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Posted: 10/21/2013 9:45:16 PM EDT
| New builder here, picked up a couple of the "ATI Rifle kits" AIM was offering. These are the 1/7 twist carbines, seems pretty nice compared to my old Bushy. Just curious, the flat gas block is slightly lower than the flat top rail on the upper receiver. Do I need a higher front sight for this rifle? Suggestions for a front and rear sight combo under a C note? |
| I already had an old rear sight so stuck a cheap front sight on my ATI and you do need the taller one for gas blocks not the one for rails. Really prefer the look of the standard AR front sight/gas block, for those who have done it how hard would it be to change it out? |
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Quoted:
... Really prefer the look of the standard AR front sight/gas block, for those who have done it how hard would it be to change it out? Getting the old gas block off should be easy enough to figure out. It's either a pinned, clamp on, or set screw type. Putting on a new Front Sight Base (FSB) though is fairly difficult and needs some special tools, it's the kind of thing that's easier and cheaper to send to a gunsmith. But it goes: Slide on the FSB, line up the gas ports, drill two holes through the FSB and barrel (a jig helps to keep things lined up), ream the holes, then hammer in the taper pins. |
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The pinned FSB is the most common and most durable. But there are a couple other options I should have mentioned. Armalite and JP (adjustable) make a clamp on version on the A2 FSB. ARMS makes a folding, clamp on one. And a couple companies sell one that's secured with set screws, I got one from DEZ Arms a few years ago.
All easier to use than drilling into your barrel. Sorry for the thread hijack, OP. But here are a few front sights that would work with your gas block 
YHM, Midwest, Troy M4, and Troy HK. None make it within your budget I'm afraid. |
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Thanks for the info, I'm glad I asked.
The ATI flat gas block has the set screws, easy enough to take off. Replacing with a standard FSB sounds much like doing the same on an AK, which I have done several times and don't like doing. Again thanks for the replies! |
| OK to get the thread back on track, the sights Engle mentioned are better, OK much better, but if you are looking for bargain prices UTG makes cheap, I mean affordable sight. I had a rear sight off a S&W that looked like a UTG so just added a UTG front. Now for the disclaimer, I ordered the front sight from Optical Planet for less than $15. Guess what, the base is cut more like a trapezoid instead of a square, and the tightening screw slot is cut not square to either side. Was going to send it back but when I put it on it seemed to fit and wasn't noticeable. And thank you for the options Engle. |
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