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Posted: 10/21/2012 2:54:49 PM EDT
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Hello all,
I am new to the forum and new to the AR world all together so I apologize in advance if I post something that I "should know". I purchased my Colt 6920 from a local gun shop and it was already outfitted with a magpul grip and forearm. I am looking at replacing the grip and putting a different forearm and grip on it but as I have been looking around at different ones, I see there are different sizes and lengths. What length rail system do I need to purchase to put on the rifle? I have been looking at several different manufacturers and have several diferent types of rails in mind. Also, what is the general consensus on the front sight post? Do they make a folding front sight post to where I could keep the front post and use an optic but still have the sight post if I wanted to shoot iron sights? I am sorry for the questions, like I stated earlier, I am new to the AR platform and I am going to be reading pretty heavily over the next few days on the forum. Thanks in advance guys! |
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You have a carbine length system. Swapping the front sight tower and post is not something to pursue as a novice. Shoot what you have and give it a shot before you dive into changes. You can mount optics on the rail and will not have any issues with the existing front sight. If in the long run you want an upper with a low non sighted gas block you can buy a different upper for your weapon as well. There are standard tool-less hand guard replacement options as well as options that require some disassemble of the weapon to put on the upper. Once again and I say this with the utmost respect to the idea that you want to make the weapon your own. Drive the Chevy as is before you go slapping chrome and curb feelers on it. Are your desired replacements the original parts (A2 style grip and forearm) or are you looking at other aftermarket parts? If you look at the great majority of uppers (less so as time goes on) with optics on them still retain the standard A2 front sight post. It ends up just being a shadow in the lower portion of your sight picture. You can look around at multiple picture threads on the site as well if you see anything that interest you or you have questions about just dive in and ask but keep the discussion out of the picture thread. Here is an example and it is 147 pages of goodies. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/510264_Official_AR15_com_Picture_Thread_part_22.html&light=picture|thread |
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No disrespect taken at all, I will post a picture of what the forearm and grip I have on it now are so you will have a better understanding (I believe it is a Magpul MOE). I am here to soak up as much knowledge as I can get so I really appreciate the information you have already given.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk216/BigPotter/My%20Guns/Grip.jpg |
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Read a lot, check the picture threads (many have the accompanying parts list,) and get that Colt to the range.
Your first follow on purchases should be magazines, ammo, and range safety equipment. Get a feel for the rifle before you start attaching stuff you'll take off later. |
| Sounds good I appreciate the fast responses! Just waiting on the range at work to get done and then its off to get some heavy shooting in with the gun. A quick look at some of the threads on the forum and it appears the long nights on night shift will keep me well entertained! |
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Quoted:
No disrespect taken at all, I will post a picture of what the forearm and grip I have on it now are so you will have a better understanding (I believe it is a Magpul MOE). I am here to soak up as much knowledge as I can get so I really appreciate the information you have already given. http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk216/BigPotter/My%20Guns/Grip.jpg If you want to go to a folding sight, it's going to require a lot of knowledge and specialized tools to get the job done. You could either go with a low-profile gas block to replace your front sight post and use a longer rail with a flip-up sight mounted to that, or a gas block with an integral folding sight and a short carbine rail. Either way, we're talking several hundred dollars, even if you went with the cheapest parts. Tack on more money if you have to have the work done by a gunsmith. I'd recommend a carbine length (7") drop-in rail such as the Daniel Defense EZ-CAR or something along those lines, and keep your standard front sight. It really doesn't get in the way, if you think it does, there are lots of real world operators who disagree. That doesn't mean you should keep it (it's your gun and this is America, you have all the rights to do with it as you please  ), it just means that "getting in the way" is an illegitimate argument.
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Welcome to the site I have kept my 6920 stock (kiss) for the last two years, I just had a Daniel Defense Omega rail 7" fall into my lap (7 inches is what you want). The good thing about that rail is it's free floated, but doesn't require the removal of the fsb. It comes in two pieces, affixes to the barrel nut, and installation is almost tool less. As far as replacing your fsb, it is entirely dependent on what optic you're using. I have an Aimpoint comp M3 on one, an EoTech 512 with a 3x magnifier on another and the front sight is not an issue with either. As a matter of fact, you have to make a conscious effect to see it when using the optics. As far as a forward grip, I kind of like either the magpul afg, or just hand stops, Larue has them, but each has their own opinion on those. Get some rounds, go to the range and shoot the hell out of it, it's a new gun, go have fun. |
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I have the same Colt in FDE. What a great rifle.
