Anyone that tells you iron sights are not a necessity on a rifle doesn’t have his (or maybe her) head screwed on just right.
Even in an age of modern, advanced optics, iron sights still offer you consistent performance and accuracy at all reasonable ranges, and with minimal training.
So, that being the case, here’s every reason your rifle should still have iron AR15 sights.
Two Is One and One Is None
Even if your rifle has a scope or a red dot sight, if something goes wrong with it, you’ll be up a creek if you don’t have a redundant backup. This is likely the single biggest argument in the camp of iron AR15 sights.
No Power Needed
Red dot sights need a battery, and while that battery may very well last a long time, it will not last forever. The same shortcoming does not apply to iron sights, which work battery-free for life, making them the most reliable sight option for a rifle, period.
They Work in All Conditions
Scopes can struggle in low light conditions and in complete darkness. Some red dot sights are not the most reliable in bright sunlight under which it can be difficult to see the dot.
AR15 sights work as intended in all conditions, and even under those that are not ideal, such as in darkness, for instance, there are ways around it. Either you can install night sights or even run a WML (which your rifle should also totally have, by the way, if only for the general utility offered).
There Are No Sensitive Components or Circuitry
If water gets into a red dot sight, it can cripple the electronic circuitry. If water gets into a scope, it can create a perpetual fog on the glass. Both of these optics can also be badly damaged if not completely incapacitated with rough handling. AR15 iron sights are tougher and outlast these conditions.
Naturally Fogproof, Smokeproof and Dustproof
Fog, smoke and dust can get on the lens of a scope or the glass of a red dot sight and take either one out of commission in a matter of seconds. Moreover, until you clean it off the optic will also stay out of commission.
Cover them with dust, run them in fog or smoke, and one way or the other you won’t have that issue with iron AR15 sights.
Effective at All Ranges
Some scopes are not particularly effective at close ranges. Some red dot sights have a dot that’s a little large to make them effective at longer ranges.
These problems, once again, do not affect iron sights, which are effective at all ranges except the most extreme long ranges.
Make Them Flip-Up Backup AR15 Sights
Now that we’ve covered some of the more glaring reasons why your rifle should be equipped with iron AR15 sights, the argument should shift in favor of flip-up, backup iron sights.
Once installed, these will be out of the way of your main optic till you need them, but will be ready to deploy at a moment’s notice should you ever have a need for the backup. And, on top of that, they let you keep to the maxim of “two is one and one is none” as we have invoked.
Where to Get Backup AR15 Sights
Now that you should be fully convinced that your rifle needs a set of backup AR15 sights, the place to get them is online at MCS Gearup. They carry a wide range of sights, optics, shooting accessories and AR15 parts. Get what you need there and if you have any questions about what they sell, get in touch with them at Sales@MCSGearup.com.
