Okay, I am going to fess up right now -- I'm a dope. I'm one of those guys who rushed out in the Sandy Hook panic period and overpaid dearly for a Colt LE6920. What's worse, I bought it, put it in the safe, and then have never taken it to the range. Pretty lame, I know.

My wonderful wife understands my pain, and has gone behind my back and signed me up for a wonderful day-long AR-15 class that a local training facility runs. (Guess who gets text updates when certain credit cards are swiped?) It will be a full day with the rifle in various situations, and we will get to put a ton of ammo downrange. What a great Xmas present.

My Question: I don't have any electronic sight or scope or anything mounted on the AR. Should I consider adding something before this class since we'll be shooting so much? Should I wait and just focus on the steel sights until I need something more? Is there a standard red dot everyone uses for their shooting?

Help an admitted newbie out.

If your rifle has standard iron sights I would suggest using them. Once
you are familar with the AR type rifle and have a good idea what use
you will put it to then you will be in a better position to decide what
type of optic, if any, suits your purpose.

Keep It Simple.

Master the irons, and add optics as your app may change. You may indeed be surprised just how well the peep sight works?

My AR's are primarily hunting carbines and most wear conventional sporting optics. My basic AR's wear the detachable carry handle irons.

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GOA
USA Shooting Supporter

If you want ideas, jump over to the S&W M&P15 threads.
It's basically the same rifle so they'll have some good info for you.

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“Look life in its iron face”

You should have a flip-up rear sight, right? Another option would be a carry handle.

I would go with the iron sights.

Since you haven't shot it yet go and do so. Make sure you'll take it apart, clean/lube it and have some range time before doing the class. Get familiar with the mechanics, reloads, clearing a malfunction, etc.

Plus, you'll have to zero it or at least confirm your zero.

Good luck, have fun and post some pictures

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Jorge

Ha! But that's what the class is for.

Everyone is correct. Came with iron sights, use them until you decide what you want to use your AR for. If you are going to do run and shoot events those iron sight will work just fine. If it is going to be a hunting rifle or target shooting you'll want a scope. This class is going to tell you a lot on what you will want to do and I bet there will be someone there that will have a dot and a scope you can try out.

I concur with the group. I would definitely start training with, and master the iron sights first.

That being said, I've had good first hand experiences with a couple of different models of 4x ACOG optics, and the EOTech XPS. There are other good ones out there too, but I just haven't used them. You'll begin to get a better idea of what you might need / want as you complete this course and continue shooting that great carbine. You may decide to stick with iron sights. That's a perfectly legitimate choice, too.

That class sounds like a GREAT training opportunity, and I predict you'll have lots of fun. Enjoy!

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Wait....... What?

Run the irons if you have the eyesight for it. I don't/can't, much to my chagrin. The old saying is that by the time you really learn to shoot, you forget how to see...

ACOGs came along just in time for me. My 15-22 practice gun has a humble Bushnell TRS-25 ($89 or so) which is a heck of a red dot for the money. Sort of a poor man's Eotech.

Your wife is a very perceptive woman!

Hey, you're not a dope, just paid too early

At least you bought a quality gun, and didn't add or change a bunch of stuff based on the internet.

Bet you'll love the class.

Everyone should begin with mastery of iron sights. Then move to a Red Dot. It doesn't have to be a high-dollar EOTech, go with something cheaper - there are lots of choices. For your Colt, I think that a red dot sight is most ideal. I don't like the idea of telescopic sights on what is essentially a combat tactical carbine.

I own a 6920 and while lacking experience I've never been one to lack an opinion.

I bought mine because I liked the look and the power.While it gives that "tactical" look chances are that none of us will use it that way.If someone broke into my house and the AR was the closest thing to get my hands on I think I would only need to point it at the assailant given the close quarters.I just like the fact that I can have fun shooting at long distances with a fair degree of accuracy.

At 63yrs of age iron sights don't do me any good.I tried red dots and they only served me at shorter distances.My experience with a red dot is limited and I never went for the more expensive ones to see how they worked.

I chose a scope over a red dot because it offers a better range of distances for me to comfortably shoot at.I think it's obvious that there is no one answer to the question of choosing a red dot versus a scope.It depends on the individual and their primary usage of the firearm.

I'm a newbie like the OP and through "trial and error" I prefer a scope for general use but that's just my two cents.

I also have reached the stage in life at which my use of open sights on rifles is somewhat limited by my visual acuity. I don't have as much of a problem with handgun sights - yet - but I'm getting there. For me, red dot sights work very well, and I have them mounted on several rifles, including an Armalite AR-15. The trick is to use both eyes. But again, most of my shooting is inside of 100 yards, so the lack of magnification is not a great handicap. I do have a problem with telescopic sights on an AR, as even with the highest scope mounts, it is difficult to get one's eye low enough to see through a scope comfortably, so I must use a 3/4" riser base.

A quality 1-4X variable is a very good choice for an AR carbine. The low
magnification at 1X, actually about 1.4, allows shooting quickly with
both eyes open.

Iron sights for now, they work just fine!!!

You aren't the only one. I swore I wouldn't ever have an AR, then after Sandy Hook, I paid nearly double for a Bushmaster. I now have several ARs, but I have more in the Bushmaster than any of the others.

Were I to attend a class, I'd show up with iron sights unless the class required something else. Get used to those, and using optics will come easily if not instantly.

I vote for iron sights to start with too. That is what my Bushmaster Patrolman has on it for close to medium range use.
I do have an EOTech and a Burris red dot on a couple others for further out. The Burris is interesting as it's 3X and has an etched reticle in case the battery goes dead.
Still I'd take your class with iron sights and what a nice present too.

I have two original Colt AR-15's. The rifle, and the carbine. The only change I made was to put a round hand guard on the rifle. I have shot both, and always use the iron sight. They work great. I do not need any other sight.

Start with iron sights and check out what others are using. I have a nice monarch scope but I now use Primary Arms Red Dot. Red Dot scopes are MUCH easier on the eyes.