M14 Forum banner

M14 Iron Sight Guide

82K views 33 replies 27 participants last post by  JayKosta 
#1 · (Edited)
M14 Iron Sight Guide

This guide is a reference for all of the people that have questions about how to use sights, what sights they should or can use, and any other questions about sights. I have tried my best to answer any possible basic questions. If you have any questions, feel free to post them here.

The information in this guide is from personal experience, TMs, FMs, manufacturer’s websites, Different’s M14 Research, History, and Development, caliper readings, calculations, and drawings. I am missing some information and pictures. If there is a question mark, the information needs added or verified. If you have any helpful comments about sights, please add them. Also, if you have pictures, additional info, or find errors with the guide, PM them to me or post it here so I can edit the thread. The pictures I posted are mostly from manufacturer’s websites and other images I found on Google. If your picture is in this thread and you prefer it be removed, let me know and I will do it.

Basics About M14 Sights

Elevation is adjustable by a knob on the left side of the rear sight assembly. It can be further adjusted by an NM hooded rear sight aperture and/or the SEI hooded gas cylinder lock front sight. Windage is adjustable by a knob on the right side of the rear sight assembly and by moving the entire front sight by loosening a 7/64” set screw.

Sight Alignment and Sight Picture

People unfamiliar with M14 and other "peep" style sights may not know how to properly aim them. First, the head should be placed so that the dominant eye is centered behind the rear sight aperture. Second, the front sight post should be centered left and right inside of the rear aperture and the top of the front sight post should be centered up and down inside of the rear aperture. You should try and focus your eye on the front sight post. It is impossible to have objects at different distances both focused in at the same time. There are two consistent ways of aiming at the target. One way is the 6 O'clock hold and the other is the center hold. The 6 O'clock hold makes it easier to have a consistent aiming point while aiming at a black circle or square shaped target. The 6 O'clock hold is used more in target shooting because of this. The top of the front sight post is held so that it barely touches the bottom of the target and is centered left and right. If you choose to use this sight picture, your rounds will impact higher than the point you are aiming at. The center old is more suited for those aiming at dot targets and silhouettes. This is a more natural aiming method and will put the rounds exactly where the front sight is placed. It is simply a matter of personal preference and type of targets one aims at that decides which is best for a shooter. No matter which style you use, the front sight should be in focus and the rear sight and target should be blurry. Even though the target and rear sight are blurry, you will still be able to center your sights on them.



Sight Adjustments

Each click of the rear sight elevation pinion is approximately 1 MOA, each rotation of a hooded NM rear sight aperture is approximately 0.5 MOA, and each click of the windage knob is approximately 1 MOA or 0.5 MOA. Every approximately 0.007” lateral movement of the front sight on a 22” barrel, approximately 0.006” lateral movement of the front sight on an 18” barrel, and approximately 0.0055” movement of the front sight on a 16” barrel or rifle equipped with a gas cylinder lock mounted front sight is approximately 1 MOA. 1 MOA is approximately 1.05” at 100M. This makes sight adjustments rather easy. If you are shooting at 25M and your round hits 1 inch high, you simply adjust your sights 4 clicks down (1 MOA = approx. 0.25" at 25M, therefore 4 MOA = approx. 1” at 25M). If you are shooting at 400M and your round hits 8 inches right, you simply adjust your sights 2 clicks left (2 MOA = approx. 8” at 400M). Of course, the length of barrel, sight radius, and type of ammunition will cause these adjustments to be slightly different.
The M14 elevation pinion has been calibrated with a bullet drop compensator for the standard M14 using M80 ball ammo for meters. This means, if you zero your rifle at 300M and align the dash that corresponds with 300M on your elevation pinion, you can simply adjust your elevation to the corresponding distance dash and be close. The markings will not be exact since they are lined up divided by MOA and different barrel lengths, sight radii, and ammunition will cause it to be off. I zero my weapon at 300M and rotate my elevation pinion so that the dash for the 300M mark lines up with the dash on the receiver and leave it there. This allows me to be zeroed at about 25M and 300M. everything in between I only have to aim a little low for and everything past 300M I have to aim high for or adjust my sights.
When zeroing your rifle, always do so at the farthest distance you are able to shoot or shoot accurately. If you are limited in range, however, you can zero at a shorter distance and be fairly close at longer distances. If you zero at 25M, your rifle will be close to being zeroed at 300M. If you zero at 50M, your rifle will be close to being zeroed at 200M.

