Smyth Busters: Does Your AR-15 Really Need Backup Sights?

Published on November 29, 2022
Duration: 8:47

This expert guide from Brownells' 'Smyth Busters' series, featuring Steven and Caleb, explores the necessity of backup sights on an AR-15. They emphasize that the decision is situational, ranging from non-essential for dedicated range guns to crucial for defensive carbines. The hosts, drawing on their extensive experience, detail concepts like cowitnessing and the potential failure points of primary optics, ultimately recommending backup sights for any serious-use firearm if budget permits.

Quick Summary

Backup sights are crucial for defensive AR-15 carbines used for home defense or self-defense, providing an immediate aiming solution if the primary optic fails in a critical situation. For dedicated range guns, they are less essential as optic failure typically only ends the shooting session.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Do AR-15s Need Backup Sights?
  2. 00:26AR-15 Setups: Optics vs. Backup Sights
  3. 00:55Understanding Cowitnessing Concepts
  4. 01:22Personal Preference for Backup Sights
  5. 02:08Situational Need: The Range Gun
  6. 03:01Backup Sights for Range & Reliability
  7. 04:07Situational Need: Defensive/Duty Gun
  8. 05:34Absolute vs. Lower Third Cowitness
  9. 06:22Competition & Optic Failure Scenarios
  10. 07:52Conclusion: Backups Are Plausible & Situational

Frequently Asked Questions

When are backup sights considered essential for an AR-15?

Backup sights are considered essential for defensive carbines or 'truck guns' used for home defense or self-defense. In a critical situation, they provide an immediate aiming solution if the primary optic fails, ensuring readiness when lives may be on the line.

Are backup sights necessary for a dedicated AR-15 range gun?

For a dedicated range gun, backup sights are often considered less essential. If the primary optic fails, the main consequence is typically ending the shooting session, making the immediate need for backup sights debatable for this specific use case.

What is cowitnessing with AR-15 optics and iron sights?

Cowitnessing refers to aligning your iron sights with your red dot or optic. Absolute cowitness means the iron sights perfectly align with the dot, while lower third means the iron sights are in the lower portion of the optic's view, with the dot above them.

Can magnified optics cowitness with backup iron sights?

No, magnified optics cannot cowitness with iron sights. However, even when using a magnified optic, backup sights can still be desirable for redundancy and as an alternative aiming method should the primary optic fail.

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