AR Iron Sights

stonewall50 · January 7, 2019, 11:51 AM

Due to luck on my end I am getting an AR for free. Not an expensive model. It won’t have any accessories. But I’ve decided on a general idea of set up. I don’t want (or need) a scope. I’m not a fan of optics and I’d like to get some irons. But I need some help on these. I want something that is simple and easy.

I like the idea of the HK Diopters. Especially the whole rotate to adjust ranging. But I’ve heard they have issues being mounted on an AR. Would that be a bad idea (I’m used to basic old school iron sights on older model deer and squirrel guns)? Got any good recommendations? I know everyone seems to have the pop up sights, but these will be my primary and that isn’t a requirement.

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Dave P · January 7, 2019, 12:48 PM

The basic hooded sights found on military versions are good for at least 600 yards. 1/2 moa adjustments, I think.

stonewall50 · January 7, 2019, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave P

The basic hooded sights found on military versions are good for at least 600 yards. 1/2 moa adjustments, I think.

And these can be added after market? Additionally...mostly a 5-100 yard gun. I don’t do much shooting past that. Are they pretty good for close in work as far as irons go?

Wasn’t going to get an AR and has settled on getting a new barrel for my shotgun.

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kymasabe · January 7, 2019, 02:33 PM

Marine friend of mine shoots exceptionally well with the A2 front sight on his carbine, and a yankee hill machine folding rear sight. He regularly shoots 300+ yards with that gun. I personally have Daniel Defense fixed front and rear sights on my AR and am very happy with them.

stonewall50 · January 7, 2019, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kymasabe

Marine friend of mine shoots exceptionally well with the A2 front sight on his carbine, and a yankee hill machine folding rear sight. He regularly shoots 300+ yards with that gun. I personally have Daniel Defense fixed front and rear sights on my AR and am very happy with them.

Thanks. I will give them a look.

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Charlie98 · January 7, 2019, 07:33 PM

I really like the Daniel Defense 1.5 rear... it's essentially a fixed A1 sight for a rail. I don't do optics on my AR's, they all have peeps on them.

If you need a flipper, I really like my Troy...

That's not really a good picture of it, but I'll tell you it's about as robust a flipper as you can get. I didn't really need a flip rear, but I got it in case I ever put an optic of some sort on it... it's nice to have the option, and it's nice that they fold down out of the way for transport.

The Troy front...

kymasabe · January 7, 2019, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie_98

I really like the Daniel Defense 1.5 rear... it's essentially a fixed A1 sight for a rail. I don't do optics on my AR's, they all have peeps on them.

That's exactly the one I use as well, with matching front sight.

jonnyc · January 7, 2019, 08:00 PM

I have Magpul or Matech rears on all mine, and all but one have A2 fronts. My 300BLK has a Magpul front. Inexpensive options, and all you'll ever need.

lordmorgul · January 9, 2019, 05:35 AM

Aero Precision makes an HK style semi-hooded pop up front site. You can buy a removable carry handle rear and have a combo of 0-600 adjustable sights with front hood.

Andrew - Lancaster, CA
NRA Life Member, Calguns.net contributor, CGF / SAF / CRPA / FPC / NAGR / NRA-ILA contributor, USCCA member

Mobuck · January 9, 2019, 08:02 AM

Most of the problems with "iron sights" (none are really iron) on an AR is getting the shooter's eye close enough to the rear aperture for effective use. When you see military target shooters, you'll note they nearly kiss the CH in order to get their aiming eye closer to the sight.
Anything less compromises the advantage of the aperture sight.

Charlie98 · January 9, 2019, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Most of the problems with "iron sights" (none are really iron) on an AR is getting the shooter's eye close enough to the rear aperture for effective use. When you see military target shooters, you'll note they nearly kiss the CH in order to get their aiming eye closer to the sight.
Anything less compromises the advantage of the aperture sight.

When I was in Army basic training, I was taught to put my nose on the charging handle... and have done so since. When I'm at the range and look around... I see soooooo many people shooting peeps incorrectly.

stonewall50 · January 9, 2019, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mobuck

Most of the problems with "iron sights" (none are really iron) on an AR is getting the shooter's eye close enough to the rear aperture for effective use. When you see military target shooters, you'll note they nearly kiss the CH in order to get their aiming eye closer to the sight.
Anything less compromises the advantage of the aperture sight.

Thanks for the advice. I’ve been browsing and learning still. I’ve heard good ideas. I just know that I need to learn the basics there first.

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kraigwy · January 9, 2019, 12:39 PM

The best irons I've seen on a Service Rifle AR were those put on by White Oak. My White Oak SR sights have 1/2 MOA clicks and is marked for 200, 300 and 600. Using the 600 yard setting and coming down 4 revolutions of my front sight gives my zero for 1000 yards.

