View Full Version : Any Lefties Using 45 Degree Offset Sights?
I am considering picking up a pair of Surefire/Dueck Defense RTS sights to put on an 18" upper, but I am left-handed. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the right or left handed version of these sights, I'd greatly appreciate hearing about shooting with either version left-handed.
I'm also wondering if anyone has experience with the KAC offset sights- and if a left hand version is made for them.
Thanks!
Fuzzy-Reticle
10-13-14, 16:04
I am also a left handed shooter. I do not use offset sites but I would think that they would work BETTER for a left hander than they do for a RIGHTY. You would not have to rotate the rifle to the left as much as a right handed shooter and I would think that would add some speed potentialy over a righty having to move the rifle further. I have not seen Left handed versions of these but they probably exist. If it was me I would stick with right handed ones for the possible speed advantage and resale if you elect to try them and sell them later if you do not like it. Just my two cents.
I'm a lefty as well and I'm having a hard time understanding how it's faster for a lefty than a righty.
If the sights are on the right side of the rifle I would think rotating the rifle to the left would be much more awkward. Just try rolling your rifle out as opposed to in. Does anyone even make leftie offsets? If not, an offset setup to go on the left side with a picatinny rail for a small RDS would work.
Left-handed shooter here...
Honestly, I've tried the Dueck lefty sights as well as their ching-chong knockoffs on an SPR-type build and was not all that impressed (especially given the cost of the former; the latter, for very obvious reasons). Perhaps I expected a $300 set of back-up sights to magically improve my shooting? Who knows.
Instead, I sold them and bought:
1) GG&G 45-degree offset mount
2) Primary Arms Micro red-dot
All told, this cost me less than half the price of the Dueck set, with the all of major advantages of an RDS. Obvious disadvantages: more weight, long-term reliability/durability of Primary Arms optic is unknown, if both your optics fail you're shit out of luck, looks kinda goofy on the rifle, etc. etc. Obviously, if you want something that's combat-proven, you could buy an Aimpoint and stick it on an offset mount and accomplish the same thing (albeit at a much steeper cost)
Just my 2 cents -- interested to hear others & their experiences as well.
Fuzzy-Reticle
10-13-14, 16:43
If the sights are on the right side of the rifle I would think rotating the rifle to the left would be much more awkward. Just try rolling your rifle out as opposed to in. Does anyone even make leftie offsets? If not, an offset setup to go on the left side with a picatinny rail for a small RDS would work.
I tried it just now. Rolling it in is a little odd but rolling it out is also just as odd to me. Just me. Probably why I don't run them. :smile:
militarymoron
10-13-14, 22:28
Does anyone even make leftie offsets?
Griffin does - they make both left and right-hand versions: http://www.griffinarmament.com/Griffin-Fail-Safe-Sights-p/gafss.htm
Griffin does - they make both left and right-hand versions: http://www.griffinarmament.com/Griffin-Fail-Safe-Sights-p/gafss.htm
Ah I see they finally released the lefty version. Looks like Evan and Austin will be getting more of my cash. MM have you had a chance to try them out yet?
TexanInCali
10-14-14, 00:25
I'm right handed, but shoot left handed because I am extremely left eye dominant. I tried some generic offset sights to see if I might like them. The concept works and you can flip the sights. You have to make wind age adjustments backwards, but it's no big deal. I'd prefer the KAC KeyMod offset irons, but have never found them in stock.
Still, I'm not sold on offsets. You end up with back up sights that only work on one side. I suppose you could rotate the rifle at at an odd angle, but offsets are mostly a one sided affair. Even though I mostly shoot left handed, I can and do shoot right handed just fine if I squint my left eye a bit, so I prefer an ambi setup. An aimpoint with co witnessed flip up BUIS has turned out to be the best setup for me.
Still, I'm not sold on offsets.
...
An aimpoint with co witnessed flip up BUIS has turned out to be the best setup for me.
There's your problem. Cowitnessed sights through a red dot is ideal. But many people use magnified optics, which means you either don't even have back up sights or you have to take off your optic to use it. Alternatively you can have 45° sights and not take off your optic.
