The Secret History of Offset Sights

By John Paul

With the advent of improved optical engineering producing new 1-4x, 1-6x and even 1-8x variable scopes, it might seem like offset sights are now irrelevant. After all, if you can turn your variable scope down to 1x and use it like a dot sight, why do you need a secondary system?

Nothing could be further from the truth.

No matter your main sight system, every real-world rifle needs a backup system. Anything from fogged lenses to catastrophic damage to the main optic can render a scope useless.

While some prefer a backup iron (BUI) system at the 12:00 position, this still requires removing the main optic in order to deploy the secondary backup. In the middle of a stage or actual engagement with the enemy, that change takes precious time and concentration. There’s great advantage in the immediate transition that an offset backup system affords.

Even though I run the 1-something scopes on a number of my competition rifles, I still use a set of flip-up irons at 45°. Within 50 yards, I’m confident in my offset iron. That eliminates any need for twisting a magnification ring when the clock is ticking.

 

It was an idea whose time had come, and judging from what I see at matches and even on duty weapons, there’s nothing to beat it yet.

JP BULLETin

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