Question for Rob about back up sights on your AR

[ECU#1]

Rob, I am getting ready to purchase my first AR and have a question about your iron sights and scope.  During one of the best defense episodes, you pulled your AR out of the trunk of the car and talked about turning on your scope and the need for back up sights.  First, what kind of scope do you have on your AR?  If your batteries are dead and you just looking at your front sights through your scope or would you remove the scope before utilizing your iron sights?  It seems that in an emergency you would not have time to remove a scope, but it also seems that your back up iron sights may be in the way of your sight picture in the scope.  It also appears that many of the mounts for for scopes would be in the way of the sight picture of the iron sights. 

Basicly, there are hundreds of scopes to choose from and I dont know where to start.  I know I want a flat top AR with iron sights and I wouild like to have some way of using the iron sights as back up to the scope.  Any tips you can give me would be appreciated.

If anyone else has suggestions about scopes and back up sights, please feel free to comment.

[MHarvey124]

I can't remember the specific episode you are referring to but my guess is that Rob either runs an Aimpoint or an EOTech. These are two of the biggest name brands for red dots right now. They run about $350+ new.

As for your question regarding getting back in the fight when you're optic is dead, what you could do is what is called "co-wintess". Basically this means that you have your iron sights up and the red dot on your optic line up. I took a quick picture of my rifle to demonstrate what this looks like. Running a setup like this removes the need to have to take off the optic if the battery is dead.

[Rob Pincus]

ECU,

As MHArvey said, you probably want to set your rifle up so that you iron sights can be in the UP position while you are using your red dot (any brand that you choose) as your primary sighting option.
If you get a flat top AR to start, I have recently used and can recommend both Magpul and BCM folding back up sights.

When you do sight in, be sure to do so at a distance which makes sense to your operational environment.

If you are having trouble with the mounts you are looking at putting themselves or the scope in the way of the irons, you have chosen the wrong mounts.

-Rob

[Badgersmilk]

I use the co-witness sight method on my rifle.  It takes some getting used to at first, but I've found having both sets of sights in view actually does help with aquisition, and accuracy in wooded conditions and at the range.  I haven't played with it on courses or anything though. 

[ECU#1]

Thanks alot everyone!  That picture really helps to me understand it now.  It looks llike it will take some practice to get used to the sight picture but I don't mind practice.  Happy holidays!

[Sponsor]

[twyacht]

Thanks alot everyone!  That picture really helps to me understand it now.  It looks llike it will take some practice to get used to the sight picture but I don't mind practice.  Happy holidays!

The moderator, Eric, on the Tactical Rifle thread may also have some very helpful tips as well. Lots of good experience an knowledge around here.

Welcome to DRTV.

Good Shooting.