Iron sights for competition

[d4v0s]

So i was told by someone i trust that i should learn to shoot iron sights before spending money on optics. So while i save up for the TA31F-G I wanna get a nice set of irons.

I built a 20" RRA upper, with a2 stock and jdmachine lower.

So what sights do you guys use and like? I am leaning towards the troy Dioptic rear and hk front sight. But i was wondering if there is something that would be more accuracy focused. I was even looking at a detachable carry handle.

I forgot to mention the front sight post has been replaced with a picatinny gas block.

[Josh3239]

Irons will always be slower. A great shooter with irons will do well, a great shooter with optics will do far better. That is why optics are used for hunting, competition, military, training, etc.

For the front sight, make sure it is made for gas block height. Most front sights on the market are for handguard height, not gas block height.

[donking]

It has been 10 years or so since I was at a CMP shoot, but back then it was iron sights only.

Here is a great thread for sighting iron sights (RIBZ method) on an AR

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=18&t=328143

[C.W.M.V.]

Learning to shoot with iron sights is a must. If you can shoot well with irons you can shoot well with anything.
Alot of the time people use optics to make up for a lack of basic shooting skills. It shouldn't be a crutch.
Its kinda like learning to drive a stick before going with an auto. Its just the right thing to do.
As far as sights just stick with the issued M16 sights. Anything you need to do can be done with them.

[rero360]

For the rear sight I would highly recomend this Troy sight http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Troy-...20-%20rear.htm in that it is the lowest profile and strongest on the market, thus once you get that ACOG you will be able to mount it with the Troy folded with no problems. Additionally it has 1/4 MOA adjustments (seeing how you have a 20" barrel) this will allow you nice and fine adjustments to get a solid and precise zero.

If you were to go with a detatchable carry handle, you still have to take into account the height of the front sight as there are two different types of detachable carry handle sight heights. Again make sure to go with the 1/4 MOA adjustments to get the most out of them.

As to a front sight you can either get one that is meant to go on a railed gas block, one that is meant for railed handguards if you have them, or you can swap the gas block out for a traditional front sight/gas block.

[HighLander51]

[rero360]

You never focus on the rear sight at all, unless it is to make adjustments to the sight itself, you aquire target, place front sight on target and keep your focus on the front sight post. Your eye will naturally and automatically center itself within the rear sight, if you are consciously thinking about the rear sight you are doing it wrong and will mess up the shot, need to close your eyes, take a breath and reopen you eyes and lock onto that front sight.

[HighLander51]

correct, the front sight has to be a razor, but you still have the target and rear sight presented, versus have the scope reticule on the target.