Couple years back DoubleStar had a deal for $350 you get everything to build a complete rifle, minus the stripped lower.
It also came with a certificate to attend their AR armorers course (which alone cost $325). So picked up a DoubleStar lower for $100. $450 for a complete rifle and an armorers course seems like a decent deal. I have a couple Lego sets that cost more.
Like everything else in my life it always takes a couple years to get to.
Anyway the kit came with a picatinny railed gas block. I also have an A2 sight base laying around.
I already have a rifle with an A2 front sight.
This is just going to be a pinker so just think I’ll just use the railed gas block and toss a cheap red dot on it and call it a day.
Or is there something better to do with this sort of setup?

If you want like flip-up BUIS that gas block will work. Otherwise like you said, ignore it and put on a red dot (on the receiver :P) and enjoy.

^^^ Just don’t go putting a polymer-based sight, like the MBUS, on it.

Is that gas block rail on the same plane as your upper receiver rail ? Most of those are not and they require a specific taller front sight. There's only a few manufacturers that made them so it's pretty limiting.

If it were me, I'd replace it with a low-profile GB and put a FF handguard over it.


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Your gas block rail sits below the receiver rail. Refer to a Rock River railed gas block that sits at the same level as the receiver rail, for an example RRA .
An A frame A2 gas block would require taper pin holes precision drilled.
For a budget plinker I would just go with the red dot on the receiver rail.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: D_Steve,

quote:

Originally posted by m499:
Is that gas block rail on the same plane as your upper receiver rail ? Most of those are not and they require a specific taller front sight. There's only a few manufacturers that made them so it's pretty limiting.

If it were me, I'd replace it with a low-profile GB and put a FF handguard over it.


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I am pretty sure it sits lower which is part of the reason I am asking if they really serve any purpose.

Don’t really want to spend any added coin on a handguard. Have a few free floats currently and 2 more other nicer guns to build with handguards.

I think just for the sake of this cheap build I’ll just grab a sub $150 optic and run it. No need for irons as it will just be a small light gun to teach the boys on.