Lowering battlesights on an AR

An earlier entry showed how to raise the sights on an AR style rifle. This brief photoblog entry will show how to lower those sights. The AR rifle used in these photos is a Smith and Wesson M&P 15T, but the information in the blog also applies to all battlesight-based rifles.

Lowering the battlesights on an AR rifle is fairly easy. I usually start with the rear battlesight (pictured below). The stud you need to press in is located on the left side of the battlesight when the rifle is facing forward.


The first step is to press the stud in toward the center of the battlesight. This may take a little pressure if the battlesight is new.


While you are pressing the stud in on the left side of the battlesight, press down and to the rear with your free index finger to lower the battlesight. The battlesight will lower toward the stock of the rifle. It does not matter which aperture is "up" at the time.


Lowering the front battlesight is the same as lowering the rear battlesight. First, you will need to press in on the stud located on the left side of the battlesight.


In the following photo, you can see when you press in on the stud, the battlesight support pushes out on the right side.


Now you can press down on the front battlesight to lower it. The battlesight lowers toward the stock of the rifle as in the photo above.


Nothing to it!

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Different sights on an AR rifle

There are two kinds of sight options available on some AR rifles. This particular Smith and Wesson M&P 15T I have been using for the blog photos has a dual-aperture sight on the rear battle sight. This photo blog will illustrate the difference in the two sight apertures and how to best utilize each one for sighting a target.

Apertures on this particular model of AR rifle makes acquiring targets much easier. The photo below is a closeup of a rear battlesight on a Smith and Wesson M&P 15T with the larger aperture up and in place.


You can change the aperture to a smaller focus fairly easy.

To change between large or small apertures, just pivot the rear battlesight by pressing up or down, depending on the aperture you require. In the photo below, by pressing down on the large aperture, I am bringing the smaller aperture up into use.


It is pretty straightforward. The next photo is a photo of the rear battlesight with the smaller aperture in place.


Now the smaller aperture is up and in place. So what exactly do you use the small and large apertures for? By themselves, the apertures are useless. But using them in combination with the front sights on your rifle (or handgun), you will hit your target no matter if it is moving or standing still.

This next photo and the bounced flash off the front sight was a complete accident, but it illustrates perfectly how to use a battlesight (or for that matter, any iron or "fixed" sights.)


You want to look THROUGH the rear sight (the one closest to you) and look AT the front sight (the one farthest away from you.) In the photo above, the front sight is white because of the bright flash. Your focus should be on the front sight and placing that front sight on your target. The rear sight is used to help focus your front sight targeting, just as it appears in the photo above.

This next photo is the view through the smaller aperture through the battlesight. You will notice your eye is more focused on one specific area.. right on the target.


This aperture setting is useful for aiming at stationary targets and also best for use in "long range" firing. Your eye is pulled into the immediate sight area and is more attuned to the target and not so much to the distractions of the surrounding area.

This next photo is the view through the larger aperture through the battlesight. You will notice your eye is more open to the surrounding areas of the target, and not so focused on one specific area.


This aperture setting is useful for aiming at moving targets and for use in "normal" range firing. Your eye is free to look at the surrounding areas, pick up movement as it is coming into the firing range, and adjust your position or the rifle's direction accordingly.

Remember, to switch to the large aperture, push down on the front portion of the rear battlesight to pivot the large aperture up into position. To switch to the small aperture, push down on the rear portion of the rear battlesight to pivot the small aperture up and into position. The following diagram illustrates this procedure as the battlesights are in-between transition.


Battlesights alone will not hit the target, though. You must practice with your rifle at the range to see where the sight falls on certain distances and adjust your aim accordingly. Like the old saying goes, practice makes perfect!

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Handgun grip 101

I was working on a photo blog showing the proper way to grip a handgun, but while I was doing research for it, I saw Handguns magazine already had a page on this topic on their site.

Take a look at http://www.handgunsmag.com/tactics_training/grip_0925/
You can see on that page how to properly hold and fire a revolver and automatic firearm. Its clear, concise and has enough photos to make their points very clearly.

You might wonder "what difference does it make how I hold a handgun?' The truth is it makes a massive difference. Holding a handgun correctly will not only make firing the weapon much more comfortable, but will also improve your accuracy and make follow-up shots much more accurate as well.

Try one of the grips listed on the article above the next time you are practicing at the range. Then try your "regular" grip. A good, proper grip makes all the difference on whether you will hit your target or miss it completely.

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Raising battlesights on an AR rifle

The following photos will show how to raise the front and rear battlesights on an AR rifle. The AR rifle used for illustration is a Smith and Wesson M&P 15T, but the information generally applies to all AR style rifles.

Some AR rifles have carry handles, others come with sights. This particular model came with front and rear battlesights. The FRONT battlesight is the sight near the end muzzle of the rifle. The REAR battlesight is toward the stock of the rifle. The photo below shows the REAR battlesight.



To raise the rear battlesight into position, just lift up on the sight.



Once you lift up far enough, the rear battlesight will click into position. The battlesight will remain locked in this position until unlocked at the base. (Which will be illustrated in a later blog entry)


The front battlesight works the same way as the rear battlesight.


To raise the front battlesight into position, just lift up on the sight.


Once you lift up far enough, the front battlesight will click into position. The battlesight will remain locked in this position until unlocked at the base. (Which will be illustrated in a later blog entry)


Familiarizing yourself with the use of these "iron" sights is a very good idea. You should not completely rely on powered sights or accessories to acquire your target. Built in "iron" sights on an AR are always in place, never need batteries, and never flake out in extreme weather conditions. You do need to practice with them to become proficient, though.

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