I admit that, as my eyes age and I remember my dad's eventual inability to see iron sights effectively, I made sure that all of my M4's were the type with the flat top rail--not with a fixed carry handle.
Having said that, I plan to "stay current" with irons as much as possible, and so one of my BCM carbines has, and will continue to have, the good 'ol A2 sighted carry handle on it for old school practice purposes.
Much as I love my ACOG, and may one day buy another Aimpoint or Trijicon reflex sight, I always want to stay skillful with the irons as much as possible.
It's a good prepper move, I think.
1. In a SHTF scenario, you could break your optic no matter how careful you are or how robust it is.
2. In the case of electronic sights, even if you have a lifetime battery supply, something could still kill the 'tronics, unlikely as it may seem.
3. The iron-signted carry handle is light weight. Much as I love my TA33 mini-ACOG, it still adds noticeable weight to the carbine. If I hold my carry-handle carbine in one hand and my ACOG-adorned carbine in the other, I can immediately feel the difference.
4. I don't have to worry about cleaning the lenses on a set of iron sights.
5. You keep a real sense of pride knowing that you can put the rounds on target just with a loop and a post to guide you. Red dots are for sissies. (I keed, I keed).
Although I will probably at some point have to abandon irons altogether due to vision issues, I'll use them as long as possible and feel much more prepared because of it.
So, sound off you carry handle fans!
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