budget backup sights

[ilbob]

I have a 9 mm AR style carbine. It currently has a red dot style sight on it.

I was thinking I would like to put backup sights on it, just for the heck of it as much as anything else.

My scope is mounted directly on the rail so there is no good way to mount backup sights except on a 45 degree mount. I have never tried that style of sight before. I can't imagine shooting a rifle canted at 45 degrees, but I don't see any other way to use that kind of sight.

Just curious what the deal is.

 

[cdb1]

Why can’t you mount your red dot in a QD rig?

 

[ilbob]

Why can’t you mount your red dot in a QD rig?

I suppose I could. I am not a big fan of them though. A good one costs more than my red dot did.

Even so, if I ever actually need to use the backup sights quickly, a QD is not all that quick.

 

[cdb1]

I guess it depends on the QD. I can get mine off fast. If you don’t want to use a QD mount then get offset BUIS. I know a bunch of people who use them and they work fine for them.

 

[LoonWulf]

Can you post a picture of your set up? i could never get my head low enough with anything mounted straight to the flattop.
I have a set of cheap flip ups that pretty much perfectly cowitnessed with my trs25 in its stock riser. I dont use them anymore and if they will work for your gun u can have them.

 

[Everready73]

Can you post a picture of your set up? i could never get my head low enough with anything mounted straight to the flattop.
I have a set of cheap flip ups that pretty much perfectly cowitnessed with my trs25 in its stock riser. I dont use them anymore and if they will work for your gun u can have them.

Agree with this. Why wouldn't standard backup site cowitness? The magpul Mbus can be had for 50-60 on sale, if you want to go cheaper than that the UTG low profile ones get decent feedback. If you dont want to spend a lot on the offset ones you are probably not going to get good quality. The magpul pro would be my recommendation. If you want a cheap set just order some on Amazon that have god reviews and risk it

 

[Sistema1927]

UTG makes some 45 degree BUIS that are on par with their normal ones as far as quality is concerned. I think that I have a set of them banging around in my junk box. I have found that normal BUIS, if setup for cowitness, work just fine if you have a red dot failure.

 

[nipprdog]

I have a 9 mm AR style carbine. It currently has a red dot style sight on it.

I was thinking I would like to put backup sights on it, just for the heck of it as much as anything else.

My scope is mounted directly on the rail so there is no good way to mount backup sights except on a 45 degree mount. I have never tried that style of sight before. I can't imagine shooting a rifle canted at 45 degrees, but I don't see any other way to use that kind of sight.

Just curious what the deal is.

I decided to give them a try on my Ruger MPR, to go along with my Leupold scope. I like them. It's fun being able to switch from optic to sights with just a cant of the rifle. Liked them so well that I got another set to put on my 9mm AR.

https://www.amazon.com/Evans-Unlimi...1515273183&sr=8-8&keywords=offset+ar15+sights

 

[herrwalther]

My advice, do not go too budget level on backup iron sights. My perspective is you spent $100 at the very least on a scope or red dot sight. Scopes for higher end rifles costing thousands. If your scope fails or you have a reason for wanting BUIS, $20 Chinese knock offs are not going to be much more reliable than a scope costing hundreds or thousands of dollars.

If your rifle has an A2 front sight post, that is half the battle already done for BUIS. I was part of the weapon trials for the Matech iron sights for the Army back in 07-08. We were encouraged to put them through the paces and were happy to do so. They performed well without fail so I recommend them.

https://www.amazon.com/MaTech-Mil-Spec-Back-up-Iron-Sight/dp/B002E6SXN4

 

[hq]

$20 Chinese knock offs are not going to be much more reliable than a scope costing hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Possibly, but outside of service duty, the absolute need for a sighting system no matter what is limited. I've banged the el-cheapo chinese 45° canted back-up irons around in my primary hunting rifle for a few years and not only have they been able to take the beating but hold zero as well. Not bad for $7.99 for the pair. I can't even remember where they're from, probably dx.com, thanksbuyer or one of the numerous similar sites.

 

[herrwalther]

Possibly, but outside of service duty, the absolute need for a sighting system no matter what is limited. I've banged the el-cheapo chinese 45° canted back-up irons around in my primary hunting rifle for a few years and not only have they been able to take the beating but hold zero as well. Not bad for $7.99 for the pair. I can't even remember where they're from, probably dx.com, thanksbuyer or one of the numerous similar sites.

In general, you get what you pay for. Bushnell TRS-25 is a pretty decent red dot that will run $100-150 range. Does it run as well as an Aimpoint or Eotech? Not really. But it is a budget red dot compared to something that runs $800. I just cannot see myself spending $800 on a red dot but have a $25 back up iron sight for when the high quality, expensive optic fails. The Matech I have on my rifle was something my supply section did not want back so it was "free" to me.

 

[Jackal]

I hate those 45 sights. I always just mount backups under the scope. Most cheap (and some expensive) mounts only require a coin or flat object to remove. Not a huge undertaking...

 

[cdb1]

I hate them too but figured it was a character flaw and that I’m just not tacticool enough.

 

[ilbob]

I hate those 45 sights. I always just mount backups under the scope. Most cheap (and some expensive) mounts only require a coin or flat object to remove. Not a huge undertaking...

If I have time to get a tool out, be it a coin or a screwdriver or something else, with which to remove a mount, I am not all that concerned about whether I have backup sights or not. I am more worried about if I am in the process of shooting and the red dot sight decides to die at that moment in time. I wanted a backup for that occassion.

 

[hq]

Personally I use the 45° sights when tracking a wounded animal. If it takes off closer than my scope can focus I can still take a very quick aimed shot. Otherwise that would mean taking the scope off or using see-through rings/mount, neither of which is an acceptable solution.

 

[cdb1]

Don’t animals have a 45 degree list as far north as you are due to the curvature of the earth being more pronounced? In that case I’d mount my scope at 45 degrees too. Or is the list imaginary and due to my overactive imagination and/or alcohol consumption?

 

[IndianaBoy]

In general I hate to buy cheap chinese knockoff anything. But I bought a pair of 45 degree offset irons from, I think Amazon, and they are nicer than I expected. For me they are for large, close up targets in the middle of a target array when I have my scope set at 6x for other long range stuff in the same array.

If they save me 2 seconds here, and 2 seconds there.... it all adds up.

But my game is 3-gun. Your mileage may very.

 

[Stormie]

Here is the real deal but not cheap. Dueck Defense 1 piece tritium. No flippin or stripping required, just roll the receiver a little.

 

[imashooter]

50.00 at checkout through noon tomorrow. Price is shown at checkout with code. With free shipping! http://palmettostatearmory.com/magp...aign=Daily+Deal+Email&utm_content=11:00+Email

 

[hq]

Here is the real deal but not cheap. Dueck Defense 1 piece tritium. No flippin or stripping required, just roll the receiver a little.

That looks exactly like the bargain basement Chinese knockoff I have, except that mine has a (crappy) phosphorous front sight instead of tritium.

 

[Browning]

There's always these ...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00I4ES4TI?

American Defense is a good brand.

They're the 45 degree sights and you can use them immediately if your dot/scope fails. They kinda require a bit of practice though.