Love shooting iron sights. There's just something appealing/pleasing when shooting with them.

Back in the 80's Infantry soldiers in the Army at least used iron sights first on M16A1's then A2's , you didn't use any kind of optic until or unless you moved into the Special Operations community . Even there you were expected to be proficient with iron sights on your weapons .Also what needs to be remembered is even a small red dot is a 2 MOA circle which isn't really anymore accuracy than you'd get from standard mil-spec irons .

This video was so encouraging. I've taken a long time to save up for my rifle as I'm married with Children and I'm always on a budget. I was only able to afford to put backup iron sights on it and have been practicing with those for a while now until I can afford a scope or red dot. Now I'm just going to wait even longer.

I've grown to love the traditional A2 sights.

I've got 70 year old eyes (along with the rest of me) and I have a hard time picking up the rear aperture. Red dot helps me quite a bit.

Right on time Reid! I just picked up a new AR today and vowed to run irons for a while! Thanks for cosigning my plan!!

Lets see this comparison under stress in dark/low light on a moving target.

That rifle will be illegal in VA if the governor gets his way, let's all hope he don't.

It is so awesome what you are teaching people in your country.

Excellent demonstration Reid.

I keep backup iron sights on my rifles, but I'm older so I really need the optics for FAST sight acquisition!!

OUTSTANDING Reid !! THANK YOU !! Excellent read on BOTH books !! Semper Fidelis

Thanks for the content Mr. Henrichs. I wish I could take your classes but in the meantime your video content has helped me tremendously. World needs more men like you

Preach the truth Reid. When I attended Rifleman 1 there were a couple of new shooters (husband & wife) who ran a basic AR-15 and an AK-47. Both had iron sights and both were ringing steel way out there. It's doable within the confines of a two day class like Rifleman 1. Get on it y'all.

Hi Reid... great video. I just read your American Rifleman book in about 4 days!!

It's tough keeping up with the Joneses lol everyone has a new optic every year. I have a few myself but I always go back to my irons

Always a pleasure to watch one of your videos!

Love that saying "technique over technology "...I need to come to valor ridge for training soon.

Great video. Thanks Reid.

I want a back yard like this. Nice range you have built Reid, well done!

Thank Reid for the wealth of knowledge. I truly respect and admire you.

I I can’t wait to read your rifleman book I just bought it. I couldn’t put your pistol craft book down it was really good

I mustered on the Lexington Green that morning with the rest of my company. I was determined not to retreat for any reason. When ordered to disperse I remained in place with my flint and ammo on the ground in my hat. I was hit in the second volley and knocked to the ground. As I tried to reload, I was bayoneted by the Redcoats and died on the Green. - Jonas Parker, Lexington. (QS)

Thank you Reid for your instructional videos! And I love your Book. Stay happy and safe Brother 🤙🇺🇸

I love this guy‼I hope and pray I'll be able to train with him soon. Blessings to him and his wife🇺🇸. Happy Sabbath brother Reid🙏🏽

Mr Henrichs I LOVE your vids especially the insight they give, "7 yards this could be a typical room engagment". OH DEAR not for us Brits on our crowded little island, with our little houses. Good stuff though as always thank you for this vid and for your time and effort. Also HAPPY NEW YEAR..... may your future be un-eventfully, peasefull and successfull.

Thank you for this. I practice with Both! KEEP ON ROCKING!

I have a different take on this topic. I consider 3 factors . 1. Maintenance- Iron wins here as they don't require batteries to operate. 2. Range- Short range no difference, Mid Range Iron has slight edge due to speed. Long Range Red Dot has edge due to optic. 3. Training required to get proficient. Red Dot wins here. Of course you can train with Iron and become proficient it just takes a lot longer. Based on these it would be good to train on Iron for long term SHTF or WROL situation where technology is not available. However preparing for upcoming conflicts with our own government I would air on the side of Red Dot for the learning curve and train-ability.

Thank you for all you do sir.

