Actual BIS usage

[Majorlk]

One of the most popular changes to our favorite fun gun is to replace the factory A2-style iron sights with MagPul or other brand folding sights - ostensibly to be used as backup sights in the event something happens to the primary scope of RDS.

My question is how many shooters have actually had to revert to the BIS in the middle of a shoot because their primary sight failed or was damaged?

Are these sights actually used in the "real" world or are then just another cool addition because everyone else has them?

 

[Mack]

Well if your primary optic is an Aimpoint you will likely never need the BUIS, if it's a Eotech all bets are off. Reality is that Murphy tends to show up at the worst possible time, I would not have a rifle without them.

 

[stimp82]

I did 3 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as an infantryman, and never had to use my BUIS. Then again I did take good care of my Aimpoint and changed the batteries often. BUIS is just one of those things where it's better to have and not need then to need and not have. On my 15/22 I have a BUIS that set on the rifle on a 45° angle. If I ever need to use the BUIS I just tilt the rifle and it's good to go. It never made sense to me to have a BUIS that you need to take the time to flip them up.

 

[Majorlk]

Well if your primary optic is an Aimpoint you will likely never need the BUIS, if it's a Eotech all bets are off. Reality is that Murphy tends to show up at the worst possible time, I would not have a rifle without them.

Have you ever actually had to USE them? That's the question.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Never had a failure other than a low battery and I always keep a two pack of 2032 batteries in the range bag. My eyes aren't as good as they used to be and a 1x red dot is much more enjoyable for the type of recreational shooting I do with the 1522. However, I usually give MBUS a flip up during a range visit just because this half blind man can! Other than that, no, I really have no need for them on the 1522.

 

[ballistictoyz]

nope i use a 4x16 scope for what i do and if it gets damaged im goin home lol-as far as im concerned anything other than a good optic and sling is just extra weight--im to old to worry whats cool or not

 

[Desert Five-0]

I have wondered the same thing. For 99% of people they will just put in a new battery. I have back up sights on my patrol rifle because I am required and if my optic goes down I still need to be able to eliminate the threat quickly. For target shooting they are not needed.

Some people put them on their gun because they think it looks cool to have a bunch of things on their rifle.

 

[Shooterjgs]

I use a ACOG on my 15-22...but in reality its about 50 50 with iron sights... eyes are still good... between military and being old school I really like iron sights... just to know that I can in any conditions.

 

[Majorlk]

Some people put them on their gun because they think it looks cool to have a bunch of things on their rifle.

That's my thinking - on a lot of the things that are hung on the rifle. Other than the scope, the only things hanging off mine is the MagPul AFG2 and a Tactical Solutions muzzle brake. I even took the bipod adapter off and went with a QD adapter that stays on the bipod.

I do have an NDZ oversize mag release button and Speed Bolt Release, though, and a home-made brass deflector - a section of ladder cover on a 45 degree rail. The FCG has been replaced with a Jard single stage adjustable set to two pounds and the charging handle replaced with the ambi-latch Plinker Tactical model.

But no lights, lasers, bayonets and so forth.

 

[Kayback]

I have a light. Like I said in another thread I'll have stuff other's don't because of what I need. The AR-15 I shoot has one, so the 15-22 has one.

I also have back up sights, mostly because the AR-15 has them, so the 15-22 has them and I'm not using a genuine Aimpoint. But honestly I probably only need the front sight at the ranges I shoot at most the time. I have contemplated taking them off because I've also decided they are more or less not needed. The 0.001% chance of a failure during a competition means I could possibly still wing it if the range isn't too far.

I have never needed a backup sight. This is in almost 15 years of using red dots on rifles, shotguns and pistols. From Aimpoint Comp's with 50 hour battery life to Aimpoint Micro with 50 000 hours to el-cheapo knock offs like Aimpoint clones and NC-Star holo sights, EXCEPT the twice I have used Eotech's. They both died one me. Once before I shot any rounds so I simply didn't shoot, the other during a string of fire, which was solved by MBUS's being flipped up to shoot.

I've seen other people's sights fail for various reasons, but generally it is low battery related.

KBK

 

[OldEagleEars]

My introduction to Mr. Stoner's wonder-gun was an M16A-1 in 1968 and for the next two-and-a-half years I either had one very close at hand or in a nearby arms locker. I'm not going to war anymore and I don't hunt but I am very interested in what the guys downrange these days are using so I bought a 15-22 and have tricked it up with the usual collection of lights and sights and grips and slings so I can get some idea of what the pointy-end of policy is using. After mounting a red-dot I put my original irons on the side of the foregrip like some of the operators seem to do "just-in-case". I tried them out and found they were not horribly accurate because of the short sight radius and I had trouble getting used to empty brass popping up in my field of vision. Now my life doesn't depend on this rifle and if the batteries die I'll just say "Oh, fudge!" and shoot something else. But I like knowing how the troops in the field feel and deal with Mr. Murphy when he drops by. I know what it's like to shoot with iron sights in a combat zone, I just want to know what it's like with all this newfangled stuff!

 

[photoracer]

I have one set of Barry Dueck's 45 degree offset iron on my 3-gun AR and I usually use them in a match inside about 35 yards. One of my 15-22 has a cheap cobbled together system like that made up of the factory irons from the 15-22 mounted on a pair of Daniel Defense 1 O-clock offset rails so I can practice at my pistol club that does not allow any rifles above .22lr. The AR I use for HD only has a red dot and a light attached.

 

[Tommy kaira]

As some of the others said, I would be unlikely to just switch to BUIS and carry on. I'd either fix the problem there (replace battery, etc) or stop shooting, go home and fix it ready for next time. I might even take the standard sights off all together when my Aimpoint arrives.

 

[ukm@p]

But surely most peoples "glass" is going to get damaged or broken when the zombies come and then what are we gonna use to fight off the aliens?????

 

[Kayback]

Gattling guns. Duh.

KBK

 

[Desert Five-0]

A freakin' 12 gauge, what do you think?

 

[monk]

I have, was a long way from home and the battery died in my red dot (not a Aimpoint). Didn't have a spare battery with me so instead of calling it a day I just started using my BUIS. However now I do carry spare batteries when I am out.

 

[BP_Z28]

I did 3 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as an infantryman, and never had to use my BUIS. Then again I did take good care of my Aimpoint and changed the batteries often. BUIS is just one of those things where it's better to have and not need then to need and not have. On my 15/22 I have a BUIS that set on the rifle on a 45° angle. If I ever need to use the BUIS I just tilt the rifle and it's good to go. It never made sense to me to have a BUIS that you need to take the time to flip them up.

Care to share which mount you are using? I want to set up my backups like this when I get my scope on

 

[Gopher Slayer]

I use my irons all the time. It's nice to have options. I don't really consider them back up iron sights (BUIS), just iron sights. In fact, I took the optics off my 15-22 two months ago and they haven't been back on since.

BTW, for anyone who enjoys shooting irons, the Diamondhead sights are awesome. The diamond shaped rear aperture and front sight hood take all the guess work out of getting things lined up.

 

[Majorlk]

I use my irons all the time. It's nice to have options. I don't really consider them back up iron sights (BUIS), just iron sights. In fact, I took the optics off my 15-22 two months ago and they haven't been back on since.

BTW, for anyone who enjoys shooting irons, the Diamondhead sights are awesome. The diamond shaped rear aperture and front sight hood take all the guess work out of getting things lined up.

Cool iron sights!