Why I’m Abandoning Iron Sights Forever

I used to think that since people have hunted without riflescopes for literally hundreds of years, an optic wasn’t necessary at all, and it was just an accessory to make bad shooters good. Then I realized that the hunters of old would also be proficient at blood tracking because their hits would very rarely be instantaneous kills. I also realized that most infantry rifles of the world wars were designed primarily for volley or mass fire. While they are accurate, their designers didn’t always intend them to have the surgical accuracy the American hunter chases today.

World War II ended decades ago, yet many shooters cling to iron sights like they’re storming Normandy tomorrow. Sure, iron sights have their place—they’re rugged, simple, and effective. But when it comes to modern hunting and shooting, they’re about as relevant as a rotary phone in the age of smartphones. Whether you’re chasing deer or thinning out hogs, it’s time to ditch the bare-bones milsurp mindset and upgrade your game with optics.

The Problem with Iron Sights for Hunting

Iron sights are fine for what they were designed for: combat. You’re not aiming for perfection in a fight, just hit anywhere center mass. But when you’re hunting, "anywhere" isn’t good enough. On an animal, you need pinpoint precision. A deer doesn’t stop in its tracks if you wing it, and a hog hit in the wrong spot doesn’t give you a second chance; it bolts.

When you’re hunting, every shot needs to count. You’re aiming for vital zones: the heart, lungs, or brain. Anything less risks wounding the animal, forcing you to track it into the woods. If it dies, it’ll die slowly in confusion and pain, and you may or may not be able to locate it, which is why hunters would prefer a precision shot. Iron sights, with their limited field of view and lack of magnification, make precision shots far more challenging than they need to be.

Modern optics solve every problem iron sights can’t. A magnified scope, like Firefield’s RapidStrike Series, lets you focus on your target’s vitals with surgical accuracy. These optics are designed to bring you closer to the action, making ethical, one-shot kills not just possible, but easy.

For close-quarters hunting or tactical scenarios, red dots like the Firefield Impulse or Impact Series are a game-changer. They allow for lightning-fast target acquisition and crystal-clear sight pictures, even in low-light conditions. With no need to align front and rear sights, you can keep your eyes on the prize without breaking your shooting stance.

The Evolution of Shooting Techniques

Shooting trends and techniques evolve over time, just like gear. Consider the Scout Scope, once championed as the future of versatile rifles. While it had its moment in the spotlight, it’s now largely a relic of the past—outshined by modern optics with superior versatility like the Low-Powered Variable Optic (LPVO). The same goes for techniques like one-handed point shooting, which was once a staple in defensive training but has since been replaced by methods that prioritize stability, accuracy, and control.

Iron sights remain a critical backup for combat scenarios. Battery-powered optics, while incredibly reliable today, are not infallible. Should your optic fail due to damage, battery depletion, or environmental factors, iron sights provide a failsafe. This redundancy ensures that you can continue to engage effectively even in the worst-case scenario. However, optics should still be your primary choice when the situation allows, offering speed, accuracy, and improved situational awareness that iron sights simply can’t match.

Even iron sights, which once ruled the battlefield and the range, are now finding fewer places to call home. Their last stronghold might be pistols and shotguns, but even here, red dots are taking over. On pistols, red dots provide a precise aiming point, eliminating the need to align front and rear sights—a huge advantage in speed and accuracy. For shotguns, red dots make tracking moving targets far easier, whether you’re busting clays or taking on a fast-moving hog. With their adaptability and user-friendliness, red dots are rapidly replacing irons in these traditional roles.

Why Red Dots Are Better for Self-Defense

While iron sights are still reliable for self-defense, red dots excel in nearly every way for modern defensive scenarios. A red dot’s single focal plane allows for faster target acquisition compared to the alignment required for iron sights. In a self-defense situation, where split-second reactions are critical, this speed can make all the difference.

Red dots also shine in low-light or high-stress environments. Their illuminated reticles provide a clear aiming point even in dim conditions, whereas iron sights can become harder to use without adequate lighting. This is especially important in self-defense, where encounters often happen in low-light settings.

Additionally, red dots eliminate the need to focus on aligning front and rear sights with your target, reducing the cognitive load during high-pressure moments. They also allow for better shooting with both eyes open, improving situational awareness and peripheral vision—key factors when dealing with multiple threats or dynamic environments.

Combat vs. Hunting

In combat, you don’t need pinpoint accuracy to succeed. But when your quarry is a skittish whitetail or a fast-moving feral hog, precision is everything. That’s where optics shine. With a scope or red dot, you’re not just hitting your target—you’re hitting it exactly where you need to, every time.

Today’s hunters and shooters demand more from their gear. That’s why the vast majority of modern hunting rifles don’t even come with iron sights. They’re built for optics, and for good reason. Firefield optics like the RapidStrike and Impact Series deliver the performance, durability, and accuracy you need to take your shooting to the next level.

So, let’s leave iron sights in the history books where they belong. With Firefield, you’ll hunt smarter, shoot better, and never look back. After all, why settle for “good enough” when you can have greatness?

To shop Firefield red dot sights, click here.