on stuff that goes along with the flat-tops is second best in that regard even if they aren't likely to break. Get a sight that you can see that works for you in the environment in which you expect to use the rifle. Don't worry about the cachet attached to certain sights, optical or not, worry about whether or not they work for you.

I'm not a fan of tritium sights. I find that when I can see the sights in the dark I often can't see the target. You've got to see both for the sights to work. Lacking a mortar to fire illumination rounds, a starlight scope would be a good bet. That comes from actually trying to hit things in the dark.

I personally would steer away from plastics. I have folding sights on my flat-top because even though it has a scope sight, I'm realistic enough to realize that Mister Murphy rides in my back pocket. Not that anything is likely to break, but if it is always better to have it and not need it.

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Sincerely,

Hobie

but I have pretty well banned folding sights from Dept. approved, officer-owned carbines.

I did this because our qualification standard requires 4/5 headshots standing unsupported at 50 yards and 8/10 in an 8" bull at 100 yards from sitting, prone or an improvised rest; all with irons. Now I know that sounds ridiculously easy to old riflemen, but these kids were bolting BUIS and all kinds of other acronym shit all over their guns and failing to qualify.

So I took a couple of their rifles out and shot them myself at 100 & 200 yards. I discovered, much to my amazement, that the cheaper flip up BUIS has as much as 5" or windage error because of wobble in the rear sight. I could simply push the sight to the left, before each shot, and 100 yard groups would close by 3-4 inches.

The good news is that since they are using an A2 or equivalent rear sight, the long line scores have improved dramatically. The very best news is that I finally convinced the city to buy Sig 556's for each black & white ;)

I am with Hobie on his recommendation. Find whatever works for you and use it. I'll only suggest that you don't let the 'go fast' BS rob you of fine accuracy.

I use to be a huge fan of light-up iron sights....mostly due to playing with pistols with "night sights" and drawing a bead on the door knob or something in the house with the lights down low.....

My turn around came during a shooting school that started about a hour before dusk and ran to midnight....on purpose a low light shooting class....

To my amazement...the fancy Trijicon sights on my P35 were only "useful" for about 15 minutes right at dusk when the sun was down but still light enough to see the targets...prior to this sweet spot the black sights were fine...after it got just a bit darker the sights showed up but you could not see the target...no bueno...

When it starts getting dark the ONLY solution is a bright weapon light....or real night vision...

That said all my "practical" pistols have night sights...chicks dig them...none on the rifles....

By back door rifle is a Armalite carbine fitted with a Bushness Elite 1.5x5 illuminated reticle...no back up sights needed for shooting around the farm....

For a more broad spectrum choice of rifles it is probably a good idea to have both an optic and iron sights of some kind....

I agree with Sarge that many folding sights wiggle and are no good...however the Magpul plastic sights seem to work just fine...

In my opinion the best "compromise" is to have fixed A1 front and rear sights and a solid rail system that can mount a red dot with a 1/3 co-witness....

If you want to keep you telescope then a folding rear is of course in order...I prefer the Matech as used by the USMC...zero at 100 and you are good for 600 with a load that follows M855 specs....

If I could only have one it would be the second from the top...A1 sights, Aimpoint and 800 lume spotlight...

Another thing to consider is that the night sight is readily visible to others at a considerable distance...play gun games at night and much becomes "clear"....

Byron

I am a fan of simple, rugged, and proven. I would recommend a standard A2 rear and just know the aimpoint for 7 yds. I would strongly recommend a non-folding front sight post. Actually I would replace the gas block with a fixed front sight gas block but that's me. The tritium front is wise, the stripe has a square post and I believe their dot has a round post top. The round post is not as good for longer range in my experience but your mileage may vary. Temper this all with the fact I run an old M16 round rubber buttpad fixed stock on my AR, simple, rugged, and proven.

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Colonel, USAF (Ret)
NRA Life Member