Posted on May 6, 2015
Does anyone have advice for shooting with iron sights?
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I am in the process of trying out for the sniper section within my unit and one of the requirements is shooting expert using iron sights. I have always shot expert with the 68 and acog but I'm really struggling to master iron sights .I was just wondering if the forum had any advice/wisdom that could assist me ?
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Marksmanship
Marksmanship
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 19
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You have to be absolutely consistent with your sight picture using iron sights. Find your cheek weld and own it. Use the nose to charging handle or mark the butt stock with tape. A slight change in the sight picture can have a big effect on the longer range targets. I also recommend getting amber eye pro. I find that color works well to reduce contrast and makes the targets stand out better.
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Most of the fundamentals are the same. One of the problems I ran into was losing a proper sight picture. Put your nose in and for the love of God, don't move it. Once you get a good sight picture, don't lift, touch or otherwise shift your head unless you have to. I shot expert every time and that was a big part of it (I think, anyway!).
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See especially chapters 4, 8, & 9
Marksmanship is repeating fundamentals perfectly and consistently.
http://www.trngcmd.marines.mil/Portals/207/Docs/TBS/MCRP%203-1A%20Rifle%CobbRing94.pdf
Marksmanship is repeating fundamentals perfectly and consistently.
http://www.trngcmd.marines.mil/Portals/207/Docs/TBS/MCRP%203-1A%20Rifle%CobbRing94.pdf
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SSG Paul Headlee
That's really all there is to it. Sure, you can involve the physical science aspect and make it complicated but GySgt Joe Strong nailed it.
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I was a advanced combat marksmanship instructor. One of my duties was to train and coach Marines in static qualification ranges and we were only allowed to use irons. You want to keep your front site post in the center of your rear sight aperture both vertically and horizontally. Additionally you want to blur the target behind the sights, keeping your focus on the front sight post. Your front sight post should be aimed center mass of the intended target. Make sure, as with shooting with optics, to keep control of your breathing and have the shot break after you breath out, at your natural respiratory pause. Make sure, as with shooting with optics, use the tip of your finger on the trigger and slowly squeeze the trigger, do not pull it.
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1st Lt Mark Marshall
For God sakes breath...I have seen too many troops either forget to breath or inconsistently breathing during drills. Troops that are actually good shooters. I would love to see the military a process to help shooters calm themselves during the shot to ensure getting rounds on target versus just throwing a round down range.
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That is clearly an NCO question... likely a Drill Sergeant. Or perhaps an Army Marksmanship Unit Soldier. Or, and old Soldier, as many of us grew up without optics. Good luck!!!
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Focus on fundamentals. Develop consistency. If there is a local civilian range, use it. More time behind the gun, using good practice will just make you better.
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Nothing against you Pfc, I wish you luck. But has the Army and Marines lost the concept of basic marksmanship to the point our younger troops don't know how to engage with basic iron sights?
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Cpl Kristoffer Mischel
I don't know if it has changed since I got out in 2007, and I imagine it hasn't, but every Marine still has to qualify with irons. I had to earn my acog, even after qualifying high expert at every range I shot at. It is amazing how many of the Marines I instructed and coached could barely get their pizza boxes. However, with my infantry unit, you were dogged if you got a low sharpshooter.
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SSgt Dan Montague
They tried to get me to qual the year I was retiring in 2011. Naturally I told them to pound sand. I was with a non deployable unit at the time. The rules for the range were all hands must use an acog to qualify with.
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Cpl Kristoffer Mischel
Wow, what happens if the acog breaks and becomes unusable? That seems like a mistake to me. That kind of takes away from becoming an expert. Don't get me wrong, I loved my acog, but I think you should be proficient with irons before you get optics.
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Snap in time!!!! Shooting expert happens before you ever let a live round fly. Fundamentals yes, but get your snap in time. You would have to tell me why you aren't getting expert. Example where your shots are landing and what the groups look like, what's the distance, so many variables. What weapon are you shooting?
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Of course fundamentals. For steady position to keep the same sight picture, use your sling to help minimize muzzle movement. Kinda hard to explain but Google using your sling for steady position. This will only help if you prone unsupported which I am assuming you will be shooting. Also, greater distances use the 6 o'clock hold method. Again, Google this to see what I am talking about, can't explain it in a few words. Google the Army Marksmanship Unit webpage as well, they have a plethora of knowledge on there. Last advice, practice, practice, practice!!
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Sight picture has been covered but I feel all of the fundamentals are important when it comes to iron sights. I feel like other optics are more forgiving of slight variations, iron sights, not so much. So make sure your trigger pull is good, watch your breathing, and as everyone else has said, watch that sight picture
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