Im looking to build a rifle with iron sights. Im using my left over Colt 6920 barrel with a chopped FSB so the front will be on a rail. What Im looking for is a set fixed irons that can take a bit of a beating.
What Im looking at now are:
Rear.
LMT
Daniel Defense 1.5
Carry handle
Front.
Daniel Defense
LMT
These are the only ones I could think of off the top of my head. Any others I should look into?
A year ago I would have said DD front and rear are the best value/weight/durability combo. But then markm dropped his rifle on his DD fixed front and it broke the ear off, IIRC. LAV dropped his rifle from a helicopter and his sights didn’t break, but he had an FSP up front.
Unfortunately, the most durable fixed sights by far are the carry handle and the FSP, which you can’t use. From what I’ve seen personally and anecdotally, I would say the LMTs are a close second.
Carry handle rear, have a new A2 fsb installed at the front
Of the options you listed, I’d go chopped carry handle rear and LMT front.
The DDs are nice but in my opinion, they won’t take the beating the others will.
Centurion Arms are pretty nice if you like HK style sights
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They told me via email that those had been discontinued a year or 2 ago.
Wow, did not know that.
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LMT front and LaRue rear are going to be the toughest you can find. The LMT rear is tough too, but all the windage and elevation adjustments are unnecessary IMO.
Not too long ago, when I was going to build an iron sight only AR, these were the sights that I decided upon.
http://pof-usa.com/shop/sights/sight-pof-usa-fixed-front/
http://www.laruetactical.com/larue-tactical-buis-qd-lt-103
With XS same plane aperture and VFZ mount.
IIf you’re looking for longer range or the more traditional rear sight then I would suggest;
https://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=320
No giant knob or lever hanging off the side and two crossbolts instead of one like others.
I have an irons only carbine with a Daniel Defense 1.5 and a standard FSP. The DD is a nice sight but I plan to replace it with a LMT L8A, I believe it will be tougher and I want the adjustability.
I wanted the same thing so I built a whole new upper. A1 receiver (C7 actually) and a FSP with m-lok handguards. It is super light and supposedly tough as nails. It is the bush gun for now.
Look at the Troy fixed rear sight. It’s ugly but durable.
I like the Daniel Defense fixed sights the best out of the other fixed options. I don’t exactly torture test them however.
The LaRue is notably beefier than the DD. I prefer the LaRue from a durability perspective, but both are good.
The MBUS PRO’s are also developing a track record of durability.
Truthfully, I’d put more faith in the PRO’s for holding up to drops and impacts, given that they’re steel AND can collapse without breaking. If you can live with having to flip it back up in the event of a drop or knocking something into it, it may be an option. But the ideal option, in my mind, would be to sell the Colt barrel and grab one with the A2. There’s no disputing it as the most durable.
Contrary to what’s been said, the Daniel Defense iron sights are rock solid. A good FSB and the DD rear would be just fine.
I’ve used the LMT fixed front and rear (chopped A2) for a while. Great sights.
I might have a spare front at home you can have. I’ll check when I get home.
I’ve taken a fairly big chunk of metal off the factory rear DD sight. It had to be rezerozed so I could have bent it slightly. At least it did not break. I think it’s made from aluminium which it a little soft for my taste.
The Troy sight is made of steel. It’s been durable for me. I have not used the La Rue rear sight, but it also looks durable.
Troy sights are not machined from steel. Not sure where you got this info from…
I stand corrected. Yes it says aluminum on troys web site.
I have a Troy M4?front and LMT rear on my irons only upper. The only issue I had with the LMT front was the knob interfered with my light at 11 o’clock. I also have a DD front mounted on another upper and have had zero issues.