AR15 front sight not straight

[Mail Clerk]

Hello to all,

I have a AR that's completely "flat top" with no sights and so I bought some clamp on versions. I noticed the front sight isn't straight! It appears to be clocked at almost the 1 o'clock position.

Is this a non-expensive repairable condition? I have no tools so I could try and tackle it myself.

The rifle works with no issues at the range. I could kick myself for not noticing the condition earlier.

Thanks,

Mail Clerk

[nate76239]

What brand is the rifle? Some gas blocks are secured with set screws which would be the easy fix, others by a taper pin

[Chaos47]

Post isn't very clear...

You said it has "no sights" do you mean none at all? Or does it have a A2 front sight?
If it doesn't have a A2 front sight does it have a railed handguard? What kind? Or are you putting the front sight on a gas block?

Photos would be helpful.

Lots of variables that are not clear that would change the advice..

[ar15barrels]

I have a AR that's completely "flat top" with no sights

Can I take this to mean that you have a railed gas block on the barrel?

I bought some clamp on versions. I noticed the front sight isn't straight! It appears to be clocked at almost the 1 o'clock position.

Is this a non-expensive repairable condition? I have no tools so I could try and tackle it myself.

If your front sight clamps on to your railed gas block, all you need to do is loosen the gas block and rotate it so that the sight is straight-up and then re-tighten the gas block.
Most railed gas blocks attach with allen (hex socket wrench) set-screws.

[SonofWWIIDI]

E

Can I take this to mean that you have a railed gas block on the barrel?



If your front sight clamps on to your railed gas block, all you need to do is loosen the gas block and rotate it so that the sight is straight-up and then re-tighten the gas block.
Most railed gas blocks attach with allen (hex socket wrench) set-screws.

My first thought too.

If you have a small level put the rifle in such a way that it is completely level then use the level to ensure the front gas block is level in relation on the rifle.

There is a product I have used, the wheeler "level, level, level". Designed for scopes, but should also work with gas blocks.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/529349/wheeler-engineering-level-level-level-scope-crosshair-leveling-tool

Good luck.

[chead]

It's way more likely that the sights you bought are canted, the rail is out of spec, or that you didn't install the sights properly than it is the gas block is canted. But stranger things have happened! Time to break out the bubble level.

[valley82]

[Mail Clerk]

Can I take this to mean that you have a railed gas block on the barrel?





If your front sight clamps on to your railed gas block, all you need to do is loosen the gas block and rotate it so that the sight is straight-up and then re-tighten the gas block.
Most railed gas blocks attach with allen (hex socket wrench) set-screws.

Randall,

Yes I have a clamp on "gas block" simular to the one you showed. My bought front sight clamps on top of the block. When I put on my "red dot" sight I noticed that the sight seems off the 12 o'clock position when looking through the electronic sight.

The assembled upper is from Model 1 Sales and I bought it from them awhile back during the Arizona show.

I'll send you a e-mail to make an appointment with you for repairs.

Thank you for your reply.

Mail Clerk

[Tac driver]

What have you zeroed the red dot or the "clamp ons"? Does the rifle cycle fine? If your gas block was canted that far to the 1 o clock pos I don't think your rifle would be cycling to well. Pictures say a thousand words.

[dc2allday]

THIS

[Chunky_lover]

my factory bushmaster has canted front sight, barely noticeable but if you look closely you can see it

[missiontrails]

If the gas block is clocked also at 1 o'clock, that rifle won't cycle. Takes pics, show us.

[Donk310]

Maybe you bought the sights that those 3-gun guys use. The ones that are supposed to be at about 1-o'clock.

[Mail Clerk]

What have you zeroed the red dot or the "clamp ons"? Does the rifle cycle fine? If your gas block was canted that far to the 1 o clock pos I don't think your rifle would be cycling to well. Pictures say a thousand words.

Tac driver,

The rifle hasn't been shot for functioning yet. I found out all about this after mounting the red dot on top of the rifle and noticed the front sight was canted. I checked everything and too noticed when I look very carefully from the front it the gas block is canted!

Anyway I don't know how to show pics of my delima......I'm still too computer illiterate.

I gota message to my favorite AR smith. With some luck I'llsee him soon for what I hope is a quick repair.

Mail Clerk

[MauserMike]

if they are UTG sights throw them in the gargbage and get some real ones, i used a UTG rear a2 aperture sight for a temp and it was sooo canted to one side the windage had to be maxed out to even hit papaer at 25 yrds.

as others have stated before the only problem could be, misaligned gasblock, bad sight, improperly installed sight, i guess the gasblock itself could be poorly machined and giving you the cant when mounting something.

If you can take your handguard off, make sure the weapon is UNLOADED!!! take your handguard off and look at the front of the gas block, try to get the rifle straight up and down with a level and a gun vise if you have one. take the sight off your front gas block, eyeball from the front of the gun look at the top rail of the gasblock and try to see if it is level and lines up with the rail on your flat top upper receiver. this can help find the problem, you should be able to see if the gas block is straight or not.