Sight Assembly

Only disassemble your sights if you are mechanically inclined, have experience with working on firearms, or don’t mind throwing money away when you break something. If you have any doubts about yourself, have a competent gunsmith do the work.

Instructions for installing the rear sight assembly can be found here:
http://www.fulton-armory.com/NMRearSight.htm
The only tool necessary is a flat blade screwdriver or combo tool.

You can adjust the tension of the elevation pinion and windage knob. If the tension isn’t set correctly, you either won’t be able to adjust your sights, or they will move while firing. A test to see if your tension is set correctly is to see if you can turn the windage knob and elevation knob easily and also be able to push down on the rear sight aperture without it moving. If you cannot move the elevation knob or windage knob, you need to loosen the tension. To do this: loosen the screw on the elevation pinion, loosen the screw on the windage knob (it will click while turning it), tighten the elevation pinion screw and check the tension again, repeat until you can move the elevation and windage knob. A trick to tightening the elevation screw is holding the elevation knob with padded pliers firmly (but not so hard to bend it) while tightening the screw. If you are able to push down on the rear sight aperture, you need to tighten the tension. To do this: loosen the screw on the elevation pinion, tighten the screw on the windage knob, tighten the elevation pinion screw and check the tension again, repeat until you cannot move the rear sight aperture while pushing down.

Dustin
 
See less See more
1
#2 · (Edited)
Sight Components

You will need a front sight base (flash suppressor/muzzle brake or dovetail gas lock front sight), front sight, rear sight base, rear sight elevation pinion, rear sight windage knob, rear sight aperture, and rear sight cover, or rail mounted front and rear sights depending on your rifle, muzzle attachment, and stock.

Front Sight Bases

"Normal"

What front sight you use will depend on what front sight base you use, so make sure you know what you want and can use before purchasing either. The standard sight bases which attach to the barrel with a castle nut are:

USGI or USGI style flash suppressor, SAI muzzle brake, dummy USGI style flash suppressor, LRB muzzle brake, YHM Phantom flash hider with sight base, SEI Coast Guard brake, SEI Vortex flash suppressor, and the new Delta P sight base/thread adapter.

any others?

USGI flash suppressor


LRB muzzle brake


SEI standard Vortex


SEI Coast Guard/Navy muzzle brake


Delta P Muzzle Adapter
This design allows you to use a standard front sight base attached with a castle nut, yet be able to use any 5/8-24 threaded muzzle device


On any barrel length greater than 16”, you can use one of these sight bases. The length of the barrel determines the location of the front sight. A standard 22” barreled M14 has a sight radius of 26.75”, an 18.5” barrel has a sight radius of 23.25”, an 18” barrel has a sight radius of 22.75”, and a 17.625” barrel has a sight radius of 22.375”.

The positives of using one of these is that there are many options out there, they all attach with the same wrenches, they maintain the M14 “look”, and they keep your sight radius as long as possible.

The negatives of using one of these is that they install with a castle nut instead of directly threading onto the barrel, most don’t allow the use of sound suppressors, there is a chance they could be misaligned, and there is a chance they could be bent if the weapon is dropped or hit against something.

Gas Cylinder Lock Front Sight Bases

The other type of front sight bases are gas cylinder lock mounted. These are necessary when using a muzzle device that doesn’t have a sight base built into it. The SAI SOCOM comes with one installed already and the only other option for the SOCOM is the SEI version made for the SOCOM. SEI makes two more versions with different heights for normal M14s depending on barrel length. GLFS equipped rifles have a sight radius of 21.25".

