Author Topic: Flip up irons - are they worth it? (Read 1288 times)

mjmcmahon · « **on:** February 07, 2011, 10:13:40 AM »

Hi all -

I've been tricking out a new POF 18" AR and put a Magpul BUIS on it but, unfortunately, it sits up so high that it's causing issues with mounting my new optic (IOR 2-12x32). I'm trying to decide at this point whether keeping a set of back-up irons on the rifle is worth the bother. The reality is that I have TWO sets of optics for the rifle: the IOR and an EOTech 555 for different engagement scenarios. I'm curious how many of you keep backup irons on your rigs and, if so, which ones you've gone with that are very low-profile.

Thanks in advance!

Mike

Nomad · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2011, 10:49:02 AM »

Have them on the rifle you can never tell when Murphy will go to work for you....

mjmcmahon · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2011, 11:02:09 AM »

Thanx Nomad....that's kind of what I was thinking. Any suggestions for a VERY low-profile set of BUIS?

tgibson · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2011, 11:46:50 AM »

Quote from: mjmcmahon on February 07, 2011, 10:13:40 AM

Hi all -

I've been tricking out a new POF 18" AR and put a Magpul BUIS on it but, unfortunately, it sits up so high that it's causing issues with mounting my new optic (IOR 2-12x32). I'm trying to decide at this point whether keeping a set of back-up irons on the rifle is worth the bother. The reality is that I have TWO sets of optics for the rifle: the IOR and an EOTech 555 for different engagement scenarios. I'm curious how many of you keep backup irons on your rigs and, if so, which ones you've gone with that are very low-profile.

Thanks in advance!

Mike

:sarcon:If you are worried about your optic going down and your life depends on getting the gun up and running again in the next 20 seconds, the $hit has officially hit the fan and you should go to your pistol w/silver bullets.

BUIS are one more thing to weigh down your rifle, get caught on stuff, bend, break, etc. If you have time to swap out from your IOR to an EOTech, you don't need to worry about iron sights...especially if they don't fit in the first place. Take this for what it's worth as I'm sort of a minimalist guy who doesn't have a bunch of stuff on my gun that doesn't serve a purpose every time I use it.
Adios,
TG

ajc281509 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2011, 01:21:50 PM »

I keep BUIS on all my guns, I think that is because the Army made me do it and it stuck. I use a fixed front sight either the LMT or the Daniel Defense and my favorite rear sight it the MA Tech BUIS ( again it's what the Army gave me and I know how to use it). That being said if you don't have to depend on the optic(s) for life and death type of stuff, don't bother putting on BUIS. If the optic goes down while at the range you can switch to the other or call it a day and go home irritated.

Supposedly the new Magpul BUIS coming out are lower profile than the current. You could wait for those and then try them out. Check out the A.R.M.S. #71 set, they seem pretty lowpro.

http://www.armsmounts.com/

mjmcmahon · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2011, 01:35:46 PM »

Thanks ajc!

I've been looking at the MaTech BUIS....how high is it from the rail?

ajc281509 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2011, 01:39:28 PM »

I'll explain this as best I can, holding a ruler on the top of the rail and eye balling to the highest point of the MA Tech sight it is 3/4". The highest point being where the adjustment knob is for the various distances.

If I didn't explain well enough I can snap a picture, hell I'll take a picture anyways stand by...

ajc281509 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2011, 01:44:18 PM »

mjmcmahon · « **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2011, 01:46:26 PM »

thx...I may just take the BUIS off for the time being and look at replacing them at some point down the line.

Fullautolover · « **Reply #9 on:** February 07, 2011, 02:16:29 PM »

Yankee Hill Machine makes a real low profile sight system called the Q.D.S. and it only measures .435 when folded. Might wanna check it out for an option.

mjmcmahon · « **Reply #10 on:** February 07, 2011, 02:24:21 PM »

Quote from: Fullautolover on February 07, 2011, 02:16:29 PM

Yankee Hill Machine makes a real low profile sight system called the Q.D.S. and it only measures .435 when folded. Might wanna check it out for an option.

Q.D.S. Set, Front and Rear $207.00

OUCH!

<edit> well, did some digging and it looks like they can be had for ~$159....guess that's not too bad for the set.