You payed extra for that version. As mentioned, give it a try as is. You can put rails up front as needed without the excessive weight, which is something I have came to appreciate. I have an Eotech and Surefire mounted on mine, and it is still a very manageable weapon to tote around. Congrats on a fine weapon. 
ETA: Concerning the front sight post, If you go with an Eotech, the EXPS3 line has a raised quick-release mount and does not need a riser. This gives you true lowe 1/3 cowitness with your front sight and MBUS without cluttering the center of the sight picture. |
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Welcome. To get up to speed here, a lot of us use abbreviations and acronyms to shorten our conversation. Click on the link below.
AR-15 abbreviations and acronyms |
| Awesome guys. Thanks again for the responses. I figure I won't mind dumping some money into this as this is my first rifle (I have bought and have several handguns) that I have purchased so it is something I will keep forever. I looked at numerous different ones and decided if you are going to spend some money on a rifle like this, go ahead and get a good one and don't go for a "budget rifle". Thank you for the kind words and I look forward to chatting with all of you on here! |
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Quoted:
Awesome guys. Thanks again for the responses. I figure I won't mind dumping some money into this as this is my first rifle (I have bought and have several handguns) that I have purchased so it is something I will keep forever. I looked at numerous different ones and decided if you are going to spend some money on a rifle like this, go ahead and get a good one and don't go for a "budget rifle". Thank you for the kind words and I look forward to chatting with all of you on here! That's the key part 
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| Finished putting together my 4th BUDGET rifle recently. All are great shooters and my son has one of them & loves it. The 2 with optics shoot 1 inch groups @ 100yds with mil issue type ammo so those of us who catch the bug on a budget can still shoot OK. Reason for posting was +1 on leaving the front sight on w optics. I have a Simmons Aetec 2.8 X 10 on my flattop midlength and the front sight is invisible except for a shadow at the bottom on the lowest power settings. JR |
My Colt 6920 standard M4 carbine model with just the accessories and components that I need, Knight's Armament Co. (KAC) M4 RAS rails, KAC vertical grip, Surefire weaponlight, Aimpoint red dot optic on LaRue cantilever QD mount (lower 1/3 cowitness), LMT fixed rear backup sight, I replaced my Colt-Rogers stock with my older Colt M4 carbine stock, and Vickers VCAS two point sling. Quoted:
No disrespect taken at all, I will post a picture of what the forearm and grip I have on it now are so you will have a better understanding (I believe it is a Magpul MOE). I am here to soak up as much knowledge as I can get so I really appreciate the information you have already given. http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk216/BigPotter/My%20Guns/Grip.jpg Congrats on your new Colt model LE6920MP-B which is one of their new Magpul MOE series models and welcome to the site. With the M4 style carbines there are endless possibilities of how to customize it to your preference, my standard 6920 carbine is just one way, the standard length handguard for it is a carbine size or 7" length handguards, it would just drop-in, there are longer free floating type rails and you could go even longer up to 15" if desired, but the longer the handguard the heavier the front end gets. Shoot your carbine often to find out what improvements you might need, if you're going to use if for home defense I would suggest getting a good light for it first and I would highly recommend the Surefire brand just pick the model that you like and also add a good tactical sling like the Vickers VCAS or Viking Tactics two point sling. For optics I had been a happy owner of Aimpoint red dot sights for a very long 23 years now and that's what I would recommend to anyone because of its reliability, durability and long battery life. Don't worry about the fixed front sight, with red dot optics just use tall mount that you cowitness your dot and backup iron sights at the lower 1/3 portion of your optic field of view, shoot with both eyes open and just concentrate on your dot and the target. I also have a 3-9X40 hunting scope that I use sometimes on my carbine and the front sight looks like a transparent ghost at 3X magnification and it almost disappears at higher magnification settings. Take a look at this M4 carbine type picture thread to get some idea of what other members are doing with their carbines. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/382565_M4_PICTURE_THREAD_RESURRECTION___Part_2_.html Here's a good thread explaining absolute and lower 1/3 cowitness. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_18/542595_1_3_cowitness_or_absolute_cowitness_.html |
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