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Posted: 5/12/2024 8:27:01 AM EDT
Is anyone still running just iron sights as their primary sighting system on a modern AR in 2024?
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Posted: 5/12/2024 8:30:07 AM EDT
[Last Edit: DUH556]
[#1]
The KISS rifle that stays in the trunk of my daily driver does. Pin and welded 14.5" with an old Colt A1 upper receiver.
Edit to add. My main go everywhere else doesn't have irons. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 8:30:10 AM EDT
[#2]
Eww no.
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MS, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 8:31:27 AM EDT
[Last Edit: WacoKid]
[#3]
Not saying optics are not a force multiplier, but my A1/A2 Carry handles and FSB gas block have really good battery life.
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Posted: 5/12/2024 8:32:24 AM EDT
[#4]
I have both. Good optics, but each also with high quality back up irons, that are actually sighted in. Seems like a Captain Obvious, but it's a configuration I learned here many, many years ago.
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Posted: 5/12/2024 8:32:27 AM EDT
[#5]
My older eyes do much better with optics vs iron sights these days, so I'm forced into the optics camp.
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Posted: 5/12/2024 8:32:59 AM EDT
[#6]
Primary? Nah. Secondary? Yes.
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Posted: 5/12/2024 8:34:13 AM EDT
[#7]
I too am poor.
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Posted: 5/12/2024 8:35:09 AM EDT
[Last Edit: mayday]
[#8]
Ive NEVER had any issues hitting targets from a few yards away -- to 350 yards with my 20" FN. Its almost too easy.
I like to KISS. Yes, i keep and have good optics on rifles designated as DMRs ( see bottom) -- but for my general-purpose rifles; the ones that may need to use across a living room - i just keep irons on them.  
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USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 8:35:34 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By eagarminuteman: Primary? Nah. Secondary? Yes. Yep. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 8:36:08 AM EDT
[#10]
No.
Aimpoint T2's or EXPS 3-0 with magnifier. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 8:38:58 AM EDT
[#11]
 I'm THE orange dot. The Other Guy was trying to zero his rifle 200 yards  
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PA, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 8:41:31 AM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ED_P: My older eyes do much better with optics vs iron sights these days, so I'm forced into the optics camp. Same here. Just got my first pistol optic too. I started running dot sights on my ARs back in the early 2000s, and immediately noticed a substantial improvement in my groups and speed of target acquisition. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 8:41:32 AM EDT
[#13]
Depends on the mission. What’s the longest distance in your house? What’s your zero? What’s your height over bore?
How do the combo of your zero distance and height over bore impact your hold overs at the distances found in your home. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 8:42:05 AM EDT
[#14]
My SBR only has iron sights right now. I've had an EOtec and a small vortex red dot on it and I think it gonna stay with irons. All my other ARs either have a scope or red dot on them.
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LA, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 8:42:33 AM EDT
[#15]
I use optics. That being said, about 20 years ago my then girlfriend's father was a Gunnery Sgt. in the Marines. He once made the comment that "Scopes are for pussies." when I told him I wanted to mount an optic on my 20" A3.
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Posted: 5/12/2024 8:49:44 AM EDT
[#16]
My primary go-to has an aimpoint that is co-witnessed with the iron sights. So basically, I got both.
I have other rifles set up with optics only and those are relegated for longer range applications. I spent much more of my life using irons than optics, so it's still very comfortable me. Optics definitely making things easier, but I probably wouldn't ever want my primary rifle to not at least have BUIS. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 8:56:10 AM EDT
[#17]
My truck/SxS AR is irons. An optic wouldn’t survive the abuse. It’s not “technically” a primary but sometimes the only one I have.
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VA, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:00:23 AM EDT
[#18]
A-1 upper with the carry handle sights, KISS and no batteries to worry about. Dead or corroded batteries is a real thing.
But I also have a flat top with an Aimpoint. Why not both? |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:07:06 AM EDT
[#19]
Primary, no.