Works great and are positive. White Oak gives you the option of 1/2 or 1/4 minute clicks. I went to the 1/2 because thats what I have on my M1A.

But now to be competitive you need glass on a service rifle, Havent gone that route yet on my SR AR.

**44 AMP** · January 9, 2019, 12:51 PM

Quote:

When I was in Army basic training, I was taught to put my nose on the charging handle... and have done so since. When I'm at the range and look around... I see soooooo many people shooting peeps incorrectly.

Using peeps incorrectly? I think its only incorrect if you miss!

An Army DI tried to teach me the same "nose on the charging handle thing. Tried. Sure, you can do it that way, and it works, on a .223, but I don't do it that way, and I still hit what I aim at. A DI also began to chew me out for shooting with my right arm elbow "up" not tucked down by my side.
He barked at me, "who taught you to shoot that way, TRAINEE??!!!"
"my Father, Drill Sargent!"

At that point, a senior DI came by with my target, 3 shots under an inch. Told the first DI, "let that one shoot the way he wants...its a good group..."
Not being all that bright, at the time, I was horrified enough to tell the DI, that it wasn't a good group, the holes weren't touching...

That got a chuckle from the senior DI, and they both moved on to the next trainee...

As to sights on the AR you are getting, are you getting one with the original "fixed" carry handle upper, or one with a rail??

doofus47 · January 9, 2019, 07:20 PM

You said "HK diopter".... and SHAZAMM!
https://www.brownells.com/rifle-part....aspx?psize=96

I have one on one of my ARs. I like it, but I don't remember it costing that much. The fine print on the packaging that came with mine said it was set to 62gr Mil-spec ammo. I shoot 55gr Wolf gold mostly and I'm about as accurate/inaccurate with that rear sight as any other sight system on any of my ARs....

ttarp · January 9, 2019, 11:19 PM

There are also these, knockoff Hk416 sights. I use them on a 9mm AUG, and my oddball Wolf A1 upper(only the rear).

https://www.robertrtg.com/store/pc/4...TER-223p87.htm

The issue with these is the Hk416 has a higher top rail than a standard AR, so the Hk sights sit lower than intended on a standard AR. I don't think the rear sight would have enough adjustment to be used with an A2 front sight. Thats not to say they aren't still usable as a set, but most folks either want optics, or cheap backup sights, not $100 fixed irons.

armoredman · January 10, 2019, 04:34 AM

44 AMP, great story.

Dreamsinger · January 14, 2019, 11:07 AM

I'm pretty obsessive about iron sights. For the rear I use a UTG match sight. If you have an A2 FSB that'll work just fine. The caveat I'll offer is that if you have a floating handguard *don't* mount a front sight on it. There's a reason they float and it's to keep the front and rear sight coordinated. Instead, I've used "same height" (this part is critical) gas blocks. I like a lot of sight radius so I've been known to use a barrel mounted Pic rail (again, "same height" is critical) closer to the muzzle. UTG for fixed. What I'm using now on my 300HAM'R AR is a Battle Arms Development clamp on from Brownells. It works but getting it clocked as accurately as I'd like is an effort. Back to the rear; while I prefer to use the irons I do have a few scopes that find their way on the gun. For those times I put on a Magpul pro LR folding sight on JIC.

Dreamsinger · January 14, 2019, 12:06 PM

I'm pretty obsessive about iron sights. For the rear I use a UTG match sight. If you have an A2 FSB that'll work just fine. The caveat I'll offer is that if you have a floating handguard *don't* mount a front sight on it. There's a reason they float and it's to keep the front and rear sight coordinated. Instead, I've used "same height" (this part is critical) gas blocks. I like a lot of sight radius so I've been known to use a barrel mounted Pic rail (again, "same height" is critical) closer to the muzzle. UTG for fixed. What I'm using now on my 300HAM'R AR is a Battle Arms Development clamp on from Brownells. It works but getting it clocked as accurately as I'd like is an effort. Back to the rear; while I prefer to use the irons I do have a few scopes that find their way on the gun. For those times I put on a Magpul pro LR folding sight on JIC.

gooseman80 · January 18, 2019, 09:39 PM

If you know your always just going to run irons, I personally would add a carry handle type of sight setup to your flat top. If you think that one day you might like to run glass, I would get flip-up iron sights. I have Midwest Industries on my LWRC.

Metal god · January 19, 2019, 05:49 AM

I have a little tiny aperture on my nation match AR and I mean tiny . My front post is super narrow as well . This allows me to aim smaller at distance because everything I'm looking at it small . If your front post completely covers your target , it's pretty hard to aim at the target . Same with the rear sight . The larger the hole the more slop there is to find center . So I don't want my face/eye close to the rear sight because the closer I get to the rear sight the bigger the hole looks . Now this is for distance shooting at smallish targets . If inside of 200yds then I just flip/rock forward the aperture to the large hole and I'm gtg .

