How to Remove AR15 A2 Front Sight [Guide for Beginners]

So you’ve had your AR-15 for a while now, and you’re getting a bit tired of it? Want to mod it but not sure how?

You’ve come to the right place! Most people think they need to enlist the help of a local gunsmith to remove and replace their AR-15 front sight base —  but not you.

You can remove the front sight block from your AR-15 all by yourself at home.

And we’re here to walk you through all the steps.

From gathering the right tools, removing the handguard, the upper receiver, taking out the flash hider, the gas tube, and the front sight base pin, and finally the AR-15 front sight block itself.

Let’s get started!

Tools You Need to Remove an AR 15 A2 Front Sight

Before you start removing the front sight post, make sure you grab the right tools first:

• • Handguard removal tool – If your AR-15 rifle upper has a handguard attached, you need this tool to take it off
  • Clamps – For holding the upper half of your AR-15 in place
  • Vise blocks to hold the barrel
  • Front sight bench block tool
  • Nail starter punch – For the rounded taper pins. Or a flat-headed steel punch for flat-headed ones
  • Armorer’s wrench – Any kind of wrench from your tools will do, but this kind works best
  • A generous amount of oil for heavily used guns
  • Brass or plastic hammer (or any kind that is lighter than your usual steel one)
  • You might also need to grab a barrel nut wrench
  • An old fabric or towel (OPTIONAL)
  • Anti-seize grease (OPTIONAL)

Step 1: Remove the Handguard Rifle

Most AR-15 guns are equipped with a handguard (like a free float tube) that you will need to remove first before dealing with the A2 front sight block.

NOTE: But if your gun does not have the standard two-piece handguard, just skip this step and go straight to dealing with your AR-15 fixed front sight.

For this step, we’ll need your AR-15 handguard removal tool:

1. Grab the hooks and place them in the front of the mag. Then slip the arms through the delta ring.
2. Next, pull the arms of the handguard back and towards the rear of your AR-15 rifle.
3. This will compress the spring and allow you to remove the halves of your AR-15 rifle handguard.

Step 2: Remove the Accessories

For this step, we’ll need your padded vise block to hold the barrel. Go and get your armorer’s wrench too, so you can turn the flash hider before removing the front sight.

1. First, separate the upper half of your AR-15 rifle from the lower part.
2. Take out the bolt carrier and charging handle.
3. Then make sure you also take out the attached rear sights, carry handles, and red dot optics.

Step 3: Clamp the Upper Half of Your AR-15 Bolt Carrier

Now with the charging handle removed from the upper receiver of your AR-15 rifle, it’s time for the next step.

1. Grab and place it in the vise block. The upper receiver might not fit the vise block the first time, so wiggle it around inside first until you get the fit right. You know the fit is right when it can close completely.
2. Then load the upper receiver into your bench vise. Make sure the bench vise is mounted properly, then we can proceed with removing the flash hider!

Step 4: Remove the AR-15 Rifle Flash Hider

Now the next step in removing the front sight is the flash hider.