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Posted: 4/29/2008 8:27:34 AM EDT
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I have a new S&W M&P15 with the detachable carry handle and fixed front sight. In hindsight, I wish I had just gotten an optics-ready flattop, but I wanted to spend some time having fun with iron sights. I now have a scope and want to get rid of the front sight and replace it with a low-profile gas block. What kind of options are available and what do I need to understand about after-market blocks before I get one? |
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Your barrel will need to be accurately dimpled at the precise location where the gas block screws are set. The exact alignment of barrel gas port (hole) and gas block gas port (hole) is crucial. Most aftermarket gas blocks use set screws. Dimpling required on most. Tap the pins out of your FSB, shave the FSB down with a grinder and presto...Low Profile Gas Block. This is covered in the Build It Yourself Forum. Very easy and cheap. Do you plan on adding a free float handguard? |
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A free floated handguard is a big tube around the barrel, so that pushing on the handguard does not move the barrel. personally I like front sights, even with scopes, I don't care for the ARs I have without front sights, though it seemed like a good idea at the time. If you don't want to trim your front sight down look at larue. The Vltor looks cool but is expensive. There are a million other ones out there. Some people do not trust set screws on a defensive rifle, but if you are cutting off the front sight I would assume it's a play gun. I think you could still stake a set screw |
Flat Black Krylon Camo Paint or Cold Blue will take care of that. A FF HG doesn't touch the barrel ie the FF HG doesn't affect accuracy when mounting things like a light, a bipod or a vertical grip. It's nice being able to attach a light or two for nocturnal endeavors. 
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What power scope do you have? My front sight disappears around 3x. Try mounting the scope before you do anything with the gas block. You may not be able to see it if the scope power is high enough. Plus you will still be able to go back to irons if you change your mind again, which you probably will. 
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I cut and ground my front sight and turned it into a low profile on my carbine. I then added a mid length FF handguard and put a flip up front sight on the handguard. You will have the best of both worlds. I like shooting with optics too. They are more friendly to my eyes which don't work as well as they used to, however, it is important to have irons on a go to rifle. Even the best of equipment can fail due to a defect or accident. |
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