by Siringo » Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:09 am
The iron sight thing has always perplexed me on these platforms. Who uses them? I would rather use a "comp 4" for dangerous game than iron sights. Irons are too slow. My personal feeling is Irons have gone the way of the flintlock. AR companies want to sell product -- that is why we see them.
I recently purchased an upper with a carry handle/issue sights. Guess what -- if you wear reading glass, your over 40, you can't see the front sight clearly -- especially with a carbine. The front sights on an AR are several inches closer to the eye than a standard 22" bolt rifle sporter. I spent all sorts of money to get a good sight picture. Ended up replacing the upper reciever with a flat top.
If you buy quality glass or red dots, they do not fail. Last I heard -- the US Army has purchased one million aimpoint comp 4's. That's got to say something.
My recommendation is go with a good low power optical. Quality stuff. Not Walmart or Tasco.
NOTE: I shoot Black Powder Cartridge with Iron Sights -- so I use them -- but only in the 'period correctness' mode. Although I am thinking about putting a tube scope on the old buffalo rifle. After all -- Bill Dixon used one on his big 50!.