YHM-9395 Front Sight

[s2000news]

Okay, time for a dumb question.

I was thinking of making a change on a rifle I have, and wanted to replace the front sight on my LMT upper with a flip up. Now, I have been pleased with the YHM products and looked there first.

YHM-9395

http://www.yhm.net/store/sights.html (2nd item on page)

Now for the dumb question. Is this flip up sight also a gas block? I mean, I would think it is, but nothing on ANY site I have searched says it is. The install instructions do talk about the gas tube during install, but the instructions apply to more than just the pop up sights.

Be nice.... is it also a gas block? Do you have a flip up front sight? If so... what do you have?

[Blacktail 8541]

Yes it is also a gas block.

[s2000news]

Thanks!

[bobfried]

One word of warning AGAINST flip up front sight gas blocks:

THEY GET REALLY REALLY HOT!

I learned this the hard way the first time I went to zero one of my upper built with the top one (with the bayo lug) and forgot to flip the front sight up from the start. I was zeroing my Aimpoint so forgot about the front sight. Once I got it zeroed in I put two mags of quick fire through the rifle and let it sit for a few minutes. I went to grab the front sight to flip it up and OUCHHHHH.

I haven't been burn like that since Basic Training when I was 17. It wasn't as bad since only the sides of my fingers were burn and not the web of my hand. Either way, those flip up front sights are not to be handled except with gloves once you pu more than a few rounds through them.

My advice, go with a low profile gas block, get a longer rail and use a forearm mounted flip front sight.

[Mac Attack]

I do not have the model you mentioned but I do have the model 9394 with the bayonet lug. To answer your question the site does act as a gas block. I have owned my site for nearly 4 years and have shot countless rounds through my rifle and attended several rifle training courses with it. I am really impartial to the site one way or the other. I have not noticed it to be hot but then again it only takes a split second to flip it up.

Some people will recommend that you keep a fixed FSB on your rifle because it is KISS simple and sturdy. Those same people will also recommend that you co-witness your optic with the fixed FSB and that the FSB does not obstruct the view of the optic and swear that after a while you will not even notice it.

Well, I must be of the other opinion because I ran my EoTech on my Colt AR with a fixed FSB for a year and never got used to it. I ALWAYS noticed the FSB and did not like how it obstructed my view. I had an opportunity to pick up the YHM flip up for a decent price so I went with it. It serves it's purpose as a BUIS if and when I need it. I however, always keep fresh batteries on hand for my EoTech and am sure to change them out before every class. I do however infrequently, verify that my BUIS are true to poa.

If I had to go with another flip up frontsite I would go with the GG&G version because their version is pinned in place while the YHM is tightened in place by screws. I used to worry about hitting my YHM frontsite hard and causing the gas block to turn on the barrel which could twist the gas tube and lead to all sorts of issues. With the GG&G version you use the FSB pin holes on the barrel so it's a rock steady site which will not move once pinned in place. I do not have that faith in the YHM but since I am 100% optics I make do with what I have.

[s2000news]

Thanks for all the info.

I will give the YHM a try. I use an Aimpoint as my primary and the iron sights as backups. (And 2 other ARs for backups too. )

Thanks again.

[WebMoskal]

Does anybody else makes pinned folding front sights besides GG&G and ARMS?