I think iron sights are becoming pointless.

[44 AMP]

Iron sights, what are iron sights, can't find them on any new hunting rifles worth their salt.

While many, if not most modern sporters no longer come with iron sights as standard, there are still many "worth their salt" that do. Especially in the bigger, shorter ranged calibers. I don't recall seeing a .375 H&H or a .458 WinMag without irons as standard.

Its a matter of the market, more than actual utility. I recall the years when the "regular" bolt guns came with iron sights as standard, even though they were also factory drilled and tapped for scopes.

Scopes are the preferred option for most rifles today, from varmints to big game. Rifles designed before the era of decent scopes (including all the classic leverguns) still wear the iron sights of their era, standard. Dangerous game rifles always have irons on them.

I don't think all airplanes need propellors, and I'm a big fan of automatic transmissions, but note that even today, cars still have emergency brakes. And like e-brakes, you should learn how to use them correctly. Then, enjoy driving anyway you like.

If your scope packs it in (permanently or just temporarily), having irons on the gun means you are not done hunting, unless you want to be.

Combat, however is different, and I don't think any combat weapon without some kind of iron sights (even crude emergency back up ones) is properly outfitted for maximun utility. And that lack can be serious when all else fails.

 

[Bamashooter]

I wasnt saying use iron sights on a hunting rifle becouse I sure dont. My point was when a young shooter is learning to shoot he/she should be taught how to use and adjust iron sights in their overall learning the use and becoming proficient in using firearms.

I think my last comment was taken the wrong way by some.

 

[Jim243]

Bama

You have a very good point, that all the basics should be taught to a new shooter. But teaching KY windage on open sights is a little more trying for a young shooter. Since I start my kids out on 22s, it seems like more fun for them to use a scope than waiting to see were their hits went than having to wait till there is a break on the firing line. Most of my scopes carry a P-4 rectical so they can adjust their shots based on the wind. It seems to get them more into the shooting sports that way.

Just a thought.
Jim

 

[OJ]

TeamSinglestack
Senior Member

With my 80 year old eyes (then - now 85) and my Williams FP71 on my Winchester 95 in 30-06 ....

You, sir, are freaking AWESOME!!!

Thank you - I grew up in the Sandhills of Nebraska in the depression - no problem - we didn't have today's kid electronics for entertainment - but I got my .22 single shot bolt action for my sixth birthday and the next year my great uncle gave me my first horse (retired from his working horses) and my first lever gun - a Winchester 94 in .32 Winchester Special - here's my .22 and trophies -

and fly fishing -

Contrary to general belief, we weren't deprived by lack of technology or the depression - it's the kids of today that don't know what they're missing.

 

[Stiofan]

I wasnt saying use iron sights on a hunting rifle becouse I sure dont. My point was when a young shooter is learning to shoot he/she should be taught how to use and adjust iron sights in their overall learning the use and becoming proficient in using firearms.

I think my last comment was taken the wrong way by some.

Nothing to apologize for Bama. I use iron sights on my Marlin .45-70 for hunting and I hit what I aim at. Just because someone else feels they need the latest technology doesn't mean we all do. So for teaching or for hunting, iron can get the job done fine. Btw, I hunted for years with the latest and greatest compound bows, now I use only a recurve or longbow instinctively. I get my game that way too.

 

[WhiskeyTango]

I built a .300 Win Mag for my father 3yrs ago, and opted not to install iron sights on it. The decision was based solely on the fact that I new he was going to be taking up big game hunting at ranges beyond his capabilities with irons, out past 2-300yrds. I however, will probably never give up my irons. I spent to many hours searching for batteries before a mission for my reflex, and while I love my reflex/red dot sights for CQB, I still like the comfort of knowing that if all else fails, I have a contingency plan with irons.

 

[Jim243]

Contrary to general belief, we weren't deprived by lack of technology or the depression - it's the kids of today that don't know what they're missing.

OJ, I respect your opinion, but I am not sure I would agree with you. We are not that far apart in age. It was 1947 before we even had a TV and telephones were still party lines and all heating was done by coal and yes the Ice man came every three or four days. Most (all) rifles of that time came with iron sights and no one could afford a scope unless you were rich. I am just saying I don't want to give up my IPhone or scopes, haven't shot open sights in over 50 years and forgive me, I am not going back to them.

