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2/1/2014 9:06:15 PM EDT
For a general purpose (plinking, targets, SHTF) gun, do you prefer a barrel with a fixed A2 sight or just have flip ups front and rear?  Looking at buying a barrel and most come without a front sight.  I like the idea of a staked front sight as far as being rigid.  The gun will start out as an iron sight gun, with the potential to have an optic later down the road.

I would like one with the staked front sight, but figured if I would ask if flip ups are somehow a better route.

Thanks
2/1/2014 9:12:40 PM EDT
[#1]
It's all personal preference.  Low pro or FSB can be equally as rigid.

On my rifles that are irons only or will have a non magnified optic I go with FSB, but when it will host a magnified optic I go with low pro and folding from sight.  Just my personal preference on set ups
2/1/2014 9:26:44 PM EDT
[#2]
FSB every time. Have one that I built with flips and I ended up putting a fixed DD sight on. Only reason no FSB was that mounting a gas block was easier than mounting an FSB for me.
2/2/2014 4:49:57 AM EDT
[#3]
FSP's seem like old dated set ups to me.  I would only like one for a collectable historic type rifle.  My AR's all have lo pro gas blocks and are covered by handguards or railed gas blocks on rifle length gas systems because it is a more durable, useful ,and attractive set up.
A FSP is in the way of a red dot or scope and if you are using the rifle with iron sights only and are sure you never plan on any other sight then it is still an odd piece of metal sticking up from the barrel just asking to get snagged or broken off.  Carry handles and fixed FSP's are of no use to me.
2/2/2014 5:19:34 AM EDT
[#4]
My rule of thumb:

-if it will have a red dot site, I prefer a FSB
-it it has a magnified optic, it will have folding front BUIS. If scope does not have low 1x magnification, it gets 45 degree irons or other offset site option for close-up shots

I always use some kind of BUIS in every setup
2/10/2014 5:42:13 PM EDT
[#5]
I'm ready to buy now. i plan on going with a spikes barrel since it sounds like the general consensus is they're good to go. Plus they do MPI/HPT testing, are chrome lined and have a lifetime warranty.

I'm still stuck on FSB or not. The rifle will remain an iron sight setup for awhile, with the possibility of a eotoech or scoped down the road. I will shoot the gun a couple times a month to stay proficient but I plan to have the gun be a fun weekend gun and SHTF so I want to keep it simple. I'm leaning towards a FSB but a low pro keeps creeping into my thoughts

Any other advice?  I qualify with a FSB gun for the military and don't find the mix of a red dot and sight to be annoying, but I also only shoot it once a year too
2/10/2014 6:00:46 PM EDT
[#6]
The consensus might be get both.  I think there are benefits to both and you'll see a lot of both.  I'd say if you aren't sure go for the FSB.  To me that has always been the "traditional" look.  

I agree too with the poster above who has a great rule of thumb for optics.  If you'll be using irons for a while, you'll be fine either way.
2/13/2014 7:14:37 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Quoted:
My rule of thumb:

-if it will have a red dot site, I prefer a FSB
-it it has a magnified optic, it will have folding front BUIS. If scope does not have low 1x magnification, it gets 45 degree irons or other offset site option for close-up shots

I always use some kind of BUIS in every setup
View Quote


This
2/13/2014 7:24:00 PM EDT
[#8]
A traditional fixed front sight also works well for striking maneuvers especially on a medium to heavy contour barrel.  I cowitness my red dot at 1/3 and it disappears  for the most part in your field of view but is there immediately as a back up.  I don't think they look dated at all as someone else suggests. They look great with a rail with a cut out IMO.
2/13/2014 7:56:17 PM EDT
[#9]
I went with one of Spike's blem barrels with a FSB from Aimsurplus.  I think I will be more than happy with it.  Thanks for the replies
2/13/2014 8:05:36 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote History
Quoted:
I'm ready to buy now. i plan on going with a spikes barrel since it sounds like the general consensus is they're good to go. Plus they do MPI/HPT testing, are chrome lined and have a lifetime warranty.

I'm still stuck on FSB or not. The rifle will remain an iron sight setup for awhile, with the possibility of a eotoech or scoped down the road. I will shoot the gun a couple times a month to stay proficient but I plan to have the gun be a fun weekend gun and SHTF so I want to keep it simple. I'm leaning towards a FSB but a low pro keeps creeping into my thoughts

Any other advice?  I qualify with a FSB gun for the military and don't find the mix of a red dot and sight to be annoying, but I also only shoot it once a year too
View Quote



are you planning on buying a barrel and installing your own FSB? if so i wouldnt recommend that. if your trying to install the FSB without the proper tools, it will most likely not come out straight.

if you are planning on a rail (now or down the road) go with flip ups and a low pro gas block. if you buy a barrel without the FSB its going to be cheaper anyway and you can use that extra money to pay for the flip sights, which work fine.

also if you go with flip sights, you have the ability to change things out very easily down the road. you want to change color or like some one else mentioned go with 45 degree setup. if you go with a FSB (which by the way are NOT staked, you have to drill into the barrel and use taper pins) its pretty permanent and harder to change later.

some of my guns have FSB's and some have flip sights. if you keep building, you will end up with both eventually.
2/13/2014 8:58:44 PM EDT
[#11]
I prefer the standard FSB on most rifles.
It's rugged, cheap and reliable, and it doesn't interfere with red dot optics.
If you need BUIS you only have to flip up one.
2/14/2014 3:20:58 AM EDT
[#12]
well you mentioned SHTF.....remember, the strongest gas block in the world is the standard FSB.  If you must have a low pro, just shave it.  It has TWO taper pins, not goin anywhere.
2/14/2014 4:21:57 AM EDT
[#13]
My thinking was this:

I got a FSB as I plan to keep my rifle as an iron sights only gun.  I figured the FSB and a carry handle were what the military went with for a reason....rugged, accurate and convenient.  Plus I kinda like the old school look.  As a SHTF ready weapon, it's a proven setup that can handle extreme conditions.

That being said, if I planned on a scope some day, I'd opt out on the FSB.  In fact, that's what I'm doing for my next rifle.
2/14/2014 5:00:24 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote History
Quoted:
I went with one of Spike's blem barrels with a FSB from Aimsurplus.  I think I will be more than happy with it.  Thanks for the replies
View Quote

Yes you will,I had that barrel in stripped form for 10 shots,but wanted a FSB. It was cheaper to just buy a CHF Spikes barrel with FSB than to pay $100 for the FSB to be installed by a gunsmith
2/14/2014 5:46:27 AM EDT
[#15]
Like others have said here...All my rifles with a red dot have a FSB including the one with a flip to side 3X magnifier.  My only rifle without a FSB is my spr with a fixed 10X power scope on it.

eta:  not many people do it, but you can also have a free floated barrel with a FSB.
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