A2 and dissy |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:08:20 AM EDT
[#20]
LOL, no.
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PA, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:09:43 AM EDT
[#21]
CMP shoots yes.
Everything else, no. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:12:37 AM EDT
[#22]
My only rifle caliber long gun that doesn’t have an optic is my shorty Galil
All others do, but zeroed quality cowitnessed irons are a must. 
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:12:48 AM EDT
[#23]
Originally Posted By ED_P: My older eyes do much better with optics vs iron sights these days, so I'm forced into the optics camp. Pretty much this, but I'd be an optic guy at this point either way. Too many advantages at any distance to ignore. Originally Posted By Lungbuster: My truck/SxS AR is irons. An optic wouldn’t survive the abuse. You might be surprised at the abuse a quality optic will tolerate. |
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WY, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:12:55 AM EDT
[#24]
Not really "modern" at that point, is it?
I have one iron-sight only AR. I have one fixed-sight AR with a dot. Everything else has dots/optics. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:13:25 AM EDT
[Last Edit: WUPHF]
[#25]
Most of my guns don’t even have backup irons.
My M1 Garand only has irons. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:16:00 AM EDT
[#26]
Anyone still running muskets as their primary? If you can’t chooot a musket, you have no business owning an AR. Learn the fundamentals and work your way up.
 Attached File |
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VA, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:18:20 AM EDT
[Last Edit: thedownzero]
[#27]
Iron sights aren’t necessarily a handicap depending on what/how you’re shooting.
14.5” w/ irons is EASILY capable of 500yds. Flip the larger aperture and it’s very capable indoors as well. Originally Posted By Bizzarolibe: Learn the fundamentals and work your way up. Works for the Marine Corps… |
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OK, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:20:08 AM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By thedownzero: Iron sights aren’t necessarily a handicap depending on what/how you’re shooting. 14.5” w/ irons is EASILY capable of 500yds. Flip the larger aperture and it’s very capable indoors as well. Capable, yes....but LESS capable than anything resembling a decent optic. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:23:38 AM EDT
[#29]
Irons are the primary on most of my firearms including AR's. I do have purpose built rifles, mostly bolts, that are scoped and some with removable, return to zero mounts but my normal are irons. Before it's said, I'm closer to 70 than I want to admit and my eyes are still better than 20/20. I'm a little more shaky than I remember so a lot of times I use a stabilizing (hasty) sling.
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ME, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:24:04 AM EDT
[#30]
I haven't found an optic that works very well in a snow storm yet.
In the winter I often run irons only. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:24:50 AM EDT
[#31]
I do not own an iron sighted AR.
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WV, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:25:32 AM EDT
[#32]
Absolutely.
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:28:44 AM EDT
[#33]
Originally Posted By AbleArcher: Is anyone still running just iron sights as their primary sighting system on a modern AR in 2024? If you are looking for reliability, above all, and want the OBVIOUS benefits a red dot brings, consider a dual illuminated sight like a Trijicon Reflex, or Meprolight M21 or M22. These will be a lot more durable than iron sights and work much better in low light. Basically, you have a dot longer than you can ID your target as it gets dark. Any they are much better than irons any other time. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:31:12 AM EDT
[#34]
I carry iron sighted rifles in the woods more so than rifles with optics.
Different story if I was expecting a fight. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:32:56 AM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By thedownzero: Iron sights aren’t necessarily a handicap depending on what/how you’re shooting. 14.5” w/ irons is EASILY capable of 500yds. Flip the larger aperture and it’s very capable indoors as well. Works for the Marine Corps… The Marine Corps currently starts with optics now. They found it more efficient and effective to start that way. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:35:02 AM EDT
[#36]
I used to compete against a guy who “specialized” in irons. He usually won that category, and won the overall title a time or two.
He also taught classes specific to irons. |
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OK, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:36:14 AM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By SpacemanSpiff: I haven't found an optic that works very well in a snow storm yet. In the winter I often run irons only. Funny, I have killed piles of coyotes and pigs in the driving snow and sleet through high magnification optics. I will remember that next time. |
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KY, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:37:50 AM EDT
[#38]
No but nothing wrong with it as long as you train with it.