M&P’s are selling now for between $1500 and $2500 on GunBroker. Insane where we’ve gone in just one year. For me, I no longer possess my 20/10 eye site and at 63 years of age, I now have multiple sites on my weapons to afford me a variety of options, all of which are effective. I even have one setup with all three site options - scope, red dot and iron sites. Interestingly, I have the scope on top with the iron sites at a right 45 degree offset and the red dot 🔴 on the left at a 45 degree offset. While looking through the scope down range with my dominant right eye 👁, it is an easy transition to the red dot with my left eye for closer shots.

Very good video. Agree completely. Thank you very much Reid.

Reid I recently completed a build identical to your 20 inch setup you did a couple years back, I run irons/carry handle on it and feel the longer sight radius helps with quicker target acquisition not red dot fast but still very useable.

I am amazed at the number of folks running AR's that have not zeroed them .. red dot or irons .. obviously that is not the case with you .. good concise video .. have a great year .. Scott

Love this; technique over technology. Thanks Reid

Im a iron sight guy, but not at 200 yards. I can't see 200 yards, I have to use magnification to even make out the target. Guess I need to go back to the eye Dr.

KEY POINT!!! If it's raining sideways (or snowing this time of year) red dot has lenses that get obstructed. Irons just need a quick blow and they're good to go.

I learned basic marksmanship many years ago in the Marines using iron sights. That's all we had. We learned about the "clear tip of the front sight post", etc. But now, at 64, for me the clear tip of the front sight post is now a "fuzzy tip". My old eyes appreciate any help they can get.

Thanks for your videos. Just purchased your book in kindle version

I just began using my first red dot that my FIL gave to me, I've only used iron sights or scopes on my guns up until now. One thing I love is that you can keep both eyes open, and for me, it decreases flinching. Something about having your eyes unsquinted, fully focused on the target, almost glaring at it. And I'm a lefty with an ar-15 that has the scaled down brass deflector, so the brass gets pretty close to my face. :)

Just bought both books cant wait to read them 👍

Doing the Lord's work, Reid. Thank you. Hope to see you here in Virginia.

"A tenth of a second is nothing to write home about".....famous last words. :P

Shot iron sights on the M16A2 in the Singapore army in the 1980s. No problems hitting a man-sized target out to 300 m. I think the best sights are those you can comfortably and reliably use. My younger buddies in the army are now using a bullpup rifle, with an optical sight. What can I say? I'll choose my M16A2 with iron sights and the young ones can use their bullpup with optical sights. We'll both do well when we put in enough training.

Thanks Reid. I’m going to read your book.👍🇺🇸

Thanks, sir

I gotta get my old self down to Tennessee and attend one of you carbine classes.

I use a 2x7 scope with a solid QD mount. A2 front sight post, Matech rear peep. Works great. I have nothing against red dots, but I like the scope and irons better. Good video

Something I tell a lot of people as it's come with the time and experience is that the fundamentals of Red Dot/Reflex/Holographic Sights and Iron Sight are the same. The concept is for short range, quick target acquisition. Most Red Dots tend to have a more open objective which means a wider FOV when looking down the sight. The principle is also to shoot with both eyes open and it's usually much quicker for my eyes as well as others to find that dot than to find sight alignment. There's plenty of application for iron sights and they arent useless or anything, but for any situation you can use irons at, the Red Dot will work just as well as your time trial showed, but at longer distances it will work more to your advantage as long as you have chosen the right size dot. If you're running a 5 MOA dot on a red dot and shooting at 100 yards or beyond, it can be done but you'll be a lot less precise than running say a 3 MOA or 1 MOA dot. Likewise, a smaller dot like that up close will be harder to pick up than a larger one. But this is no different than say iron sights with a dual position sight for close/long range. In general, I prefer the Red Dot for a variety of reasons but I also believe having a pair of back up sights would be wise. There are plenty of good iron sight options out there too which fundamentally function as most Red Dots do such as XS Sights with their Big Dot line and the likes. There are plenty of other good examples but that's one of the easiest to make. End of the day though, use what you got, use it well, and I dont think you'll go wrong.

