One of the great things about the AR-15 platform is its versatility. It’s totally modular, allowing you to mount a variety of different sighting systems to the gun — including red dots, LPVOs, etc. But while advanced optics are a great addition to any AR platform, don’t overlook iron sights, which are pretty much a necessity for any AR-15 rifle. Alone, they make a great analog aiming system. In conjunction with a red dot or holographic sight, they provide a reliable backup in case your high-tech optic fails.
But choosing the best iron sights for your AR-15 can be a challenge. There are a lot of options out there, and if you pick the wrong one, you won’t be able to hit the broad side of a barn.
To help you make the best choice, we’ve put together a list of our top 8 AR-15 iron sights — reviewing each one on reliability, accuracy, and overall performance.
Why You Need Iron Sights
Though many of today’s models are rugged and robust, modern optics sometimes break. At best, they might simply run out of battery at the wrong time. When that happens, you won’t be able to aim your gun — unless you have a set of backup irons.
You can attach backup irons to your rifle in several ways including the popular flip-up sights. You can keep these sights locked down and out of your sight picture until you need them, then you just press a button (or bar) to flip them up and start shooting with a new optic.
Another popular option for backup irons is offset sights. These can either flip down or remain upwards, but they’re not attached to the top of your rifle. Instead, they’re offset 45 degrees.
Offset irons look really cool, and when you’re shooting with them, you get to hold your gun sideways (extra tactical points). But if you’re fighting for your life, you don’t want to add extra complexity into your shooting technique.
Another choice is using fixed irons that don’t flip down. Most gun owners who use this technique align their iron sights to a “lower 1/3 co witness” of their optic. This means their irons will appear in their sight picture below their optic’s reticle.
The 8 Best AR-15 Iron Sights
Here’s a fact: You need a front and back sight to effectively aim a gun with only iron sights. To ensure the gun itself is straight, you just need to align both sights with one another.
That’s why we recommend sight sets. With sight sets, you get everything you need to aim your AR-15. With that said, you can also buy front and rear sights separately.
Does that mean you can mix and match sights from two different brands? Sometimes. As long as both front and back sights share the same height, you’re good to go. The standard height for AR-15 sights is 2.6 inches height over bore (HOB).
All of the entries on this list are standard height sights, so you can choose different front and rear sights as you please.
Magpul MBUS Pro Steel Sight Set
Magpul got its start making magazine accessories. But the company has grown significantly since those humble beginnings. Today, they’ve expanded into other weapon accessories, including some true industry standards in AR-15 furniture.
In particular, Magpul’s MBUS sights are some of the best AR-15 iron sights available today. Made of corrosion-resistant steel, these back-up sights combine versatility, strength, and durability into a lightweight package.
The front sight allows you to adjust for elevation using a standard front sight tool. The rear does the same for windage. Sights can be attached to any 1913 picatinny rail.
Since MBUS sights fold down, they’re extremely versatile. Keep them folded down for a backup sighting system to your favorite optic. Or, use them as your primary sights if you don’t have a red dot or holographic optics.
At about $100 MSRP for the pair, they’re a great value pick for your AR-15.
Daniel Defense Fixed Iron Sights
Daniel Defense has long had a reputation as a “Gucci Gear” company, and it’s well-deserved. Daniel Defense’s Fixed Iron Sights, for example, don’t even fold down and cost almost $150.
To be clear, these are great optics. But because they can’t fold down, they may interfere with your sight picture when using a second optic like a red dot. But if you’re not using an optic, their fixed nature means your sights are always deployed. You won’t need to spend extra time flipping them up to acquire your sight picture. However, this is somewhat useful if you want to cowitness your optic with iron sights.
Daniel Defense’s Fixed Iron Sights are adjustable for windage and elevation, and made from aircraft-grade aluminum, so they’re extremely lightweight.
Midwest Industries Combat Rifle Sight Set
If you’re an AK person, chances are you’ve already heard of Midwest Industries, one of the only American companies that makes an Alpha AK furniture system. This system modernizes the venerable AK platform by allowing you to mount optics on it at a fraction of the cost of similar systems.
They also make great AR-15 iron sights, too. Midwest Industries’ Combat Rifle Sight Set provides a bomb-proof set of flip-up irons that won’t break the bank, with an MSRP of $175.
These sights are made from ordnance-grade phosphate finished steel, with 6061 aluminum bases. That gives them a great combination of durability and low weight — less than 3 ounces combined!
The only problem with Midwest Industries’ irons is that you need a tool to adjust them. However, if you buy the front and rear sights together, they come with the tool and a lanyard loop, so you don’t need to worry about leaving it in your other pair of pants.
Yankee Hill Machine Flip Up Sight Set
Unlike Midwest Industries, Yankee Hill Machine is a name that’s rarely heard outside of AR-15 circles. But they focus on doing one thing, and they do it well.