Steve N · « **Reply #11 on:** February 07, 2011, 07:05:12 PM »

BUIS? I think that they are the first sight for me in some situations. I run a stock 3X Colt BDC scope on my AR and the groove in the carry handle lets me use the irons if I want.

If it's just a few people you are going to ding, or deer or elk, then scopes and such are nice. But go into the brush after a bear or moose and that scope will get you killed - there are lots of fancy things out there. But when the SHTF I only plan on using what doesn't require batteries or other things to get me by.

ballardw · « **Reply #12 on:** February 07, 2011, 10:39:51 PM »

Another solution, depending on how happy you are with the height of the optic might be a short riser to get the optic a tad higher. That worked for me as the optic was sitting too low on a flat top and the eye relief didn't work if moved far enough forward to avoid the folding rear.

The optic is on a quick release, so it takes less than 15 seconds to go to iron from optic. Possibly quicker if I don't mind dropping the scope.

Jeff · « **Reply #13 on:** February 07, 2011, 10:41:29 PM »

I've got one of the MI low profile BUIS on an upper at the shop. You are welcome to stop by and check it out. They run about $120.

TrooperBrian · « **Reply #14 on:** February 09, 2011, 12:08:28 AM »

I've been using Magpul's MBUS, I've had my EOTech conk out 3-4 times in the field, I just snapped the sights up and kept shooting. It would be scary to imagine a soldier using an optic and it conks out with no backup sights.

Kcboats · « **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2011, 10:05:41 PM »

I have a K16 with bull barrel and a small gas block on the front, I purchased a set of Magpu MBUS sights but after talking with Jeff he suggested using something else for the front sight (Magpul suggests you dont put the front sight on due to high temps which can cause it to dry and become brittle/crack)...any suggestions for a replacement?

Fullautolover · « **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2011, 12:16:53 AM »

Quote from: Kcboats on February 11, 2011, 10:05:41 PM

I have a K16 with bull barrel and a small gas block on the front, I purchased a set of Magpu MBUS sights but after talking with Jeff he suggested using something else for the front sight (Magpul suggests you dont put the front sight on due to high temps which can cause it to dry and become brittle/crack)...any suggestions for a replacement?

I like the Yankee Hill flip up sights, the are all steel and fold down out of the line of sight when not in use. Just my .02 cents.

birddog1989 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 13, 2011, 10:54:23 PM »

I like offset sights better because;
1. unit height/co-witness is not an issue because they are not in line with the optic
2. you do not have to deploy them because they are already up
3. You don't have to take your hands off the rifle to get them in to action.

http://www.boiseshooters.com/index.php/topic,10867.msg70813.html#msg70813

SNAFU · « **Reply #18 on:** February 14, 2011, 08:10:49 AM »

Quote from: Fullautolover on February 07, 2011, 02:16:29 PM

Yankee Hill Machine makes a real low profile sight system called the Q.D.S. and it only measures .435 when folded. Might wanna check it out for an option.

My AR15 came with those on it, they are defiantly worth it.

first rate quality.

mjmcmahon · « **Reply #19 on:** March 06, 2011, 11:08:28 AM »

So I picked up a set of BUIS from avking, but I'm running into an unexpected problem: the front sight appears to sit up too high! Point of impact was roughly even with the base of the front sight post. I'm guessing that the sights are mismatched?

Thx for any advice!

Mike

No-One · « **Reply #20 on:** March 06, 2011, 04:40:13 PM »

Is the front sight mounted on the rail or gas block ? There are 2 different front sights depending on the mounting location .

mjmcmahon · « **Reply #21 on:** March 07, 2011, 09:44:42 AM »

rail mounted....probably a mis-matched set.

HD-DVD · « **Reply #22 on:** March 08, 2011, 03:17:05 PM »

Yeah I'm sure you're right, it sounds like a taller sight meant for a railed gas block.

JollyRoger · « **Reply #23 on:** March 16, 2011, 10:23:53 PM »

Definitely should have the back ups on a defense weapon. I've been using Troy for a long time and it fit under my Meostar 1-4 perfectly....low profile, sturdy and a good company to deal with.

luckypunk · « **Reply #24 on:** March 16, 2011, 11:22:15 PM »

Quote from: JollyRoger on March 16, 2011, 10:23:53 PM