You’re just limiting your capability imo. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:43:40 AM EDT
[Last Edit: pestilence12]
[#39]
 Attached File Attached File Attached FileNope. Only ar I had irons on, I cut and free floated. Instantly improved the consistent accuracy of it. It now has an lpvo on it (the fsb was obscuring the lpvo, thus the cut job)  Attached File Attached File |
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AK, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:47:42 AM EDT
[Last Edit: feetpiece]
[#40]
Yes. 6933 with a tritium front and Scalarworks fixed rear to save weight and fewest things to fail.
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MP, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:49:46 AM EDT
[#41]
Yes.
I also keep a jar of leeches at home in case I need to purify my blood. And my 8 track collection is growing! When they make a comeback I am going to be rich. |
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ME, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:50:49 AM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Zebra120: Funny, I have killed piles of coyotes and pigs in the driving snow and sleet through high magnification optics. I will remember that next time. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Zebra120: Originally Posted By SpacemanSpiff: I haven't found an optic that works very well in a snow storm yet. In the winter I often run irons only. Funny, I have killed piles of coyotes and pigs in the driving snow and sleet through high magnification optics. I will remember that next time. Oklahoma lol |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:52:26 AM EDT
[#43]
I would but my eyes can't handle it anymore. A small aperture rear and narrow front post on an A2 type is a damn good combination.
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OK, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 9:59:25 AM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By SpacemanSpiff: Oklahoma lol You’re right, It never snows in Oklahoma, and Oklahoma residents are only allowed to hunt in Oklahoma. |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 10:01:00 AM EDT
[Last Edit: lazyengineer]
[#45]
Respect for those that run irons, but when it comes to a rifle system, THOSE I run a RDS or other optic on. Once it's a 2-handed weapon system, the bulk is nominal and the range of encounter gets a lot longer. I can run irons, but as a general rule, even a decent Amazon $65 RDS is pretty solid today (though stay far far away from the $20 stuff!).
Maybe if I were still in my 20's, I'd run more irons. But sure, you can run irons. Hell, I ran an M1 Garand with irons in open field 3-gun once. Even made it into top 50% - if you can believe it. (Total blast and crowdpleaser btw - PING, best part was the long stage nailing 500 yard steel with 30-06 - *BONG* And flipped the target over, so everybody behind me had to shoot the unpainted backside. 
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Posted: 5/12/2024 10:01:18 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Spleenless-Dave]
[#46]
I just ordered this 811000 yesterday because I like the look, and will leave it as is. I have a couple of other AR's with flat tops and have some optics but have pop up sights on them at the moment.
ETA: I just remembered I do have a repro carry handle scope I got several years ago that I can try out on the S&W. Forgot I had that.  |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 10:02:50 AM EDT
[#47]
Some of them have optics, some don't....
Variety is the spice of life |
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Posted: 5/12/2024 10:03:09 AM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Zebra120: You’re right, It never snows in Oklahoma, and Oklahoma residents are only allowed to hunt in Oklahoma. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Zebra120: Originally Posted By SpacemanSpiff: Oklahoma lol You’re right, It never snows in Oklahoma, and Oklahoma residents are only allowed to hunt in Oklahoma. Just out of curiosity, where are you shooting piles of pigs in driving snow? Peep sights pose their own issues in snow as well. They are easier to clear though. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 10:06:45 AM EDT
[#49]
Yes! Almost exclusively
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USA
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Posted: 5/12/2024 10:06:52 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Square66]
[#50]
Can’t see like I used to so optics it is. It’s a bummer because I really enjoyed shooting irons. Now it’s just frustrating even though I still give it my best.
Even my retro A1 build has an optic now. If you really want a mind screw try out an Armson OEG. Believe it or not they are still being made. I don’t really recommend it as a serious choice today, but it is period correct and what was available back then.
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