what do you think is the best Flip Up Sights for an AR 15
- Thread starter nadams
- Start date
- Status
rambler3030
Member
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2011
- Messages
- 10
Dont buy MI
Z-Michigan
Member
Troy.
depends on what you want out of them. my vote would probably go to the KAC ones integrated into their URX2 quad rail. high quality and saves weight and low profile as it's part of the rail. they also have a rear one built into the upper receiver but i haven't seen it yet.
other than that, i would get the magpul ones because i would only use them for emergencies and would want the weight of plastic.
if i wanted one with a built in BDC, then maybe the matech or other like it.
troys are definitely solid. if you were looking for something to put on a truck gun, that might be the way to go
other than that, i would get the magpul ones because i would only use them for emergencies and would want the weight of plastic.
if i wanted one with a built in BDC, then maybe the matech or other like it.
troys are definitely solid. if you were looking for something to put on a truck gun, that might be the way to go
MMcfpd
Member
On various rifles I've used Troys, A.R.M.S., MI, Matech, YHM, Magpul, Daniel and probably one or two I've forgotten. Of those my preferred are the YHMs, but there's nothing wrong with Troy, Matech and Daniel offerings either. The Magpuls didn't impress me favorably.
madcratebuilder
Member
Lot's of folks buy them, fold the rear down, and mount a scope right on top so they cannot possibly be used with any sudden need. Once the scope is removed, then they can be used.
Since they are obviously a backup for a low intensity situation, a lot of shooters are dumping the dead weight and moving to a similarly priced back up optic already sighted in. It's common for bolt gun hunters who fly, no sense ruining an expensive trip.
The concept to me is, if they flip up, can they? If not, they are not real useful. And if you need them, you still have to manipulate them. That means the rifle isn't a life and death duty gun - it's recreational. That makes flip ups more decorative than needed.
Combat gunners run cowitnessed sights always up. Some are even using them cowitnessed to reduce parallax on the so called "parallax free" red dots, and it works. At that point, a standard FSB and chopped carry handle rear are the least expensive alternatives.
"Cost no object" sights are simply a Google search for the highest MSRP, and that has nothing to do with an actual need, or effective use.
Since they are obviously a backup for a low intensity situation, a lot of shooters are dumping the dead weight and moving to a similarly priced back up optic already sighted in. It's common for bolt gun hunters who fly, no sense ruining an expensive trip.
The concept to me is, if they flip up, can they? If not, they are not real useful. And if you need them, you still have to manipulate them. That means the rifle isn't a life and death duty gun - it's recreational. That makes flip ups more decorative than needed.
Combat gunners run cowitnessed sights always up. Some are even using them cowitnessed to reduce parallax on the so called "parallax free" red dots, and it works. At that point, a standard FSB and chopped carry handle rear are the least expensive alternatives.
"Cost no object" sights are simply a Google search for the highest MSRP, and that has nothing to do with an actual need, or effective use.
I have Matechs on most of my AR flat top rifles.
Back Up Iron Sights, (BUIS), are just that, back ups.
I also have a GG&G multi apeature folding rear sight on one rifle and a Daniel Defense non folding A1 rear sight, which for all practical purposes, is a better built all metal version of the Canadian Military polymer back up rear sight used on their flat top versions of the M16.
I don't personally care for flip front sights but I do have one rifle with a Precision Reflex Folding Front Sight/Gas Block combination mounted.
The Knights Armament stand alone folding front sight, which can be mounted directly to the front railed handguard provided the rails are correctly dimensioned, is an excellent choice.
If you want the "Best", these are it.
Back Up Iron Sights, (BUIS), are just that, back ups.
I also have a GG&G multi apeature folding rear sight on one rifle and a Daniel Defense non folding A1 rear sight, which for all practical purposes, is a better built all metal version of the Canadian Military polymer back up rear sight used on their flat top versions of the M16.
I don't personally care for flip front sights but I do have one rifle with a Precision Reflex Folding Front Sight/Gas Block combination mounted.
The Knights Armament stand alone folding front sight, which can be mounted directly to the front railed handguard provided the rails are correctly dimensioned, is an excellent choice.
If you want the "Best", these are it.
kwelz
Member
I have to disagree with Tirod. At least in part. It isn't a matter of just having them that one second your opic fails. It is having them mounted on the gun and ready to go.
