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Posted: 12/23/2007 4:43:29 PM EDT
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I just had a chance to try out one of the new folding rear BUIS units manufactured by Midwest Industries. I was looking for a low profile folding rear sight to sit under a low power optic on a working carbine. I have traditionally used the Troy rear BUIS but I am not as much brand loyal as I am loyal to things that work. MI has always made great stuff and the customer service is second to none, so it was easy to try this unit out. My camera did an impersonation of a hockey puck as I bailed out of my car recently, so I don't have any pictures to show. Give me a day or two and I'll fix that. The new sight is the MCTAR-SPLP rear sight. The SPLP stands for same plane, low profile. The sight is low profile and is not as tall as my Troy units. It measures a scant .4375 when folded down. The sight is CNC machined out of billet aluminum and hardcoat anodized. The finish is a nice shade of black that matches the BCM upper I mounted it on perfectly. The fit on the upper was flawless, and the finish is visually appealing. The sight mounts to the upper with a single crossbolt. The bolt is a standard hex head design and a hex key is provided with the sight. The bolt travels through the rail clamp from the right side of the sight. The bolt is not recessed and protrudes slightly from the right side of the unit. The protrusion does not interfere with the operation of the charging handle, and is hardly noticeable. To deploy the sight from the folded position you simply push the sight up. Once up the sight locks in the up position. The pin that the sight pivots on is equipped with a spring detent that helps hold the sight in place. The lock is a second pin that is spring loaded. The pin drops into place, when deployed with an audible click. To fold the sight down you simply push in the lock pin and fold the sight down. There are differences between the MI and the Troy. The Troy uses a single pin that acts as both the hinge that the sight pivots on, and the locking mechanism. As a result the Troy feels much stiffer and requires slightly more force to move and unlock. The MI uses two pins, and is easier to manipulate. I was able to manipulate the sight with my gloves on. Movement is very smooth. As stated the aperture on the MI is a same plane aperture. It easily flips over from one to the other. The big difference between the MI and the Troy is the windage adjustment knob. The Troy is a recessed A1 style knob, while the MI uses an A2 style knob that protrudes from the side and is easily manipulted without tools. The knob does provide an audible click when it is turned. This makes adjustments easier then the Troy. And although I usually don't like knobs that can "self-adjust" I like this one. It provides what feels like the same resistance as the knob on an A2 upper or carry handle. The knob protrudes out only slightly wider then the sight base. This should help prevent any unexpected or unintentional adjustments. This may still happen, but between the stiff detent and the low profile this may be a non-issue. The large aperture is beveled on the side opposite the eye. The small aperture is beveled on the same side as the eye. The sight folds down with the large aperture in place, and will not fold down with the small aperture in place. (Same as the Troy.) Windage adjustment marks are clearly visible on the aperture when it is elevated. The are not visible when its folded. (The Troy has the marks on the top.) I was able to zero the sight with a minimal amount of adjustment. The sight retained zero through a range session lasting about 200 rounds. I allowed several others to try out the sight, and all responses were positive. They all liked the ease of movement and clear sight picture. The sight sits straight and true on the upper with no leaning. I have always liked my Troy sights. But I also like good customer service. My communications with the staff at MI have been quick and true. A no nonsense approach to customer service at MI. If its broke they replace it. If you need help they help you. They don't rest until you're satisfied. Combine a good product with great service and you may have a match made in heaven. Oh yea, the sight is currently in stock at MI and at Bravo Company. BCM has them for $119.95. |
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Midwest Industries MCTAR-SPLP Rear Sight Photo's courtesy of Bravo Company      $119.95 from Bravo Company www.bravocompanyusa.com www.bravocompanyusa.com/Midwest-Industries-MI-Low-Profile-Rear-Sight-SPLP-p/mi%20rear%20sight%20splp.htm |
It’s more than likely a roll pin used to mount the windage knob. Basically the same mounting method as pretty much all rear sight windage knobs. |
I think what you are seeing is a roll pin. There is one that goes through the windage knob and secures it to the cross pin that the aperture rides on. I did suggest some method of locking the knob. We'll see what happens. But that would add some cost to the unit, and I'm not sure its really needed. |