The positives of using one of these is that you can use any muzzle device you’d like that doesn’t install with a castle nut and can be installed or removed with common tools, the front sight won’t be at the end of the barrel (less chance for it to hit something or get snagged), and you can use any standard height front sight you wish on any barrel length.

The negatives of using one of these is that the sight position will change ever so slightly every time you remove the gas plug and re install it, the sight radius is shorter, and they are expensive.

Part, Compatible With

SEI 22” dovetail GLFS
22” barrel
Markings vary.


SEI 18” dovetail GLFS
17.625”-18.5” barrel
Markings vary.


SAI SOCOM
16” barrel
No choice of muzzle attachment.


SEI SOCOM dovetail GLFS
16” barrel
Only compatible with 9/16-24 threaded muzzle devices.


Muzzle devices compatable with GLFS:

No muzzle device, "normal" muzzle devices with front sights removed, SAI M25 muzzle brake, SEI Direct Connect Vortex flash suppressor, SEI Vortex style muzzle brake, YHM Phantom flash hider, Sure Fire FH762KM14 flash suppressor, and AAC Blackout flash suppressor

any others?

SEI DC Vortex


SEI muzzle brake


YHM Phantom flash hider


Sure Fire FH762KM14 flash hider


AAC Blackout flash suppressor


Other

There is also the YHM Phantom M14 flash hider with sight base. This allows you to have a direct connect (no castle nut) muzzle device with a longer sight radius and standard gas lock. However, these only work on barrels longer than 18.5".

YHM Phantom M14 flash hider with sight base


YHM Phantom M14 QD flash hider with sight base


Front Sights

There is a very wide variety of front sights available for the M14. Some will not be compatible with your rifle, so make sure you double check before buying one. Variations in rifles, rear sights, front sight bases, front sights, and the distance you zero at will determine how many clicks up your rear sight aperture will need to be for your zero. 5-12 clicks up is optimal. The fewer clicks up the better, since this allows less movement when “counting clicks”. SAI Bush, SAI Scout rifles, and any other rifle with a barrel shorter than 22” using a standard front sight base will need a taller front sight. This is because of the reduced barrel length and reduced sight radius. How much taller it needs to be will depend on your rifle. Be cautious when purchasing used sights, since it may have been filed down by the last owner(s) to get their desired rear sight aperture height. All of the front sights are adjustable for windage except the SEI hooded GLFS.

SAI sends out their Scout rifles with tall NM .062 front sights. I don’t believe this is because they want to give their customers more or anything like that. It is probably because a 0.062” wide sight on an 18” barrel, being closer to your eye, appears to be wider than it actually is. It will look as though it is almost as wide as a standard sight. Here is how the sights will appear while mounted on different barrel lengths:

When zeroing your rifle, you should adjust the front sight left and right for windage corrections. This allows the rear sight to stay centered. When shooting your rifle in wind, the rear sight can be adjusted to compensate and then easily returned to zero. It is acceptable for the front sight to be adjusted all the way to the right or left for zero. If it over hangs the side of the flash suppressor with a proper zero, there may be a parts issue or barrel alignment issue.

Barrel Length, Actual Width of Sight, Sight Appears To Be

standard 22” barrel
standard 0.079”
appears to be 0.079” wide

18.5” barrel
standard 0.079”
appears to be 0.088” wide

18” barrel
standard 0.079”
appears to be 0.091” wide

17.625” barrel
standard 0.079”
appears to be 0.092” wide

16” barrel and all barrels with GLFS-D
standard 0.079”
appears to be 0.108” wide

standard 22” barrel
NM 0.062”
appears to be 0.062” wide

18.5” barrel
NM 0.062”
appears to be 0.069” wide

18” barrel
NM 0.062”
appears to be 0.071” wide

17.625” barrel
NM 0.062”
appears to be 0.072” wide

16” barrel and all barrels with GLFS-D
NM 0.062”
appears to be 0.077” wide

Because of this, I use an NM .062 front sight on my rifle that has a dovetail GLFS. The sight appears to be 0.077” wide, which is almost the same size as a standard front sight (which I prefer).

