Anyone run irons only on an AR?

[maroonandwhite]

I have been going back and forth in my mind about running irons only on my AR. This particular AR (my first) is meant to be a basic light SHTF type gun. I currently have the Vortex Sparc II on it at absolute co-witness with a Magpul MBUS rear. I have never tried any other irons other than the magpul so I don't know what to expect. I am looking at something like the Troy fixed rear or the dioptic sight.

 

Do any of you guys run irons only and have any advice on what to expect? Should I be able to get ALMOST as fast target acquisition with irons with practice?

[KKing]

I love my irons only gun. I'm running the Daniel Defense fixed irons and I'm 99% as accurate with them as I am with a red dot. I can get a picture later

[gregintenn]

Sure. I have two with only a carry handle and a frame front sight. They work fine for me. I'm accustomed to deer hunting with aperture sights, so I'm at home with irons on an ar. They don't need batteries, won't fog up, etc.

[peejman]

Other than rifles specifically set up for long range work where optics are necessary, I've never understood why one wouldn't have iron sights.   And that's not just AR's but any rifle.

[maroonandwhite]

If going with a fixed rear sight what would you guys recommend? Most say either Troy or LMT from the little research I've done.

[KKing]

If going with a fixed rear sight what would you guys recommend? Most say either Troy or LMT from the little research I've done.

I like my Daniel Defense much more than the Troy fixed rear I had

[dcloudy777]

I've got a few "irons" ARs... including the truck gun.

 

You can get just as accurate, and damn near as fast with irons as a dot.... but it takes a LOT more work. 

[maroonandwhite]

I think I am going to put the Sparc II on the chopping block so head to the classifieds if you want it!  :up:

[Clod Stomper]

I've never had a optic on my own AR.  I put one on my wife's, but that's her preference.  Having only used a red dot a very limited amount, I can't comment on speed comparison, but accuracy-wise, they're as good as, or maybe better than, a red dot.  Some people (not me) can shoot irons out to 1000 yards as well as a scope.  

[btq96r]

If you're going pure irons, might as well pick up a carrying handle to go completely retro.

 

The only true advantages to a red dot are for targets <50 meters/yards, IMO.  Anything further out requires the same fundamentals for either or.  I really wish more people would start out shooting on iron sights, get the basics down, then transition to a red dot. But, this is the real world and people want to only do the cool things.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Depends on what you expect. Inside of 15 yards you should be able to "point-n-click" a target with practice. From 15-100 yards I would use a sight that has a larger rear aperture and for anything beyond 100 I would use the small aperture.

[Dolomite_supafly]

If you're going pure irons, might as well pick up a carrying handle to go completely retro.

 

The only true advantages to a red dot are for targets <50 meters/yards, IMO.  Anything further out requires the same fundamentals for either or.  I really wish more people would start out shooting on iron sights, get the basics down, then transition to a red dot. But, this is the real world and people want to only do the cool things.

 

I shot irons for a long time then I got spoiled with various scopes. Then about three years ago I fell back in love with irons and use them as often as I can.

[maroonandwhite]

Depends on what you expect. Inside of 15 yards you should be able to "point-n-click" a target with practice. From 15-100 yards I would use a sight that has a larger rear aperture and for anything beyond 100 I would use the small aperture.

I really like how the MBUS I have now has the flip down/up aperture and am pretty solid with it shooting from a rest out to 100. The gun itself is a tack driver so if I do my part it will do its part. I will say I like the look of the Daniel Defense the most. 

[2.ooohhh]

All of my "truck", ARs are carry handle/standard front sight. I keep those cheap, simple, and effective.

Edited January 29, 2015 by 2.ooohhh

[SupaRice]

https://troyind.com/products/fixed-rear-sight-blk

 

Like them a lot.

 

[peejman]

If you want a fixed rear sight, I'd also recommend the carry handle.  That makes the rifle eligible for NRA highpower and service rifle matches. 

[TNMTBik3r]

Not cheap, but the diamondhead sights are awesome. Diamond aperture is a lot more natural for my eyes to acquire and align.

Not quite as fast as a red dot but fairly close once you practice a while.

They are folding sights, but lock very solidly. Edited January 29, 2015 by jonathon1289

[Erik88]

If you're going irons only then get the real deal. Something metal, not plastic. I like magpul but I've read several stories of people breaking them under hard use.

[maroonandwhite]

If you're going irons only then get the real deal. Something metal, not plastic. I like magpul but I've read several stories of people breaking them under hard use.

Yeah I definitely want something sturdy that will last.

[leroy]

maroon... I've got a 450 bushmaster sittin in the corner with iron sights (...with tritium inserts...)... It's for repelling borders and bad situations... Iron sights are meant for such things... No batteries, no ON-OFF switch, no nothin...

 

leroy

[maroonandwhite]

maroon... I've got a 450 bushmaster sittin in the corner with iron sights (...with tritium inserts...)... It's for repelling borders and bad situations... Iron sights are meant for such things... No batteries, no ON-OFF switch, no nothin...

 

leroy

The thing I like the most is no on/off switch. I realize I can spend $400 and get an Aimpoint PRO to leave on but I just don't want to spend that much. :pleased:

[Oh Shoot]

If you're going pure irons, might as well pick up a carrying handle to go completely retro.

 

Yeah, I did one of mine with carry handle, just for the older look mainly. Then later even added a cheap 4x scope to mimic the first AR GI scope setup too. See through handle mount, can use irons without removing scope.

 

 

Completely non-optimum, scope too high, added quick clip stock riser to compensate for cheek weld. All for no real practical reason, but works fine -- the joy of having different ones to toy with, eh?

 

 

- OS

Edited January 29, 2015 by Oh Shoot

[enfield]

Iron is all I've ever used since I first picked one up in '71.

[Peace]

irons cowitnessed to an aimpoint pro.  both up/on all the time.  

[Moped]

That's all I have on both my AR's.  Scopes and break and and red dot sights the battery can go down.  Iron sights never fail.