Front Site Problem > Optics, Mounts, and Sights

Posted: 8/2/2006 10:51:28 AM EDT

I have a Colt AR and am trying to fix it. Basically the front iron site has been sawed off. The sear pins are still there but it is filed down almost flush with the barrel. I really want to put it back just the way it was. Is this a difficult install? Right now I am hunting down the parts to fix it. Colt says they think they can get me the part from one of their suppliers. Sorry I don't have any pics right now. Any info on this would be welcome.

Thanks

Posted: 8/2/2006 10:54:52 AM EDT

[#1]

From what it sounds like, they sawed off the front sight to make kind of a low profile gas block.

First you'll have to remove your flash hider. Then, there are 2 rollpins in the side of the base, tap those pins out (they're tapered, so they only go one way I believe). You'll probably have to use a little bit of force. After that you should be able to slide it off and replace it with a full front sight base. Then just reverse the steps.

Posted: 8/2/2006 10:56:27 AM EDT

[#2]

It's going to be difficult to redril the new front sight base so the holes match up with the ones in the barrel. If possible I'd let the factory do it as they have the Jig.

Or better yet - sell the barrel and get a new one.

Posted: 8/2/2006 10:59:30 AM EDT

[#3]

Posted: 8/2/2006 11:04:11 AM EDT

[#4]

It doesn't have a flash hider. It is a model 6601. The reason the front site was taken off was the first owner put a scope on it backwards and could only see the front site. So he "went to town with a hacksaw". I bought the gun off of him because he said it shot like crap. I just turned the scope around and it shoots great.

Posted: 8/2/2006 11:05:39 AM EDT

[#5]

height=8

Quoted:
It's going to be difficult to redril the new front sight base so the holes match up with the ones in the barrel. If possible I'd let the factory do it as they have the Jig.

Or better yet - sell the barrel and get a new one.

That might not be a bad idea.

Posted: 8/2/2006 11:24:59 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
It doesn't have a flash hider. It is a model 6601. The reason the front site was taken off was the first owner put a scope on it backwards and could only see the front site. So he "went to town with a hacksaw". I bought the gun off of him because he said it shot like crap. I just turned the scope around and it shoots great.

Uhhh....wow.

Posted: 8/2/2006 11:30:41 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
It doesn't have a flash hider. It is a model 6601. The reason the front site was taken off was the first owner put a scope on it backwards and could only see the front site. So he "went to town with a hacksaw". I bought the gun off of him because he said it shot like crap. I just turned the scope around and it shoots great.

Oh my

Hope you got a good deal on it, since the scope was "defective"

Posted: 8/2/2006 11:42:40 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
It doesn't have a flash hider. It is a model 6601. The reason the front site was taken off was the first owner put a scope on it backwards and could only see the front site. So he "went to town with a hacksaw". I bought the gun off of him because he said it shot like crap. I just turned the scope around and it shoots great.

You gotta be fuckin kidding........

Posted: 8/2/2006 12:03:41 PM EDT

[#9]

height=8

Quoted:
height=8

Quoted:
It doesn't have a flash hider. It is a model 6601. The reason the front site was taken off was the first owner put a scope on it backwards and could only see the front site. So he "went to town with a hacksaw". I bought the gun off of him because he said it shot like crap. I just turned the scope around and it shoots great.

You gotta be fuckin kidding........Yeah I was suprised myself. Got it for a good price. He thought the gun was junk.

Posted: 8/2/2006 12:14:16 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
It doesn't have a flash hider. It is a model 6601. The reason the front site was taken off was the first owner put a scope on it backwards and could only see the front site. So he "went to town with a hacksaw". I bought the gun off of him because he said it shot like crap. I just turned the scope around and it shoots great.

What's his user name on ar15.com ?

You could look into various clamp-on gas blocks/sights (with hex screws). I believe Yankee Hill Machine makes a variety that work very well. There are also other manufacturers.

If you want the original look of the front sight, I know that they also exist with hex screws instead of pins - Eagle Arms/Armalite use them, among other. So it might also be possible to find a solution like that

Posted: 8/2/2006 12:18:15 PM EDT

[#11]

I will keep an eye out for "defective" ARs at the public range.

Good find. As for your problem find a good gunsmith and have the barell threaded for a flash hider and fix it. Why treat the barell as if it was disposable? And help out a local business.

Posted: 8/3/2006 4:46:58 PM EDT

[#12]

height=8

Quoted:
height=8

Quoted:
It doesn't have a flash hider. It is a model 6601. The reason the front site was taken off was the first owner put a scope on it backwards and could only see the front site. So he "went to town with a hacksaw". I bought the gun off of him because he said it shot like crap. I just turned the scope around and it shoots great.

What's his user name on ar15.com ?

hts
If you want the original look of the front sight, I know that they also exist with hex screws instead of pins - Eagle Arms/Armalite use them, among other. So it might also be possible to find a solution like that

I contacted Armalite and they are sending me a hex screw iron site. Thanks for the info on where to get them.

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