Griffin does - they make both left and right-hand versions: http://www.griffinarmament.com/Griffin-Fail-Safe-Sights-p/gafss.htm
Good to know. The guys I have seen using offsets always roll the gun in rather than out.
Guys, thanks for all the great responses: I'm looking to put a pair of these sights on an 18" upper that I own with a 2.5x10 power optic, and am looking for a way to do it that I can't break (I break everything) hence the irons. I do really like the idea of the KAC folding sights, as well as the Keymod ones, but they are harder to get your hands on than a greased pig. I am interested in the Griffin Armament offset sights, and have heard good things about them, but don't want to dive into the pool before being well-informed. I have shot a pair of Knights offsets, and liked them as a low profile option.
TexanInCali
10-14-14, 23:00
I hear you. If I ever see those KAC KeyMod offsets in stock anywhere, I'm buying a few pairs for future builds.
I think I'm going to spring for a pair of KAC offsets (non Keymod) as Brownells has them in stock for a decent price. Thank you all for the excellent information!
XS sights has a pair of XS big dot sights on a 45 degree offset for AR platform, and I think they are reversible and also available in tridium.
GG&G also makes 45 offset iron sights.
Just some options...
platoonDaddy
10-18-14, 05:29
Right hand dominant with right eye issue (need cataract surgery), therefore I now shoot left handed.
I have Vortex Sparc II with Vortex 3X magnifier and MBUS rear sight which is lower 1/3 co-witness through the red dot.
Therefore when I want to use the rear sight, I simply flip the magnifier to the left, raise MBUS & presto lower 1/3 co-witness.
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad176/slickville/003_zps15120db9.jpg (http://s933.photobucket.com/user/slickville/media/003_zps15120db9.jpg.html)
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad176/slickville/004_zps3a814dd7.jpg (http://s933.photobucket.com/user/slickville/media/004_zps3a814dd7.jpg.html)
militarymoron
10-18-14, 18:45
Ah I see they finally released the lefty version. Looks like Evan and Austin will be getting more of my cash. MM have you had a chance to try them out yet?
just installed them the other day and rough-sighted them in. my next range day is nov 8, so that's when i'll get a chance to use them.
I'm looking forward to hearing how you like them, MM.
Looks like Troy just entered the offset sight game as well with a pair of ambidextrous, folding Battlesights... These look like a great option too.
titsonritz
06-13-18, 21:07
This is the only thread I could find on the subject so I'm bumping it rather than creating a new one to see if we got some more lefties with input. Since magnified optics have been all the rage for several years now I'd like to get to the latest from my fellow southpaws.
Any other new left-hand friendly offset-sight options that have proven solid in the last 3 1/2 years?
Which ones have you found, if any, that do not work well on the left side?
Do you have a preferred folding version? fixed version?
Griffin does - they make both left and right-hand versions: http://www.griffinarmament.com/Griffin-Fail-Safe-Sights-p/gafss.htm
These do look pretty sweet. Any comments on them?
militarymoron
06-13-18, 22:48
These do look pretty sweet. Any comments on them?
Here's a link to my write up: http://www.militarymorons.com/weapons/ar.optics4.html#griffinfs
Their folding M2 sights are lower down on the page. I'm using the fixed sights on a magnified optic upper, and the M2s as regular/non-offset backup sights.
titsonritz
06-13-18, 22:54
Here's a link to my write up: http://www.militarymorons.com/weapons/ar.optics4.html#griffinfs
Their folding M2 sights are lower down on the page. I'm using the fixed sights on a magnified optic upper, and the M2s as regular/non-offset backup sights.
Awesome, thanks. Nice write up, very informative and great pictures as usual. I see why you like those Griffin units.
I’ve been using the fixed ones for about 18 months and I have zero complaints.
This is the only thread I could find on the subject so I'm bumping it rather than creating a new one to see if we got some more lefties with input. Since magnified optics have been all the rage for several years now I'd like to get to the latest from my fellow southpaws.
