Posted by Aaron Rice on May 23rd 2024

Mastering Your AR15: A Comprehensive Guide to Low Profile Iron Sights

Hey there, fellow AR-15 enthusiasts! It's John from Ozark Armament, and today we're gonna chat about something that's saved my bacon more times than I can count - low profile iron sights.

Now, I know what you're thinking. "John, it's 2024. Who needs iron sights when we've got fancy red dots and scopes?" Well, let me tell you a little story.

Last summer, I was out in the boonies, doing some target practice with my tricked-out AR. I had this super expensive red dot sight that I thought was the bee's knees. Halfway through my session, the dang thing just died on me. No warning, just... poof. There I was, miles from anywhere, with a rifle I couldn't aim worth a damn.

That's when I thanked my lucky stars for the low profile iron sights I'd installed "just in case". They turned what could've been a wasted day into one of my best shooting sessions ever.

Why Low Profile Iron Sights Rock

  • They're Always Ready: Unlike electronic sights, iron sights don't need batteries. They're always on, always ready.
  • Tough as Nails: I've dropped my rifle, bumped it against trees, and even had it fall off my truck once (don't ask). The iron sights? Still dead-on accurate.
  • Clear View: With low profile sights, you're not looking through a tube or around a bulky sight. It's just you, your target, and a clean sight picture.
  • Quick Target Acquisition: Once you get used to them, iron sights are lightning fast. I can switch between targets quicker than my kids can change the Wi-Fi password.


    • Types of Low Profile Iron Sights

    Over the years, I've tried pretty much every type out there. Here's my two cents:

    • Battle sights (BUIS): These are my go-to. They fold down when I'm using my scope but pop up in a split second when I need them.
    • HK Style BUIS: If you like that classic look with modern performance, these are your jam. They remind me of my first rifle.
    • A2 Rear and Front Sights: Old school cool. Simple, reliable, and they get the job done.
    • 45 Degree Flip-Ups: Great if you're running a scope. Just tilt your rifle and bam - you're on target.
    • Micro Flip-Ups: These are so small you'll forget they're there... until you need 'em.

    Picking the Right Sight

    Choosing sights is like picking a BBQ sauce - everyone's got their favorite. But here's what to think about:

    Co-Witness or Nah?

    If you're running an optic, you gotta decide how your iron sights will play with it:

    • Absolute Co-Witness: Your iron sights line up perfectly with your red dot. I like this setup - it's like having a backup singer that knows all the words.
    • Lower Third Co-Witness: Iron sights sit a bit lower. It's nice if you want a cleaner view through your optic most of the time.

    Flip-Up vs. Fixed

  • Flip-Ups: I love these for their versatility. They're out of the way when I don't need 'em, but ready in a flash.
  • Fixed Sights: Always there, always ready. If you're all about reliability, fixed sights are your best friend.

    • Installing Your Sights

    Now, I'm not gonna lie - the first time I installed iron sights, I messed it up. Had the rear sight on backwards (yeah, laugh it up). But it's actually pretty simple:

    1. Safety First: Unload your rifle. Double-check it's unloaded. Then check again.
    2. Mount 'Em Up: Slide the sight onto your rail. Front sight goes up front (duh), rear sight goes in back.
    3. Tighten 'Em Down: Snug 'em up good, but don't go Hulk on 'em. You want 'em tight, not stripped.

    Zeroing In

    Zeroing your sights is like tuning a guitar - get it right, and everything else falls into place. Here's my method:

    1. Set up a target at 25 yards. That's a good starting point.
    2. Fire a few rounds. Don't worry if you're off - that's why we're here.
    3. Adjust your sights. Usually, you'll need a small tool or even just a bullet tip.
    4. Rinse and repeat until you're hitting where you're aiming.
    5. Once you're good at 25, move out to 100 yards and fine-tune.

    Keep 'Em Clean, Keep 'Em Mean

    A little maintenance goes a long way:

    • After shooting, give 'em a quick wipe-down. Nothing fancy, just get the gunk off.
    • Check for loose screws now and then. Tighten any that need it.
    • A tiny dab of oil keeps rust away. Just a dab, mind you - these aren't pancakes.

    The Bottom Line

    Look, I've been shooting ARs for longer than I care to admit, and I've tried every fancy sight out there. But I always come back to my trusty iron sights. They're tough, they're reliable, and when the chips are down, they've never let me down.

    So do yourself a favor - get some low profile iron sights on your AR. Your future self will thank you, trust me.

    Now get out there and start ringing some steel!

    ARTICLE WRITTEN BY AARON RICE GENERAL MANAGER OZARK ARMAMENT

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