Choosing The Best Iron Sights For Your AR 15

Posted by Matt Rice on Jan 22nd 2023

Choosing The Best Iron Sights For Your AR 15

When it comes to outfitting your AR-15 with the best iron sights, look no further than Ozark Armament. We offer a wide variety of iron sights types to suit any shooter's needs and preferences, just like a chef has a variety of knives to choose from. From flip up sights to offset sights and everything in between, our selection is sure to have the perfect set for you.

Iron sights are a crucial component of any firearm, just as a steering wheel is to a car. They provide a backup option in case your primary optic fails or runs out of battery power. They also give you the ability to quickly and easily transition to close quarters combat, which can be the difference between life and death in certain situations.

Choosing The Best AR Iron Sights 

Flip-Up Backup Iron Sights for AR-15

Our findings show that our  Flip Up Backup Iron Sights for AR-15 are a must-have for any shooter. These sights are made from milled aircraft-grade aluminum, ensuring durability and longevity. They're spring loaded for quick deployment, which is essential in high-stress situations. Fully adjustable for windage and elevation, these sights are versatile and can be customized to your needs. They also mount to any standard Picatinny rail system, making them easy to install.

One of the best things about these sights is that they co-witness with standard AR optics when flipped up, providing an absolute co-witness with a red dot sight. They're low profile when folded, which is perfect for those who want to keep their weapon compact and lightweight. We've found after using these sights it's best to think of them like having a Swiss Army knife for your AR-15, all the tools you need, in one package. And, as with all our products, they're backed by our NO B.S. LIFETIME WARRANTY!

45 Degree Flip Up Backup Sights

Based on our first hand field tests, another great option is our  45 Degree Flip Up Backup Sights. These sights are offset to not interfere with other accessories or optics and are crafted from lightweight, durable 6061 aircraft aluminum. They fit any standard Picatinny rail system and are fully adjustable for windage and elevation. They also feature easy push-button deployment with a spring-loaded design and provide a standard AR sight picture.

The 45 degree flip up sights are a departure from standard co-witness sights. They're designed to allow a fast, repeatable transition when your optic fails. Simply put the sights into view and you have a standard A2 sight picture. And with the additional flip-up capability, you can fold down this accessory into low-profile mode whenever the situation calls for better maneuverability.

Rapid Transition 45 Degree Offset Backup Sights

After putting them to the test, we know that if you're looking for a fast, repeatable transition from primary optics, our 45 Degree Offset Backup Sights for Picatinny Railed Rifles are the way to go. These  canted iron sights feature a 45 degree offset to allow for quick, repeatable transition from primary optics, are crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum with a hardcoat anodized finished, feature a A2 sight picture with adjustable front sight post height, dual aperture rear sight with both elevation & windage adjustment, universal mount to any Picatinny rail that is the height of the flat top upper, and are backed by our NO B.S. LIFETIME WARRANTY!

The side mounted iron sights are a great option for those who want a fast and easy transition from primary optics. They're designed to fit a standard Picatinny rail and are tilted at an angle of 45 degrees to put them squarely out of the way of the optic on your rifle. These low-profile offset sights are still instantly accessible by simply canting your rifle to align them into view. Both the front and rear sight will align perfectly and allow you to continue to use your gun, even if your night sights or red dot sight becomes unusable.

AR-15 Carry Handle Rear Sight

A2-carry-handle-sight-AR

For a more classic look, check out our  M16 Carry Handle Rear Sight. It easily adds a rear sight with carry handle to any railed upper and fits standard Picatinny mount. It also features 2 apertures for both long-range precision and short-range shooting, aluminum construction, and is adjustable for windage and elevation. It's perfect for those who want that old school flair.  If you want to add a scope to your carry handle, pick up a carry handle scope mount and easily mount an optic.

HK Style Flip Up Backup Sights

hk-style-buis

We also offer  HK Style Flip Up Backup Sights, which bring together accuracy, durability, and ease of use. These sights are easy to install on any rifle with a full-length rail and feature all metal construction. They don't have levers or springs to deploy, making them a simple one-hand operation to flip up. Sights lock in the upright position with a push button to fold back down.

