How many of you go without BUIS?

[titsonritz]

I have rifles with iron-sights without optics, but I have no rifle wearing optics without iron-sights whether fixed, folding or offset. That is going to change though, last night I put a 45-70 Katahdin barrel on my T/C Encore and plan to take one of my T-1 Micros off it's AK to slap on the little beast, no other sights, differant appication.

[beschatten]

My rifle with a Geissele mount/Vortex does not have BUIS. I've never found lefty offsets, and the scope is not easily coming off.

My red dot rifle runs DD buis.

[butlers]

Just out of curiosity, how many of you have a red dot or some other optic and have NO flip up/back up/offset/iron sights?

Or, how many of you just have a front sight?

I know this sounds like a stupid question but I have noticed a lot of setups that have no sights other than a red dot or holographic sight. I have seen a lot of youtube videos where SF guys have a micro T-1, comp m4s, eotech and no BUIS at all? Thought it was worth asking. I understand that sometimes a rear flip up wont fit with a particular optic or wont allow you to place an optic where you need it.

Just asking, if not, what is your reason?

Like so many things, there's no black or white answer. Instead, you have to ask yourself three questions:

1. What is your job?

Are you a law enforcement officer? Active duty military? Suburban dad? What is your budget? Do you pay for upgrades yourself, or will your agency/department?

2. What is the intended use of the firearm?

Home defense? Close quarters work? Long range work?

3. What do you have for support?

Are you part of a team? Do you have a sidearm or other long arm?

Thus, depending on your answer,

There are situations where back-up iron sights (BUIS) are essential:
- You're a suburban dad on a budget and your AR is primarily for range/home-defense; you have a low-quality red dot, and you can't rely on your (literally) gun-shy wife or very young kids to participate in any sort of hostile encounter.
- How likely is it that your optic goes down? Small, but possible.
- What happens if your optic goes down? Your family is relying on you to make the shot, and so BUIS are absolutely essential.

There are scenarios where BUIS are important, but not critical:
- You're an infantryman and your AR is your primary duty weapon; you have a high-quality optic, and you're surrounded by dozens of your comrades who are well-equipped.
- How likely is it that your optic goes down? Very small due to mechanical failure; possible due to physical damage from small arms or just the abuse of hard service.
- What happens if your optic goes down? It's not the end of the world -- you have teammates who can pick up the slack, and you've most likely got a 15-17 round pistol for back-up. Would it be nice to have BUIS? Sure, but that real-estate may be better served by something else (e.g. magnifier, IR designator, etc).

And there are settings where BUIS are just a "nice to have":
- You're a rural hunter, and your AR is for long-range target work; you have a high quality scope, and you're open-carrying a large-caliber pistol for back-up.
- How likely is it that your optic goes down? Extremely unlikely.
- What happens if your optic goes down? You don't come home with a trophy.

For what it's worth, I belong in the first category, so I've got a fixed front sight and MBUS rear.

[Iraqgunz]

I have had two issues with my Aimpoints over the last few months. That's why I continue to have sights as a back up.

[snackgunner]

I have had two issues with my Aimpoints over the last few months. That's why I continue to have sights as a back up.

What issues?

[Iraqgunz]

Well they stopped working unexpectedly.

What issues?

[snackgunner]

Well they stopped working unexpectedly.

Which aimpoints? How long havee you had them? (Wondering if new or used and abused) And does aimpoint have them for warranty work and do they know whats wrong with them?

[Korgs130]

My rifle with a Geissele mount/Vortex does not have BUIS. I've never found lefty offsets, and the scope is not easily coming off.

My red dot rifle runs DD buis.

Sorry to got slightly off topic, but take a look at the Griffin Armament M2 BUIS. They are modular and can be mounted for left or right hand use. I’m a lefty and I have a set on my MWS. They’re fantastic.

https://www.griffinarmament.com/product-p/gam2a.htm

[Achilles11B]

I have irons on my red-dot equipped SBR and none on my SPR. The SBR is the go-to rifle for anything including HD. The Army beat in to my head about redundant sighting systems, things break, Murphy’s Law, etc.

[masakari]

All of my optics are ACOGs, but all of my rifles have back up sights. My main reason is simply because I like shooting iron sights sometimes. It has nothing to do with me actually thinking that my optic will go down, I just like having options.