The iron sights on the MP5. Notice the focus is on the front sight.
The iron sights on an AR-15.
The basic sights on a firearm are generally referred to as Iron sights. They are stock-standard on almost every gun, although special-applications rifles, such as sniper rifles, are exceptions to this.
Some sights, like those standard on a pistol, are not adjustable, and are usually set for a distance from 25-50m, although match sights are available. Most rifles have adjustable sights to compensate for bullet drop at long range; the M16 variants and M4A1 use a flip-up reticle to switch from 0-200 and 200-500 yards.
ACOG scope, Red dot sight or Holographic Sight can be used to replace iron sights. No Call of Duty iteration to date has implemented back-up iron sights.
A major factor determining the effectiveness of the sight is how easy it is to focus on the front sight and the enemy. Factors affecting the effective use of iron sights include obstruction of target, simplicity of point of aim, and reduction of peripheral vision.
Types of iron sight
There are many different types of iron sight, each with its own practical uses.
The picture above illustrates the most common types of iron sight. "Patridge"-style sights (B), are the most common design on pistols. The gray dot represents the target. The front sight should be kept in focus. D ("express") sights are becoming increasingly popular on defensive pistols. H ("ghost ring") is a popular design on defensive and tactical shotguns.
These sights give the user a horizontal and vertical reference in order to hit the target. Most sights are either Open Sights or Aperture Sights.
Special iron sights are required for weapons that do not fire bullets, such as grenade launchers. They allow for the user to easily compensate for the grenade's arced trajectory.
In Call of Duty
The M1 Garand's iron sights in Call of Duty: World at War
Iron sights are present on nearly all in-game ballistic weapons. They are vital for killing an enemy at long range as "hip firing" is inaccurate at most ranges greater than about 10 to 25 meters.
Conversely, at very close range (10 m or closer), aiming down the sights can be impractical, as a result of the additional time it takes to bring the sights to bear, the zoom and extra precision make tracking fast moving targets harder, and the greater effect of recoil on point of aim.
In Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, there are two substitutes for iron sights: the ACOG scope and the Red dot sight, which are unlocked by killing a certain number of enemies: 25 kills on assault rifles, LMGs, SMGs and shotguns to earn a Red dot sight, and 150 kills on assault rifles, LMGs and SMGs, or 100 kills on sniper rifles, to unlock the ACOG scope. The singleplayer campaign also features weapons with Holographic Sights, which are similar to Red Dot Sights.
In Call of Duty: World at War, there are two substitutes for iron sights: the Telescopic Sight and the Aperture Sight. Both are unlocked after completing challenges that require kill counts. It takes 75 kills for Rifles and SMGs to earn the Aperture Sight. The Telescopic Sight is only available for the Gewehr 43, SVT-40, FG42 and STG-44. It is earned by achieving 75 kills with the FG42, and 150 kills with the SVT-40, Gewehr 43 and STG-44.
In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, there are several substitutes for iron sights: the Red dot sight/TAR-21 MARS sight/F2000 Scope, the Holographic sight, the ACOG scope/L86 LSW SUSAT, and the Thermal scope. The Red Dot Sight is unlocked after getting a certain amount of kills for the gun, 25 for most, but for others, 10. The ACOG scope is unlocked after 150 kills with the weapon, the Holographic sight is obtained after 60 kills while looking down the Red Dot Sight of that weapon, and the Thermal Scope is unlocked after 20 kills while aiming down the ACOG scope.
In Modern Warfare 2, the accolade Hairtrigger is subtitled "Most ADS Kills", where "ADS" means "Aiming Down Sights", as opposed to hipfire.
See also
The iron sights of the M9, painted with tritium, to allow better vision in the dark
- ACOG scope
- Telescopic Sight
- Red dot sight
- Aperture sight
- Holographic sight
- Thermal scope
- Swarovski Scope