This is Truly Appreciated from Goomiez Shop!

When you get older and focus range changes, red dots can be very beneficial. I moved away from red dots to optics that run true 1X up to 6X or 8X. Gives a great amount of flexibility.

Hey Reed. I think as far as a red dot goes, the advantage comes with situational awareness. I understand take your shot then ho back to ready, but at distance, especially with aging eyes (I'm 50 now) it seems easier to have situational awareness with a red dot superimposed so I don't have to stare at a front sight, and can watch what I'm shooting at. I do agree with you about staying fresh with irons. It just seems easier for my aging eyes to use a red dot.

Nice job Brother 👊🇺🇸

Tzit tzit; awesome. Good work, Brother.

It's different at night in the dark. Good video.

Reid rocks

Good show

Happy to see I am close by in West Knox. Will hit you up about a class or two

Good video.

I hear ya on the Sky Blue! Old school. Thanks for bringing it back.Lol.

great info, thanks

I like how this guy point it out.

wow your search and asses is awesome.

I have the same Riffle , and I love it ....

Love your videos and your channel 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Thank You for this block of instruction, I am getting it down. Just slow and go.

Ty for the video 👍🏽👍🏽

THANKS REID, IM AN OLD SCHOOL IRON SIGHT GUY. IM SURE LEARNING STUFF FROM YOU BROTHER. GOD BLESS

Right on, thank you.

Reid, I use a EoTech, when I stow my weapon at the end of the day, I flip up the FRONT BUIS ( HK style from a SIG 16). When I use the weapon light, its like a red dot. I can shoot during the day with just the front sight sight up and hit what I aim at... I think this deserves consideration.

Looks like a great range!

I'll have to concur with many of the comments, I like both. But I think it's important to start with iron sights, that way you learn the basic principles, and hopefully keep a set of irons on your rifle just in case.

hey Reid thanks for reminding me of tired legs as an old iron sights shooter 70+ i thought it might be an idea if there may be a few practice ideas you might be starting to think of as we may change our tecniques with WD 40 knees and such after all this is the inevitable and i can think of no other instructor i'd rather fill my empty hits (and misses) can into then you there is no learnin like livin this is just a future and much needed idea thanks again

You brought 1 thing to my attention for myself. I put the buttstock on different area's of my shoulder when I wear body armor. After seeing this I'm going to try and correct that but the armor seems to get in my way when I wear it.

When batteries die, you better have a backup plan! Semper Fi!

Thanks for the video. Reid if you have time could you tell me what light mount you are using? Thanks more than you know for what you are providing!

I have the exact same rifle and I love it. ...519.00 from Smokey Mountain Guns in Tennessee...I don’t live in Tennessee...lol

I just watched colion do video on red dots on pistols. I've learned alot just from a thread on how they're easier to use for bad vision as you get older.

I dropped EoTech two or three years ago when they admitted their sights were subject to a drift caused by weather temps. I shoot from MN to AZ and had always thought I must have bumped it somehow to lose zero over the years. At least they bought it back from me...that was cool. I switched to Aimpoint PRO and like it even better...I use a Vortex flip up magnifier at distance shooting. Good combination. For all those geezers with poor eyesight...get checked for cataracts and have the surgery done. It's absolutely life changing!

I prefer old carry handle irons. Don’t really like red dots or optics. I genuinely enjoy the art and skill of learning the fundamentals of getting good with irons and breathing and holds and just all of it. I’m a new shooter. About 2 years now. But I been hitting decent groups at 200 yards now. Been practicing for 2 years with irons

I love all the sighting systems. That's why I have 3 AR's, open sight, red dot that cowitness with irons, and the other with a fixed power optic. Now I need to build another so I can have a lpvo, lol.

The smith and Wesson m&p 15 sport 2 is a dang good rifle. It’s a steal at the prices they sell for.

