Who here likes Iron sited rifle's??

[115grfmj]

Got a question for all of you.....until recently I've always had scopes on my rifles, and regarded them as the only real way to get good accuracy, and also the only real choice for hunting. Then one a whim I bought a SKINNER receiver sight ,and a Williams fiber optic front sight for my Marlin Lever. I liked it alot.....I find I can pickup on targets much faster, and since it has a a smaller aperature than ghost rings...I still get acceptable accuracy. I liked it so much infact that I bought a set of Williams FireSights for my 22 rifle, and ditched the scope. Strangely, I'm having more fun now .......

My question is, am I just deluding myself...or are there real practical applications for Iron sites. How many of you like them more then scopes, and why.

 

[Hoppy590]

il long prefered iron sites over any kind of glass. basicly to me, magnification is only needed for hunting or target past 150 yards.

but im young and have good eyes. i imagine as i age my opinion will change

 

[Firehand]

Lot of firearms, I very much prefer iron sights. For instance, I can't imagine putting a scope on my Martini .22.

For hunting or some other uses, a red dot or some other type of optical sight can be a very good thing.

 

[plexreticle]

I like scopes on .22s and Irons for everything else.

 

[Clipper]

Whenever possible, I prefer a good set of peep or ghost ring sights.

 

[Essex County]

It all depends on the gun and application...........

Most of my centerfires are scoped, except for mil-surps. I grew up on reciever sights and I still hold them in high regard. I'm thinking of a used Savage 110, with a Williams Foolproof as a foul weather gun. I don't need it, but I'm seriously considerating one for no logical reason. Essex

 

[WinchesterAA]

red dots for hunting are quite amazing really, especially where I go where light is blocked out by trees and with the exception of hand-cut firing lanes the longest shot you can hope for is maybe 30 yards of semi-dense brush but overall acceptable visibility.

red dot makes squirrel hunting a breeze, but ironsights work too if you can see em.

 

[Milkmaster]

I like the iron sights for simplicity, and because they require more human skill. My son and I do not hunt, but we shoot targets often. Using an iron sight gives us reasons for bragging and complaining to one another during the shooting

Scopes would be great if we were shooting to put meat on the table. Alas, that is not the case here. At this point I would rather have another firearm to shoot than to spend it on a scope for one I already own. As times goes things may change

 

[glockman19]

One of the main reasons I went with the 3rd generation scope mount on my M1A was to use the Iron sights

 

[Trempel]

I've got six rifles and a scope on only one of them - a .22

Then again, I only punch paper with my rifles. The one carbine I use for HD/SHTF, I can reliably hit COM beyond 200 yards, so that's good enough for me. I might stick a red-dot sight on it later on. If I decide to get another heavy barrel bolt gun, then I'll invest in some quality glass.

 

[Avenger29]

I am inept when it comes to scopes. I can never get them sighted in, and I consider them fragile.

Every one of my rifles and shotguns has iron sights. I pretty much will not buy a weapon unless it has iron sights of some type. I prefer a peep sights, but sometimes, with weapons like a Mosin, that is not possible. In which case I prefer the tangent or ladder style sights.

My 10/22 is the only rifle with aftermarket irons, and it has a set of Techsights on it, which I love.

 

[MechAg94]

I have one rifle with a scope and that is a K31. I have one semi-auto that still needs a scope. Other than that, all my rifles have iron sights. I grew up using iron sights for the most part. I am not a big hunter. I find that with lever guns and .22 rifles, scopes just get in the way and make it less handy for carrying around the woods. We usually shoot cans or sticks in the creek though. Never did much target shooting with .22 rifles.

My Dad is retired now and he is finding scopes more useful. He has a .17 HMR with a big scope that he enjoys shooting. I'll probably be there one of these days.

 

[Limeyfellow]

I prefer peep sights on my rifles and sometimes ghost rings over anything else. I have funky eyes so sometimes I have problems with the odd notched open sights. I rarely do any shooting with a scope, though I did put one on a Marlin 60 for a rodent exterminator to keep them out of my garden.

I shot peep sights from anywhere from 50 yards to 600 yards without much problems.

 

[DogBonz]

It all depends on the gun and application........... +1

I would never scope a lever action. IMHO, 98% of the time I dont need a scope for the distances that I would use one for. My short AR would never be scoped either. Maybe an EOTECH or something, but not a scope. I like having a scope on my bolt action and on my Grendel. They are typically used at longet ranges, and thus should wear a scope.

 

[SNEAKY PETE]

My M-1 Garand gets Iron, everything else Including the .357 Rem. Maximum canon Breach single shot pistol gets glass. Oh ! I forgot about the Ruger MK IIGov. It's got LASER ! (YA it's not a rifle)

 

[WolfMansDad]

I've hated scopes ever since I missed a deer because of one. It was a huge buck (aren't they always?), about fifteen yards away in heavy cover, right at dusk. I just could not find him through the scope, lifted my head for a better view, and spooked him.

That one got away, and I've hunted with iron sights ever since.

 

[Mike U.]

I liked iron sights till I hit 40. Then middle age sight kicked in and the ol' iron sight became a blurry bump on the barrel. Thank God for scopes and red dots!

 

[EricTheBarbarian]

i like iron sights. however i prefer the peep sights over the v notch

 

[Bearhands]

^5 for the "iron sighters".... scopes are great for paper punching and LONG distance..... but.... Getting a view of the surroundings can be very adventageous when hunting.

 

[_N4Z_]

I have six longarms with a scope on one. Marlin925 .22lr

Learned with irons, prefer the irons. Like getting it done, with the irons.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

I like all firearms...

But a shooter with an optic is at a distinct advantage vs. someone without one, as a general rule.

 

[arctictom]

Love my Irons on my Marlin , I have 3 Marlin 45-70s two have WWG ghost rings, with a firesite on the front, and one with a tang sight .
I did shoot two deer last season at 120 yards , with my 1895 guide gun and open sights, one in the ear and one in the neck .
Scoped rifles are great for those really long shots , but I do like open sites for some what close or dangerous critters.
They are fast to acquire and take a lot more abuse than optics, IMHO.

 

[lamazza]

But a shooter with an optic is at a distinct advantage vs. someone without one, as a general rule.

Yep! Until the optic breaks when you need it the most. I like scopes, but I practice alot with irons to stay sharp.

 

[sigma 40ve]

I prefer irons, however, the ole eyes aren't what they used to be--bifocals--, optics or dots for me now.

 

[mswestfall]

+1 for practicing with iron sights!

But then there is nothing wrong with optics.

The best idea is a firearm that will handle both at the same time.

That being said, I really prefer shooting irons.