Daily Defense Season 2- EP 26: Sighting In Your Rifle's "Iron" Sights

In the previous video, Jeff explained how to sight in an optic on your rifle. If your rifle is an AR-15, chances are it came with - or can easily be fitted with - mechanical "iron" sights for backup, in case your scope or red dot breaks. Just like an optic, iron sights need to be sighted in, and the first step is to make sure they're installed correctly before you hit the range. It's best to choose front and rear backup sights made by the same manufacturer. Mount them with as much distance between them as possible. Backup sights are meant to be used only in an emergency, so zero them for 25 yards. Then work out where to hold for targets at 50, 75, and 100 yards. Start by adjusting the windage at the 10-yard line. Get it dialed in as precisely as possible, THEN move back to 25 yards. Shoot from a stable platform like a bipod, shooting rest, sandbags, or even your range bag to eliminate as much unwanted movement as possible. Zeroed iron sights probably won't need much if any adjustment. It's good to check them and confirm the zero periodically, especially if you switch to different ammunition. You can also "co-witness" your iron sights with the red dot - view them through the red dot's lens and synchronize them to its dot to sight in them in.

[@matthewmcgee]

After I zero a rifle from a nice, stable, supported position, I re-check that zero from my "normal" shooting positions to make sure there isn't any shift due to changes in how I am now interacting with the rifle, like a slightly different cheek weld, head position, grip, or support hand placement.

[@reliablethreat23]

Realistically, there will always be a minor shift when shooting from a stable platform and ones “normal” shooting form. As long as you can keep a tight group, your rifle can be considered zeroed.

[@scottkelly7051]

That's exactly how I do it Matthew. It's always worked well for me and it gives me a little extra piece of mind.

[@myetoob23]

I was thinking about that as I watched this video. "What if my stance or viewing angle changes slightly when I'm not in a stable, supported position? Would my zero need to be adjusted again?"

[@Ultona]

Zero Magpul type BUIS at 50 yards with XM193 or M855 and you'll be on again at 200 Meters and only a little high at 100-150m. Or better yet if you have A2 style sights, zero at 50 yards using the SIBZ method and you'll be on again at 200 Meters and your 300,400,500 ect. Meter markings will all work on your elevation wheel. You can do amazing shooting especially with a 20" A2 and iron sights. It's sad to see irons relegated to some sort of "emergency" item, instead of folks learning to use them correctly out to distance.

[@Uberragen21]

I zero for 50 yards too. I enjoy shooting irons, but as I get older irons don't like me so much.

[@ClutchTacticsGaming]

Just bought my first ar 15 I'm learning the irons sights first before get into optics, a lot people I see go straight into optics and dont know anything about using irons,

[@ecobasetech4558]

Iron sights aren't very compatible with people that don't have 20/20 vision out of both eyes

[@PuddinTane4u2]

Yes on paper a 50y zero is “as equal to” a 200y zero. Always take your rifle out to distance to confirm because weather, ammo manufacturer, twist rate, whether the barrel is lined and with what all have an impact on where the POI is at every distance.

[@abstractapproach634]

Approximately, it depends on many factors (from cartridge to barrel harmonics) The best thing to do would be to zero at 50, check at 200 (if consistently off find your true second zero by moving target closer if low, farther if high) Then find your maximum offset before it starts to drop down (if more than height over bore start over with a further close zero imo) Finally, find what point (besides point blank) your low by your height over bore (this is your range without compensation, or *point blank range* meaning you can be as accurateas a point blank shot out to that range probably >200m) I'm still working on the first part (getting a tight enough group at 50 to trust my zero) it's going to be a long process but in the end I will KNOW the leaat-most I can miss by within my *point blank range* is my height over bore. Then I will hopefully be developing a good sense of distance and can aim a bit low or high depending. But if I get to the point where I can consistently get point blank offsets in a known *point blank range* I'll be pretty happy with it!

