Scalarworks - PEAK (Read 3770 times)

Bota-CS1

Scalarworks - PEAK
« on: May 13, 2019, 09:36:14 PM »
I saw their booth last year and took a look at a few of their products.  They seemed pretty solid and well manufactured, but I didn't have a lot of time that 3rd day to stick around and ask them a lot of questions.  You may think what's the big deal, it's a fixed front sight, there's a lot of those on the market.  And you'd be right except these are two to three steps above the competition.  What makes them stand out is the quality of the design and the manufacturing.  Rather than having to use a front sight tool to adjust the post, you just simply turn a dial and you're set versus the traditional spring loaded detent.  If you have long enough arms, you can reach the front adjustment dial from the seated position on a bench without having to get up and off your scope.  They use a ball bearing spring combination for solid adjustment clicks that won't budge.  The front post is CNC machined from 7075-T6 aluminum alloy which is the same material as most mil-spec AR lowers which allows it to handle a great deal of abuse.  I just got these in this week and haven't had a chance to abuse them at the range yet, but I'll update that when I get a chance.  It weights in at an anorexic 2.3 oz, which is lighter than a vast majority of the fixed front sights on the market as well as some folding ones as well.

In addition to top notch machining and finishing they included a legit magnetic T25 Torx bit, and the conversion formula to adjust the sight based on your sight radius.  It comes in nice packaging which shows their anal retentive attention to detail.  The only draw back is the price - $139.99 for the front sight.  That can be very steep for a single piece of kit - you can get a lot of ammo for range time for the same price.  What it really comes down to is what your setup is and how you're going to use it.  Is this something for your Heavy Metal 3 Gun Rifle, or a precision iron sights only competition?  If it is, then this might be for you.  It could also be for a "bomb proof" SHTF upper.  *PS they care about you single guys out there.  There's very sage advice hidden in the box.   :thumbsup:
No one is coming, it’s up to us.

Legislation should never be about depriving law abiding citizens of something, but rather taking those things away from criminals.

drck1000

Re: Scalarworks - PEAK
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2019, 07:46:25 AM »
I've been wanting to try their Aimpoint mount for a while now, but just haven't gotten around to it.  They seem like they product quality products with a lot of thought into designs, particularly efficient use of materials and shaving off weight where possible, which I appreciate. 

When you mentioned that you feel this sight is 2-3 steps above the competition, what sights did you have in mind?  I have a range of iron sights on my ARs with DD fixed front on most with some having the DD fixed rear or ARMS folding rear sights.  Never had a problem with those, but that's not to say that there aren't better products.  I mean I'm all for paying more for quality products, but $239 for the set is pretty pricey.  But I guess compared to the $$$ I spent on other components, it's not that much. . .  :oops:

The front sight adjustment seems gimmicky to me.  While I can see the convenience of it, it's not like the "old school" front sight post was super cumbersome.  I am all for innovation, but sometimes I wonder if the need to be different, thereby driving price up, is warranted. 

Looking forward to seeing your thoughts after shooting with it some.   :thumbsup:

Bota-CS1

Re: Scalarworks - PEAK
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2019, 07:38:56 PM »
The 2-3 steps ahead was my opinion on how they addressed what I felt was the biggest drawback to the current front post design.  Sure the current design works, but requires a tool I ended having to attach to my key ring so it didn't get lost in the rifle bag when I took it to bench.  Is it the best design - maybe not depending on how you look at it.  I would have preferred a more vertical post with rounded tip like the take down pin retaining detents in the AR lower.  Any surface will wear over time with friction, but after setting the front sight, I don't see having to constantly fuss with it so there's a minimal chance of the bearing wearing so much that the turn dial spins itself loose or loses retention from recoil.

Is this the best there is or will be?  No.  There are things that I think other designs do better like the Daniel Defense fixed front where the serrations cut down on glare.  IMO it's a thoughtful step in the right direction.  It's not something gimmicky like those double 1911's and ARs.  I may end up doing a drop test from shoulder height like Aaron Cowan does in his videos.  I don't think the rifle side would let me chuck the rifle into the grass on the rifle side after the line goes cold.   


No one is coming, it’s up to us.

Legislation should never be about depriving law abiding citizens of something, but rather taking those things away from criminals.

ren

Re: Scalarworks - PEAK
« Reply #3 on: May 15, 2019, 08:10:46 PM »
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« Last Edit: May 15, 2019, 08:23:06 PM by ren »
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