Micro Flip Up Backup Sights

For a low-profile option, check out our Micro Flip Up Backup Sights. These sights are less than 1/2" tall when folded and feature all-metal, lightweight, and durable construction. They mount to a Picatinny rail, have windage and elevation adjustments, and feature a crossbar mounting system that ensures stability. They're only 3.4 ounces and are backed by our NO B.S. LIFETIME WARRANTY!

These micro BUIS are a great option for those who want a low-profile solution. They're designed to be mounted on the same plane and won't interfere with your optics mount.  Through our trial and error, we've discovered they're perfect for close-range target acquisition and provide a reliable option in case your primary optic fails.

A2 Rear Iron Sight

a2-rear-iron-sight

Another great option is our A2 Rear Iron Sight. This sight is designed specifically to mount to Picatinny rails and provides alignment with standard front sights. It features two adjustable apertures for both close quarters and precision shooting, and is made with all metal construction that can stand up to the toughest abuse.

A2 Rail Mount Front Sight for AR-15

a2-front-sight-picatinny-rail

Finally, for those looking for a standard  A2 front sight to mount to their rail, we offer our Rail Mount Front Sight for AR-15. This sight is made from all aluminum construction and is available in either rail height or gas block height. It's quick and easy to install and remove with thumbscrews and uses a standard A2 front sight post.

Conclusion

In conclusion, having  backup iron sights on your firearm is an absolute necessity. A good BUIS can turn a failed optic from a tactical disaster to a mere inconvenience, as you can mount a folding front sight and rear sight beforehand and just switch to them at the moment. Ozark Armament offers a wide variety of iron sights to suit any shooter's needs and preferences, from flip up sights to offset sights and everything in between. We stand behind our products with our NO B.S. LIFETIME WARRANTY. So, be sure to check out our selection and find the perfect set of iron sights for your AR-15 build today.

FAQs

What are the benefits of having backup iron sights on my firearm?

Having backup iron sights on your firearm provides a backup option in case your primary optic fails or runs out of battery power. They also give you the ability to quickly and easily transition to close quarters combat, which can be all the difference in certain situations.

What is the difference between flip-up sights and offset sights?

Flip-up sights are designed to sit on your rail and give you a standard iron sight experience, but flip down and out of the way when you don't want to use them. Offset sights, also known as 45 degree sights or canted iron sights, are tilted at an angle of 45 degrees to put them out of the way of the optic on your rifle. They're designed to allow for a fast, repeatable transition when your primary optic fails.

Can I use flip-up sights with a red dot sight?

It depends on the design of the flip-up sights. Some designs are not compatible with mounted optics like red dots and will interfere with the sight picture. Ozark Armament's BUIS are designed to sit on your rail and give you a standard iron sight experience, but flip down and out of the way when you don't want to use them, allowing you to use a red dot sight.

Are Ozark Armament's iron sights adjustable for windage and elevation?

Yes, all of our iron sights are fully adjustable for windage and elevation, allowing you to fine-tune your sight picture for improved accuracy.

Are Ozark Armament's iron sights made from durable materials?

Yes, all of our iron sights are made from durable materials such as aircraft-grade aluminum and hardcoat anodized finishes to ensure they can withstand tough encounters.

Do Ozark Armament's iron sights come with a warranty?

Yes, all of our iron sights come with our NO B.S. LIFETIME WARRANTY, meaning we stand behind our products and will provide a replacement or refund if there are any issues.

Can Ozark Armament's iron sights be installed on any rifle with a Picatinny rail?

Yes, all of our iron sights are designed to mount to any standard Picatinny rail, making them compatible with a wide range of rifles including of course an AR-15.

Article Written By Matt Rice, Owner Operator of OZARK ARMAMENT Matt Rice is the founder and owner operator of OZARK ARMAMENT. He started the company in 2016 with a vision to bring quality, affordable firearm accessories to every person who wants to improve their shooting experience. With his dedication to providing old-school customer service and his attention to detail in the development and manufacturing of gear, Matt has helped OZARK ARMAMENT become a respected name in the firearm accessories industry.