Part, Width, Height, Compatible With

standard
0.074”-0.084” wide
standard height approx. 0.562” tall
22” barrel or any with GLFS-D
pic needed

tall standard
0.074”-0.084” wide
approx. 0.720”? tall
16”-18.5” barrel with standard mount
pic needed

NM .062
0.060”-0.065” wide
standard height approx. 0.562” tall
22” barrel or any with GLFS-D
marked NM .062
need pic

tall NM .062
0.060”-0.065” wide
approx. 0.720”? tall
16”-18.5” barrel with standard mount
marked NM .062


NM .072
0.072” wide
standard height approx 0.562”? tall
22” barrel or any with GLFS-D
marked NM .072
pic needed

XS (SOCOM) tritium 22”
? wide
? tall
22” barrel or any with GLFS-D. Use with SOCOM GLFS?


XS (SOCOM) tritium 18”
? wide
? tall
16”-18.5” barrel with standard. Use with SOCOM GLFS?


XS? hooded
? wide
standard height 0.562"? tall


AmeriGlo night sight
? wide
? tall


Tech-Sights AR style adjustable
0.047" wide but can be changed out
adjustable height


hooded target style
various apertures
standard height 0.0562" tall?
pic needed

SEI tritium dot
0.076”? wide
standard height approx. 0.562”? tall
22” barrel or any with GLFS-D


SEI tritium bar
0.076”? wide
standard height approx. 0.562”? tall
22” barrel or any with GLFS-D


SEI hooded GLFS
0.062” wide
adjustable height
17.625”-22” barrel
Not adjustable for windage.
Markings vary.


any others?

Rail Mounted Front Sights

Those using the TROY SOPMOD stock or TROY Battle Rail cannot use the M14s standard iron sights. If you wish to use iron sights on your rifle, you can purchase any front fixed or back up sights designed for the AR rifle and others.



Dustin
 
#3 · (Edited)
Rear Sight Apertures

What size aperture you use is mostly personal preference. The distance your eye is from the rear sight aperture will determine how large it appears, however. If you hold your head forward on the stock, the hole will appear larger. If you keep your head back on the stock, the hole will appear smaller. The larger the rear sight aperture, the more chance there will be to misalign the sights. If you prefer a larger rear sight, you can simply drill out a standard rear sight aperture to the diameter you want. The smaller the aperture, the harder it will be to see through in low light and the harder it will be to focus on the front sight with bad eye sight. There are, however, vision correcting inserts for hooded rear sight apertures. The hood on the hooded NM rear sight aperture prevents glare and distortion on the rear sight. The hood also allows for approximately 0.5 MOA vertical sight adjustment by rotating it to the right or left. A hooded rear sight aperture will fit into a standard rear sight base, but it won’t be allowed to lower completely since the bottom of the hood contacts the rear sight base. When using a hooded rear sight aperture, you must use a modified standard sight base, NM/2, or NM/2A sight base.

Part, Diameter, Adjustment Value

standard
0.069”-0.074” diameter
no adjustment


NM .0520
0.0520” diameter
no adjustment
pic needed

NM .0595
0.0595” diameter
no adjustment
pic needed

hooded NM .0520
0.0520” diameter
approx. 0.5 MOA adjustment
NM/2 or NM/2A sight base needed to lower aperture completely.


hooded NM .0595
0.0595” diameter
approx. 0.5 MOA adjustment
NM/2 or NM/2A sight base needed to lower aperture completely.


standard drilled and tapped for hooded NM AR aperture
0.030”?-0.060”? diameter
no adjustment
NM/2 or NM/2A sight base needed to lower aperture completely.
pic needed

XS (SOCOM) ghost ring
0.125” diameter
no adjustment


any others?

