Smyth Busters: Should You Mount Your Front Sight Backwards?

Published on February 7, 2023
Duration: 7:11

Mounting AR-15 front sights backwards is a myth busted by Brownells experts. While intended to save rail space for accessories like laser aiming devices, it creates significant hazards. These include snagging, burn risks from muzzle devices, and potential durability issues. Practical demonstrations show sufficient space is often available with standard mounting.

Quick Summary

Mounting AR-15 front sights backwards is a myth busted by Brownells experts. While intended to save rail space for accessories, it creates significant hazards like snagging, burns from muzzle devices, and potential durability issues. Standard mounting often provides sufficient space.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: The Backwards Front Sight Myth
  2. 00:55Why Reverse Sights? Rail Space Explained
  3. 01:19The 'Operator' Influence & Reddit Trend
  4. 03:19Practical Demo: Standard vs. Reversed Sight
  5. 05:35Verdict: Myth Busted & Hazards

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do some people mount AR-15 front sights backwards?

The primary reason is to free up Picatinny rail space, especially on shorter handguards, to mount accessories like laser aiming devices (e.g., Steiner DBAL) and their associated pressure pads.

What are the risks of mounting an AR-15 front sight backwards?

Reversing the front sight creates significant hazards: it can snag on gear or obstacles, pose a burn risk if it extends over a hot muzzle device, and potentially suffer durability issues if impacted.

Is reversing an AR-15 front sight necessary for accessory mounting?

Often, it is not necessary. Practical demonstrations show that with careful placement of components like a Magpul MBUS Pro and a Steiner DBAL, sufficient rail space can usually be achieved with standard sight orientation.

What is the verdict on mounting AR-15 front sights backwards?

The practice is generally not recommended and is considered a myth to be 'busted.' The potential benefits of saving rail space are outweighed by the safety and durability risks involved.

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