Yankee Hill’s Machine’s Flip Up Sights have a lot to like. For one, they have hefty, fat knobs that allow you to make changes to your point of aim (or even remove the sights entirely) with just your fingers. The front sight, however, does require a tool.
The sights feature a two-material construction with a steel base and aluminum post. That’s sort of the inverse of the Midwest Industries sight. They weigh nearly twice as much as the MI sights, though, clocking in at a whopping 6 ounces.
One last cool thing about Yankee Hill Machine sights: you can buy either handguard-mounted and barrel-mounted versions. The barrel-mounted front versions also function as a gas block, and you can even mount a bayonet to them.
Troy Industries Folding Battle Sights
Troy Industries has been a household name in the gun industry for decades. They’re masters of nearly every weapon platform, and their Folding Battle Sights are some of the best irons you can find for the AR-15 platform. Their price reflects that, though — these cost more than the MBUS Pro and LMT’s Flip Up Battle Sights.
We love Troy's folding front sight for several reasons.
- They use an M4-style front sight. This means the front sight post is positioned between two outer arms that form a “V” pattern. This makes it extremely easy for your eye to pick up on. The rear sight is a ghost ring peephole like the rest of the irons featured on this list.
- Troy’s Folding Battle Sights are truly bomb-proof. Their construction features a hardened aircraft aluminum material with stainless steel components. The sights are also hard-coat anodized to military specifications.
- You don’t need a tool to adjust them. Just use your fingers to rotate a wheel on the front or back sights which adjusts them in 0.5 MOA increments.
- Last (but certainly not least): Troy sights are customizable! In addition to the two color options (black or FDE, short for “Flat Dark Earth”), there are a ton of rear and front sight style combinations you can choose from.
BONUS: These Troy irons also come in an option for night sights.
LMT Defense Flip Up Battle Sight Set
For tactical applications, LMT Defense is the real deal, and both military operators and law enforcement personnel use LMT irons in the field. If you’re looking for a set of irons that are tough enough to withstand the trials of actual combat, LMT is a great pick.
With a durable steel construction, these sights are probably the toughest on our list. They’re compatible with both 5.56x45 and 7.62x51 rifles, so go ahead — slap them on that AR-10 you’ve been building in the garage.
While most of the flip-up sights on this list have a fairly low profile when folded down, LMT’s nearly disappear against your rifle. That’s thanks to the rear sight, which has a bit of an odd, thin appearance. Even though it looks weird, its function is second to none.
It’s not all sunshine and roses with LMT Defense’s Flip Up Battle Sights, though. They’re one of the most expensive options on this list, at $225 MSRP, giving Magpul’s MBUS sights a run for their money. They also only allow an operator to adjust for windage, so, you can’t dial them in as much as some of the other irons on here.
ARMS #40L / #40 L-F Low Profile Folding Sight Combo
Like LMT Defense, ARMS iron sights are truly “battle-tested.” In fact, the ARMS #40L / #40 L-F were selected by the Naval Surface Warfare Center as the go-to iron sights for Navy special operations units. Yes, these are the sights that Navy SEALs use — and for good reason!
The ARMS #40L / #40 L-F Low Profile Folding Sights feature a dual aperture design. The circular peep sight allows you to aim precise, long-distance shots, while the notch above the peep sight lets you acquire targets quickly for CQB (close quarters battle) situations. It’s no wonder the SEALs like these irons.
Here’s another cool feature of these sights: they fold backwards. So if you drop your gun, they won’t lose zero. What’s more, these sights are proudly made in the USA.
The main drawback with these irons is their price. With an MSRP of $280, they’re far and away the most expensive iron sights on this list.
KNS Precision AR-15/M16 Front Sights Posts
The KNS Precision’s AR-15/M16 A2 Front Sight Post is the one exception to our recommendation for iron sight sets. KNS Precision is another company better known for its AK parts than AR components, but their A2 Sight Posts are a great addition to any AR platform.
Unlike the other front sights we’ve mentioned here, this offering from KNS Precision isn’t a full sight. Instead, it replaces the front sight post on an existing sight. Why would you want to do that? Because the KNS Precision Front Sight Posts allow you to customize your sight picture.
Do you want crosshairs instead of a simple post? You got it. Dot on the end of a pole? You can do that, too. Notched front sight post? No problem.
These are more than just aesthetic customization options. These front sight posts can actually improve your accuracy. They’re also durable enough to stand up to any abuse. You can usually pick up a single front sight post for $10, with a full set of multiple shapes for around $40.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of which iron sights you choose for your AR-15, they’re sure to make your rifle more versatile and useful. Remember, even the most powerful, awesome optic in the world can break. If that happens, you’ll be happy you decided to spring for the extra irons. You have an insurance policy for your car, right? Why not get one for your aiming system?
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