1st AR picture and questions

[Mflagg73]

Just picked up this stag and have a question. Took it out to the range today and tried to zero it in and I don't think I have the correct front sight on it. It's shooting really low and can't drop the pin any further and the rear is not adjustable for elevation.
so the big question. What would you recommend for a front sight for it.
Mike

 

[Moderator]

I recommend changing the upper receiver to an A2 (fixed handle with adjustments for windage and elevation) or A3 (flat top).

 

[fishhawk357]

What yardage were you trying to sight in at? If you were inside of 50 yards that could be part of the issue.

 

[Mflagg73]

I recommend changing the upper receiver to an A2 (fixed handle with adjustments for windage and elevation) or A3 (flat top).

Any recomendations on a brand? I like the forward assist and the dust cover on mine. Can these parts be swapped over to the new upper?

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What yardage were you trying to sight in at? If you were inside of 50 yards that could be part of the issue.

i did not measure but I was at least 100yds out. You have any uppers for sale Jerry?

 

[SJan]

Can't tell for sure on the photo, (a shot from the side will help) is that front sight mounted to a railed gas block? If so it is probably not designed to be. That would make your point of impact way off. You will need to find a front sight of the correct height.

 

[ntomsw]

Yes, the front sight looks to be mounted to either a gas block, or the handguard. Either way, I believe it's not made for that, and would be way too high. (I think???)

 

[Mflagg73]

So can I just get a sight that would work with my current setup so I don't have to replace the upper? What type of sight would I need to look for?

 

[ntomsw]

I would think if you get the kind that clamps right to the barrel, that would then be at the right height, to match your rear sight.

 

[Fixxah]

If you have access to a bore sighter if will tell you where you need to be and you can figure it out from there. You may just need a spacer to raise the sight. Cost about $9.

-Proud to be dad every day, a licensed plumber most days, and wish I was a shoemaker on others.

 

[TBalls]

What yardage were you trying to sight in at? If you were inside of 50 yards that could be part of the issue.

i did not measure but I was at least 100yds out. You have any uppers for sale Jerry?

I may be missing something here, but how useful is it going to be if you don't know what range you're zeroing at?

 

[SJan]

On that AR, you have a not so common sight arrangement. With the fixed A1 carry handle rear, and a flip up gas block mounted front.

The least expensive way out is something like this

Yankee Hill Machine Detachable Fixed Front Sight Gas Block Height

ETA: I just saw that sight is discontinued, probably because nobody likes this confusing sight height dilemma


If you ever plan to mount a red dot or other optic, you would be better off replacing that A1 upper with an A3 upper and a flip up rear sight. Somebody else mentioned this option above, it is a more expensive route, but may be better in the long run. You could purchase a stripped A3 upper for around $100 or less, and sights vary greatly in cost, $50-150+

 

[oilspill]

Not sure I understand how raising the front sight is going to help with the gun shooting low. OP - show us the front sight/gas block setup, it's hard to tell but it looks like you might have a standard gas block height sight on a same plane gas block.

 

[Mflagg73]

Not sure I understand how raising the front sight is going to help with the gun shooting low. OP - show us the front sight/gas block setup, it's hard to tell but it looks like you might have a standard gas block height sight on a same plane gas block.

Here is a pic of the front sight. I don't have to move the sight up but I need to move it down and can't turn the pin any further down then it already is. So I guess to make most of my problems go away I should do as previously suggested and replace the upper with the A3 flat top.
So with that said what upper would be a good choice and will accept all my parts from my current upper? I would like one that will use the forward assist and the dust cover on my current one.

 

[SJan]

Maybe it actually is a sight made to be used on a low profile railed gas block, but the gas block is actually receiver rail height. This combination will make it shoot low


did I mention gas blocks with a rail on them are silly ?

 

[Mflagg73]

The riffle didn't have a sight on it when I bought it and they gave me a choice of sights but selection was very limited and I don't think they knew a lot about the riffle. Had a "low profile" one in my hand but the person helping me didn't think I needed a low profile. Great people and got a great deal so no complaints!

 

[ntomsw]

Wouldn't a clamp on "F" style FSB work???

 

[SJan]

I thought 'F' marked sights were to properly line up with a detachable carry handle on an A3. Even so, I think the difference of a 'F' marked vs non is only .040".

Assuming the OP's muzzle device is permanently attached, swapping the gas block may not be the easiest thing to do.

 

[Mflagg73]

Wouldn't a clamp on "F" style FSB work???

I have zero knowledge of AR's at this point so I'm not sure what I even need.. Before my purchase yesterday I had only fired about 20rds through one and now 25rds out of this one. I now know how to partially break it down with help from my neighbor. So I'm new and trying to learn as much as possible. Just trying to figure out the most logical solution.

