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Centurion C4 "HK-Style" Diopter Sight Review

16K views 13 replies 5 participants last post by  einzelherz  
#1 · (Edited)
I purchased a set of Centurion C4 "HK-Style" Diopter Sights back in January 2010, directly from the manufacturer, for my LMT MRP Piston 16 Carbine:

https://centurionarms.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115&Itemid=137

For anyone unfamiliar with these, they are similar to the sights that come on the HK416 and MR556A1 rifles, but are taller, for use on regular flat-top AR-15s. The reason for this is that, if one were to use HK416 and MR556A1 sights on a standard flat-top AR-15, they aren't the correct height, since the top rail on the HK rifles is taller than that of regular flat-top AR-15.

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I haven't shot my rifle a whole lot, and around September of 2010, I realized that one of the apertures of the rear sight drum was way out of round:

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I contacted the manufacturer, and was asked if I preferred to send back the rear sight drum itself, or send back the entire rear sight. I opted to send back the entire rear sight, and it was returned back to me with a new rear sight drum.

I still don't shoot my rifle nearly as much as I would like, and since I received my rear sight with the replaced rear sight drum, I noticed three things:

I found that all of the apertures are out-of-round, and that for whatever reason, on some settings, the "lip" or "edge" of the front of the rear sight drum is obscuring nearly the lower half of the sight picture:

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I also found that the rear sight won't adjust for elevation using an HK rear sight adjustment tool.

I'm very familiar with genuine HK-style sights, having spent many years shooting an SP-89 (semi-auto MP5K variant).

At present I'm waiting to hear back from the manufacturer as to what they're going to do to take care of the problem.

I like the concept of these sights, and I really want them to work-out.

I would greatly prefer that the manufacturer replace the rear sight drum with one that works, instead of just offering to refund the purchase.

The problems I'm having with the sights aside, I've found the sights to be generally well-made.

The only other issue I've had with the sights, which is minor, is that the finish of the front sight post is bare and reflective along its edges, and can't be blackened with aluma-black, so I will eventually apply some dull, matte black spraypaint to it.
 
#4 ·
That *is* kind of weak, but maybe Centurion will let you trade them for an HK design that's not flawed.

You could always pair an A2 rear sight with a round-eared HK style front. You'd get rear elevation adjustment and 2 different apertures... functionally same as the HK. For me at least, the thing that makes a sight "HK style" is round ears up front.
 
#5 ·
My rifle came with a set of LMT sights:

Front:
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Rear:
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I know I could use the Centurion front sight with my LMT rear sight like you suggested, and it would be adjustable by hand, but I hate the way the LMT sights look, and am (pathetically) not even all that familiar with the function of A2-style rear sights anyways.

I have the greatest confidence that Centurion will make everything right by getting the rear sight drum swapped-out with one that works properly and can be adjusted for elevation using an HK rear sight adjustment tool.
 
#6 ·
RESOLVED:

I'm relieved and elated to announce that Centurion is going to make the situation right for me.

I could not be more pleased, as I have found their customer service to be truly top-notch, and I really look forward to keeping their sights on my carbine.

I would recommend Centurion products to anyone without fail, especially their sights, which I feel give a flat-top AR-15 a "416 look" without the exorbitant cost associated with it (as either a 416 upper, a complete MR556A1 rifle, or a complete set of 416/MR556A1 sights are overpriced IMHO).
 
#10 ·
Thank you all for your support and the kind words! I'm really glad this is going to work out.

I've got to admit that I'm really happy with this rifle; it's really an excellent shooter, and even though I've only fed it with decent ammo (PMC bronze, cleaned-up Fed XM193, Fed 69gr. SMK, Canadian C77 (SS109), IMI M855, and LC M855), I'm proud that it has never malf'd or hiccuped once. The Geissele SSA 2-stage trigger is a nice touch, and I really dig the simple yet effective IDF sling (which I have customized with the unit badge of the IDF Golani Brigade).

In the future I intend on installing either a vfg/bipod or a vfg/flashlight combo, an Elcan Specter DR (1-4x), and eventually I intend on replacing the Magpul trigger guard with the one from KAC:

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This oddest thing is that ever since I customized my sling, I've seen all sorts of pictures of the Golani brigade with their logos all over their gear:

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