Low power/variable magnification optics on AR platform rifles have been widely accepted as a viable sighting option for a minimum of what, 7 years now?
Then why in the hell havent manufacturers caught up with off-set back-up iron sight options???
You have the Dueck Defense sights which are great but in my opinion are overpriced and the rear elevation drum is not needed for most. Being fixed, they offer a snag hazard and ergonomic issue for some shooting situations.
The KAC Micro off-set sights are very desireable, but they are unobtainable for the most part.
The yet to be released flip-OUT off-set sights from DiamondHead look like a great option, but are also not currently available.
Sure, you can run standard in line flip-up iron sights under your scope but having to remove the scope to deploy them is a non-starter in my book.
It seems that there is a huge void of options for off-set flip-up iron sights in the market for those of us who run variable optics on our ARs, so why has the market not responded?
Probably because offset sights are stupid for anyone other than some kind of competition shooter. I used a 4 power ACOG for a lot of years including in urban environments and never needed or wanted offset sights. I did have flip up BUIS and a quick detach mount for the ACOG in the event it was ever damaged.
On a Recce/SPR-type intermediate distance gun, I would love to have OFFSET AND FIXED iron sights similar to the Daniel Defense A1.5 sight or LaRue fixed BUIS w/o QR.
I have become more and more of a fan of offset irons, though the reality is that most people, even those that are engaged in combat operations against a real enemy will never “need” back up irons.
That being said, I prefer the KAC versions, as they are unobtrusive when stowed, and very usable when deployed. Their availability will be getting a lot better soon.
Typos brought to you via Tapatalk and autocorrect.
Everything is a compromise. I like to keep my work rifles as slick as possible so fixed off-set sights don’t work for me. They also provide a potential snag point and can also get in the way when shooting around some barricades.
Plus, you can always run the off-set KAC Micros in the up position anyway.
“IF” it got damaged or obstructed to the point that it was not useable it would be useful to have a set of irons sights to default to. Plus, having a set of iron sights that are viewable without having to remove the optic is required by my agency along with many others that I know of.
Ahh, sorry missed that part. That sucks. Seems so “bassackwards” that one is forced to hang more and more shit off a working gun these days. Good luck in your quest!
“Stupid” might not be the best choice of words, but I’m pretty sure they never had offset sites while they were operational. Just because KD, JB, or (insert popular ex-Ninja-Recon-SEAL) use them, has absolutely no weight in an argument for someone who’s spent the last ten years playing the GWOT game without them.
I’ve made comments like “I wish I had that back in 05”, but at the end of the day you come to the conclusion that you went without.
I’m not championing for or against their use, all I have is my experience of never needing them or even wishing I would have had them. I’m all for any product that gives our shooters an edge in a gunfight but it takes more than a popular shooting instructor’s opinion to change mine.
Thats great, but I never advocated off-set sights simply because of their use by Defoor or Barnhart. My comment that you quoted was in response another members blanket statement that the off-set sights concept was “stupid” for anyone but competition shooters.
But anyway, how about the simple fact that they make sense for their intended application.