[@nd4spdbh]

Proper Iron sights and RIBZ setup. Boom, good at 25/50/100/200 etc etc.

[@BT1776]

Confirm zero for each bullet weight? Great excuse for myself to buy a new AR for each bullet weight 👍🏼 😁

[@drevil2783]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@paraAA82]

My thoughts exactly!!! 👍👍

[@kinjunranger140]

You mean you don't already have one? Come on, man.

[@BT1776]

@@kinjunranger140 Those ammo and ARs are all MIA like Biden, Come On, Man! 😂

[@notsosilentmajority1]

It's great to see a video on firing with iron sights but iron sights are not "back up sights", they are THE sights. We have seen a lot of videos with people that are pretty good shots but are not able to shoot well without some sort of red dot, optic, etc.. If you can't shoot with iron sights, then you can't shoot. Imagine being in a real world, high threat situation and your red dot goes out?? What would some of these people do?

[@penguinseth]

They would shoot with their back-up iron sights because they are there as a back-up if the red dot or other optic stops functioning lol.

[@MrAvidOutdoorsman]

I agree your irons are your main trust and the optic is a bonus

[@notsosilentmajority1]

@@MrAvidOutdoorsman Spot on my friend.

[@houseoflamarr3674]

The future is now

[@babytronjr2178]

@@houseoflamarr3674fr most hollows and red dots have solar charging anyway

[@rexquite5547]

So happy i am putting at least 1,000 rounds down range with iron sights before i even think about a red dot of any kind.

[@houseoflamarr3674]

So you’re gonna purposely cripple yourself just so you can see cooler than people that use red dots? Ok lol that’s like saying before I write a plane out of state, I will walk out of state first

[@DaquaviusPork]

@@houseoflamarr3674these old heads outta their minds lmao

[@ETHRON1]

Zero at 50 yards.... good from 0 to 200 yards in case of emergency.

[@libertarian1637]

For a tactical rifle I like a red dot either reflex or holographic with pop up sights co-registered to that reticle. My red dot is on a quick detach so it can be pulled out of the the way quickly of it gets broken or obscured. I also run a set of 45 degree offset backup sights as they are the fastest sights to fall back to if your red dot gets damaged. On scoped ARs I also like 45 degree sights because you can sight them in at closer ranges and with a simple roll of the rifle be on target inside of the sighting distance of your scope. With their reduced cost I run Magpul pop ups and I don’t recall the brand of 45s on all my ARs.

[@Makemydayoutdoors]

Iron sights are THE sights! What are you talking about?

[@francoismulder1043]

Like your site indeed, I learned a lot on it and it helped me with my shooting. Thanks a lot. 👍🇿🇦

[@billytheearthworm573]

Again, very good tips!

[@rico989]

I zero my AR LPVO at 50 yards and my back ups at 50 yards to. I zero using a 3" diameter targets. And I use dot the "i" method

[@najdiy]

Great tutorial

[@lelandgaunt9985]

I didn’t realize they needed sighting in, I thought my assault rifle 20 shot heat seeking boowits.

[@Uberragen21]

That's what the Dims believe.

[@davidunderwood3605]

I say this. Back ups should be primary and red dots secondary. To many rely on technology. If you R.D.s have solar and your not relying on a battery only you better off but still every one should learn to go iron first as they are the most reliable.

[@markgoostree6334]

First.... I am 74. As I was learning to shoot, if I looked through a "peep hole" in the rear sight to see the front sight.... that was a "peep sight". The rear sights, with a flat top and a notch, were "iron sights". When did peep sights disappear? Why does everybody refer to everything as iron sights?

[@Gravitys-NOT-a-force]

At 20 yards the "windage" on my AR-15 is very good, right on target. I have a problem, however, with my elevation. The sight post on my front sight is screwed as low as it will go. I need to bring my (tight) shot group up, and I can't. What have I done wrong?

