BUIS, Baby

We live in the golden age of firearm optics. Modern red dots and holographic sights are incredibly durable, boasting battery lives measured in years rather than hours. Because these optics have become so reliable, there’s a growing trend of shooters slapping a piece of glass on their carbine and calling it a day, completely skipping over iron sights. While I trust modern electronics with my life, I also know that anything powered by a battery or made of glass can, and eventually will, fail when subjected to enough abuse. If your primary optic goes down from a hard drop or a dead battery and you don’t have a mechanical backup, your rifle is effectively out of the fight.

This is exactly why a quality set of backup iron sights, or BUIS, is a non-negotiable component of a serious defensive rifle. However, not all backup sights are created equal. I used to run the standard polymer sights that come on a lot of factory guns, but I eventually found that they can flex or crack if the rifle takes a serious spill onto concrete or rocks. When it comes to a true emergency backup, I want something made of steel that takes up as little rail space as possible.

My standard solution across the board is the Magpul MBUS Pro Sights. They are constructed from case-hardened steel and have an incredibly low profile when folded down, meaning they won't interfere with your primary optic or snag on your sling. When you need them, they deploy positively and give you a crisp, traditional sight picture. The tool-less elevation and windage adjustments make them incredibly easy to zero right on the firing line without having to dig around in your range bag for a front sight tool.

When you are outfitting a rifle intended to protect you and your family, you can't afford to cut corners on the small stuff. I usually source my sights and other critical accessories directly from Brownells because they prioritize keeping high-quality, professional-grade parts in stock for builders and armorers. Trust your electronics, but verify with steel. Get a solid set of backup irons, zero them, and practice deploying them so you're ready if the glass ever fails.