I had intended to make a longer review, but I’m unable to do voiceovers at the moment, so I’m just going to go with an “at the range” overview that I filmed last weekend.
In my opinion, these sights are less than functional, and the reasons why both the front and rear sights have major problems are very obvious.
The front sight’s release latch doesn’t always return to the “forward and upright” position, meaning that some of the time you want to fold the sight down, you have to physically move the latch into place. Sometimes it does. Consistency, even if it was in a less than desirable manner, would be nice.
The rear sight is designed to allow both the large and small apertures to lay flat on top of one another, leaving a lot of room for optics. Unfortunately, when the rear sight is sprung upwards into place, the small aperture moves forward at roughly a 45 degree angle, blocking the shooter’s view of the front sight almost completely. The only true solution to have the rear sight ready to use the instant it’s moved up into place is to leave the small aperture folded away from the large one, reducing scope clearance and not allowing the user to immediately use the small aperture if he so desires.
In the video I describe the sights as “absolutely useless”. Perhaps this was going a bit too far, but I do not find them to be very functional as-is. Initially, they looked nice, and I liked the low profile of the rear sight – but as I actually used them, I found that I would…never want to actually use them on any of my rifles. If I wanted to use polymer sights, I would buy the Magpul MBUS, which are better designed, and as a result, they work as intended.
I’m reviewing them separately from the NGA X7 (which came equipped with them) because they were an optional accessory, and I didn’t feel that their poor performance should reflect upon the rifle.
I am glad I went with the Magpul sights instead. thanks for the review.
Unfortunate; the ARMS gear on their previous rifles was good stuff.
Does anyone have another pair to confirm that this issue is consistent?
yea who ever put the sights on…there backwards…dumb dumb
Just googling around, I’ve found several independent complaints regarding the rear sight aperture blocking your view on deployment.
And useless IS an apt term, as this blog evaluates equipment based on the needs of the armed professional. Consider that beyond the fact that the sights require additional fiddling after deployment, that aperture is also likely to dislodge should the rifle be jarred in any way (as can often happen in a combat situation) and block your view AGAIN. The bottom line is the design simply cannot be trusted as-is to provide you with any sight picture whatsoever at any given point in time, making it a massive liability, rather than a useful tool. And if it’s not useful… I’d say we call it what it is: useless.
Keep the short rang app open, and if its on installed correctly the short rang app will stay available when…This guy who bought this gun…the sights were on backwards
How can the decision to choose such poor accessories NOT reflect poorly on a company who’s primary marketing angle has been their ability to choose fine parts? Furthermore, with an MSRP of over $2000 and a price well over the sum of the parts, how can they justify using otherwise “cheap” parts?
Respectfully…
I see it as an outlier – and now an outdated one at that, for they’re no longer offering these sights. I won’t defend their decision to use them in the first place, but all of the other components are of much better quality (such as the excellent Vltor stock).
I had a set of 71s. Had the problem with the rear sight latch, the front sight latch was fine.
I really did not like the huge ears on the front sight. There were no problems with the rear sight apertures moving on the set I had.
Personally I like the 71s better then the Magpul sights, however I don’t feel that either are really suitable for a serious use rifle.
My front and rear set are absolutely perfect, including the rear. My co-worker bought a rear and when deployed, the aperature would go forward. I’ve had mine since they first came out and have had no problem. I actually have been running mine as the primary optics. I prefer the ARMS to the magpul.
I guess I spoke too soon. My rear is also doing the same thing now. Can’t say I’d call them useless, but rather annoying.
stumbled upon this thread…bought my Ar a few months back with these, and now starting to have the minor annoyance of the rear sight- front is A-OK. Anyone try any fixes. Its a minor issue and I do prefer ARMS to Magpul…however any Magpul users think I should goe with MBUS to avoid this issue?
People…the side of the sight that says #71 should face you…this guys is a hack..doesn’t know how to use his stuff
Victor, the sights were installed by the manufacturer.