How to Assemble a Rear A1 Rifle Sight
Although not seen as often as the A2 and the flat-top A4, the A1 version of the AR-15 is still viable. If you are building an AR-15 for a general use "truck gun" or for plinking and home defense, the A1 is worth a closer look. The A2 is more adjustable for long-range targets and the flat-top offers more flexibility for mounting optics, but the A1 sight has the advantage of remaining where you set it. Because it requires a tool to change the setting, it it unlikely to get bumped out of adjustment.
Things You'll Need
- A1 sight kit
- Flat blade screwdriver
- Punch set
- Ball pein hammer
- Sight adjustment tool
Instructions
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1
Place the flat spring into the bottom of the sight channel in the carrying handle. Place the aperture on top of the spring.
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2
Insert the windage screw into the hole in the left side of the carrying handle. Thread it into the hole in the aperture, and continue turning the screw until it comes out the other side of the carrying handle, and the aperture is centered in the sight channel. The hole in the end of the windage screw should face upward.
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3
Insert the locking pin into the windage drum with the pliers. Insert the detent spring and detent into the hole in the right side of the carrying handle.
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4
Place the windage drum over the windage screw, with the pin on the outside and pointing up. Hold the windage drum and pin with the pliers, and turn the windage screw with the screwdriver until the hole in the screw lines up with the pin. Squeeze the pin into the hole with the pliers, locking the drum and screw together. Drive the pin the rest of the way into the hole with the hammer and punch.
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5
Turn the drum with the sight adjustment screw until the detent locks into the next hole in the drum.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Double check that the rifle is unloaded before attempting to work on it.
References
- Photo Credit soldier and his rifle image by Daniel Wiedemann from Fotolia.com