I know the OP doesn't want an optic but based on what he's been saying . I'm not sure the OP understands how great a red dot works at 100yds and in and you can use the back up sights right through the red dot if it fails . That is if the glass is not broke blocking you from seeing through it .

I have a Troy fixed rear battle sight https://troyind.com/products/fixed-rear-sight-blk on my carbine and have loved that sight . I rarely shoot that AR anymore but it's still zeroed every time I've shot it . I'm not sure I've ever needed to adjust it after the initial sighting in .

Skans · January 21, 2019, 10:53 AM

I purchased a nice set flip-up YHM (Yankee Hill Machine) sights off of someone on Ebay. I paid about $55 for the pair. If you look, you will find decent deals on good iron sights.

January 7, 2019, 11:51 AM	#1
stonewall50 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 668	AR Iron Sights Due to luck on my end I am getting an AR for free. Not an expensive model. It won’t have any accessories. But I’ve decided on a general idea of set up. I don’t want (or need) a scope. I’m not a fan of optics and I’d like to get some irons. But I need some help on these. I want something that is simple and easy. I like the idea of the HK Diopters. Especially the whole rotate to adjust ranging. But I’ve heard they have issues being mounted on an AR. Would that be a bad idea (I’m used to basic old school iron sights on older model deer and squirrel guns)? Got any good recommendations? I know everyone seems to have the pop up sights, but these will be my primary and that isn’t a requirement. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

January 7, 2019, 12:48 PM	#2
Dave P Senior Member Join Date: August 16, 1999 Location: North Florida Posts: 1,346	The basic hooded sights found on military versions are good for at least 600 yards. 1/2 moa adjustments, I think. __________________ I think this country is screwed.

January 7, 2019, 02:33 PM	#4
kymasabe Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2005 Location: SW Florida Posts: 2,747	Marine friend of mine shoots exceptionally well with the A2 front sight on his carbine, and a yankee hill machine folding rear sight. He regularly shoots 300+ yards with that gun. I personally have Daniel Defense fixed front and rear sights on my AR and am very happy with them. __________________ God's creatures big and small, eat them one, eat them all.

January 7, 2019, 07:33 PM	#6
Charlie98 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2006 Location: Great state of Texas Posts: 1,077	I really like the Daniel Defense 1.5 rear... it's essentially a fixed A1 sight for a rail. I don't do optics on my AR's, they all have peeps on them. If you need a flipper, I really like my Troy... That's not really a good picture of it, but I'll tell you it's about as robust a flipper as you can get. I didn't really need a flip rear, but I got it in case I ever put an optic of some sort on it... it's nice to have the option, and it's nice that they fold down out of the way for transport. The Troy front... __________________ _______________ "I have this pistol pointed at your heart!" "That is my least vulnerable spot."

January 7, 2019, 08:00 PM	#8
jonnyc Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,731	I have Magpul or Matech rears on all mine, and all but one have A2 fronts. My 300BLK has a Magpul front. Inexpensive options, and all you'll ever need. __________________ 2024 PA Cartridge Collector Show; Aug. 16-17, 2024!!! Buy...Sell...Trade All Types of Ammunition & Ordnance PM or email me for 2024 show details.

January 9, 2019, 05:35 AM	#9
lordmorgul Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2016 Posts: 206	AR Iron Sights Aero Precision makes an HK style semi-hooded pop up front site. You can buy a removable carry handle rear and have a combo of 0-600 adjustable sights with front hood. Andrew - Lancaster, CA NRA Life Member, Calguns.net contributor, CGF / SAF / CRPA / FPC / NAGR / NRA-ILA contributor, USCCA member

January 9, 2019, 08:02 AM	#10
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	Most of the problems with "iron sights" (none are really iron) on an AR is getting the shooter's eye close enough to the rear aperture for effective use. When you see military target shooters, you'll note they nearly kiss the CH in order to get their aiming eye closer to the sight. Anything less compromises the advantage of the aperture sight.

January 9, 2019, 12:39 PM	#13
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	The best irons I've seen on a Service Rifle AR were those put on by White Oak. My White Oak SR sights have 1/2 MOA clicks and is marked for 200, 300 and 600. Using the 600 yard setting and coming down 4 revolutions of my front sight gives my zero for 1000 yards. Works great and are positive. White Oak gives you the option of 1/2 or 1/4 minute clicks. I went to the 1/2 because thats what I have on my M1A. But now to be competitive you need glass on a service rifle, Havent gone that route yet on my SR AR. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

January 9, 2019, 07:20 PM	#15
doofus47 Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: live in a in a house when i'm not in a tent Posts: 2,483	You said "HK diopter".... and SHAZAMM! https://www.brownells.com/rifle-part....aspx?psize=96 I have one on one of my ARs. I like it, but I don't remember it costing that much. The fine print on the packaging that came with mine said it was set to 62gr Mil-spec ammo. I shoot 55gr Wolf gold mostly and I'm about as accurate/inaccurate with that rear sight as any other sight system on any of my ARs.... __________________ I'm right about the metric system 3/4 of the time.

