AR - folding iron sights... only?

[Rittmeister]

I've got a Rock River Armory AR15. It came with a folding front sight that's part of the gas block, and a fixed rear sight.

For a long time I planned to follow the SOP of most folks and add a red-dot or holographic sight, and do away with the rear sight in favor of a folding unit. Frankly my budget has kept me from doing so - that and my own tendency to research and sample before making a decision.

Recently I had the opportunity to fire a friend's AR back-to-back with mine. His gun is also an RRA, identical to mine with the exception that mine is a mid-length gas system and his is carbine-length. I have only the iron sights mentioned above, while his has an Eotech with 3x magnifier.

At 100 yards, I was shooting the same sized groups with both guns. This leads me to think that I could save some money by forgoing a red-dot on my rifle, but replacing the rear sight with a folding version for ease of transport.

So, here's the question - in my ignorance of the various types of folding sights, one question sticks in my mind: how well do they retain their zero for 100 to 200-yard shooting, if they're folded/raised on a regular basis? I'd also be grateful for recommendations on what rear sight I might get, to match with the RRA front sight.

 

[eldon519]

Unless you are going to war or something, I don't know why there would be a problem. I liked fixed ones better myself just for durability, but I probably don't actually need that. The only advantage a fixed rear might offer you is if you wanted to do long-range iron sight shooting you can get one with the fully-functional elevation drum. There are a few folding ones that do too though like the Matech and Knight.

 

[gotigers]

I agree with the post above. If you don't need your sights to fold out of the way for an optic, then stick with fixed. Daniel Defense, LMT make a few nice fixed rear sights. Also, any quality carry handle will work great. If you must have fold down for you primary sights, get a good set of metal sights. Troy, Magpul and Midwest Industries come to mind.

 

[back40]

how do you transport your rifle that a folding rear sight makes a difference?

it seems that you could just stick with a fixed and be done.

 

[eldon519]

Well in all fairness, I have a Daniel Defense A1.5 on my rifle and with the BCM mod 3 grip, it won't fit back in its original cardboard box and I can BARELY get my soft case to zip over the grip. It came with a folding magpul that was no problem. I still think it is worth it though.

 

[back40]

who transports their rifle in the original cardboard box? sounds like you need a new case, not a folding sight.

 

[eldon519]

I store them in the original box. Transport them in the soft case described. I'm not saying it is a big issue, merely saying if it IS something someone is concerned with for whatever reason, it does make a difference. You'll notice I did say I think the fixed is still worth it.

 

[No4Mk1*]

Optics (red dot aimpoint for me) are most helpful at dawn / dusk and at night.

 

[mtrmn]

As long as you can see the sights well enough to shoot well-leave it as-is.
My eyes are not good enough anymore to effectively see the irons, and my glasses don't help matters. I bought a Docter mini red dot and put on my truck gun and use it as the only sighting system. It's still so small it doesn't add any noticeable weight.

 

[Riomouse911]

I put a GG&G folding rear for a back up sight on a BCM carbine-length upper that now wears a red dot. The upper has a standard "triangle" front sight, and the previous detachable was a Colt handle/sight.

So far the GG&G folder has kept a good enough zero for "battlefield" work and keeps me on target at the yardages I practice.

 

[sappyg]

So, here's the question - in my ignorance of the various types of folding sights, one question sticks in my mind: how well do they retain their zero for 100 to 200-yard shooting, if they're folded/raised on a regular basis? I'd also be grateful for recommendations on what rear sight I might get, to match with the RRA front sight.

I've used a Troy folding rear sight for about 5 years now. Gets folded quite a bit from adding and removing an RDS. Holds zero perfectly. So does the RDS in a Larue mount. Absolutely no complaint with either.
Also been using a Magpul folding front and rear for about a year now with no issues to speak of but I've never used either Troy or Magpul past 100 yards.
If you're on a budget the Magpul is hard to beat.