Any other new left-hand friendly offset-sight options that have proven solid in the last 3 1/2 years?
Which ones have you found, if any, that do not work well on the left side?
Do you have a preferred folding version? fixed version?
These do look pretty sweet. Any comments on them?
titsonritz
06-14-18, 05:20
Here is what we have for left-handed or ambi- offset sights...
Fixed:
Griffin Fail Safe (https://www.griffinarmament.com/Griffin-Fail-Safe-Sights-p/fss.htm?1=1&CartID=0)
Dueck Defense, Inc. Rapid Transition Sights™ (https://dueckdefense.com/shop/firearms/rifles/rapid-transition-sight-with-trijicon-night-sights-set-front-rear/)
GG&G 45 Degree Transition Sights (https://www.gggaz.com/45-degree-transition-sights.html)
XS Sights XTIs (Xpress Threat Interdiction Sight) (http://www.xssights.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=993113)
ZeroBravo Rapid Engagement Offset Sights (REOS) (http://www.zerobravo.com/shop/hard-goods/)
Folding:
Griffin M2 sights (https://www.griffinarmament.com/category-s/1863.htm)
TROY 45 Degree Folding BattleSights (https://troyind.com/offset-sights)
Regarding left-hand use of Magpul MBUS Pro Offset Sights (https://survivalcache.com/survival-gear-review-magpul-mbus-pro-offset-sights/)
To explore the right/left handedness of the Magpul MBUS Offset Sights I mounted them correctly but held the rifle left-handed. I also mounted them backwards on the left side of the rifle for muscle-memory comparison. Left handed shooting is a mirror of right handedness. Shoulders are switched. Hands are reversed. And barring backwards eye-dominance, everything else is the same. Other than non-ambidextrous fire controls, the operation of the gun is symmetrical.
Which means the right-hand preference of the Magpul MBUS Offset Sights requires a slightly unnatural counter-rotation of the rifle to engage the sights with the eye. Instead of the trigger-side elbow rolling away from the body, the trigger arm must fold under the rifle leading to a counterintuitive twist where holding the rifle still is a new skill to be mastered. I’m not sure the market for left-handed Magpul MBUS Offset Sights is deep enough for Magpul to take the financial plunge, but it would be a nice offering to our often neglected left-handed brethren.
What about KAC? It appears that is what he OP went with but I'm not seeing a left-hand specific model nor mention of reversibility.
KAC 45 Degree 200-600 Meter Offset Folding Sight (https://www.knightarmco.com/12642/shop/optic-mount-buis/45-offset-folding-micro-sight-kit-300-meter)
KAC M-LOK Offset Flip Up Front Micro Sight (https://www.knightarmco.com/12643/shop/control-accessories/m-lok-micro-front-sight)
Are there any others worth mentioning?
Great thread. I am thinking this through as well, not only at the level of which offset sight to buy, but scenarios where I'd want them vs not.
Looks like Midwest Industries recently added a couple of ambi offset options, 2 are fixed, 1 is folding:
https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/Flip-Up-Rear-Sights-s/242.htm
You can also off-set a RMR as a backup sight.
ClangClang
09-24-19, 13:42
PRI makes a very nice, lightweight, inexpensive offset RMR mount which is available for both left and right side orientations.
Great thread. I am thinking this through as well, not only at the level of which offset sight to buy, but scenarios where I'd want them vs not.
Looks like Midwest Industries recently added a couple of ambi offset options, 2 are fixed, 1 is folding:
https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/Flip-Up-Rear-Sights-s/242.htm
I have a set of the MI folding sights and am a lefty. They work as advertised.
sevignyjoe
10-01-19, 06:58
I’m a lefty and have a set of nock off diamond head flip out 45 degrees on mine . I just reversed them on the rail so they pop out to left and I cant the gun 45 to the right . Work fine . I wanted to see if it would work before I bought a set for 300 . The only problem I have with the nock offs is the springs are weak so they don’t lay totally flat
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You can also off-set a RMR as a backup sight.
This is my preference as well.
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