How to zero my AR

[Hecklerusp45]

I am a long time Garand M1A guy and never thought I would have to ask this, but I need to be sure I am zeroing my AR correctly. My main concern is the horizontal aspect of the zero process. With one of my Garands I always set the windage on the rear sight to the dead center. I then fire a test shot. I then move the front sight left or right as needed to get the shot on target while the rear is still dead center. That way I can use the rear adjustments to correct for actual wind. My problem is that I have an Armalite M-15 with a (removable) front sight that cannot be moved left or right, only up or down. Therefore I am forced (I think) to use the knob on the rear sight (on the removable carry handle) to set my zero. This leaves me less space on one side to move the sight for actual wind. Am I doing this correctly?

[joem]

That's the only way I know how to do it.

[rider]

On our M-16, we never used more than a few clicks of windage. If you DO run out of windage adjustment, there's a problem with the shooter or the rifle.

[gwp]

If you must have all the windage adjustment available:

White Oak Precision can modify the front sight base on your service rifle for windage adjustment. The sight base will be drilled and tapped for set screws. Opposing set screws are installed in the front of the base to allow for windage adjustment

http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/whiteoakprecision/services.htm

[Hecklerusp45]

I only used half or so of the clicks left of center, does that sound normal?

[gwp]

I checked my Armalite with the removable front sight and the base is clamped on with Allen head cap screws. If your rifle has the clamp-on front sight base the screws can be loosened and the base can be rotated to mechanical zero. Use Locltite on the cap screws after you have the base adjusted.

[Hecklerusp45]

I was thinking about doing exactly what you are saying, but would it cause any problems with the gas system?

[gwp]

It looks like the sight base is positioned with a shoulder on the barrel. The position of the gas system should not be a problem. Twisting the sight base slightly will cause a larger change in the alignment of the sights. You may want to mark the relationship of the barrel and sight base before you start. Make small adjustments and check the zero.

[Johnny in Texas]

I removed the taper pins and then tap the holes. Then I install allen socket set screws to hold the front base in place and adjust the front sight alignment. The hardest part is removing the taper pins.

[Hecklerusp45]

Thanks for all of the feedback and suggestions. I did a lot of reading on the Armalite site and took the rifle part of the way apart. I found that backing off the two screws on the bottom of the gas block will allow it to be rotated. I feel sure that a slight rotation will fix this problem. Thanks again folks.