Should You Use Offset Sights on Your AR

Any gun enthusiast who routinely frequents their local range has more than likely witnessed someone firing an AR15 rifle that has a straight plane of sight scope on the flat top, but an offset RMR red dot attached to the rail as well.

Not only does this configuration send a message that the handler of this rifle means serious business, but when it comes to style points, offset optic systems raise the bar.

There are several reasons why you should consider firing with an offset sight besides giving your rifle a flashier appearance. From field of view to quicker and more accurate target acquisition, here are a few reasons you should consider firing with an offset sight.

Field Of View Is Important

Think about the last time you fired your AR15 using a scope with adjustable magnification. When sighting through the reticle, you’re aiming at a target with a restricted field of view.

Although scope firing is excellent for hitting that long-range target, your field of view is limited to the round area of magnification offered by the scope’s circular reticle. The only thing you see is the target you intend to hit, and whatever circumference sighting through the reticle allows.

Firing your AR15 with an offset RMR allows a more robust and broader field of view as the way you use the sight differs from having your eye extremely close to the reticle of a top-mounted scope.

When using an offset sight, you typically sight down the length of your upper receiver while still gaining a clear view of the dot on your RMR sight. What this does is allow you the opportunity of seeing multiple targets in your field of view, not limiting yourself to a single ring on a scope reticle.  

You could also utilize offset iron sights on your AR-15.

Quicker Target Acquisition

A practiced AR15 owner may quickly aim and fire and then acquire another target and aim, fire, and hit multiple targets at the same range, but what happens when they need to aim at something closer or further away?

In almost every situation like this, an optical adjustment becomes necessary; even if it’s a minute adjustment, it may add a few seconds to the time it takes to make the shot.

With an offset sight, all that’s necessary is a single cant of the rifle, a quick view through the RMR offset sight, and a pull of the trigger. With the AR15 in this position and the offset sight, you can quickly aim at multiple targets with lightning speed and accuracy.

While most offset sights suit a right-hand orientation, southpaw shooters can also benefit from an offset sight. When firing the AR15 with a left-hand offset optic, it becomes a situation of ejection port positioning.

When firing from a right-hand orientation, the rifle is canted toward the left side, and the shells eject upward directly in front of you. Sighting through an offset optical system on the left side of the rifle means canting the gun to your right side, allowing the spent cartridges to fly straight down.  

The Best of Both Worlds

Another reason you should consider attaching an offset optic system to your rifle is you get the best of both types of optics. For the long-range, more complicated shots, a scope with adjustable magnification is a perfect arrangement.  

For more rapid acquisition of multiple ranges of targets where every second that goes by is your enemy, nothing will probably be better than sighting through an offset type of optic system.

In a competition where you may experience multiple scenarios and grouping of close range and far range targets, having both a top-mounted scope and offset optic system on your AR15 can make all the difference in the world.

A Good Sling Makes All the Difference

Although you can operate the use of both adjustable magnification top-mounted scopes in conjunction with an offset RMR optic system, you may find it challenging to master.

A good sling makes all the difference when you’re practicing smoothing out the wrinkles.

Keep in mind that if you’re moving back and forth from scope to offset optics rapidly, you are twisting and moving your rifle each time you do it. However, most practiced AR15 owners with this kind of setup will tell you that you will seldom move to another position once your hands are in place.

The operative word practiced precisely means that. Like any new feature, you add to your AR15 that requires a change in shooting style you’re not familiar with, it means you must spend a lot of time at the range learning to master it. 

There will be times when you will be so glad you had a functional and worry-free sling on the rifle and around your neck. During any competitive match, such as a 3-gun competition, a quality sling is an absolute must.  

Say Yes to An Offset

There are very few good reasons not to use an offset optical sight in conjunction with a top-mounted scope with adjustable magnification. Constantly canting your rifle when you fire may be a concept so very foreign to you it’s not something you even think of doing. Still, the benefits of using an offset optic system tend to outweigh the discomfort.

Should you use an offset sight? If you need quicker target acquisition and want to have a more broad field of view, and need to hit targets at differing ranges accurately, the answer is a resounding yes.  

The market is full of offset sighting solutions, and many will function as advertised and come at a reasonable price. Whatever requirement you have, when it comes to adding an offset scope to the upper receiver of your AR15, you’ll be pleased with the first shot.