a taller front sight post. Cheaper and easier.

OP should get the rifle first and try to zero it before worrying about what does and does not need to be changed.
10/6/2014 4:23:34 PM EDT
[#5]
New Colt AR15A4 does not have f-marked stamped on it even though it is as per Colt, Buds gun shop have them available.
10/6/2014 4:25:19 PM EDT
[#6]
The difference between a "F" FSB and non-"F" FSB is the base where the front sight post mount's is like a hair (0.040) lower the front sight post is a hair (0.040) taller.
If you change it you have to compensate your rear sight for the change in the front sight height and/or lower your front sight post 6 or so clicks lower making Mechanical Zero a pain.
Bottom line is your good-to-go and shouldnt mess with it.
10/6/2014 4:30:20 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Quoted:

To the best of my knowledge, the F-marked FSBs are designed for flat top rifles - which the AR15A4 is. With a non-F FSB, it may or may not line up properly with the carry handle sight and/or any BUIS that is installed.

However, unless Canada has some law against it...you can always swap a F-marked FSB on to the barrel.

And I thought AR-platform rifles were "restricted" in Canada and not legal for civilian ownership?
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Hello Everyone.

This is my first post. A brief introduction. I am from Canada. I have been shooting since I was 12 years old. I currently own a DPMS Oracle and S&W M&P 15.

Now, I have been looking a the new Colt AR15A4 that was just released. Only one gun distributor is brining them into Canada and they only have the Non F Stamped Gas Block Rifles.

Should I take the Non F rifle, or should I ask for my money back. What is the big deal between the two?

Take it. If it's a factory Colt rifle, it will work the way it was designed.

That said, I believe the F marked FSB as designed for carbines, which the AR15A4 is not.

To the best of my knowledge, the F-marked FSBs are designed for flat top rifles - which the AR15A4 is. With a non-F FSB, it may or may not line up properly with the carry handle sight and/or any BUIS that is installed.

However, unless Canada has some law against it...you can always swap a F-marked FSB on to the barrel.

And I thought AR-platform rifles were "restricted" in Canada and not legal for civilian ownership?


We have 3 firearms classes in canada.

Non Restricted if your usual hunting rifle / shotguns. They do not have to be registered with out federal police

Restricted is usually AR's and Handguns and they have to be registered, but us regular guys can own them. Handguns with a barrel less than 4.2 inches is prohib though.

And Prohib, is full autos, ak by name, mp5 by name etc. Us regular guys cannot own them. Unless you're a business or a museum.
10/6/2014 4:31:13 PM EDT
[#8]
it may not have an F marked front sight because it comes with a carry handle (albeit detachable) rear sight that probably matches up to the height of the FSB.


I find it hard to believe that Colt would have sent them out with the wrong FSB (since it is a known compatibility issue that came about with the prevalence of flat top receivers)


if you want to use irons, you must have the carry handle attached for proper sight picture alignment.  
if you want to use optics, just remove the carry handle and use the appropriate riser if you want to co-witness with the front sight.
10/6/2014 4:37:47 PM EDT
[#9]
They did initially send them out with the wrong FSB, but no one has reported issues with being unable to sight them in. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.
10/6/2014 4:51:33 PM EDT
[#10]

Quote History
Quoted:


They did initially send them out with the wrong FSB, but no one has reported issues with being unable to sight them in. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.
View Quote

This.





Although, FWIW, my issued FN M16A4 had an "F" marked FSB



 

10/6/2014 6:04:09 PM EDT
[#11]
They should have an 'F' marked FSB. Real world, however, you will not have any issues sighting in without the 'F' marked FSB. You would with a carbine.
10/7/2014 12:06:31 AM EDT
[#12]
I asked the same question a while ago of Colt and did not get a very satisfactory answer.  The company answer that I got over the phone is that it is correct with or without the F and they pull the FSBs from essentially (vendor) bins.  Colt said they were both correct but would not say that they were the same size.  If you are going to spend $1,000 you would hope that there would be a more technical reason from the company and not have to rely on message forums.  BCM uses F marked.  If Colt is using a MILSPEC carrying handle then you would think the FSB or the the FS post should have different dimensions than the A2 FSB.  While it is a small variation, it would be nice to know if the FSBs on the Colt A4s actually have different measurements of either the FSBs or the FS posts than on F marked ones.  I have seen the post on the measurement difference, but not necessarily F marked compared specifically to Colt's A4 that is not marked.  Most comments are that it should not be a problem because of the sight radius, but others have commented on the zeroing being a concern because of the adjustment to the front post and the fact that the carrying handle and FSB are designed to work together, noting the difference between non-MILSPEC handles and MILSPEC.  I am not sure that I would notice with iron sights, but it would be nice know definitively.
10/7/2014 12:13:22 AM EDT
[#13]
Let's start with the most basic question.  How does it shoot?
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