Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Flat-top, or standard irons?

Going to get an M4 (again), as a truck gun/SHTF/yada, yada, yada...

Anyway, I'm torn between a flat-top with optics as a primary, and detachable irons as a reserve, or a standard with bombproof irons and optics mounted to the carry-handle as necessary.

The idea of irons, for me, is a dead-nuts reliable, always there, always ready sighting system; the stronger and simpler, the better. BUT, I like being able to use optics.

Suggestions?

I like the idea of a flat top with a holosight of some kind.

What about the mounts that attach to the carry handle on the original flavored models?

IIRC I saw some that were "see through" to allow use of sights, but I may be mistaken.

Anyway, are they reliable?

But I do like this idea and have always considered it.

"flat-top with optics as a primary, and detachable irons as a reserve"

That's the second option listed (though, no see-thrus). To me, it's the best "K.I.S.S." principle version, but....

As a truck gun I find it hard to get any simpler or more reliable than an A1 upper with a standard FSB. Think Israeli Defense guns... or a Colt SP1 carbine (be still my beating heart)

But for practicality, a flat top with a scope mounted in a QD mount such as LaRue and a BUIS such as a folding Troy is the best of both worlds.

If you want a red dot, then a fixed BUIS like LaRue and an Aimpoint are more efficient than even the A1.

Here's an example of an aimpoint and LaRue fixed and a Leupold 1.5-5 in a LaRue mount with a Troy folding sight.

The only consideration is, that's alot of money to leave in the truck...

Can't stand red dots.

And, yeah, that's a lot of money to leave in the truck.

K.I.S.S. principle is one that I try very hard to stick to.

BTW - how about some additional English in the answer? There are quite a few things I'm WELL versed on firearms-wise. ARs, ain't one of them.

A1= second design (?) carry handle upper, windage only adjustable.

FSB= front sight base

QD= quick detatch

BUIS= back up iron sight

That help?

This thread should give you some ideas
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=304444

I like an Aimpoint, with back up irons. If I break my aimpoint I end up where the iron sight only crowd started out.

My eyes are still pretty good but I came to the realization that I need optics if I want accuracy. (1.5-5 Leupy) Still good to have a set of flip ups...just in case.

I am thinking just a plain jane A4 FT with BUIS and the brand is not all that important as he has said it's a truck gun. Be damned if I'm going to leave my high dollar stuff in the truck all the time.

I would go with a flat top just to have the options.

There are bomb proof irons that you can bolt (and loctite) on like the Daniel Defense rear sight. It does not fold and it is A1 style, no silly elevation adjustment.

Hello there, I am about to purchase a Remmington R-25 308 cal.
I believe or maybe Iam wrong that DPMS is manufacturing them for Rem. Any suggestions??? would like to set it up for whitetail..

VA,

Just go with a standard flattop and mount a scope...

Keep it simple. Nothing is bombproof.

If you want a user friendly optical setup, mount a fixed 4x on her. About as bombproof as you can get.

Is you want/need more scope switch her out.

PS - Check out CMMG bargain bin rifles. I've purchased two of them and they are a bargain for sure...

http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/shop/?cart=2197090&cat=161&

They update the choices regularly...

the cmmg ones have all been ok, the ones I"ve seen anyway...

but if it has to be 200% reliable.... just buy the colt...

I'd still think along the lines of what do you have to do with the gun? Whats its most uses? IE you can do a lot with irons if you shoot enough. I've no qualms about shooting deer at 300 plus with irons on an AR... but you have to have good up close vision to see the front sight.

I've said before, I carry a truck gun wiht a scope on it, flattop upper. Happens to have 4x12 on it, due to our hunting regs vs antler width etc... but you can do less.... I can always pull it off and slap irons on in a pinch, but scopes these days are generally so reliable its not funny.

Go with the flattop and if you want open sites then get you a set of Troy fold downs combat sights other wise mount you a Trijicon ACOG or Reflex for hunting or protection. Longer range go with any good hunting scope.

Another thought comes to mind.... keep another scope in a set of mounts at the backup and you don't have to worry about irons.. BUIS ain't all that cheap anyway, the better ones anyway. Just as easy to swap scopes out almost..

I purchased a set of Troy Fold Down sight for my 6.8 build because some times i just like to hunt with open sights. The only thing holding up finishing my 6.8 is waiting on the barrel . I'm having it done in Dark Earth GunKote and it will be about two to three weeks before it is shipped to me. I'm using a LH Stag Upper for this build.

BTW VA, the LaRue scope mounts I refered to come off with 2 throw levers and go back on retaining zero. That's how I can swap to irons or scope and back.

In fairness, other mounts like GG&G, ADM and Bobro work basicly the same, though I've never tested anything other than 6 or so LaRue mounts.

The LaRue is right at the top as far as returning to zero every time. Just did the repeat zero on my LMT this past weekend and without a doubt, they are perfect.
I also tried out the zero repeat on the GG+G mount and it was 100% good to go, with right back to zero.