Use Iron Sights or just a Scope/ACOG/Red Dot/etc?
- Thread starter Boba Fett
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RobMoore
Member
I voted 50/50, because like someone else said, it depends on the gun and its purpose.
I have a few WW1-WW2 era surplus rifles that I only use irons with (no desire to create a sniper clone or pay for a real one).
A few others have glass that still allows use of the irons (either cowitness or offset).
A few only have glass.
Irons have their place, and my training with them began long before Marine Corps basic. I will always like using them, but optics are my preferred method for the modern rifle.
I have a few WW1-WW2 era surplus rifles that I only use irons with (no desire to create a sniper clone or pay for a real one).
A few others have glass that still allows use of the irons (either cowitness or offset).
A few only have glass.
Irons have their place, and my training with them began long before Marine Corps basic. I will always like using them, but optics are my preferred method for the modern rifle.
MTMilitiaman
Member
I don't think there can really even be much debate that optics are better. A quality optic will get most people on target faster and with more precision than irons--whether it is an Aimpoint or EOTech for home defense distances, an ACOG for all around use, or a larger magnification optic for longer distance work.
However, I feel like irons are still under rated and under appreciated. A decent rifleman with good irons is still a very capable force. I consider profeciency with irons to be one of the very basic fundementals of riflemanship. That means that if you identify yourself as a rifleman, it is a crucial skill you need to develop and maintain. Besides, even quality optics can still break. I find that it takes me a long time to save up for quality optics once I finally save enough for a quality rifle. I take that time to make sure I know how to adjust the irons, and how to hit with them. I've taken my M1A out to 600 yards on paper with iron sights, and 1000 yards on more area targets--in this case a car sized dirt patch with a rock about the size of a car door in the middle. I find it to be both fun and challenging to constantly test the limit of my capabilities. When the rifle is like the M1A, providing both obvious power, range, and accuracy as well as a good trigger and excellent iron sights, and has the potential to reach out there a ways with you, it's even better.
But yes, I believe people need to know how to use irons, but when given a choice, I will always opt for an appropriate high quality optic.
However, I feel like irons are still under rated and under appreciated. A decent rifleman with good irons is still a very capable force. I consider profeciency with irons to be one of the very basic fundementals of riflemanship. That means that if you identify yourself as a rifleman, it is a crucial skill you need to develop and maintain. Besides, even quality optics can still break. I find that it takes me a long time to save up for quality optics once I finally save enough for a quality rifle. I take that time to make sure I know how to adjust the irons, and how to hit with them. I've taken my M1A out to 600 yards on paper with iron sights, and 1000 yards on more area targets--in this case a car sized dirt patch with a rock about the size of a car door in the middle. I find it to be both fun and challenging to constantly test the limit of my capabilities. When the rifle is like the M1A, providing both obvious power, range, and accuracy as well as a good trigger and excellent iron sights, and has the potential to reach out there a ways with you, it's even better.
But yes, I believe people need to know how to use irons, but when given a choice, I will always opt for an appropriate high quality optic.
SpeedAKL
Member
I'd say its about 80-20 glass to irons for me
AutumnsDad
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For my .17 HMR, .223, and .308 I use scopes.
For .22, muzzle loader, 12 gauge, and Mosin Nagants I use iron sights only.
For .22, muzzle loader, 12 gauge, and Mosin Nagants I use iron sights only.
Irons are for backup. Putting the reticle on the same plain as the target is a game winner, particularly with those of us who have less than ideal eyes. The argument that scopes aren't up to the rigors of combat no longer apply if you pick good optics. IMO, the advantages of optics far outweigh any held by irons. It's the 21st century, for goodness sake.
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