Stock sights ok w/ future optics?

[Ranger17]

Hi all. Not new to the forum or SW handguns but am new to the AR world. Am pondering picking one up, a Sport 2 as initial choice followed by Ruger556 depending in availability. Am wanting one for sport/fun but also would know it is there for SD if ever needed.
I have very little experience with scopes, actually struggle a little getting used to one on my Tcr22 due to my glasses, grandpa vision and inexperience. So my thought is to grab an AR with the stock sights and maybe someday add an optic if desired or needed.

That said, is it reasonable to think i can shoot now with the factory sights and down the road be able to mount/add a scope or red dot? With the factory front sight left on? Or is it better to buy an AR that's already optic ready (no stock sights) and just start with some form of an optic from the beginning?
I have seen 45degree offset rail mounts for some form of secondary sight as well if that's a solid option.

Just curious, and as always thx for any feedback

 

[andy52]

You can get the model with irons sight and put a optic on it antitime you wish, the irons could then be co-witnessed to the optic.

 

[jaymoore]

The main downside to the usual AR carbine iron sights for older folk is the placement of the front sight well back from the muzzle. Even the rifle front sight is a little close once presbyopia sets in. Guess how I know....

You can work around fuzzy front sights with various approaches, there's even teeny lenses made that you can incorporate into the rear sight. My usual solution is to get a long free float tube and mount a detachable front sight as far forward as it will go.
A bit less "practical" for a fighting weapon is to get some eyeglass lenses that bring the front sight more in focus. I find adding +1.25 to +1.50 correction to my prescription quite good! If you don't like fuzzy targets you won't care for that approach, even though you really ought not be "looking at your target" anyway.

(BTW, ARs are sort of like golf clubs, have one for a specific role, then swap it it for another as needed. Or maybe just the upper. But lowers are the "cheap" part.... so they sort of multiply....)

 

[Ranger17]

The main downside to the usual AR carbine iron sights for older folk is the placement of the front sight well back from the muzzle. Even the rifle front sight is a little close once presbyopia sets in. Guess how I know....

You can work around fuzzy front sights with various approaches, there's even teeny lenses made that you can incorporate into the rear sight. My usual solution is to get a long free float tube and mount a detachable front sight as far forward as it will go.
A bit less "practical" for a fighting weapon is to get some eyeglass lenses that bring the front sight more in focus. I find adding +1.25 to +1.50 correction to my prescription quite good! If you don't like fuzzy targets you won't care for that approach, even though you really ought not be "looking at your target" anyway.

Yeah i already can have a fuzzy target at distance now when i try anything past 25 yds so I'd expect at some point an optic would be added to an AR. Just initially thinking stock sights would be ok for "plinking" as I get used to it's feel and operation. Then when I'm ready can add an optic for accuracy. I have vision corrections for close and far and prisms for double vision so I just make do with my glasses as is. Definitely cant shoot without them. Some of it may be as I'm used to focusing on the front sight after thousands of rounds thru handguns, so when i sit down with a rifle and have a target 50+ yds away..... lets just say I'm not winning any competitions. Close enough to hit a target but not enough for a bullseye. Like I'd see that anyway lol

 

[Fishinfool]

Let's make this simple. A rifle with the standard fixed front sight will work fine with a scope, or you can buy one with just a flat, rail top on the gas block, and mount a flip up front. The fixed front sight is just a slight blur when seen thru a low magnification scope, and disappears as magnification increases.

Given your eyesight, I believe you would be doing yourself a favor to mount a decent low to mid power variable scope on the rifle. It would make shooting much more accurate and enjoyable. You are looking at a rifle capable of 300 yard or more accuracy and useability. Why limit yourself? Just make sure you mount an optic in one of those purpose designed AR mounts so you get the proper scope height and eye relief.

With a no magnification red dot, depending on the mount height, it will either co-witness, or witness slightly above the front sight, which will appear sharp. If you don't care for this, go the folding front sight route. I think a magnified scope would probably be the better option though for your use.

Larry

 

[Westie1]

Hasn't been mentioned, but do you have astigmatism? If you do, then a red dot won't be easy to use.

 

[Ranger17]

Hasn't been mentioned, but do you have astigmatism? If you do, then a red dot won't be easy to use.

Good question though I dont suffer strictly blurry vision. The main issue is muscular in mature causing double vision if I dint have my glasses on. That and corrections for reading and a little distance.
My Tcr22 rifle came with a red dot that i was able to see pretty well, i just am trying that rifle with a scope to help view longer distances. Literally only tried a scope once so will take some time getting used to it n

 

[bamashooter]

I would greatly consider using only a prism scope based on your condition.

Hopefully affordable

The most common are 1x / 2.5x / 3x (fixed).

Illuminated reticle and etched reticle combo.

If something happens to the illumination, you have the etched reticle.

I have one of each. Though I have 20/10 vision, I appreciate the 2.5 and 3.0 magnifications. These weapons (AR pistols) are zeroed at 50m and I typically don't shoot beyond that distance with them.

It takes very little time to adjust to near gut-shot distance (7-10m or so).

Once in a while I pull one of them out and simulate engaging a target so that my eyes remain acclimated to that near distance with magnification. It's simply a non-issue.

I like hard sights and have them without optics on 4 of my ARs. I have a few red dots with "back-up" hard sights. Once I started using prism scopes, I dropped hard sights with optics.

 

[jaymoore]

The only prism Scopes I have are ACOGs, from 1.5x to 6x. Fantastic scopes for their intended purpose but they often cost new more than the rifle that is under them....

I found the 1.5x not ideal for deer past 100yds, but the 4x are good GP scopes, although much less forgiving on head placement.

One "old school" solution is the carry handle mounted Colt scope, especially the earlier versions. A little top heavy, though. I keep a 20" lightweight upper with an old Colt inverted reticle scope with some cut inner tube extensions fore and aft for rainy day deer stalking. It's been quite successful on foul weather hunts! And have yet to need to use the iron sights.

 

[bamashooter]

ACOGs are gtg and I have a bit of experience with them. In retrospect I should have included them but felt the OP would likely not be interested in the additional expense.

 

[Ranger17]

ACOGs are gtg and I have a bit of experience with them. In retrospect I should have included them but felt the OP would likely not be interested in the additional expense.

I could see being open to any options down the road, once I would get used to the platform. And as I get used to the scope I have on my Tcr22. Mainly was hoping i can start with stock sights and add on later, which sounds like it isnt a problem.
Thx!

 

[Velle]

You can definitely leave the iron sights on and use a red dot or a scope. With my glasses on a red dot gets a kind of enlarged fuzzy star shape but if I take them off it goes back to normal. A scope with high mounts is good too.