Do you use open "red dot" sights on your battle rifle?

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Fri, 29 May 2020 14:22:38 -0400

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made May 29 at 2020 2:25 PM

CPL Douglas Chrysler — Fri, 29 May 2020 14:25:34 -0400

I have one, but haven't tried it yet.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 29 at 2020 2:29 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 29 May 2020 14:29:19 -0400

I use open iron sights on my retired battle rifle ((30-40 Krag).

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made May 29 at 2020 2:29 PM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Fri, 29 May 2020 14:29:58 -0400

For the purposes of this question, I'm focusing (no pun intended) less on the various "types" of projection (i.e. prism, reflex, holographic), and more on the "body" of the optic... "tube" vs. "open", magnified vs. non.

I run an "open" reflex sight on my CQB rig with a "flip up" rear iron sight, and "A2" front sight as backup (the sight pictured is not mine). For a comparison... I run a 4-12x40 scope on my "scout" rig, with "flip up" front and rear sights, mounted on a 45 degree offset.

Some folks I shoot with say they can't use the "open" red dot because it's too low to get the correct sight picture... maybe I'm just a leprechaun; but I don't seem to have any issues, including holdover. I've routinely shot "through" the reflex sight using my iron sights... and the only difference is that the "dot" (which is true zeroed at 25/250) sits about half-way down the front post. What are your thoughts?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2020 2:58 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2020 14:58:03 -0400

Good for about 50m, like a EOTech. I like the tube red dots like the M68 - can dial it in to keyhole every shot, but the EOTech and similar open red dots CAN hit 300m, but they're reflex sights. Designed for CQB. That's why they have the open one to mount on top of the ACOG.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made May 29 at 2020 3:05 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Fri, 29 May 2020 15:05:53 -0400

I use iron sights on my AR-15. That is how I learned to shoot the rifle so I have stuck with it. I have a tube type red dot on my AK-47 variant (made by Century). The iron sights on an AK are almost worthless. It is not magnified.

Response by TSgt George Rodriguez made May 29 at 2020 10:51 PM

TSgt George Rodriguez — Fri, 29 May 2020 22:51:17 -0400

My AK 47 Romainian is scoped mounted, my mosin nangant 91/30 has iron sights, Both 22 rifles are scoped which makes it easier to shoot squirrels out of the trees. My EDC Springfield XDM-9 has a laser dot with iron sights. All the rest of my handguns, shotguns, Black powder rifles and handguns are iron sights.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2020 12:04 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 May 2020 00:04:17 -0400

I do on my AR, but I do often shoot my AR with iron sight too, and a Leupold 3x9 scope.