AR15 flattop - scope mount with built in iron sights?

[Troutinator]

being a new ar15 owner leaves me in a quandry. I purposely purchased an Ar flattop with pict rail to mount optics appropriate for 200-300 yard work. but in reading numerous ar sites it occurs to me that having BUIS(back up iron sights) makes a lot of sense. So as I search far and wide for scope mounts it looks like many will acommodate existing iron sights.. none have built in iron sights as part of the scope mount itself. I'm not looking for some highly accurate iron sight, just a simple back up system in case the optics get damaged or knocked assunder.

Am I looking for something that simply doesn't exist or just not looking in the right places?

Your collective expertise is appreciated....

[Hawk]

LaRue Tactical makes some good detachable BUIS. That's what my son put on his flat top and it works nice. We have the LaRue scope mounts too and he actually just folds his BUIS down and mounts the scope. LaRue stuff is a little spendy but it's top quality.

[4th_Point]

Larue is as good as it gets for scope mounts on an AR15 in my opinion.

Do you really need BUIS though? If I were you I would mount your scope with a Larue and wait to see if you even want BUIS. Many people do it for looks or just in case, but it adds cost and a little weight to your rifle. How many scopes have you broken? Most good quality scopes are very rugged. If you kick down doors for a living or work in the sandbox, its a different story.

The other thing you could do is have your carry handle in your pack, if you have one. You can usually pick them up for little money if you don't. But they aren't as cool as having BUIS.

[Big Smizz]

I have an extra DPMS adjustable removable rear sight sitting around at home collecting dust. It is brand new and has never been used. I ordered it with my flat top AR. What it looks like can be found here:

http://www.m-aparts.com/productsDetail.asp?id=1115

I'd be willing to part with it if it is something that you are looking for. PM me or reply if you are interested.

[Hunt'nFish]

Troutinator, doesn't that Bushmaster has a small rail on the gas block?
Maybe not, I can't remember if it does or not.
If so, they make a flip up front site to go on that gas block rail. and a matching one for the rear of the flat top rail.

In not, they also make scope rings with primative front/rear sites on the top half of the rings. Millett I believe.
Site radius would be very short, but better than nothing. But for a backup, a good pistol might be just as useful.

IMO, you should just mount an older 4-12x Leupold and enjoy the reliability a Leupold affords.

You could also elect to have the gas block replaced w/ one that does have the rail on top.
a little more money, but perhaps better in the long run.
Some thoughts anyway,
Hunt'nFish

BTW, congrats on the new rifle. Good choice.....but I still like Olympic.

[jmshave]

A good scope, decently mounted makes BUIS unnecessary 99.5% of the time (my math, don't hold me to it

Also, depending on how you mount/hold the rifle and the eye relief of your chosen scope - an added flip up sight sometimes can make mounting the scope in the right position impossible, as you lose the rear portion of the flattop to the iron. Many, especially with higher magnification or variable power scopes need to be able to mount them all the way to the rear to be able to see through them.

Save the money you would spend on the irons (add it to your scope budget if needed) and buy a good quality, sturdy glass.

If you have a standard fixed front sight/gas block, you may want to replace it with a flat model for no other reason than its shadowy image will be in your scoped sight picture. Bothers some but not all, but be aware that you will likely see it.

[Troutinator]

all good advice... I'll start with the scope and mount then decide if the Wilson Combat flip ups are just extraneous doodads...