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Posted: 7/21/2007 10:33:45 PM EDT
| Does the A1 upper have the flip sight like the A3 carry handle? Large -2 aperture and small long range aperture? |
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There was a low light shooting aperature in the early '80s. One hole was very large, similar to an A2 and the other was standard size. I had one on my M16 when I joined the Army. There is a guy on gunbroker selling these now. www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=76536468 |
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Thanks for the info. Can the A2-A3 aperture be installed on the A1 sight? I'm building a light weight KISS rifle and it looks like the A1 upper saves almost 8oz compared to a flat top and handle. I'd like to stay with the simple A1 adjustments but I really like the large aperture on the A3 handle for low light and close in sighting. |
+1 That's what I've got on my C7 clone. But on the XM177E2 clone I just reamed the short range aperture a bit larger. I don't really like the extreme (to me) opening of the A2 short range hole.  On the other hand, all my ARs have the current square post front blade. Re the Rapidex knobs, last time I looked Bushamster had 'em |
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Here's a target I shot a week ago with a 652 clone. 16" Bushy LW barrel 1/9 twist Guatamalan 55gr FMJ 50 yards off the bench A1 aperature  The "Zero" group is the low aperature. The high group is the "L" aperature. Yes I know that's not the "correct" method for zeroing these sights, it's how I do it. However, all the A1 aperatures I've seen are dicked-up. The "L" aperature hole is always drilled off center to the right. Thats why the POI shifted on the high group. I"m going to switch this gun to the A2 aperature like my 723 "Israeli" carbine. |
Yeah, what's up with that? I've noticed the same thing on every one I've seen. I actually prefer the old A1 small apertures as , to me, the A2 large opening is just too big. I wish I could find someone selling an A1 type that has the long range hole in the correct place. 
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I think they do it to compensate for the threads. When you cam the "L" aperature into position, it is actually moving slightly to the left. But, I have yet to find one that will give me what I want. Ideally, I would want an A2 "ghost ring" for close range (under 200). And a taller long range peep with a small hole for shots out to 500yrds. All that with no windage change. Edited to add: The rifle is zeroed using the "L" aperature, so when you shoot at closer range with the lower aperature your windage POI change isn't as critical. |
That's true. It still ticks me off that they're not exactly the same in practice. You'd think they could get something like that right, ya know? 
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I always thougt the different height aperatures were to allow a close to center of mass POA at close range and at 300 meters. Cuts down on the Kentucky elevation needed with an A1 gun. I remember having to aim low at the 50 and at the head at 300 meters to get consistant hits. The A2 sights manage this same trick by zeroing with the rear sight one click up. In essence a different sight plane for zeroing. Samre affect to compensate for bullet drop and allow a POA at all distances out to 300 meters. The A1 aperature with the different sight planes is not a flawed method. It works. If you didn't have an adjustable rear sight on the A2, you would have to have the sight aperatures on a different plane to compensate. |
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I don't think the A1 sight style is flawed, on the contrary, I prefer it. It is mechanically simpler, more rugged, and easier to change elevation in a stressful situation. However, I think it could be improved with a modern ghost ring/long range (500yrd) aperture set-up. I might just make one and see if it works. |
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I am using the XS Sights round top tritium dot front sight post. Using a 50yd zero with the small A2 aperture and the top of the post the large -2 aperture works at ranges up to 50yds using the dot centered on the target like a red dot sight. The XS dot is easy to pick up even using a light at night but I have to use the large aperture to get a fast, clear sight picture and see the target (old eyes). The -2 compensates for the lower position of the center of the dot vs the top of the post. This works fine with the handle on a flat top. I am trying to save some weight and make the irons more resistant to accidental change. Right now I am looking at a Bushmaster upper receiver. Does anyone make a quality A1 upper with M4 ramps? |
+1 on the A1 system, I must be a "wrong way fish" - when I was messing around with sights, I actually installed A1 sights on my A3 carbine carry handle and loved it.... |
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