Good health to you sir, and may you be with us a long long time.
Jim

 

[Ignition Override]

Maybe they are pointless or not needed, but certain old military rifles are the only guns which interest me, and would never consider any permanent alterations of such guns.
For those with decent eyesight, the fewer people who like classic rifles (no plastic, no chic gadgets), the better for the rest of us. It's nice to hear that the Enfield's and M-1 Garand's iron sights are pointless. This will help reduce demand when I buy my 2nd from the CMP.

My wife and I were on a guided tour of the foxholes and other skirmish/battles sights of the "Band of Brothers" (E and F Companies) etc all around Bastogne, Belgium two years ago.

Iron sights were all that our heroic soldiers had in WW1, 2, Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Grenada and maybe fairly often these days.
Until my vision becomes too blurry, iron sights are the only sights that interest me, partly in memory of those who had nothing else.

Jim243: This might be trivia, but airline transports which these days have propellers are turbine-powered turboprops and as reliable as turbofans
(pure jets). The reciprocating gasoline engines which powered "prop planes" up through the 1950s were much less reliable, with far too many moving parts and gauges to monitor, controls to adjust etc, no 'bleed air' for anti-icing, pressurization etc.

 

[dgludwig]

Hey, OJ, though in your eyes at age 68, I'm probably still a "spring chicken", I am old enough to remember a world devoid of electronic devices that keep kids indoors instead out in the great outdoors, where real values are learned. I agree with you that today's kids (through no fault of their own) really "don't know what they're missing."

I love seeing those old photos. Show more if you have them!

 

[OJ]

Jim243
Senior Member

Quote:
Contrary to general belief, we weren't deprived by lack of technology or the depression - it's the kids of today that don't know what they're missing.

OJ, I respect your opinion, but I am not sure I would agree with you. We are not that far apart in age. It was 1947 before we even had a TV and telephones were still party lines and all heating was done by coal and yes the Ice man came every three or four days. Most (all) rifles of that time came with iron sights and no one could afford a scope unless you were rich. I am just saying I don't want to give up my IPhone or scopes, haven't shot open sights in over 50 years and forgive me, I am not going back to them.

Good health to you sir, and may you be with us a long long time.
Jim

Thanks - we aren't really in disagreement - it was just my poor choice of words that implied it. We were the ones who didn't know what we didn't have - not all bad - I well remember when dad installed indoor plumbing doing away with those cold winter night trips to the out house - and when he installed electricity - 32 volts - which ran light bulbs and radio - but - no one ever made an electric train for that voltage.

dgludwig Hey, OJ, though in your eyes at age 68, I'm probably still a "spring chicken", I am old enough to remember a world devoid of electronic devices that keep kids indoors instead out in the great outdoors, where real values are learned. I agree with you that today's kids (through no fault of their own) really "don't know what they're missing."

I love seeing those old photos. Show more if you have them!

Well, yes but, OTOH, we weren't looked on with fear or suspicion walking down main street (not named - just the only street in our little town) with our own 22 rifle and trusty dog helping with the hunt. at 68, you're still in prime and remember older stuff, too.

We were the ones who didn't know we were missing TV or video games - but, we did have things to do after school - cows to milk, hogs to feed, kindling to chop - well - you know. I got my own horse before I was eight years old - think how excited kids today would feel about that. I hired out working cattle and pay was $8.00 per day on your own horse - only $5.00 if you rode the rancher's horse.

My dog "chose" me - she was owned by a rancher about two miles out of town - she walked in every day, followed me around, and went home at night. He eventually gave in and gave her to me -

Things generally were more relaxed then - in July, 1927, President Coolidge was in the Black Hills to dedicate Mt Rushmore so carving of faces could begin. He stayed at the "Game Lodge" there near where my parents were vacationing. Mrs Grace Coolidge spent days out on the lawn visiting with whoever stopped to talk and, when my dad asked if he could take her picture, she offered to hold that 11 month old boy for the picture.

Mother never forgave me for not looking at the camera for that shot but - I was more interested in her Chow Chow dog.

How many kids today will ever have a picture of them being held by the president's wife ??

 

[Slamfire]

As a Reformed Luddite I both resent and reject these modern gismo’s which are making obsolete my hard earned skills with iron sights.

Good iron sights, like Lyman 48’s, are now collectables.

If you live too long, everything you loved and were familiar goes away.

Progress, Bah!