Best option for getting rid of a fixed front sight on a rifle. Am I able to just take it off?
If I may ask, why would you like to remove it, and how do you want the rifle set up when you’re done?
Dude…FSBs are the ultimate. Keep it.
Sights on the end of rails are not as sturdy.
What are the reasons for getting rid of an FSB?
Plenty of valid reasons to keep.
well im looking to purchase an EOtech sometime in the next week and heard that the front sight is more of a distraction than anything. ive been using a red dot on it for the past year and lined it up with my FSB and it worked out ok. just not sure if it will be best to have it once i put on an EOtech.
Ammo Before Accessories. Shoot Before Modifying
Before removing your FSB, get the EOTech, install it and shoot the rifle. You may find out the FSB won’t trouble you at all, especially as your RDS worked fine with it
Get on of the EXPS EO’s. I run the low model with a fixed front sight and it doesn’t bug me. The “E” model sits higher like a lower 1/3 red dot.
I vote to keep it. If you’re using the RDS with both eyes open like you should I personally don’t find it distracting.
Second markm’s comment. I prefer fixed front sights and lower 1/3 co witness on guns with a red dot optics. The FFS alows me to find the dot quicker in awkward shooting positions, it acts as a reference point. It’s quite easy with folded away front and rear sights to get in a awkward shooting position and think your behind the optic and not be able to find it. Then you may think is it turned on,then you realize your just slightly out of the “eye box” for lack of a better word and didn’t see the reticle. This is just what I’ve found in my shooting. Good luck.
The other thing is that when the EO is off (which is a good thing to be ready for if you own an EOtech :sarcastic: ) the EO makes for a pretty decent ghost ring sight when used with the Fixed front sight.
First try it out with the Eotech. If you aren’t happy then google “chopped fsb” and “fsb removal”.
I agree. I have a fixed front sight and I don’t feel like it slows me down at all. It’s a pretty simple process to cut it down and install a rail that uses the standard barrel nut. If you don’t like it after trying it out, order a Midwest Industries or other rail, cut the front sight down, and bolt the forend on. Also keep in mind you will be buying a ~$100 folding front sight that is doing essentially the same thing your fixed front sight is already doing.
Definitely try it out before cutting/removing anything, I’ve come to re-love the FSB after experimenting with rails over gas blocks. With a red dot/HWS, you are typically looking at the target with both eyes, seeing the dot/ret. over it. Personally I don’t even ‘see’ the FSB unless I’m trying to. I prefer fixed sights front and rear, even if it’s a DD on a quad rail, with a 1X optic set up for 1/3 lower cowitness. (Aimpoint PRO and EOT 516, here.)
On one rifle with an FSB, I have a 1-4X scope, same situation when using it at 1X both eyes open: I don’t notice the FSB in the window. And when I roll it up to 4X, the magnified FOV is above the FSB, I can’t even see it, except maybe a slight blur at the very bottom.
No, you can’t “Just take it off.” It also serves as your gas block.
If you are lining it up with your Front Sight Base - you are doing it wrong.
Ok, so you’ve never answered the last question asked in your other thread.
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=163418
I don’t see a rear iron sight in your picture. Have you been using your RDS as a “rear sight” all along? It really sure seems like you have, unless I’ve misinterpreted what you’ve been saying. If so, I apologize. If you indeed are, well, then you’re doing it all wrong.
You need a rear iron sight to use with your front sight. They work together. An RDS is another, completely separate redundant sighting system. You don’t use a standalone RDS as a rear sight to line up with your front sight. Is this what you’ve been doing?
You will need to punch out the 2 pins on the bottom of the sight and then replace it with a gas block. You will also need to remove the muzzle device in order to slide it off the barrel.
I’m with everyone else here, just keep it. I learned this the hard way after my first build years ago. I was a dummy and chopped mine and regretted it.
The FSB will also save you $$. It is a sight and gas block in one, plus you already bought it. On top of that, it can be a pain in the a** to remove. After that you are going to spend at least $100 more on a new decent gas block and sight, probably more. You already are spend a few hundred on the EO, so I say keep it on to try with the RDS and if you don’t like it, don’t mangle the gun, just go spend the $ on a larue riser if you still think its in the way. Less work and you can just take it off if you change your mind.
Please keep it.
Then purchase a rear iron sight. Even with an Eotech 512, you will be able to look over the Front and rear BUIS (back up iron sights) very easily. BTW you will not ever be using the irons with your red dot together while shooting. (you will keep the BUIS in the lower portion of your Eotech window and essentially ignore them.) Although, you will find that if both are zeroed, when you look through your irons, your red dot will line up perfectly.