 

[ntomsw]

It seems to me, that there has to be an easier way to fix it, than tearing apart the upper, and starting over with a flattop style. That's a lot of work. You can score a flattop stripped upper for short money, but than you need to tear it all down, to start over.

If your muzzle device is pinned, you'll have to have someone do it most likely.

 

[Mflagg73]

Assuming the OP's muzzle device is permanently attached, swapping the gas block may not be the easiest thing to do.

It is permanently attached with a pin.

 

[SJan]

Any chance the shop you purchased the sight from will exchange it for the correct one needed?

 

[Mflagg73]

Possibly if I knew what I needed... Would the low profile one attached to the same place as the one I have work? Because that's pretty much what they had and if not i will just buy what I need and get it over with. Just want to get out and shoot the thing and hit what I point it at. I have to aim about 3 feet higher then the target to even hit paper..

 

[ntomsw]

What about a magpul front sight?? Would that match up with the carry handle rear?

I have an F marked front sight, and a magpul rear on 2 of my rifles. So same principle, exact opposite.

 

[SJan]

If your hits are way too low, you need a shorter front sight.
The only way to be sure is to measure the height of the front sight post over the rail, then check that measurement again with the other sight.

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What about a magpul front sight?? Would that match up with the carry handle rear?

Yea, I think the Magpul sights are all for 'same plane' applications

 

[mac1911]

What exactly do you have there for a upper? From the pics it looks like a spare parts bastard. Appears to be a A1 upper reciever that some one tossed all the extra parts on to.
Is the barrel drilled for a standard ar front sight. If so consider a standard old fassion front sight. I cant make out in your pic what that gas block really looks like.....
If you do indeed have a A1 upper reciever you might be able to sell it to someone looking to do a retro build for a A1 clone......then buy a stripped A3 style or A2 upper and swap the oarts out.?

Your quickest way out is one of these from Yankee hill or rock river arms. http://yhm.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_3&products_id=6

What you need to find out is if the standard A2 sight hieght will work with the A1 upper.
Part of me says buy another upper set up correctly for iron sights if your not comfortable with jumping in and building or working on your own AR. Depending on your location there's tons of help here on nes. I offer up any tools if needed. My work shop is less than ideal but I manage to get things done.

 

[jdesro]

What exactly do you have there for a upper? From the pics it looks like a spare parts bastard. Appears to be a A1 upper reciever that some one tossed all the extra parts on to.

This is what I was going to say, too - a very odd combination of parts on that rifle. It certainly does look like someone just had a bunch of leftover parts and slapped them together to form a rifle of some sorts. It's no wonder you are having trouble with it. Where exactly did you get this from, anyway?

In any case, as mentioned you will at least need a shorter front sight to get yourself on target with the thing. You can maybe even try filing down the post that is on there now to get a better idea of how much lower you need to go.

But also as mentioned, probably the best way to go is to sell the upper and get yourself something better. It will save you from a lot of headaches from trying to figure this one out.

Good luck.

 

[Mflagg73]

It started as a stock stag arms with an a1 upper and they tossed on all the magpul accessories at the shop. So I'm going to just get a new upper and be done with the issues. Going to go with this one here.

AR15 Stripped Upper Receiver | Aeroprecision

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It started as a stock stag arms with an a1 upper and they tossed on all the magpul accessories at the shop. So I'm going to just get a new upper and be done with the issues. Going to go with this one here.

http://aeroprecisionusa.com/shop/ar15-stripped-upper-receiver

 

[oilspill]

It started as a stock stag arms with an a1 upper and they tossed on all the magpul accessories at the shop. So I'm going to just get a new upper and be done with the issues. Going to go with this one here.

AR15 Stripped Upper Receiver | Aeroprecision

- - - Updated - - -

It started as a stock stag arms with an a1 upper and they tossed on all the magpul accessories at the shop. So I'm going to just get a new upper and be done with the issues. Going to go with this one here.

AR15 Stripped Upper Receiver | Aeroprecision

What shop was this? They sold you a Magpul PTS handguard - PTS is made for airsoft guns. I'd check your stock too.

 

[ntomsw]

Maybe name the shop here, so we know where NOT to shop.

Also I'd be going back to that shop, asking for replacements.

 

[mac1911]

I'm still confused......so the shop sold you a complete stag lower......then built that upper on the spot with spare parts?
I'm still not sure what happened here but I hope you got a great deal on that rifle. Honestly I would be hard pressed not to bring that thing back and say WTF? If in deed that A1 upper was complete before the parts swap. Bring back that upper and have the old A1 parts reinstalled and sit h the tactical crap.