How to use AR-15 Iron Sights

9-Hole Reviews • May 02, 2023
Guns Optics Shooting

This is Henry from 9-Hole Reviews on MidwayUSA with a quick tip on using the nose-to-charging handle method of shooting with iron-sighted AR-15-type rifles. This is a technique that I learned in the military that I have brought over to a lot of my civilian-style shooting. It's a technique that has been proven very helpful for me.

As I shoot the M16 series of rifles in many of our videos in the 9-Hole Reviews publications, you'll see that my eye is very close to the rear sight. Also, take a look at where my nose is because the technique called nose-to-charging handle is quite literally putting the tip of your nose on the charging handle. What this does is put your eyes in the same location every single time as you hop back onto the M16 or M4 AR-15 type rifles. With iron sights in particular, it's very important to have a consistent reference point of where your eye is in correlation to the front and rear sights. For me, in a pinch, in a quick situation, I have found this to be a very useful technique for consistency in my shooting with this type of iron sight system.

For a demonstration of this technique, check out the video above!

--Henry Chan, 9-Hole Review

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9-Hole Reviews

In 2017, Henry and Josh started 9-Hole Reviews, a show dedicated to understanding the history, development, and modern implementation of various firearms and equipment. 9-Hole Reviews combines the diverse backgrounds of the two co-hosts to bring unique discussions on firearms performance and their historical significance.Josh is a USPSA Grand Master who holds multiple state championship titles. He has focused his time honing efficiencies of shooting performance and balancing the importance of speed vs accuracy. Josh has spent significant time traveling the continental U.S. to further his involvement in and expand the popularity of competitive shooting sports, occasionally instructing and teaching new techniques. Outside the world of firearms, Josh is an avid hiker and enjoys high-altitude running and climbing.Henry is a former U.S. Army Ordnance officer with a history of working with many foreign military forces. Prior to the military, he competed in USPSA-style matches. Along with long-range shooting, he developed an affinity for iron-sight-styled shooting from service rifle competitors at his local shooting club. Henry has enjoyed traveling on overland Jeep adventures, week-long desert expeditions, shipwreck diving explorations, or simply working and living in Europe, the Far East, the Middle East, North America, and Africa.9-Hole Reviews is perhaps best known for its "Practical Accuracy" series where Henry and Josh shoot a collection of historical and modern firearms to extended distances for score. However, the two hosts also work on high-production-value documentary projects showcasing many interesting historical and sporting firearms.

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