Quote: AJGO @ January 26 2012, 6:59 PM GMTSorry, what are 'plain sights'?
Iron sights are the basic metal sights that all rifles come with. Usually a thin blade at the top at the end of the barrel and some form of notch at the end of the receiver.
By lining up the front blade with the rear notch (or circle - depending on the sights) at the rear of the rifle, it gives you the sight plain.
Basically, when the two are lined up on the target, you know the barrel is level and the bullet will go where you're pointing.
Quote: DaButt @ January 26 2012, 7:01 PM GMTI was speaking in general terms, I realize that there are instances where people will mount optics on shotguns and pistols but it's not commonly done outside of competition. I have dozens of friends with hundreds of rifles, shotguns and pistols and just about every rifle is equipped with optics while none of the shotguns and pistols have anything but iron sights.
Fair enough amigo. Just trying to be pedantically clear.