Does fixed front sight position on an AR matter?

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freedom

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I have a 15" rail and I'm putting it as far out as it can go. I'm using it with a A2 rear sight and wanting to know if I need to have it in a certain spot for the standard come ups to work out correctly.
 

freedom

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as long as it's the same plane it shouldn't matter on the distance between them.

I'll be sighting in at 25 yards on the "Z" Mark. After that I would like for the wheel marks to be accurate. Clicking to the 1 mark for 100 yards, 2 for 200, and so on. Since these are moa adjustments, I thought I might need the same sight radius as a rifle length gas system FSB for it to work out.
 

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I'll be sighting in at 25 yards on the "Z" Mark. After that I would like for the wheel marks to be accurate. Clicking to the 1 mark for 100 yards, 2 for 200, and so on. Since these are moa adjustments, I thought I might need the same sight radius as a rifle length gas system FSB for it to work out.
I'm certainly no expert, (subscribed for answers), but I wouldn't think sight radius would be a concern. I'd think matching the load to the current marks would be more of the concern, yes?
 

dial1911

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You know, I never really thought about sight radius and the possible impact on known come-ups. My gut feeling is that it would probably have some impact, but I think it would be very small.

Since either a short sight radius or a long sight radius are zeroed to the same point initially, you're starting from the same place.

And for that matter, the military puts the same rear sight on a carbine length rifle or the 20" A1/A2 rifles.

There's probably some difference, but I would imagine it's pretty small.
 
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freedom

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You know, I never really thought about sight radius and the possible impact on known come-ups. My gut feeling is that it would probably have some impact, but I think it would be very small.

Since either a short sight radius or a long sight radius are zeroed to the same point initially, you're starting from the same place.

And for that matter, the military puts the same rear sight on a carbine length rifle or the 20" A1/A2 rifles.

There's probably some difference, but I would imagine it's pretty small.

Are all mil-spec carry handles the same? I didn't know if the wheels are calibrated differently for the M16 versus the M4. Any marking to look for if they are different?

I have a used Bushmaster take-off and a PSA carry handle. The bushmaster isn't as nice looking but there's a little less slop in the sight. Any reason to not use the bushmaster?
 

Righter13

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Are all mil-spec carry handles the same? I didn't know if the wheels are calibrated differently for the M16 versus the M4. Any marking to look for if they are different?

I have a used Bushmaster take-off and a PSA carry handle. The bushmaster isn't as nice looking but there's a little less slop in the sight. Any reason to not use the bushmaster?
M4 doesn't come with a carry handle. Just a BUIS
 

NWS

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Longer sight radius = easier to shoot accurately. Has no impact on bullet drop.
 
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EugenFJR

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Off the top of my head, M16A2 the sights go out to 800 meters ( to engage area targets, ie. a groups of guys in formation) 600m for Point targets ( one dude) The reason the M4 and the M16A4 are limited to 600 meters is b/c the suit case handle sights only went out to 600. ( appx. 550 yards) The advantage of the fixed or suit case handle is that you can get a true 400, 500, & 600 meter zero That a BUIS sight wont give you. Example given- if you have a man size target 500m away, and you put your sights on 500m, and you find that your rounds are falling short, you can add a few extra "clicks" of elevation, so lets say you needed 3 extra clicks to hit the target at 500 meters, you now know that your 500m sight setting is 500 plus (+3)... 400m might be 400 (-1) etc...etc...
 

DarthVader

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Are all mil-spec carry handles the same? I didn't know if the wheels are calibrated differently for the M16 versus the M4. Any marking to look for if they are different?

I have a used Bushmaster take-off and a PSA carry handle. The bushmaster isn't as nice looking but there's a little less slop in the sight. Any reason to not use the bushmaster?
Late to the party as usual. @freedom, I owe you a PM.

First, which front sight base is installed? "F" height or A2? Hopefully it's an F height FSB if the upper is a flat top. Sight radius won't matter, but the longer length will help you with accuracy. The height of the FSB will matter though.
 

DarthVader

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Disregard my previous. Just reread the OP. Rail attached front sight will work fine with a detachable carry handle. No worries.
 

freedom

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Off the top of my head, M16A2 the sights go out to 800 meters ( to engage area targets, ie. a groups of guys in formation) 600m for Point targets ( one dude) The reason the M4 and the M16A4 are limited to 600 meters is b/c the suit case handle sights only went out to 600. ( appx. 550 yards) The advantage of the fixed or suit case handle is that you can get a true 400, 500, & 600 meter zero That a BUIS sight wont give you. Example given- if you have a man size target 500m away, and you put your sights on 500m, and you find that your rounds are falling short, you can add a few extra "clicks" of elevation, so lets say you needed 3 extra clicks to hit the target at 500 meters, you now know that your 500m sight setting is 500 plus (+3)... 400m might be 400 (-1) etc...etc...

I'll be getting all this data in January at a KD clinic, but for right now I'm limited to 200 yards. I'll be writing everything down, and will know exactly what adjustments for what distances then, I just didn't know if there was an optimum sight radius to make the standard come ups have a greater chance of being true.
 

freedom

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Disregard my previous. Just reread the OP. Rail attached front sight will work fine with a detachable carry handle. No worries.

Hopefully I'll make the range this weekend. Right now it's a bushmaster carry handle with a YHM fixed front that came on a rifle I traded into, but have never used.

I'm thinking it will work. I'm going to sight in, confirm at 1 & 200, and make sure it returns to zero. I'm also going to measure the front sight width in MOA to see if it will work well at distance.
 

DoglegArms

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I'll be getting all this data in January at a KD clinic, but for right now I'm limited to 200 yards. I'll be writing everything down, and will know exactly what adjustments for what distances then, I just didn't know if there was an optimum sight radius to make the standard come ups have a greater chance of being true.

What's KD clinic?