Man I envy all you guys who can shoot open sights I got scopes and optics on all mine pretty much as soon as I started this hobby. Nothing I can do about it, it’s always going to be optics over irons for me sadly.
Why not give it a try?
Our club has fun-shoots for .22 every second Saturday after the new year. Three classes, Open sight, Scope, and Pistol. Lots of fun!! I shoot in all three, and do fairly well for an old guy. When I started shooting, scopes were a luxury item. Every rifle came with iron sights; some better than others. Rich kids and families might have a scoped .22; the odd centrefire hunting rifle might have had a scope installed; but for the most part, they were not common.
Tasco brought low cost scopes to the market, and I think that was the start of it. For me, if I can see the target without a scope, I don't need one... if I have good sights, properly set up.
Interesting fact; a few guys set up various pistols with reflex sights; mostly .22s over the last few years; despite being set up well, no one shot as well with them as they did with factory sights on their pistols.
I have a low power scope on my AR on a one-piece removable mount; I also have folding back-up sights. Not a lot of difference at 100 yards from a bench-rest either way; free hand, I shoot better with the sights.