Iron Sights For A Year

Originally Posted December 17, 2010

First, I had to shoot optics for some classes (by contract), but, I shot irons for about 85-90% of the time. This post could be very long, I’m instead going to answer the most popular questions, and give my thoughts on what has been an interesting experiment along the way.

Are irons as accurate as red dots? Yes, with a caveat. It depends on the distance (more later) from the target and the speed (more later) at which the target needs to be engaged. Another huge thing that I think is not talked about is the shooter’s eye strength and any astigmatisms or other eye deficiencies. Some folks with an astigmatism actually shoot irons better because they see the front post perfectly, whereas with an astigmatism they see the red dot as a blog/2 dots/line etc. In the traditional accuracy sense, on say a bull target, irons seem a little bit of an advantage.

Can you be as fast with irons as a red dot? Overall, no. In some cases at certain distances, yes, big comma- it is going to take ALOT of time to achieve this. Time that most people, unless you do what I do, don’t have. Also, consider the cost of ammo to get to that level vs. the price of a quality red dot. With all that said, more later on the speed/distance thing.

Can irons do all that red dots can do if the shooter has the time to practice ALOT? No. Big period. While I was able to eventually keep up (after 3 months of hard practice) with irons with some seriously good shooters using red dots, there are a few spots where it is just not possible;

(1) shooting on the move to the weak side
(2) shooting any position that moves the sights away from
a traditional position- straight up, in front of your
face.
(3) Any low light situation
(4) Any situation where you are winded

The speed and distance thing. Read this loud and clear- the red dot rules from 15 yds to 100 yds. Up close, say at CQB distances (10 yds and closer), you can be just as fast with ALOT of practice mounting the gun. I saw no real advantage of a red dot at this distance. Add just 5 yds though, back to 15 yds, and the difference of having 2 things to align vs. 1 becomes very apparent. The further back you go, the more the red dot shines. Past 100 yds. though, the difference was minimal when doing normal shooting. However, add some cardio or heaving breathing to the mix, and again the red dot crushes. I got to where I could make my standing to prone in 2.5 sec on B/C steel at 100 with irons (yes, I have witnesses), but just barely- 2.47, 2.48, etc. and normally with a red dot, I’m around 2.15, 2.20.

Does shooting irons make you a better red dot shooter? I believe it does until a shooter can get to a certain level. That level is pretty darn high. Why? Because shooting irons and trying to get fast and accurate with them will show you what you can’t get away with in regards to taking up trigger slack, sight picture and trigger reset. Going to a red dot will then seem easy compared because the larger, single aiming point (as opposed to a fine, dual aiming point of irons will seem to “sit” on target longer and steadier, and this will (hopefully) eventually lead the shooter to take advantage of those things and begin his trigger take up earlier and his reset earlier = faster and more accurate hits. (I hope that makes sense!)

Final thoughts;

Have irons that are zeroed. Never p/u a gun without back up sights.
Practice irons once a year and compare your times and accuracy to your red dot ones.
A red dot will get you out of alot of low light situations that irons won’t.
Have a quick detach for your red dot.
Have your red dot mounted ¼", so that irons are in the bottom third of the lens.
If you run flip up irons, make sure you can flip and that they will!
A modern, fighting carbine must have; a sling, a light, and a red dot.
The sniper with the most kills in history averaged 400yds per shot and did it with…
iron sights