Ruger AR556 front sight tower-effects on scope?

[aap2]

I'm considering buying a Ruger AR556 and mounting a scope or red dot sight and was wondering if it's high front sight tower will be in the line of sight of the optics? Or do you just mount the scope higher? I like the Ruger AR556 and it's price but wonder if that front sight will be a problem. Thanks.

[Artful]

Any standard AR type from sight tower will be in line with the optics - but it won't interfere with the use of the optics.
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/ACOG_4x.JPG
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/vanloch/S4200135.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/vanloch/media/S4200135.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/BridgerNY/03-06-05%20handguns%20etc/ACOGret1.jpg
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachments/outdoor-sports-recreation/685719d1343011522-low-power-scope-a2-sight-img_2404.jpg
it will be most noticable if you have a low power scope like this variable set to 1x magnification
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg254/oswald621/guns/burris-reticle.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/oswald621/media/guns/burris-reticle.jpg.html)

Red Dot's that you look thru they call Co-Witness with iron or Back Up Iron Sights (BUIS)
http://www.rangerproof.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cowitnessdiagrams-1.jpg
http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/ww223/crisptito/t-1sightpicture-wtarget.jpg (http://s722.photobucket.com/user/crisptito/media/t-1sightpicture-wtarget.jpg.html)
http://progunfighter.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/side-by-side-good-copy.jpg

[aap2]

Artful: Thanks for the detailed and very informative reply! Your pictures and explanation is quite an education. Since the tower isn't an issue I'm going to buy a Ruger Ar556 as a starter rifle and add optics. I really appreciate your help.

[W.R.Buchanan]

This is also known as "Co-Witnessing." Some guys like to be able to see the Iron Sights thru their optics. I guess it is for quick backup purposes if your red dot goes out during a fire fight.

I personally don't like it but have to live with it on my AR. The good news is that the Red Dot is so much more prominent than the front post, your eye tends to gravitate to it.

If you are using a Red Dot like a Bushnell TRS25 on your AR you will need a 1" riser block any way to get it to eye level. With a folding rear sight like a Magpul MBUS the rear sight is lowered and completely out of the way and isn't in your field of view.

Randy

[osteodoc08]

You can always replace the gas block

[Goose]

Thank you! That was exactly what I was looking for.....no pun. I had the exact same question as aap2 for my Ruger AR556.