#Back-UpIronSights

In the world of rifle accessories, the amount of products available today is nearly endless. With multiple versions of every product out there, it’s important to know what you want and what some quality options are in each category. Regarding Back Up Iron Sights (BUIS) there are typically a few variations of folding or fixed sights. Some will say offset should be in a variant but typically those fold as well. For people just getting into shooting, they oftentimes don’t know what to look for or what they want when it comes to iron sights. Let’s take a closer look at the breakdown on back up iron sights.

Strike Industries came up with the new and improved version of their Sidewinder back-up iron sights. The second generation of these sights is called Sidewinder 2. The improvements are incorporated into the design based on the feedback from competition shooters and military customers. The Sidewinder 2 now has a more robust construction compared to its predecessor and can handle larger than 5.56/223 calibers as well as provide a better performance in harsh environmental conditions.

New for Shot Show 2017 is the Diamondhead USA Hole Shot. It is a new rear sight design. They eliminated the lock out button so you just flip them up to deploy them. Just like their diamond shaped rear sights, the aperture can be folded down for quick CQC sight alignment.

I consider Back Up Iron Sights, or BUIS for short, essential gear on almost any rifle. Not necessarily because I fear taking shrapnel to my primary optic and having to transition to irons to engage the approaching zombie horde.  More so, having BUIS installed and zeroed allows shooters to maintain proficiency and practice fundamentals whenever time permits. So whether or not you are running a red dot on a carbine or a 8-24x scope on a full-length rifle, a good set of iron sights should also be along for the ride. (They also work great on their own).

Let’s go a bit more into detail with one of the “Country Rifles” made by Rainier Arms for the IWA 2016 exhibition in Germany.

My friend Jeff shared these pictures of someone he saw at a local range. The shooter is not function testing this rifle. He is actually trying to shoot for accuracy. A bit of a challenge when he does not have any sights on the AR. But he did tape a spare magazine to his loaded magazine and he has what looks to be a grip pod. So he’s got that going for him.

Rainier Arms has been aggressively expanding from being a high-end parts reseller to also selling parts of their own design (though typically made under private label). The latest product to the fore is their Rainier Arms Backup-sights, which are a set of fully machined ultra-low profile back-up iron sights designed for the high-end enthusiast.