[@S1L3NTG4M3R]

THANKS

[@alfonsedente9679]

Sorry pro, iron sights are not "backup sights" Iron sights have been the primary sights since firearms were created, and still are today on 99.9% of all firearms.

[@richardlahan7068]

They are my ONLY sights. Maybe one day I'll be able to get a pricey optic.

[@yungshootasmokedope69420]

complete bs

[@jacobmoore6874]

not many modern rifles have iron sights tho. They used to at least come with them but most ppl took them off and put on a scope anyway they took them off altogether.

[@TheHuntercamper]

yeah ammo LOL some of the factory ammo is so inconsistent.....makes me shiver.......

[@butchbrown4081]

I'm a newbie 😌 sorry. I have a brand new SnW ar15 Givin to me by my 81 yr. Old veteran father inlaw. Luv him and I have a lot of respect for him. Can I fire 223 in my ar15 that is marked for 5.56 with no problems or?

[@sung-hwanjoo191]

Yes. No problem.

[@thatguy4087]

Yep sure can

[@pbayers]

Yes, but if it was the other way around; and the BARREL is chambered in .223 remington then you should try to avoid shooting 5.56 nato. My Colt is marked .223 on the receiver, but the barrel is marked 5.56mm .223 Wylde is a clambering that can shoot both 5.56 and .223

[@alswann2702]

Yes.

[@butchbrown4081]

@@sung-hwanjoo191 T.U.

[@Just_One_More_Mag]

I would love a SureFire Warden. I’m however not Willing to pay EBay prices to obtain one.😞

[@ricks1231]

Midway had them back in stock about a month ago for $200. I snagged one of these because the price was better then scalpers had them listed for. Not sure where Midway got them from but they were in stock for a few days. I’d check around, you might see one come back in stock somewhere.

[@ricks1231]

Just checked again and they are in stock at Midway and Optics Planet for 225. Not the best price as the MSRP was 160 when they were still in production, but it’s better then eBay.

[@tacraheennc9719]

So you can zero your sight at 25 then your optic at another range

[@mma709]

Why not at 50yd if zero at 50 you have it zero from 0 to 200yds

[@brckshouse3660]

Set for 300m and learn to shoot instinctively below that.

[@mrs.vasquezz]

Lmao 25yd zero Blows

[@leerethamel3204]

zero at 100yds, give you within 2.5 inches muzzle to 200yds... i find it hard to believe i would be in situation relying on back up irons past 200yd

[@mrs.vasquezz]

@@leerethamel320450 is spot on at 200 again, an inch or so high between 100 and 200

[@smarciante7206]

What’s with the sunglasses?

[@stuartsmith3359]

Whats with your sunglasses?

[@crabbyturtle1594]

Anyone else turn on cc? Interesting....

[@yourangerfuelsme]

?

[@myetoob23]

It says no captions available for this video

[@theroachman253]

Since when are iron sights “backup” sights? Iron sights don’t run out of batteries

[@wethepeopleamerica5270]

speak up

[@vintageguitarz1]

Magpul "plastic" flip sights are shit. USAF 20TH SOS Ret.

[@ecobasetech4558]

With respect, they aren't "shit" if they are the only sights on the rifle. You can also say "don't bring a knife to a gunfight" but if all you have is a knife and you have no say in going to a gunfight, would you rather go to a gunfight with just your fists? Something is better than nothing.

[@myetoob23]

What don't you like about them?

[@stuartsmith3359]

He’s using the pros genius.

[@krismartin1181]

I don’t take advice from the guy who slings his rifle incorrectly thanks boss

[@rdh5961]

A former Navy SEAL

[@krismartin1181]

@@rdh5961 the most awkward seal in history

[@Inboundlight]

The rifle is slung correctly. He just has it flipped over on the sling to keep it tighter to his body while it isn’t being used. War Poet (former Army Ranger) has a video on this technique.

[@MrChikoSticks]

useless!

[@HalfbreedTrini]

Could have used this 2 days ago

[@kinjunranger140]

Another "Excuse" to go to the range.