Rear Sight Elevation Pinions

All M1 and M14 elevation pinions are the same and can be used interchangeably (except Chinese, which have metric threads). Either pinion on either weapon will give you the same amount of adjustment per click. The only difference is that the M1 elevation pinion’s distance marks are calibrated for the standard M1 rifle using M2 ball and for yards and the M14 elevation pinion’s distance marks are calibrated for the standard M14 rifle using M80 ball and for meters. You can place either knob on either rifle and the marks will get you within “minute of man”. It is more accurate to count clicks than rely on the markings anyway. Cartridge, barrel length, and sight radius all affect the calibration of the pinion. It is not a precise BDC. No elevation pinions give you 0.5 MOA adjustment, only some rear sight apertures.

Part, Thread Pitch, Adjustment Value, Description

M1 lock bar
standard SAE threads
1 click = approx. 1 MOA
calibrated in yards for the M1 rifle
Must be unlocked to make sight adjustments.


M1
standard SAE threads
1 click = approx. 1 MOA
calibrated in yards for the M1 rifle


M14
standard SAE threads
1 click = approx. 1 MOA
calibrated in meters for the M14 rifle
M marked between distance numbers on side.


Chinese M14
metric threads
1 click = approx. 1 MOA
calibrated in meters for the M14 rifle
Only compatible with Chinese windage knob and Chinese sight base.
pic needed

Rear Sight Windage Knobs

Windage knobs can either give you approximately 1 MOA or 0.5 MOA adjustment per click. The 0.5 MOA adjustment is helpful when really trying to get zeroed on something or when shooting at longer ranges. At 1000M, 1 MOA is 10.5”. If your rounds are hitting about 5” to the left or right, no adjustment of a 1 MOA sight will get your rounds closer to the center of the target. Standard windage knobs and ball detent modified windage knobs must be used with standard sight bases and NM windage knobs must be used with NM sight bases. Chinese windage knobs must be used with Chinese sight bases and Chinese elevation pinions.

When sighting in your rifle, use the front sight for windage adjustments and leave your rear sight centered. This will allow you to visually see if the rifle is zeroed. While shooting in wind, you can adjust the sights to compensate and then be able to easily set it back to zero. If you have the SEI hooded GLFS, you must use the rear sight to adjust for windage.

Part, Thread Pitch, Adjustment Value

standard
standard SAE threads
1 click = approx. 1 MOA


standard with ball detent mod
standard SAE threads
1 click = approx. 0.5 MOA


NM
SAE fine threads
1 click = approx. 0.5 MOA
Only compatible with NM, NM/2, or NM/2A sight base.
Marked NM on the flat side.


Chinese
metric threads
1 click = approx. 1 MOA
Only compatible with Chinese elevation pinion and Chinese sight base.
pic needed

Rear Sight Bases

With rear sight bases, you basically just pic the one that is compatible with the rear sight components you want to use. If you are planning on using an NM windage knob, you must use a NM sight base. If you are planning on using a hooded rear sight aperture, you must use an NM/2 or NM/2A sight base or modify a standard sight base. If you are using Chinese sight parts, you must use a Chinese sight base.

Part, Thread Pitch, Description

standard
standard SAE threads


NM
SAE fine threads
Only compatible with NM windage knob.
pic needed

NM/2 and NM/2A
SAE fine threads
Cut out for hooded rear sight aperture.
Marked in paint or stamped NM/2 or NM/2A.


Chinese
metric threads
Only compatible with Chinese elevation pinion and Chinese windage knob.
pic needed

Rail Mounted Rear Sights

Those using the TROY SOPMOD stock or TROY Battle Rail cannot use the M14s standard iron sights. If you wish to use iron sights on your rifle, you can purchase any rear fixed or back up sights designed for the AR rifle and others.



