Scope/mounts for an AR with front sight post?

[30-30]

I want to scope my Ruger AR556 but keep my open sights. Obviously the front sight post will be in the way, but I have been told it's a non-issue once the scope is mounted. Is it true that the front post won't block my view through the scope? Will I at least need a high mount? I like scopes to be mounted as low as possible on my bolt guns, but I'm new to the AR world. Advice is appreciated.

[sendit]

By design of the AR you need to mount the scope higher than you would on a bolt action. You will not be able to look through a scope on an AR and will have charging handle issues using low mounts.

The front sight will interfere with the view typocally with the lower powers such as 1-2x as they have huge a field of view.

[TexasAg2002]

I think you can remove the front sight fairly easily? Somebody else might know for sure.

[smokeless]

Mount it. You'll never know it was there. I did before I changed the forearm and gas block. I was using a 3x9x40 Leupold.

[Horitexan]

The posts above are good advice although I didn't have any real issues with the front sight base interfering with my view even at low power or with a eotech red dot. You can tell it's there but I killed plenty of animals with it that way. It really boils down to the type of shooting you're doing. All my other uppers are flat tops BECAUSE I like magnified optics and flip up iron sights are, IMO, a better solution than a front sight base.

Your front sight base (FSB) is easily removed with the right punch: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.amm...-to-guide/amp/

If you remove your FSB, you'll have to find a gas block with a picatinny top and, if you have one of those typical plastic handguards, it'll have to have the connection for the front of your handguard. Otherwise, you can get a free float handguard and a appropriate gas block- either lopro or one with a picatinny top for mounting a flip up iron sight. I believe VLTOR makes a gas block with an built in flip up iron sight. It's not hard to do but you're probably looking at $250+ You might just want to try mounting a scope and just dealing with the ghost image of your FSB.

If you decide you can give up the iron sights, which you can't use with a scope anyway, just Dremel off the top portion of your FSB. This will keep your rifle functioning exactly like it is, with a scope in place and zero ghost image.

Really boils down to what you want.



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[lungbuster1985]

You should buy a 1 piece mount for the AR. Something like a Burris PEPR, lots of companies make them specifically for flat top ARs. This will get your scope to a good height to keep your irons. Assuming you already have a flip up rear sight. The front post would probably still be visible at 3x or less, but lots of people use that set up with no issues. Without dropping the extra coin on a free float rail and a new gas block (or cutting yours), this will be the best option. Also consider that those Rugers don't use a standard barrel nut, so buy a rail that has its own if you go that route. If the scope mount you buy is too high for good cheek weld, Larue sells a cheek riser for the magpul CTR that allows full use of your charging handle. But, you have to have the CTR stock for that. You will probably also want to upgrade your charging handle, or at least the latch so you can reach it around the scope. Buy the scope mount first, then you can tell what else you will need to make it work for you.

[Bucksaw]

You wont see it with a 3-9 scope. I had a 1-4 on mine and saw some shadow at the lower settings, but at 3x or higher you will not notice it.

[30-30]

Thanks all. Do the PEPR-style mounts come in a standard height? Or high and low?

[Jeremy7306]

I use an American Defense recon mount for my Vortex strike eagle. Can't see the front post after about 1.5-2x. Once I get my free float handguard, the front sight post will be coming off though.


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[lungbuster1985]

Thanks all. Do the PEPR-style mounts come in a standard height? Or high and low?

They can be had in many different heights, just depends on the manufacturer. But I think the PEPR is only one height. Like I said there are lots of companies that make 1piece mounts. Larue Tactical is a good place to start looking. Even if you don't want to drop the coin on one of their mounts, you can pull some specs and compare them to the other manufactuters. Larue is the cats meow though, can't beat their products and service. They are proud of them though.

[WTucker]

Thanks all. Do the PEPR-style mounts come in a standard height? Or high and low?

The PEPR works good. It comes in one height that I know of and it is made so that the scope sits at the same height as the iron sights on an AR.