The Best Backup Iron Sights (BUIS)

Below is my list of the best backup iron sights for 2022. I list the best choices in terms of value, performance, design, and cost.

Click on the name to head to the product page, read reviews and check prices or skip ahead to the list of BUIS.

1. Magpul MBUS Flip Up Sight Set

backup iron sights from MagpulMagpul is a premium name in firearm accessories, and these are a great choice – giving you the opportunity to purchase both sights as a set for a single sight for use with a shotgun or pistol.

Activation is very natural — the MBUS use a dual-paddle activation switch along with a top push-button, so you have multiple ways to get them up and in place.

I found the activating left-side paddle most natural with my support hand thumb and preferred the MBUS activation methods to other BUIS. The polymer is easier on the thumb than metal and the release mechanism is straightforward and snappy.

What we liked:

• Easy to mount on many rail systems

• Made with lightweight polymer

• Easy to use & deploy

• Very low profile when folded

What we didn’t:

• Front and read sights sold independently

• A bit pricey

The sights are made with a durable polymer that keeps the weight quite low at just 0.08 pounds per sight. The sights are spring-loaded for easy activation and they feature knobs to adjust for windage and elevation. They will, however, require tools.

The sights are also pretty easy to mount since you can combine them with most Picatinny rails on the market. You can’t mount these to a railed gas block, however, as the excess heat will melt the polymer over time.

2. Tacticon Flip-up Iron Sights

These first backup iron sights are a flip-up set that can be engaged quickly and separately – use either of them according to your needs at the time with the press of a button.

Both front and rear iron sights on the Tacticons offer elevation and windage adjustments, and the set even comes with a tool you need to change those settings for added accuracy at a distance.

What we liked:

• Solid value

• Made of high-quality materials

• Both sights are fully adjustable

• Easy to flip up

• Lifetime warranty

What we didn’t:

• Price could be a little more affordable

• Adjustment requires a tool

• Don’t lay perfectly flat when folded

One of the best features of the Tacticon Armament Flip Up Iron Sights is the ease of deploying them. A large push-button release quickly engages the sights, snapping them into position.

Also – mounting is with an allen wrench so you’re not stuck fiddling with a knob. It took me all of 5 minutes to install them on my DDM4.

Both sights are made of hardened aircraft-grade aluminum alloy to ensure top-tier durability. Furthermore, the set comes with a high-quality wooden box for storage and for an added touch of class.

The sights also offer a black anodized finish that protects against corrosive damage and ensure they’re up to the task no matter how much moisture, dust, or dirt get worked into them. The sights are fully refundable – so if you aren’t satisfied the lifetime warranty ensures you can return them no questions asked.

All-in for less than $50 I think these are hard to beat.

3. Feyachi Folding Iron Sights

These budget-friendly backup iron sights from Feyachi are easy to install for just about everyone. They’re made with lightweight and durable aluminum and feature a mil-spec, hard-anodized finish for added corrosive resistance

What we liked:

• Very affordable for most

• Made of lightweight aluminum

• Already calibrated out of the box

• Easy to deploy

What we didn’t:

• Not as stable/solid when mounted as others

• Hardware quality isn’t as good as other options

The sights are made with same-plane mounting and feature a low profile, so your sight picture won’t be compromised by their addition. They use a spring-loaded push-button so you can quickly deploy both sights. The rear sight can be adjusted for windage, while the front can adjust for elevation.

We also like that the sights combined only weigh 1.5 ounces, making these some of the smallest and easiest to install on the market. The tool you need to adjust for windage and elevation is included with this budget-friendly set.

4. Ozark Armament Flip Up Iron Sights

These flip-up backup iron sights from Ozark Armament are made with heavy-duty aluminum and have a spring-loaded button on each base. This allows you to deploy them quickly and easily and in the heat of an engagement. Combined, the sights are fully adjustable for both windage and elevation.

What we liked:

• Surprisingly durable given the price point

• Come with a one-year warranty

• Super low profile when not deployed

What we didn’t:

• Mounting can be tricky

More importantly, these produce some of the lowest profiles when pushed down. Thus, they’re a great choice for combining with heavier and bulkier optics, like rifle scopes, so you can capably handle any accuracy needs for both close quarters and long-distance engagements.

The sights come with a full one-year warranty and are set to last for a lifetime anyway, thanks to the durability of their construction and aluminum material. The only downside is the mounting difficulty, as these can be tricky to install on your rifle without a little assistance and a few advanced tools.

5. Dagger Defense BUIS Iron Sights

This last set up backup iron sights is a great choice if you have an AR-15 rifle of any type.

It’s an incredibly low-profile set, and it offers orientations of either left or right angles at 45°, depending on your aiming needs. These sights can mount on even large rifles and in combination with other optics, so feel free to use them with bulkier scopes.

What we liked:

• Easy to mount on most AR platforms

• Can adjust for windage and elevation without tools

• Suitable as ambidextrous iron sights

• Can be calibrated for different aiming angles depending on your needs

What we didn’t:

• A little heavy

• A bit pricey

The dials are particularly nice since you can adjust for windage and elevation without having to use a tool. The sights are also exceptional since they work well for left or right-handed shooters: a rarity in the industry.

Though they weigh 3.4 ounces combined (and are thus a little heavy in comparison to other sights), they’re made with durable steel and aircraft-grade aluminum to ensure a lifetime of performance.

Let’s face it – the majority of rifle manufacturers these days will assume that you’ll go out and buy a red dot or another optic to mount on the weapon’s rail.

There are tons of manufacturers that simply don’t produce their firearms with pre-installed classic iron sights like they used to.

But while red dot sights and other optics are fantastic – what happens if the battery on your primary optic runs out or the sight breaks? In that case, iron sights can be a tried-and-true secondary sight option that allow you to retain close-quarters accuracy.

Backup iron sights are just that: backups. But they’re crucial if you really want to be ready for everything.

Different iron sights are engineered for different purposes and offer a variety of features. Consider the following factors to make sure that you pick a pair of iron sights that are perfect for your needs.

Flip-Up or Fixed?

Backup iron sights will come in either flip up or fixed orientations. Flip-up backup iron sights can be collapsed and more easily combined with other optics, like red dot sights via co-witnessing. Pairing your BUIS with a red dot gives you another level of familiarity by forcing you into regularly using the front sight post. However, fixed backup iron sights never need to be engaged and both front and rear sights are always ready to go. Either option can work, but flip-ups are better if you do plan to combine backup iron sights with other optics regularly.

Gas Block or Same-Plane Sight

Gas block backup iron sights feature a post that will let you mount your sights at varying elevations. Meanwhile, same-plane sights will have both backup iron sights mounted on the same level. Gas block sights are usually a little bigger, but this it’s ultimately a matter of personal preference.

Straightforward Installation

Some backup iron sights are considerably easier to install than others, which may require the assistance of a gunsmith or complex tools. Go for backup iron sights that are easy to install if you want to handle everything yourself and/or you like tinkering with your setup from time to time.

Durability

Lastly, be sure to consider durability before purchasing a pair of backup iron sights. Long-lasting iron sights are usually well worth the higher asking price since you won’t need to get a replacement as quickly and quality hardware is worth its weight in gold – often holding up much better if you’re a tinkerer. 

All in all, the Magpul MBUS Flip Up Backup Sights are the best backup iron sights on the market.

They’re top tier- due to their build quality, flexibility, and durability, and the included lifetime warranty. Although those sights are excellent, each of the above backup iron sights is offers something unique.

Go with the sights that best suit your budget and rifle’s needs and you won’t be disappointed.