Irons at night

[ChickenHawk]

I'm going to guess that irons are practically useless at nighttime, but wanted to know the opinions of others here. There is a flashlight on the rifle, but does it make since to spend money on a red dot for a night shoot?

 

[Average Joe]

A optic does make it better. However, depending on the location and brightness of the light, you will be surprised how well you can see the front sight post.

 

[Pinky787]

"I'm going to guess"
Have you gone outside at night to check?

 

[BlackGun]

Depends on the distance but no doubt a red dot on a rifle gives a big advantage whether clearing rooms or 30 yards. If reaction time is immediate you have nothing to worry about once the dot is on the target. But I have a question- in close quarters, laser or red dot?

 

[NCFubar]

@JBoyette is having a low light class for $50 … might be something to think about.

 

[IrishCannon]

I've never struggled to pick up irons with a good WML, but I still prefer the dot. You still gotta know what setting you can pickup the dot with, though.

 

[JBoyette]

Thanks @NCFubar for the tag,

Speaking from a self defense standpoint,

You must have proper threat Identification first, at night that means whitelight use. IF the beam of light is on the target and you can identify the suspect as a threat or they are a non-threat, the object is well within the distance of SEND IT. Because the center of the beam of light is enough accuracy to gain hits on the target. No real need for anything else. NOW this means a 12"-16" level of accuracy.

You can identify the threat through the RDS with whitelight on the suspect, that is very fast and works the best.

Shooting a 16" AR fixed sights, you can see your sight picture through your muzzle flash as well, but thats not near as accurate as the above two options.

 

[Derek8404]

Irons or red dot, it doesn’t matter if you can’t see your target. A good WML is just as important.

 

[Charlie]

I used to do quite a bit of very legal night hunting for pests with a low power scope and a weapon mounted light or a hand-held spotlight. It was very easy to see the crosshairs and provided a clear image of the target. I also have a red dot and a WML on a 10/22 that works like a charm. The WML on my 226 provides enough light on the target so that I can use the iron sights easily. My advice is to try several combinations to see which you like best. A WML and a red dot will probably come out on top.

 

[ChickenHawk]

Yes, but I am in an area with street lights and haven't been able to get anywhere to check in a darker setting yet. That is where my comment comes in.

 

[JBoyette]

Yes, but I am in an area with street lights and haven't been able to get anywhere to check in a darker setting yet. That is where my comment comes in.

If you got the time,

I would love to have you come out.

Low-Light Class, if you got it, bring it | 2.5hours (7pm-9:30pm) | July 23rd, 2022 | Siler City, NC

This is an opportunity to bring whatever firearm you would use in a low light situation, pistol, shotgun, rifle, all are good to bring. Lights? Handheld, firearm mounted, all are good also. We will run two training drills that will not be more then 50 rounds of ammunition each, and not shots...

carolinafirearmsforum.com

 

[Dale Gribble]

Yes, but I am in an area with street lights and haven't been able to get anywhere to check in a darker setting yet. That is where my comment comes in.

If your sights are zeroed, you can have the dark environment you desire.👍

 

[ChickenHawk]

If you got the time,

I would love to have you come out.

Low-Light Class, if you got it, bring it | 2.5hours (7pm-9:30pm) | July 23rd, 2022 | Siler City, NC

This is an opportunity to bring whatever firearm you would use in a low light situation, pistol, shotgun, rifle, all are good to bring. Lights? Handheld, firearm mounted, all are good also. We will run two training drills that will not be more then 50 rounds of ammunition each, and not shots...

carolinafirearmsforum.com

I would be there if I wasn't going to be in West Virginia doing a gun run. I had already signed up and paid the fees before I saw your class.

 

[Dave951]

Look at an illuminated front post with rear ghost ring type setup.

 

[USMC6094]

There are options for running irons at night, from flares, to sights with Tritium vials in them. I used the flares as example of the extremes, and because I've had to qualify at night, with iron sights, by the light of parachute flares.

I'll demure to others with more experience as far as night time shooting, as my own limited to military and law enforcement. And law enforcement night shooting has come pretty far since I last shot a night qualification.