Dustin
 
#8 ·
Great! Nice pics and thanks for measurements. If you want to get even more detail I wouldn't mind seeing see base height measurements from different flash hiders, breaks and gas locks. That and distance between front / rear sight for different barrels and sight locations? I'd like to do some geometry here, you gave me some new ideas.. GI2
 
#11 ·
If anyone knows of additional sights than what I have listed or pics, please add.



Can't really help with the measurements of the front sight bases. I can tell you that all of the USGI flash suppressors will be the same. Everything else (excluding the SEI GLFSs and the SOCOM GLFS) should be the same height.
The sight radii are already listed in the post... somewhere. I will add the distance for GLFS equipped rifles.

msinabottle said:
Thank you so much for all this hard work!

Please make it a sticky!

Please turn it into an Acrobat PDF file, like the lubrication tutorial!

Very grateful.

Best!
I don't think my version of Adobe will let me do that. I'll see if I can do it at work. Most likely after I get some more pics.

Dustin
 
#10 ·
Thank you so much for all this hard work!

Please make it a sticky!

Please turn it into an Acrobat PDF file, like the lubrication tutorial!

Very grateful.

Best!
This is one of those kicking myself for not looking at sooner threadsICONCRY I was going to print the stream then saw msinabottle's request so +1 on the PDF requestFRG1 Oh, and my thanks as well for the work that went into this AND for including my lil' black sheep (SocII).
 
#13 ·
Awesome report!!! One of the other millions of reasons I love this site. I agree, this is sticky worthy
 
#16 ·
Greetings,

My Father is a retired Marine and is writing his Viet Nam Era Memoirs and has a technical question regarding the M-14 sights adjustments.

Specifically: How many clicks elevation the M-14 has, but can't find a good set of numbers to go by.

I have noted that the M-14 rear sights are the same as the M-1.
My M-1 has 75 clicks for elevation adjustment.

If this is correct is there an manufactures manual or a Reference my Dad can cite in is Book.

Thanks

V/r Dave
 
#18 ·
Two more front sights to add to your collection.
The first is one you mentioned but had no pictures.
The Globe hooded front sight with various apertures.






Second is the M79 front sight.
This is the tallest front sight you can put an M14/M1A rifle.
Blade width is .079"






Here it is compared to an XS standard height front sight, a SAI N.M. Scout front sight, and an XS Socom front sight with filed down blade.



As you can see it is the tallest of the bunch. And she's a "wide" body also.

Pezboy,
Thank you for taking the time and research to set up this guide.

Glenn
 
#28 · (Edited)
Glenn:
The "M-79" shown in your pics-- That's from a grenade launcher, eh?

BLPR1 ICONWINK
Yes it is.
The dovetail is the same size as for the M14/M1A platform.
It is primarily an option for the Socom rifles with the factory gas lock/muzzle brake.
Where it really shines is with a Aimpoint Micro on an Ultimak M-8.
The higher thinner blade works great for cowitnessing.
and centers the dot better.



M79 front sight, Socom large rear aperture with rifle in this configuration.

Glenn
 
#20 ·
Front sight height?

Hi, Pez--
I found this old thread whilst searching for info re targeting my M-14S/305 (18.5"). I've just finished replacing the factory rear sight with one from a USGI M-1 Garand. I've not been out to the range to sight in the new rear sight yet. I was at 19 clicks with my 100 yd zero because my front sight is very tall, or so it appears on my 18.5" barrel).

See how the top of the sight is above the level of its 'protective' ears. I'd like to get the blade and the aperture down out of the stratosphere, so I'm following the directions given by Fulton Armory on shortening the front sight.
But I must be measuring the height of my blade differently because it's not in the ballpark with the heights shown in your comprehensive post. Using the Fulton method of measuring from the top of the blade to the flat between its base and the protecting 'ears', I'm getting just ~0.440", yet you're showing the 'std' (22") M-14 height as .562" and the 'std tall' as ~.720".
According to my calculations, in order to end up with my 100 yd zero at ~7 clicks, I ought to be trimming ~0.10" from my existing front blade.
That would give me a height of ~0.340" and put the top of the sight just below its ears. Are my ears that much shorter than standard? Why does my sight look different that those posted on here? IDK-- Maybe the whole 'disproportionate' thing is an optical illusion. The numbers seem to make sense.

