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Operators Choice #7 Back Up Iron Sights

July 22nd, 2009 | Cordon & Review | Posted by Rob Curtis

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Troy Folding Battle Sights (Front)
Although you can find photos of cracked, shot and crushed Aimpoints and EOTechs that refused to die, one day those iron sights are going to save your butt. There’s only one trait to consider here: Reliability. The rear sight will likely be folded obediently beneath your optic until you really need it. At that point you want it to flip up without extra button-pressing or knob-twisting. You also want it to be able to hold a zero and not pop up when it’s not needed. Same goes for the front, but some guys roll with a non-folding front sight so they can aim over the top of their optic for really close fights.

What they said: “If your primary sight uses batteries, eventually it will have an electrical problem. I hope that when it happens, it’s not when you’re fighting for your life. But if it is, BUIs and training will hopefully allow you to prevail.”

Operator Favorite: Troy Folding BattleSight set ($250)
Troy was widely chosen as the backup iron sights of choice. They stay closed until needed and flip up easily with no controls. Folding requires a hefty button press so they won’t fold until you want them to. Once they are open, it’s going to take a 1000 lb accident to shear the cross bolt holding the sight up.

Made from aluminum and stainless steel, they should last as long as your rifle. Mount them on a Picatinny rail, use a bullet tip to adjust in .5 MOA clicks and know they are there when you need them.

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Permalink | July 22nd, 2009

Comments

  1. Jesse Krembs Says:
    July 22nd, 2009 at 09:54

    Awesome thread, was there an opinion given regarding Magpuls backup polymer sights?

  2. Steven Says:
    July 22nd, 2009 at 16:06

    You guys actually expect us to buy this sight when you advertise… ” use a bullet tip to adjust….” Are you serious????

  3. Juventino Says:
    July 27th, 2009 at 15:05

    I believe that Troy also sells an adjustment tool if you’d rather use that. I think that the point is that you can adjust it in the field even without the special tool.

    http://store.troyind.com/BattleSight_Adjustment_Tool_p/st00-adj-000t-00.htm

  4. Matthew Hess Says:
    July 30th, 2009 at 08:21

    I have the Bushmaster BMAS folding front-site and the A.R.M.S. folding rear-sight. Both are pretty nice.

    If I had the money to blow on a new set-up I’d probably give the new MagPul BUIS a shot.