Folding Front Sight Replacement Suggestion - Colt Barrel Compatible

[SpecOpsMV]

I'm looking to replace the front A2 FSB on a Colt 14.5" SOCOM barrel with a folding front sight, and originally, was hoping to just simply use a 6940 folding sight. Now I understand the 6940 assembly uses a different gas tube and would not be compatible with the completed 6920 upper.

I'd prefer to use a pinned front sight assembly, but it sounds as if several of the aftermarket folding front sight assemblies don't line up with the existing taper pin holes beneath the Colt's barrel.

Can anyone suggest a taper pin secured folding front sight assembly, similar in dimensions to that found on the 6940, which would be a direct replacement for the A2 front sight assembly on the Colt barrel?

Dale

[BobbyC]

I don't think you can get a pinned folding front sight that will fit the existing pin holes. My info is a couple of years old but if I recall, the sight is drilled/reamed to the barrel and not all are exactly the same. I ended up going with a YHM clamp on gas block/folding front sight.

[shafferds]

You have to get the right one or weld up and redrill for the new block and pin alignment.

[LowThudd]

Probably easier to get a clamp on. The sight is usually drilled with the barrel. In fact, it will generally cost MORE depending on whether one or the other is all ready drilled, and more if they are both drilled differently.

[SpecOpsMV]

Thanks for all of the info, guys ... it's sure appreciated.

Dale

[shafferds]

Hit up Randell with ar15barrels. He can do the work just depends if you wanna pay and how bad you want that configuration.

[ar15barrels]

Can anyone suggest a taper pin secured folding front sight assembly, similar in dimensions to that found on the 6940, which would be a direct replacement for the A2 front sight assembly on the Colt barrel?

There is NO standardization of the pin locations on Colt (or any other make) of barrel.
Therefore, NOBODY makes a pre-drilled gas block or front sight or anything else that would use the existing pin hole locations.

I have a fixture that allows me to locate the existing pin holes and then drill new holes into an UNDRILLED fsb to re-use the existing hole locations.
I need the barrel, the OLD FSB and the NEW FSB here to do that.

[SpecOpsMV]

Randall,

I like it! That sounds like it would the route to go.

So now my question is, who makes an UNDRILLED folding front sight similar to the style found on Colt's 6940?

Dale

[ptoguy2002]

I've seen virgin 6940 front sight assemblies on the arfcom EE, might try there.
OR go to Brownells, and search for "6940" and you'll get a bunch of colt front sight parts pop up. Whether or not you can get all the parts, IDK. Might try specialized armament for the rest? There was a thread on arfcom also about piecing together one from Brownells, but I can't find the link, and IIRC there was no verdict.
The only other [proper] pin on folding FSB was the Knights Armament one, but I think they are discontinued. (I'll trade mine for a Swiss P210 if you'd like).
You might be able to pin on one of the set screw types, maybe, theoretically ??

[ar15barrels]

So now my question is, who makes an UNDRILLED folding front sight similar to the style found on Colt's 6940?

https://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Vltor-Sight-Tower-2P-Pinned-Model-p/vltor-sight-tower-2p.htm

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/530419/gg-and-g-tactical-modular-gas-block-with-flip-up-front-sight-taper-pin-mount-ar-15-lr-308-standard-barrel-750-inside-diameter-steel-matte

PRI's is a clamp-on, but probably the closest in looks to a Colt 6940:

http://www.precisionreflex.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=1103877

ARMS's is also a clamp-on:

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/sights/front-sights/ar-15-flip-up-silhouette-front-sight-prod26728.aspx

The Colt LE 901 sight is probably a different height, but it's worth checking out:

http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/sights/sight-parts/front-sight-bases/le901-front-sight-base-assy-prod80559.aspx