January 9, 2019, 11:19 PM	#16
ttarp Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2013 Posts: 888	There are also these, knockoff Hk416 sights. I use them on a 9mm AUG, and my oddball Wolf A1 upper(only the rear). https://www.robertrtg.com/store/pc/4...TER-223p87.htm The issue with these is the Hk416 has a higher top rail than a standard AR, so the Hk sights sit lower than intended on a standard AR. I don't think the rear sight would have enough adjustment to be used with an A2 front sight. Thats not to say they aren't still usable as a set, but most folks either want optics, or cheap backup sights, not $100 fixed irons.

January 10, 2019, 04:34 AM	#17
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,297	44 AMP, great story.

January 14, 2019, 11:07 AM	#18
Dreamsinger Junior Member Join Date: January 14, 2019 Posts: 11	I'm pretty obsessive about iron sights. For the rear I use a UTG match sight. If you have an A2 FSB that'll work just fine. The caveat I'll offer is that if you have a floating handguard don't mount a front sight on it. There's a reason they float and it's to keep the front and rear sight coordinated. Instead, I've used "same height" (this part is critical) gas blocks. I like a lot of sight radius so I've been known to use a barrel mounted Pic rail (again, "same height" is critical) closer to the muzzle. UTG for fixed. What I'm using now on my 300HAM'R AR is a Battle Arms Development clamp on from Brownells. It works but getting it clocked as accurately as I'd like is an effort. Back to the rear; while I prefer to use the irons I do have a few scopes that find their way on the gun. For those times I put on a Magpul pro LR folding sight on JIC.

January 14, 2019, 12:06 PM	#19
Dreamsinger Junior Member Join Date: January 14, 2019 Posts: 11	I'm pretty obsessive about iron sights. For the rear I use a UTG match sight. If you have an A2 FSB that'll work just fine. The caveat I'll offer is that if you have a floating handguard don't mount a front sight on it. There's a reason they float and it's to keep the front and rear sight coordinated. Instead, I've used "same height" (this part is critical) gas blocks. I like a lot of sight radius so I've been known to use a barrel mounted Pic rail (again, "same height" is critical) closer to the muzzle. UTG for fixed. What I'm using now on my 300HAM'R AR is a Battle Arms Development clamp on from Brownells. It works but getting it clocked as accurately as I'd like is an effort. Back to the rear; while I prefer to use the irons I do have a few scopes that find their way on the gun. For those times I put on a Magpul pro LR folding sight on JIC.

January 18, 2019, 09:39 PM	#20
gooseman80 Junior Member Join Date: February 8, 2007 Location: Spring, Texas Posts: 5	If you know your always just going to run irons, I personally would add a carry handle type of sight setup to your flat top. If you think that one day you might like to run glass, I would get flip-up iron sights. I have Midwest Industries on my LWRC.

January 19, 2019, 05:49 AM	#21
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 6,875	I have a little tiny aperture on my nation match AR and I mean tiny . My front post is super narrow as well . This allows me to aim smaller at distance because everything I'm looking at it small . If your front post completely covers your target , it's pretty hard to aim at the target . Same with the rear sight . The larger the hole the more slop there is to find center . So I don't want my face/eye close to the rear sight because the closer I get to the rear sight the bigger the hole looks . Now this is for distance shooting at smallish targets . If inside of 200yds then I just flip/rock forward the aperture to the large hole and I'm gtg . I know the OP doesn't want an optic but based on what he's been saying . I'm not sure the OP understands how great a red dot works at 100yds and in and you can use the back up sights right through the red dot if it fails . That is if the glass is not broke blocking you from seeing through it . I have a Troy fixed rear battle sight https://troyind.com/products/fixed-rear-sight-blk on my carbine and have loved that sight . I rarely shoot that AR anymore but it's still zeroed every time I've shot it . I'm not sure I've ever needed to adjust it after the initial sighting in . __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again . Last edited by Metal god; January 19, 2019 at 02:07 PM.

January 21, 2019, 10:53 AM	#22
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	I purchased a nice set flip-up YHM (Yankee Hill Machine) sights off of someone on Ebay. I paid about $55 for the pair. If you look, you will find decent deals on good iron sights.