If you think iron AR15 sights are a thing of the past, you’re flat wrong. Here’s every reason why iron sights are still competitive when compared to modern alternatives like red dot sights, and in some cases are actually better.
They’re Tougher
Unless you drop the rifle square on its sights, they’re tougher. There are no lenses to break and they can handle shocks, bumps, and jostles without losing their zero, so to speak.
They’re Waterproof and Fogproof
What happens when water gets inside AR15 iron sights? If you guessed nothing, you’d be correct. The same goes for thick fog. Only try doing that with an RDS, just don’t blame us for the results.
They’re Dustproof
Got a thin coating of dust on your sights? No worries. Dust on the lens of the RDS? Break out the backup, the optic is cooked until you can clean it.
No Batteries
Granted, most RDS models are made with extremely long-lasting batteries and sport energy-efficient designs. All the same, there are none to die on iron sights, making them categorically more reliable.
No Issues with the Size of the Dot
The size of the red dot, in MOA, can obstruct the sight picture and even make shot placement difficult, especially at extended ranges. Granted, iron sights do cover up part of the target, but since you’re focusing on a true “point” on the target, with skill you can place shots very accurately with iron sights without fogging or obstructing the target, or losing it behind a fat red dot.
They Last Forever
Bad weather, rough use, exposure to high moisture conditions, all of these things can spell doom for an RDS, even a good, high-quality one that’s meant to last. Exactly none of them will compromise the functionality or longevity of a good set of AR15 sights.
They’re Currently Optimized
Every year, optics manufacturers are pushing the envelope of the possible with optimizations and upgrades to their red dot sights. While the same could (theoretically) be said of iron sights, it isn’t the case because they are and have been optimized for decades, if not centuries. In their current form, they’re just what they need to be.
They Work Just Fine in All Conditions
There might be other better options in the darkness, and there might be better options in bright sun, but all around, iron sights are more consistent than any other AR15 sighting system.
They Teach a Fundamental and Transferable Skill
Shooting over iron sights is a skill that all rifle and handgun shooters simply need to learn. Learning on one platform will give you the foundations of target acquisition and sight alignment to learn on another, too.
The Shooter’s Skill Compensates for Range
Red dot sights, like other optics, must be calibrated at a given range. You can hold over a target, but realistically that’s not the easiest thing to learn to do. Conversely, shooters can learn to become proficient at all ranges with iron sights – even though they might not be considered ideal in all situations.
Is It One or the Other?
Actually, no. This post is just to stress that AR15 sights are still worth adding to your rifle. You can still add an RDS on the rail over the upper – just be wise about it and tack on some offset iron sights, too.
Where to Get Backup AR15 Sights
Get them online at MCS Gearup. MCS Gearup carries a wide range of rifle parts as well as optics and shooting accessories, including red dot sights, scopes, and AR15 sights. They sell backup offset sights, too. Check out their catalog and customize your rifle today.