IDK if I'm measuring incorrectly or what, but I'd like to be certain I'm on the same page as you before I go filing and shooting, and making myself all crazy.

BTW-- My sight is ~0.080 wide (same as the std for 22") so I'll likely be needing something like a tall NM 0.062 on my 18.5" barrel ...(?)

Thanks for your very illuminating series of posts. If you or any other members can help me out here I'd be most appreciative.
Tom
 
#25 · (Edited)
Very thorough report. I would like to add/amend to the rear aperture discussion.

Aperture diameter is not just personal preference. The smaller your aperture, the greater the depth of field will be, and the more sharply you will see the front sight, especially if you have limited vision. The only watchout is that as the aperture gets smaller, it lets in less light, and so on very dim days, exceptionally small apertures might provide too dim a sight picture.

ShootingSight LLC makes modified non-adjustable apertures, with steel inserts in USGI apertures to create 0.042", 0.0465", 0.052", and 0.0595" non-adjustable apertures. They also make NM hoods and hooded assemblies with the 1/2MOA adjustment in 0.0465" diameter.

ShootingSight also makes kits for rebuilding hoods that contain detent balls, belleville washers, c-clips, and an installation tool for the c-clip.

The correct lens insert for an M1 or M14 to offset your focus from infinity (which is where the uncorrected human eye will relax, or where eye doctors adjust the corrected eye to), is +0.50 diopters. This power will move your relaxed focal point to the hyperfocal distance of the front sight, so you can see the front sight and the target, with both in focus simultaneously.
 
#26 ·
What can you do with a GI?

Art: Thx for that tip. Can you provide me with this +0.50 diopter insert for my (USGI) M-1 Garand aperture, or is it necessary to have a 'match' sight to begin with? If so, do you happen to know if it's possible to order just the hooded 'aperture' (ie c/w rack) or do I have to get the entire assembly? I just got done installing the complete M-1 sight.
Tom GI3
ps-- Went to eyedoc for complete exam (A-OK) and described my shooting/acuity requirements. Ordered shooting glasses: Right eye mild correction for 20/20 (hyperfocus?) Left eye-- transition from distance to reading. Should be in tomorrow. Stay tuned to this frequency...
(I don't want a scope/red dot on my M-14)

.
 
#27 ·
SportingLad,

Usually if you want to use a lens insert, it is a small 3/8 diameter lens that is inserted inside the hood, so that solution won't work for a regular aperture.

I do sell just hoods, but there is no way to attach a hood to an existing aperture because there is some precision machining to be done to the rack. You would need to replace the entire rack/hood assembly, and even then you'd be limited, as the standard NM hood is too big in diameter, so it bumps into the sight base when you drop your elevation, so you lose several clicks on the bottom end of the travel - I think this issue was covered in the OP's thread.

That said, I make hoods that screw into an AR flip sight that are smaller in diameter. These have screw-in interchangeable apertures. So a project I am thinking about undertaking is to drill/tap a USGI rack to accept one of my hoods. The thought is that with a smaller hood, it might fit in a GI sight base without bumping. You would lose the 1/2MOA adjustability, but you could get reduced apertures.

This would not be Garand match legal, but it would be SR legal.

As to your doc's correction for your eyes, based on the front sight distance and the lens equations, the difference between your distance vision and your shooting prescription should be +0.5 in the sphere value of your prescription. Once you are shooting, you can tell if the lens is right, as a higher (more positive) sphere value will improve the front sight at the expense of the target, and a lower (or more negative) value will improve the target at the expense of the front sight. Your goal is to be able to see both with similar clarity at the same time.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top