A2 Front Sight Question??

AR/M4 AR Technical Discussion
1

Is there any negatives to shaving down the A2 front sight to allow for a free float rail?

I just bought a BCM mid-length upper with a fixed A2 front sight. BCM did not have the upper with the hand guard I was looking for. I was going to remove the front sight and install a low profile gas block but a friend suggested I shave down the A2 front sight hence the question. I have the tools and Parkerizing solution to treat the finish once completed.

Any comments, suggestions welcomed.

Thanks- 5.56Geo

2

I did it to my BCM. I’ve yet to run into a problem… I just cold blued the bare spots.

3

The only problem is that it is not replaceable. So once you chop and grind, that’s it.

4

I contemplated the same but I opted to buy the Brownells A2 removal block & just removed the entire FSB. Despite reports of them being difficult to remove, it was done under 2 minutes.

5

You have an F marked FSB which is not an A2. It’s an M4 or an A4 type.

Shaving is the best low-pro gas block you can get IMO. As already stated, the only negatives are that you can’t go back to stock one you chop it off.

6

Thanks guys. I will proceed in shaving the front sight. -5.56Geo :slight_smile:

7

If you end up not liking it, or it doesn’t work out, you could just go with a lo-profile gas block. Their fairly inexpensive and easy to install.

8

True. And you will also need to dimple the barrel for correct installation. Often time you will not be able to dimple under the gas port as is recommended because it will het the area where the taper pin was previously.

9

If that’s an issue you can also go with the “clamp-on” gas block. They don’t require dimpling.

10

Yeah, except clamp gas blocks are generally crap and have issues.

11

Will you be able to use the standard barrel nut with your hand guard of choice? If not you’ll have to remove the front sight anyway…