Flip up vs. fixed

AKHunter · 03-09-2008, 12:47 PM

I keep pondering whether or not a flip up rear sight is necessary with the red dot I intend to employ on the rifle I will build ( Thread; a little progress ). I may or may not configure it" co-witness" likely I will though. Has anyone installed one or the other only to find they should have chosen otherwise ?

NRAJOE · 03-09-2008, 12:50 PM

I have a fixed sight HBAR...but I would think I'd keep the flip ups on it in case of red dot failure....in a SHTF situation a red dot going out would not be good.....

AKHunter · 03-09-2008, 01:24 PM

Flip up or fixed, the buis will stay mounted, What I am really struggling with is, is the cost of a flip up justifiable compared to a fixed rear sight. What are the reasons a flip would provide greater benefit over a fixed if any ?

GlockMeister · 03-09-2008, 01:31 PM

Not to mention in a SHTF scenario, and something else to consider, red dots require batteries, will you have enough? Will they be around? Always need to be prepared for the unexpected.

Fixed have proven them selves time and time again. Flip ups, are just an option. If you have the cash, and want them, get them. If not, stick with the good old reliable fixed.

Pred · 03-09-2008, 05:31 PM

It all depends on what you really want your rifle for. A true SHTF rifle, a standard A2 upper with a carry handle mount for a scope or red dot would be best. For pure tactical purposes, a free float railed forearm with flip up front/rear sights and a red dot. Hunting, no irons and simply a good scope. Just all depends...

AKHunter · 03-09-2008, 05:59 PM

My main use for this version is defense and range use. The next version will be a varmint and long range target use. Both will be flat top.

Darkfront · 03-09-2008, 06:25 PM

Depends on your shooting style. I prefer using the flip ups for front and rear sights because I get distracted by the fixed sights. Even though there's a red dot, my mind wants to focus on the front sight instead of keeping the eye on the target with the red dot. Whatever gets you on target faster. The red dot is you primary aiming device, your irons are only in case of failure. And at CQB distances, you may want to just practice reflex shooting without aiming. I've been told at extremely close distances, soldiers won't even turn on their EOTechs sometimes and just frame the target in the window and shoot,

03-09-2008, 12:47 PM	#1
AKHunter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 899	Flip up vs. fixed I keep pondering whether or not a flip up rear sight is necessary with the red dot I intend to employ on the rifle I will build ( Thread; a little progress ). I may or may not configure it" co-witness" likely I will though. Has anyone installed one or the other only to find they should have chosen otherwise ?

03-09-2008, 12:50 PM	#2
NRAJOE Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 19,052 Images: 3	I have a fixed sight HBAR...but I would think I'd keep the flip ups on it in case of red dot failure....in a SHTF situation a red dot going out would not be good..... __________________ U.S. Army 1976-1979 237th Combat Engineers Heilbronn, Germany

03-09-2008, 01:31 PM	#4
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 5,513	Not to mention in a SHTF scenario, and something else to consider, red dots require batteries, will you have enough? Will they be around? Always need to be prepared for the unexpected. Fixed have proven them selves time and time again. Flip ups, are just an option. If you have the cash, and want them, get them. If not, stick with the good old reliable fixed. __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6!

03-09-2008, 01:24 PM	#3
AKHunter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 899	Flip up or fixed, the buis will stay mounted, What I am really struggling with is, is the cost of a flip up justifiable compared to a fixed rear sight. What are the reasons a flip would provide greater benefit over a fixed if any ?

03-09-2008, 05:31 PM	#5
Pred Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,873 Blog Entries: 3	It all depends on what you really want your rifle for. A true SHTF rifle, a standard A2 upper with a carry handle mount for a scope or red dot would be best. For pure tactical purposes, a free float railed forearm with flip up front/rear sights and a red dot. Hunting, no irons and simply a good scope. Just all depends...

03-09-2008, 05:59 PM	#6
AKHunter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 899	My main use for this version is defense and range use. The next version will be a varmint and long range target use. Both will be flat top.

03-09-2008, 06:25 PM	#7
Darkfront Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 162	Depends on your shooting style. I prefer using the flip ups for front and rear sights because I get distracted by the fixed sights. Even though there's a red dot, my mind wants to focus on the front sight instead of keeping the eye on the target with the red dot. Whatever gets you on target faster. The red dot is you primary aiming device, your irons are only in case of failure. And at CQB distances, you may want to just practice reflex shooting without aiming. I've been told at extremely close distances, soldiers won't even turn on their EOTechs sometimes and just frame the target in the window and shoot,