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.

[doorgunner69]

Nothing more common than AAs!

And nothing more common than AA batteries barfing inside whatever they are left in, destroying the unit.

I have tried to sidestep this well known liability by using lithium AA in my long term small flashlights and GPS, but there goes the "readily available" cachet.

[Noumenon]

Can do once again not that I’m red dot equipped. One must yield gracefully to age.

[Travis McGee]

Yep. With a magnified optic, if you can see an elbow or a foot sticking out of cover/concealment at 400 yards, you can shoot it. Without an optic, you’d never even see it, or know the bad guy was there. Huge advantage.

[Travis McGee]

You got the ACOG? Too pricey for me.

[Noumenon]

Yes, I was taught to keep my elbows in tight and not splay my feet. Having half your foot shot off is a real buzz kill.

[Travis McGee]

I can imagine. Elbows are handy to have as well. Not to mention keeping all the red stuff inside. And the pain.

[TTFlyer]

FN FAL, AK-47, SKS, and AR-15 with iron sights are fine for what most of us civilian types would ever get into. Making 600 yard shots on human beings can be extremely problematic for obvious reasons.

My AR has a relatively cheap but well made Vortex Strikefire Red/Green Dot co-witnessed with flip-up Magpuls. The Vortex gives you an edge in close combat at 100 yards or less but you won’t cry if you damage it in transport, or in the field, or if lack of batteries render it useless.

By all means though, if you can afford it get an ACOG.

[RWB Patriot]

Aimpoint PRO and Magpul MBUS sights on my AR.

Even an ACOG can get broken by a bullet hit, so I’m of the opinion that iron sights are a must.

[Covenantor]

Re: long term storage of batteries.

Probably stuff you guys already know but if not...

Consider recharable Sanyo eneloops, hold charge with nominal discharge for very long shelf life. Far, far better then alkaline batteries. Rechargeable.
Longer life cycle in terms of total usable recharge cycles over NiCad. couple with economic charger than can operate with 12v and USB allows vehicle use and small folding solar panels.

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A172282%2Ck%3Asanyo%20eneloop

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OQ0CAW6/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1447191795&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=folding+solar+panel&dpPl=1&dpID=412gc4xTKDL&ref=plSrch

[JoeFromSidney]

I would never give up backup iron sights, and I practice with them. However, for twilight work, scopes of low magnification (3x - 7X) are needed. For broad daylight, much higher magnification is useful.

I bought a Torrey Pines thermal imaging device for night-time work. I'll probably put it on either an AR or a Mini-14. It's good to 100 yards, so the gun doesn't need to be any better than that.

[Farmer Dean]

The National Match sites on my M1A are just fine.If I can see it,I can shoot at it.

[Farmer Dean]

Ahh,an FN-FAL.What an elegant weapon.

[Future Snake Eater]

I usually store my AAs outside of my devices when they’re in a BOB or in a storage form.

[Future Snake Eater]

I will admit I’m softening on the 2032 battery optics. The holo sight was widely used in Iraq when I was there, so I trust it. I personally used an ACOG and loved it, but my God are they expensive! I’m looking closer at the Aimpoint T and H series now.

[familyop]

For those of you who can’t afford much, Leapers/UTG has developed their sights into some of the most durable and useful sights (tough construction, good glass for low light, etc.). Their reputation over the last few years has been much improved. See discussion boards. Optics Planet and many other vendors sell them.

http://www.leapers.com/index.php

[PLMerite]

“The National Match sites on my M1A are just fine. If I can see it, I can shoot at it.”

“at” is not the problem. Hits count. :)

I have a garden variety Springfield M1A that I have yet to even fire, let alone dial in.

I want to get a SOCOM 16, then I’ll be in the market for a holo sight of some kind.

[Travis McGee]

Yeah, you can’t beat an Aimpoint for practicality. Not quite as precise perhaps as an EOTech with the 1MOA dot surrounded by a circle, because the Aimpoint dot has to be a lot wider to stand out rapidly by its lonesome. But that is a small quibble, and the superior reliability of the Aimpoint compared to the EOTech is also undeniable.

[doorgunner69]

I usually store my AAs outside of my devices when they’re in a BOB or in a storage form.

Good idea, but throws a wrench in the "ready to go at a moments notice" meme. Might want to look into the lithium batteries. $ but if they truly do not have the alkaline barfing issue, worth the security. Supposed to last longer stored as well.......

So far, lost two GPS handhelds and two flashlights, and a handheld mini cassette recorder to the damn alkalines barfing silently. I hate the things with a passion.

[Farmer Dean]

Getting hits is no problem with that rifle.Very accurate at distance.

[JAKraig]

I’m all for scopes being an old guy, but, they really stink in the dark unless you get a really big one (very large front lens) and they are really expensive. Of course you can always get an active night vision scope but then you won’t be able to use it in the daylight.

Some people recommend having one of each and swapping them out back and forth but the lightly hood of accuracy holding up while switching scopes is not so good.