Newbie front sight questions

[seamaster]

I just acquired a Hammerli AR20 air rifle.

Just a few newbie questions about the front sight.

1) front sight has two screwing in caps. One short, one long. Which one should be the pointing toward the target?

2) there is a clear plastic piece with drilled, beveled center hole. Which cap should contain this clear plastic piece? The short cap or the long cap?

3) Should the plastic piece with center hole be place closer to the out side of the front sight (with short end cap) or in the middle of the front sight (with long end cap)? Plastic bevel hole, bevel out toward target or toward me?

4) Are there other plastic pieces with different configurations I can install for the front sight?

Thanks in advance for answering my very newbie rifle questions.

[Tim S]

The persepx peice is the foresight element, or insert. Normally it fits into the rear of the tunnel (this gives it more shade), and I'd say with the long clamp. Normally the bevel faces the target. The front clamp would be used for a polarising/coloured filter, or a spirit level (not allowed in ar).

Yes the element can be swapped over. These are interchangeable. Your is a probably an 18mm elelment (which is the nominal diameter), this is one of the standard sizes. 22mm dia meter elements are also common. You may somestimes see 16mm elelements on older rifles.

The element should have the diameter (in mm) of the aperture (the drilled hole) inscribed on it. say 4.0.

[DLS]

Tim S gave you good advice. Just to add a bit.

... bevel out toward target or toward me?

The bevel is toward the target because you want to view a crisp edge of the hole. If you are viewing the beveled edge, depending on the light striking the insert you may not see the true edge of the hole. And this may only be true for part of the circumference.

Are there other plastic pieces with different configurations I can install for the front sight?

On plastic inserts your only configuration choice will be color and the size of the aperture. It's wise to have a set of different sizes because the size that gives you the best sight picture will vary depending on range lighting, your eye that particular day and who knows what else, the phase of the moon? LOL

If become serious in this game you will note the need for different sizes.

Also available are metal inserts that allow for different sized apertures, like the plastic, as well as a front post.

Metal's advantages are they don't scratch or fog (not a problem usually indoors) or break and you can shoot a post if that suits you. They are easier to find when you drop them too ... trying to find a clear piece of plastic on the floor of the range can be "fun". Ask me how I know this?

Metal's disadvantage is that the supports for the aperture clutter the sight picture and the ring itself is much thicker that what can be had with a plastic insert.

You can get insert sets at places like Champion's Choice or Champion's Shooters Supply. Here's a link to give you an idea of what's available:

http://www.champchoice.com/store/Main.a ... y&c=OPAICC

I hope this helps.

Lee