Hey Reid, I have considered the question of iron sights vs red dot and my conclusion is always both on a rifle I would take to a gunfight. I know you have seen what can happen to a rifle when put it through rough conditions (like a drill instructor launching it 50 feet across the parade deck and having it smash into broken pieces). The thing is, I have seen a rifle with a red dot and back up irons take a spill and the iron sights were completely jacked up, but the red dot was still good to go. It could certainly go the other way, (electronics go down), but, if you don't have a red dot, my question would be, why don't you have back up sights on your weapon? Any thoughts on this aspect?

I prefer my iron, carry handle sights. It feels more natural to me.

🤙 RIght on from Calif USMC 93-97. I learned on m16 A2 Irons. I like my 3x scope, but take it off for the peep sights.

One thing brother, I'm 56 now and I used to iron shoot with anybody, but now my eyes ain't what they used to be. I started using a scope and it really does help. I bought a red dot and I can hit out to 100 with it consistently. When I can get a 200 yd lane on my property, I'll see if I can use the red dot or if I am going to have to go with my scope!

Great video thank you! Wish i could afford to "come on out to valor ridge" haha.

Thank you for this video. I absolutely HATE the AR platform as I grew up shooting bolt action and lever action rifles. This video is encouraging because I now feel empowered to do what works for me and not what everyone says I “should” do. So...the optic is coming off, as well as that uncomfortable-ass cheese grater hand guard, and I’m ditching the single point sling. Now if I can just find a decent stock for this thing I might actually enjoy shooting it a little bit....

I do practice with iron sights more but I noticed my vision is getting worse with age. It's not terrible yet but noticeably worse than used to be so using iron sights is getting more difficult especially in low light conditions. Red dots makes this easier. But - this makes me practice with irons even more as I think one can train his eyes to some extent and slow down vision decline.

Nice shooting as always! And iron sights don't need batteries. I'm an iron sight kinda guy.

It's special because it's a S&W. I've had my Sport since 2012. Love it. Depends what you train with the most. I've always used iron sights and always will >:0

Up close a bit faster with irons. Moving back RDS start to shine. Nice vid

I like my iron sights and a flashlight. But i do have a red dot or two. They are ok sometimes. Good video Reid. Life is better on the ridge

good stuff. I'm definitely gonna get your book too. I actually just bought Ryan klechner's(sp?) book on long distance shooting. should have picked up yours at the same time. Is there a specific model, or a specific type of iron sights you prefer? and do you use tritium sights, or think they're worth it(for example the big dot post sight?) also, do you think the results of this test would be the same when shooting on the move, or even standing still and shooting someone/something on the move? regardless of which is better(I of course would(and do) choose a red dot over irons(though I have irons on all my guns too)), I think knowing how to use irons, and being proficient with them, is just an important skill, and one that every "gun guy"/"rifleman" should take the time to "master". its a skill i believe is getting lost slowly but surely as time goes by, and everyone has an optic on they're guns(and as I understand it, even the marines don't learn how to use their irons, but do everything with their acogs, though I could be wrong about that.) it's sort of like knowing how to drive a stick shift. even though most cars are automatics, I still want to be able to drive a manual if I need to, and would want the same for my kids/the next generations, just like I want them to not lose skill of using iron sights.

Which irons should I get Mr Reid? I'd love to do a basic pistol or rifle course soon!

Reid, Thank you very much. GOD Bless you and Patriot Nurse and GOD Bless The Republic!!!

I put a cheap tasco propoint red dot on my Ruger mark III Hunter 22 pistol because the iron sights would completly hide Squirrels when I would Squirrel hunt with it ,the red dot really made all a big change in the outcome of a hunt for me .I bagged over 40 Squirrels that season with that pistol .I have went too a Bushnell handgun scope and it shoots even tighter groups with that .but the red dot really was a help for me when I needed it.

Where did you find the mount for your light? I have the very same rifle and need to mount a light on it.

With an AK you can use the caveman eotech technique and it's even faster due to the design of the front sight.

I'll make it to one of his classes one way or another

good stuff. you've trimmed down a little since I last watched a video. good for you.