For new gun owners and enthusiasts, part of the challenge is simply learning all the technology that centers around the weapons. One term that is commonly heard on a gun range or when gun enthusiasts are talking is the term BUIS.
This is an acronym for Back Up Iron Sights, which is a self-explanatory description. To be a backup, by definition, they are not the primary sighting mechanism used on the weapon. They are mounted to the weapon along with the scope, providing a secondary or backup system should the main optics fail.
Just as there are different types of scopes, there are also different options for a BUIS. Choosing the right option to work with your scope is going to be critical as you don’t want it to be a distraction when using the scope. The two basic types of iron sights are flip up and fixed. They can be mixed and matched to create the right configuration for your weapon.
The Folding Advantage
Many shooters prefer the folding BUIS option. These iron sights are mounted front and rear or at least on the rear to virtually eliminate any visibility of the iron sights when using the scope.
Should the shooter wish to use the iron sights, it just takes a second to flip them up for use. Generally, with magnified optics, the rear sight will have to fold down and up. However, many people still like the folding front sight as it prevents the barrel of the gun from potentially getting hung up when moving through the bush or when the weapon has to be quickly positioned for firing.
If you haven’t considered using back up iron sights and are relying just on optics, you should reconsider your options. With both fixed or folding iron sights, there is always a secondary sighting system in place on your weapon, all ready if or when needed.
