When should one choose a fixed front site over a flip-up and vice-versa.
its personal preference if you dont mind seeing the front sight post in your sight picture when using a red dot optic.
For me I dont, so I get flip sights so the sight picture is clear through my Eotech.
Ford or Chevy… No doubt the fixed FSB is bomb-proof and requires one less action to get back up and running, but the good folding FS are also solid now days…
The real matter comes into question when optics are chosen… If you are going a magnified scope, I would say the folding is the best solution as the fixed can be a distraction to some. On a red-dot 1x, a fixed FSB is IMO the best solution. I therefore agree with LAV and others on this…
Rmpl
Rmpl said it best, esp. with RDS the FSB just blurs to oblivion same as the rear for me. But yeah scoped setup it is nice to get out of the way.
I was about to say that my fixed FSB doesn’t enter my Aimpoint’s sight picture at all. Until I realized that wasn’t true. I guess that just goes to show you that some folks just don’t notice it.
If you know someone with a fixed FSB + RDS (if that’s what you’d plan on running) then your choice is easy: try doing a 1 thru 5 drill or a 10-10-10 drill with it. If you don’t notice the FSB when focusing on shooting quickly and accurately, then that’s your answer. If you finish your string and go “God, that was obnoxious” then you might want to consider flip-ups.
I’m not aware of any advantage flip-ups have over fixed FSBs except when it comes to optic sight pictures. But maybe someone else has.
I was told a little but ago to try running irons up all the time and havent looked back. Sometimes I will drop them down for 100 yard shots, but otherwise both are up. I have folding Troys now, from here on out they will be DD fixed sights.
I went from the standard fixed M16 style triangle front sight to flip up front sights about 4 years ago.
And this year I have been replacing most of my AR15 inventory, and most of the new ones carry the M16 style triangle front sight again.
Reason? Durability. For an SPR, a flip up front is fine for me. For rushing through a doorway, a flip up is not as durable as I would like.
I like to run an Aimpoint w/ magnifier on my gun and I had a fold down front sight for a while because I thought I would like the sight picture better. This was not the case. The difference just was not worth it to me. The FSB IMO is much more solid than a fold down could ever be, and it will always be right there for you if you need it. It does not adversly affect my sight picture at all, and when I have my magnifier flipped up(Larue pivot mount) I almost don’t even see it. When I used an ACOG in the Marine Corps I can remember the appearance of the FSB being negligeable as well. I actually kinda like the FSB in my sight picture to tell you the truth. Needless to say, I recently switched back to an FSB set up along with a DD Lite Rail 12.0 FSP(As I recently drank the 12 o’clock mounted light cool-aid, and it is delicious :laugh:). I still have a fold down rear sight though, as I need one IOT keep the 3X mag mounted on the gun.
for me it’s just the opposite. if I have a RDS, it is visible but in no way distracts. with a scope, at any magnification over 1.5, it just ghosts out.
but I still prefer a fixed and pinned FSB for everything. the obvious exception is if I have a rail that is longer than the FSB and have to go with a rail mount but even then I prefer the fixed to the flip up.
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When I was deciding to buy my first “serious” AR, I couldn’t decide on a folding or fixed FS until I remember reading about some entry-team guy going through a doorway and kacked his folding front sight on the door. He said it bent to the side and was useless. After that, he said he was a firm believer in fixed.
I don’t plan on being on an entry-team but I definitely want my sight to be there if I ever need it. The FSB with 1/3 co-witness on my T-1 is in the sight picture but it’s hardly noticeable.
Guess it all depends what you’re going to use the gun for.
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Right. I have a lower 1/3 co-witness as well. I failed to mention this in my previous post. I have never had an absolute co-witness, but I would imagine the fixed front sight would be much more of an issue in that case.
I have never had an absolute co-witness, but I would imagine the fixed front sight would be much more of an issue in that case.
Still GTG but it is in the way. Lower 1/3 is still the best way to go IMHO.
For a primary, SHTF, or duty weapon, I would prefer a fixed front and rear then a higher optic for a lower 1/3 co-witness. Not only are they more durable but should the need arise, you dont have stop to flip them up, you just instead switch from aiming through the optic to your BUISs.
I prefer flip up myself, but as with everything, the more moving parts you got, the more chance of a breakage you got.
Fixed front AND rear… Lower 1/3… Never miss a lick…
I have fixed on mine with Troy rear folder since I have a magnifier that I swap around between rifles. Lower 1/3. I don’t really notice it magnified or not.
However, before getting the M4s and magnifier I had a Trijicon TR24 in a Larue SPR 1.5 mount. At 1x it was fine, but at 4x any light on the top or back of the front sight would flare/glare bad enough to be very distracting for me. The front sight was ghosted out but the glare would cause a “bloom” very similar to having a hair get right in front of your eye and you have to try to “see around it”. I tried the 1.93 mount which wasn’t as bad but I couldn’t get a good cheekweld.
Based on my experience, RDS or RDS+magnifier fixed front, magnified optics folding front.
I haven’t tried an ACOG though, that might be different.