BUIS Placement On An RDS Handgun

Published on June 22, 2025
Duration: 21:43

This video explores the optimal placement of backup iron sights (BUIS) on handguns equipped with Red Dot Sights (RDS). The instructor, with extensive practical experience, discusses the pros and cons of 'irons forward' versus traditional 'rear sight to the rear' configurations. While 'irons forward' can aid new shooters, the instructor leans towards traditional placement due to concerns about sight drift and overall precision when backup irons are needed.

Quick Summary

The placement of backup iron sights (BUIS) on a handgun with a Red Dot Sight (RDS) is largely personal preference. While 'irons forward' can aid new shooters by reducing visual clutter, the instructor prefers traditional rear sight placement due to concerns about sight drift and the precision offered by a longer sight radius when backup irons are needed.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro & Sponsor
  2. 01:08Question: BUIS Placement on RDS
  3. 02:03Instructor's Preference: Rear Sight to Rear
  4. 03:27Irons Forward: Pros for New Shooters
  5. 07:35Irons Forward: Downsides & Drift
  6. 11:41Personal Preference: Rear Sight to Rear
  7. 13:42Rear Sight to Rear: Cost & Time Savings
  8. 14:15Rear Sight to Rear: Sight Radius Advantage
  9. 15:14When Irons Are Needed: RDS Failure Scenarios
  10. 16:14Low Probability Use Cases: NVGs & White Light
  11. 18:20Common RDS Failures
  12. 20:07Conclusion & Personal Preference
  13. 20:36Training Opportunities & Support

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main advantages of placing iron sights forward of an RDS on a handgun?

Placing iron sights forward of the optic can be beneficial for new shooters by reducing visual clutter on the optic's glass, allowing them to focus more easily on the red dot. It can also aid in the transition from traditional iron sights to red dot optics.

What are the potential downsides of mounting iron sights in front of an RDS?

Downsides include the cost and time for slide modification, and a noted tendency for these forward-mounted rear sights to drift more under use. This drift can be exacerbated by one-handed manipulations or the dovetail cut itself.

Why does the instructor prefer rear iron sights positioned behind the RDS?

The instructor prefers rear sights behind the RDS due to concerns about sight drift with forward-mounted sights, the cost and time savings, and the superior precision offered by a longer sight radius when backup irons are actually needed.

What are the most common reasons an RDS might fail or become unusable?

The most common reasons are improperly installed screws causing optic detachment, poor screw quality, or user error such as forgetting to reset the optic's brightness after white light training, rather than electronic failure.

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