Smyth Busters: Does Your AR-15 Really Need Backup Sights?

You've probably heard it or read it on social media: folks saying you NEED backup sights on your AR-15. Really? Steve and Caleb get on target with the truth about backup sights. Both guys put backup sights on their ARs, but it depends on the situation. A range fun / plinking gun doesn't need backup sights, but they're handy if your main optic's battery gives out and you forgot to bring a spare. Under some conditions, you can actually shoot better with a traditional "iron" sight. Install a set of inexpensive low-profile backup sights, like the Magpul MBUS, on your rifle and you have cheap insurance against your range day getting cut short.

Backup sights are critical on any AR-15 you might need to protect your life or somebody else's. In a life-or-death situation, you want that extra level of, well, backup in case your main optic gets broken or fails. And in competition, if your optic conks out, backup sights will keep you in the game.

Should your backup sights co-witness with the main optic? Co-witnessing only works with non-magnifying red dot sights, not with an optic that has magnification. Co-witnessing the backup sight in the lower 1/3 of the red dot's field of view keeps the two sight pictures from interfering with each other. But there are plenty of absolute co-witness backup sights available. Some folks like the dot and the backup front post on top of each other. The backup sights don't have to co-witness at all. It's really a matter of personal preference.

So the myth is NOT busted. Affordable, low-profile backup sights are readily available, so you really can't afford not to have them on a serious self-defense / competition gun.

NOTE: Products in this video are to be used only for lawful purposes, including hunting, self-defense, and competitive or recreational shooting. If you purchase any of them, you are responsible for understanding and complying with all federal, state, and local laws that apply to the purchase, possession, and use of these products.