Preppers: Time to Ditch the Iron Sights-only Builds

AShooting Journal ^ | 11/10/2015 | Bilj

[w1n1]

There's this thread on Reddit that stated:

For as long as I've had my AR, I've kept it equipped with iron sights only, on the theory that I didn't want to rely on a battery-operated sight. That's still true, but I'm rethinking my original choices and considering a scope or fiber optic sight. So, my question is two-fold:

1. Would you recommend iron sights, some form of fiber optic sight, a scope of whatever type, or a combination?
2. For scopes or fiber optic sights, what model do you recommend that performs well between 100 and 300 yards and won't break the bank?

Good for this guy. He seems to have finally woken up to the fact that an iron-sights-only build for TSHTF is suicide.

Let's stop and think about this for a moment — really think about it:

The batteries on many modern red dot sights last for 5 years of continuous use. If you somehow manage to survive for five years in a world that is so collapsed that common batteries are no longer in production, then congratulations, Snake Plissken, you now have your pick of iron sights that are laying around, as well as your pick of pretty much every other product of our once-advanced civilization.

Another thing: five years into TEOTWAWKI your gun is way more likely to be out of ammo than your RDS is to be out of juice. Read the rest of the story here.

[Travis McGee]

And the older you get, the more important optics become.
I switch between an EOTech and a fixed 4X Burris.

[Cobra64]

I have both with the red dot co-witnessed to the iron sights, and zeroed at 100 yards.

[Mariner]

I am of the opinion that all "military style" rifles should be iron sight only.

The sights used by the US Military have a much broader field of view and better illumination than most of us are willing to afford. Additionally, most of the time they fight at greater distance than an individual or family is likely to be forced into.

If you can hit a chest-sized target while standing at 100m, you have 99% of your combat scenarios handled.

[DCBryan1]

If you can hit a chest-sized target while standing at 100m, you have 99% of your combat scenarios handled.

...and you have the other 1 percent handled if you can get them before shooting back at you ;O)

[grobdriver]

It all depends on your area of operations, seems to me.

West Texas, hell yeah I want a 10X scope - the better to see the opposition while they're still looking for me.

East Texas in the woods, a red dot might serve better for the 25-50 yard offhand shots.

I'm in Central Texas with 4X fixed and iron backups.

[FreedomPoster]

ACOG

[Oatka]

Flip up irons sights at 45 deg angle for close in work (Pickatinny rail):

[Billthedrill]

I have both with the red dot co-witnessed to the iron sights, and zeroed at 100 yards.

Second the motion. It isn't difficult. Also, spare batteries. I also have more than one spare magazine... ;-)

[Mariner]

"West Texas, hell yeah I want a 10X scope - the better to see the opposition while they're still looking for me."

Every party of 3 or more needs a man with a 30.06, well tuned, and Ranging Reticle in their 10x scope.

If he drops one early, everyone else has 5 mins to run.

[Axeslinger]

I’ve got the 3x Burris, that has a battery powered red and green reticle and if the battery is dead OR the elctronics just plain break has the same reticle in black. Love it.

[Cobra64]

My rule of thumb is 8 magazines per firearm. I train a lot and cycle through 5 mags in a class. The remaining three are for serious work.

[DCBryan1]

I'm in a built up suburban area. I can dominate my cul-de-sac with my M1 and M2 Benelli.....leave the neighborhood? Grabbing the M4 with Trijicon ACOG.

Setting up an ambush? Going to grab the suppressed 10/22 and 77/22 and hide in the bushes with some real operator type buddies.

All firearms are tools. Simply that.

[Farmer Dean]

The objective should be chest sized targets at 500-600 yards.When you can put 10 consecutive shots in the black at 500 yards,you become a formidable adversary.

[umgud]

Trijicon makes reflex and magnified scopes that do not need batteries. These will work day or night.

Illuminated Scope is designed to be as durable as the legendary ACOG. The RM08 is a battery free sight, featuring Trijicon fiber optics and tritium. Housed in rugged forged aluminum, the Trijicon RMR Dual

[piytar]

Get an Eotech holographic sight and a 3x magnifier. Works AWESOMELY. And just buy a ton of batteries. I have a several year supply...

[rstrahan]

How far out are you shooting? At any reasonable range, iron sights are fine. If ‘reaching out to touch something’ a scope, sure. Question is, what are you shooting and why. If considering close in shooting (they’re coming after you) good iron sights with a good sight picture is best, quicker target acquisition.

[subterfuge]

Holographic sight. EOTec.

[TADSLOS]

If you can shoot accurately with iron sights, then using an ACOG should be a piece of cake. Take time to practice no tech. It may save your life.

[tiki]

I was just thinking, for food purposes only, to get a good BB gun and pellet gun. It is easy to kill dove with a BB gun and you can buy BB’s and pellets cheap and not hard to find like so much other ammo.