Scenario. You are in a gunfight and your optic fails. You may need to get to cover to flip up the rear sight but that takes just a moment. It is no worse than having to do a reload.
If you have magnified opitcs then it may take longer to be sure because you have to flip the QD levers and rip it off of there.
That being said I do prefer to run fixed when using an Aimpoint. But just because you are running flips doesn't mean it is only for a recreational gun.
Scenario. You are in a gunfight and your optic fails. You may need to get to cover to flip up the rear sight but that takes just a moment. It is no worse than having to do a reload.
If you have magnified opitcs then it may take longer to be sure because you have to flip the QD levers and rip it off of there.
That being said I do prefer to run fixed when using an Aimpoint. But just because you are running flips doesn't mean it is only for a recreational gun.
henschman
Member
The only reason all those guys are saying the Troy rear sight is the best is because they haven't used a KAC 2-600m model. It is the only one I know of that is adjustable for elevation as well as windage in MOA-incremented clicks. The Matech would be second place for me. I like having an elevation adjustment at the rear.
Frankl03
Member
I have used several and like the Matech. Not the most expensive. OK so I'm cost conscious.
kwelz
Member
Henschman what is the point of having elevation and windage adjustments on BACK UP Iron sights?
These are not precisions sights. They are made for a case where your primary optic is down and you need to be able to engage a target. Don't get me wrong. I like the KAC sights. But BUIS should be sighted in and bombproof. The more you add to them the worse it gets.
These are not precisions sights. They are made for a case where your primary optic is down and you need to be able to engage a target. Don't get me wrong. I like the KAC sights. But BUIS should be sighted in and bombproof. The more you add to them the worse it gets.
MMcfpd
Member
kwelz said:
Not necessarily. There are a lot of us civilian sport shooters who have some sort of optic but also like to shoot with irons, by choice, at times.
what's the point of NOT having them? if you can have precision, reliable sights for the same weight (and probably a good bit less than the troy) then why not have them?
if your rifle is intended to hit targets out to say, 600 yrds, if the BACK UP sights can't do that when your optic fails, then they're not really back up sights, are they?
if your rifle is intended to hit targets out to say, 600 yrds, if the BACK UP sights can't do that when your optic fails, then they're not really back up sights, are they?
henschman
Member
I don't agree with that paradigm. I don't consider my iron sights to be "backup" sights only... I think of them more as an alternate primary sighting system. I want my rifle to be completely and fully capable with irons only, if the optics are not used for whatever reason.
This means that I like to frequently remove my optics and shoot with irons to stay practiced with them. It is great to be able to have a folding rear sight that is just as capable as the factory carry handle sight that can be on the rifle along with optics, and ready to use in seconds.
If you had to sacrifice durability to have adjustable elevation, I'd say you might have a point. But the KAC sight is very durable. They have seen combat, too... they come standard on the M-110 and the SCAR.
teumessian_fox
member
I disagree with him entirely. A scope can be (at least on my AR) removed in about 10 seconds. I have backup Troy battle sights for battle conditions. Never know when you might encounter some armed coyotes.
Zerodefect
member
Troy
Larue Tactical (Rebadged Troy)
BCM (also rebadged Troy)
Diamond Head (allmost the same as my Troy with a diamond ring)
Larue Tactical (Rebadged Troy)
BCM (also rebadged Troy)
Diamond Head (allmost the same as my Troy with a diamond ring)
dprice3844444
member
if the scope goes down for unknown reason(murphys law),hard rain etc,it's nice to be able to remove and use the backup sights.i have seen 1 article where they had the scope on the a3 upper,and a 45 degree mount behind it with one of them small red dot sights on the side.ya don't have to remove the scope.just cock it 45 degrees.sarcoinc.com has a small rear sight useing standard a2 parts for under 40 bucks.replacement parts are std colt.
I have used YHM and Magpul. The YHM were indestructable and held zero perfectly over 2 years. The Magpuls are just fine for short distance in an emergency, they are very functional, good quality, but i dont trust them for any distance.
I havent owned Troy, but i know many that do. If you have the money, get Troy.
I havent owned Troy, but i know many that do. If you have the money, get Troy.
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
I like Troy, and I too leave them always up. With the mount I have that puts them co-witnessed in the lower third of my EoTech window, out of the way but always there if I need them.
RobMoore
Member
I use the knights armament.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
