I need a set of irons for one of my uppers. I'm trying to decide if I just buy some cheap ones for 50 bucks or if I fork out the 200 bucks for a set of Troy's? It isn't so much that I mind spending the extra so much as I'd prefer not to if they aren't really worth it. What are the opinions of you guys with more knowledge than myself?
Are "Good" Iron Sights Worth It?
- Thread starter rkm456
- Start date
Are you looking for "fixed" or "flip-up" irons.
You can never go wrong spending more $$ for quality especially if they are going to be your primary sights. Nothing worse than "flip-ups" that rattle around when engaged.....jmho
You can never go wrong spending more $$ for quality especially if they are going to be your primary sights. Nothing worse than "flip-ups" that rattle around when engaged.....jmho
Phat Eagle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Fraser Valley, BC
Magpul MBUS will do you fine. I've seen a lot of cheap knock-offs off eBay or even no name ones from some site sponsors that rattle apart after just a few range trips.
For those who've asked they'll be literal back up sights in the sense that they'll be used on uppers that don't yet have their own optic on them. So they could potentially see not only extended use, but also be moved quite a bit between guns.
OldFrankHog
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Gatineau QC
Get a red dot. Holosun is a good brand and it won't cost you too much more.
willywonka519
CGN Regular
- Location
- Alliston, ON
There is a torture test on the interwebs which showed that the magpuls held up netter than some other expensive steel brands during a drop test. I would grab a set of magpuls off the EE.
Another benefit of the magpuls is that they seem to have a lower profile than my Midwest and Troy sights allowibg for scopes to clear it easier.
Another benefit of the magpuls is that they seem to have a lower profile than my Midwest and Troy sights allowibg for scopes to clear it easier.
Anything worth doing is worth over-doing. I hardly ever use my irons, but if the day comes that I need them, I'd rather have that piece of mind.
I've got 3 sets of irons, from magpul mbus, to troy di-optics to KAC micros. I'm confident in the troys and the kacs, slightly less on the mbus sights but they're on a reserve rifle that I don't use much. If you're going to actually be using them I'd recommend on a used set of troys around the 200 dollar or less mark. Always buy the best you can afford.
I've got 3 sets of irons, from magpul mbus, to troy di-optics to KAC micros. I'm confident in the troys and the kacs, slightly less on the mbus sights but they're on a reserve rifle that I don't use much. If you're going to actually be using them I'd recommend on a used set of troys around the 200 dollar or less mark. Always buy the best you can afford.
I've just spent a few sessions shooting and zeroing irons and they're useless to me beyond 75m. Don't see how spending money on them would change that.
We've no NEED imo for BUIS, so you'd be better off with a decent red dot or prism I reckon.
OldFrankHog
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Gatineau QC
For not much over 200$ you can get a holosun 403g which gets great reviews, its no aimpoint but it works well and is lifetime warranty.
Edit: 235$ for the dot add another 25$ if you want the lower 1/3 raiser.
Edit: 235$ for the dot add another 25$ if you want the lower 1/3 raiser.
Travis Bickle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Upper Lower Middle Alberta
I rock irons only.
Everything else can run out of batteries or knock off zero.
Everything else can run out of batteries or knock off zero.
If you shoot irons regularly, yes. If it's just backup or cosmetic, as others pointed out, Magpul MBUS is your best bet for inexpensive but good sights. On my last AR upper build, I bought Troy knock offs from Aliexpress because they were for 99% cosmetic. No surprise that they were garbage. The adjustment dial was crude and you needed a set of pliers to rotate the dial. They would sit crooked on the rail as well. I ended up just leaving them off. Wasted $50. and I knew better too.
Why not save your money and put it towards an optic setup with a QD mount? Seems like that'd be easier than moving a pair of iron sights around and you'd have to re-zero anyway. For under $200 I'd rather be using a TRS-25 as a backup while I was saving for a better optic.
http://www.cabelas.ca/product/67913/bushnell-ar-optics-trs-25-hirise-red-dot-sight
There is always the See-All Sight. Not really iron but not red dot either and there is no way in hell any kick can knock off the zero. I have one on my 12Ga and never had to re-zero it ever... just need a short section of picatinny rail
