How many of you have added to and modified your AR 15 until the original firearm is barely recognizable? Maybe you started by swapping out for a different carrier group, or by replacing the buttstock. Then, of course, your weak hand needs a bit of help getting a grip, which means adding a rail system so you can attach a handstop or a grip. The list just goes on from there.
So many of the modifications and adjustments we choose to make to our ARs, we do in the name of improved accuracy. Whether you’re regularly entering shooting competitions or you keep your AR for home defense, improving your accuracy can make a huge difference.
Of course, most of us don’t have natural vision as great as the Marvel superhero Hawkeye, so we need a bit of help. Debates will carry on, probably forever, over what the perfect optic option is—and, as always, will vary based on what you’re setting up your AR for. But, given the number of high-tech optics options out there, is there still room for the good ol’ fashioned fixed iron sight?
Optics Options
No matter what your primary planned usage is for your AR, there’s an optic for it. Actually, there are probably dozens to hundreds of different options out there that claim to be the best magnifying scope/red dot sight/holographic sight/other option for a given purpose. And, it makes sense. You’ll have different needs when you’re hunting versus participating in shooting competitions versus home defense.
And, as is the case with pretty much any AR modification or AR accessory, you’ll want to target your optics decisions to your intended usage. Of course, most rail systems make swapping between different AR accessories easy enough, so you can have as many different optics options as you want. We won’t judge. But one question we hear pretty often here at RailScales is, with so many high-functioning, technologically perfected optics options, is there still a need for a fixed iron sight?
The Fixed Iron Sight
For those of you who are unfamiliar with what we’re talking about, well, welcome to the world of firearms. An iron sight is one of the earliest forms of aim assistance aside from simply eyeing it. Iron sights can come in a variety of different configurations, some which can be adjusted and some that cannot, but the main point is that the configuration of notches and/or circles are designed to help you be more accurate when lining up a shot.
As the name implies, iron sights were and are usually still made from metal for the sake of durability, and for good reason. If a fixed iron sight were to somehow get bent, it wouldn’t provide much help with accuracy.
Improvements in Sight Technology
The initial iron sights weren’t adjustable, which made sighting-in a bit more complex, and ultimately spurred the design for adjustable iron sights and, later, led to the more advanced optics options we have today.
In a world where there are so many more advanced options, it may seem like the fixed iron sight is just a relic of our past, something to be remembered but not necessarily used anymore. Think about how many AR owners you’ve seen recently. How many of them had an iron sight incorporated into their AR’s setup? Sure, they’re a bit harder to notice than the bigger and bulkier optics options, but you should be able to pick out the tell-tale notches easily enough.
You may be surprised by what you see, when you start looking for them. The fixed iron sight is more than just archaic technology that we no longer need. Be sure to stay tuned for our next blog, in which we’ll really dig deep into whether or not that little bit of metal is necessary for AR ownership these days.
Having a fixed sight like the RailScales LEAF is a good way to keep your ATPIAL or DBAL lasers in their preferred positions at the twelve o'clock on the rail and still have a sight picture for shooting. The LEAF attaches to the DBAL-A2, A3, and D2. Giving the user an out of the box 50-200 meter zero for their weapon. This not only makes it easier to zero a new optic or rear iron sight, but gives you confidence as the shooter to hit the target if your main optic fails. The PEQ-LEAF is designed to work in conjunction with he ATPIAL variant and doesn't directly mount to the body of the laser, but is uniquely designed to fit in front of the laser. This patented design is the best way to get an iron sight out front of a PEQ-15. The LEAF comes with minor room for adjustment up and down, but setting it to the desired 50-200 meter zero will yield the best results.
Reasons to Have an Iron Sight
At RailScales, we understand that when you purchase an elaborate Red Dot sight or a long-range scope, the last thing you might want is to use an iron sight. However, there could always be a need for an iron sight, no matter the situation. Here are some of the reasons why we think having a reliable and high-quality iron sight is preferable no matter what.
Distance Change
You could be using a long-range scope on your rifle, but that does not mean that you are only using that gun for long shots. Having the possibility of using your rifle in more than one way can be fun and help you with your accuracy overall, whether you are trying to make that bullseye on the 100-yard range or are practicing your CQC.
Battery Problems
No doubt, Red Dots and Holographic sights are amazing attachments and can help you improve your accuracy game. Although, they come with a fundamental issue; batteries.
While the batteries on these sights can last for a while, batteries can be defective or run out when you least expect them, leaving you hanging without a reliable sight for some good shooting fun. Imagine driving an hour to an outdoor range only to realize that your sight has run out of batteries, and you have nothing else that can help you dial in your shots.
If you have an iron sight in this situation, you can simply rely on that and still have fun shooting. At RailScales, we have an amazing iron sight, the LEAF® - DBAL, that attaches to the top of your DBAL lasers.
Improve Your Game Overall
A great gun aficionado is proficient with most weapons, types of sight, close quarters, long shots, and more. If you enjoy guns and the art of shooting, it’s only fair that you are able to handle a gun or rifle no matter the attachments or sight it has. An iron sight can be just another way that you get to use your guns and learn how to shoot differently. There’s no one “sight-fits-all” approach to shooting and learning how to do it with an iron sight is almost a must, according to many gun enthusiasts.
Deck Out Your Gun With AR Accessories
It’s no myth that gun enthusiasts like to have their weapons fully decked out. While for some people it might take some time to get there, it can be an amazing experience getting to have everything you need on your gun to make it as fun as it can be.
An iron sight is almost mandatory if you are going for a fully decked out gun. Even if you purchase a DBAL Laser, you can find an iron sight that goes well with that and saves you some space on your rails and barely weighs anything. The LEAF® Iron Sight from RailScales is a solid iron sight for any gun!
If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, the RailScales team gets it. We’ve designed a fixed iron sight that attaches easily to your PEQ15 or DBAL laser sight. It’s light and low-profile enough that you’ll barely notice it, and offers that added layer of sighting assistance. Shop online now to see how the Leaf can help you!