The cross bolt sits in the very last groove. Or the first one, depending on your point of view. Then the front of the sight base drops down on the first land, and is pretty flush with it. |
 Eh, sure looks a lot like the PRI, which looks a lot like the Troy, which copied the PRI locking design of PRI's gas block front sight. Im all for more gear on the market, but I wish companies would try making something a little more original than making miniscule changes to someone elses design and stamping their name on it. |
Yeah but kind of like QD mounts, I don't know how many different ways one can use to achieve the same end, they will look alike. With the exception of the strange DPMS's Magonel BUIS, and ARMS excellent #40 line. Then there's the sorry excuse of a BUIS like what SIG puts on their 556, and FN's bullpup BUIS is pretty crappy too. |
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I dont know... there's enough BUIS out there which dont like nearly identical to one another for me to think a company cant come up with something on their own. I mean the ARMS #40's, KAC sights, Troy sights, GG&G sights, Matech, and others all do pretty much the same thing, but dont look so much like the other as this sight looks just like the PRI. PRI sight:  MI sight
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You mean like magazine pouches,chest rigs,backpacks,platecarriers,etc etc I know what you are saying...but Very few really new and original things are being done |
| I installed the MI SPLP BUIS a couple weeks ago on my Bushmaster. The original factory BUIS (YHM) was too tall when it was folded to fit when I had my new Leopold Mark 4 scope installed. The MI BUIS resolved this issue and I got it zeroed in quickly. Midwest Industries really makes good stuff. |
. Can anybody confirm this? I already have a Troy. I like it, except, i wish the aperture holes were the standard small size. Is the MI's aperture the same size as Troy's? |
Well, since I havent seen anybody respond to this. I'll post the email I received from Troy @ MI.
So, there you have it. But from pictures, they appear larger, like the ones on the Troy's BUIS. I think I'll buy one to confirm though. Looks like a good design. |
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I just got mine today - didn't have time to put the calipers to it, but it looks closer to the original size apertures than say the XS same plane apertures. Really very small sight, overall. I was favorably impressed with it in the short time I was able to hadle it (I had to run away from work before I ended up getting stuck there). Slick little sight. Much smaller than any of the others I have used (all GG&G up to this point). |
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Alright, I just got my MI LPSP BUIS. It's a nice little BUIS. I really like it. Hands down, easier operation compared to Troy's. What I mean is, opening and folding the BUIS is a breeze. It's a bitch with Troy. Which, could be a good thing... But from what I can tell, the MI is lock solid. I do not see it going anywhere. Not wiggle. Also, a big bonus for not having to use any sort of tool to adjust sight. I also, like how there isnt that large push-in button like on the Troy. So less likely for it to bang my finger against it, when using the CH. I do have a few suggestions though. 1, a slimmer clamping system. I dont like how the bolt head is exposed like the way it is. Something similiar to Troy would be nice. 2, the adjust knob. Could probably slim it down in half. Should still be enough surface area to adjust without tools. 3, stronger detent for the aperture piece and the adjust knob. It's probably sufficent, but IMO, could be stronger. 4, I'm not a big fan of the completely threaded bolt, on the clamping system. But it works. Oh yeah, i forgot to mention. Those that care about weight. The MI is definately lighter, than Troy. But how much? I dont know for sure. But I confirm, there is a difference on my reloading scale. The MI gave a measurement. Troy went over the limit and didnt show.  PS, I forgot. Another plus for MI IMO, is using allen screw to mount. Much stronger and can apply more torque, compared to flat screw. |
| I picked one up for my AR. Its a very nice sight but I only use it for a backup under my ACOG.. so I pretty much never use it.. I did try it out when I got it and It is very well made and the price is better then the Troy BUIS.. It works well and I will be buying another one for my LMT build unless the the magpul BUIS is better.. |
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I'm new to the world of BUIS (so please be gentle, it's my first time...) I'm looking for a BUIS setup on my MSAR STG-556 w/9" rail. This looks to be the perfect folding rear sight but what would be the best matching rail-mount folding front sight to go w/it? I realize a 9" sight radius is pretty short but it's all I have to work with. Thx!... Tomac |
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