Many people might first see the Dueck Defense Rapid Transition Sights (RTS) and think, what in the world are those for? Well, you might be surprised just how useful they can be.
Designed by former Marine and accomplished competitive shooter Barry Dueck, RTS are an ingenious answer to a common fundamental problem for those running a magnified optic on top of their rifle. RTS mount directly to your weapon’s 12 o’clock Picatinny rail, placing the sight picture offset from center by approximately 45 degrees. The RTS provide the exact same sight picture as a standard M4/M16A4 rifle. This unique offset position makes transitioning from magnified to iron sights a simple matter of quickly canting the weapon with your wrists and locking onto the target. There’s no removing a hand from the weapon or making a manual adjustment. No cluttered field of vision or iron sights blocking the optical sight. Just smooth, quick transitions that could mean the difference between winning or losing a competition.
While low-powered variable optics (LPVO) and magnified optics are gaining popularity and provide superior performance at longer ranges, positioning them for proper eye relief typically doesn’t allow conventional iron sights to be used because the rear sight usually can’t be flipped up. The RTS’ offset positioning enables you to fully utilize iron sights without removing your primary optic, making them readily available if needed at a moment’s notice.
Another great use of the RTS is for faster transitioning between intermediate/long- and close-range targets. Often an LPVO is set to middle to higher magnification levels for engaging intermediate- to long-range targets. For that reason, to transition to close-range targets, the user has to take their support hand off the gun and physically move the magnification dial at the rear of the scope, which costs precious time. In a competition, a few tenths of a second can be the difference between winning and losing. In a gunfight, the stakes are even higher. With the RTS, you simply cant the gun 45 degrees, and the sights are there and ready to go. They significantly increase your efficiency and effectiveness.
The benefits of Dueck Defense RTS go further for those setting up a fighting gun. As mentioned previously, they are instantly available for fast transitions to close targets or if your primary optic should fail. They are also an excellent option in inclement weather or if your optic should become fogged or otherwise be obstructed. In rainy conditions, glass is often hard to see through, but iron sights work extremely well and are simple to maintain; if the rear peep should get a water bead inside, it can quickly be blown free.
Made in the U.S.A., Dueck Defense RTS are machined from highly durable 7075 aluminum stock, then Mil-Spec hard anodized for resistance against abrasion and corrosion. They’re lightweight, and yet they’re twice the strength of 6061-T6 aluminum sights, so they can take their fair share of abuse. They’re also designed with the left-handed as well as right-handed shooters in mind. You simply mount them quickly, easily, and securely to either side of your Picatinny rail with a flathead screwdriver. Once mounted, they maintain a low profile by running the same height above the bore as standard-issue M4/M16A4 sights and extending only 5 mm above the top rail, so they won’t interfere with primary optics or military IR illuminator/laser sights. RTS also allow you to sight-in your weapon quickly and accurately via their Mil-Spec elevation and windage adjusters, which are turned in ½-MOA increments.
Dueck Defense RTS are available in your choice of three models, each of them featuring a different type of sight. The original Dueck Defense RTS are a great all-around-use option. Dueck Defense Tritium RTS feature glow-in-the-dark tritium inserts, making them highly visible in low-light conditions. On the flip side, Dueck Defense Rapid Transition Sights include red, green, and yellow fiber optic tubes that gather light and create a highly visible aiming point in bright ambient light.
If you run a scope or a red dot optic on your AR-15/M16 platform, Dueck Defense Rapid Transition Sights are a tremendously valuable accessory that will ensure you never lose sight of your objective.
For more information on Dueck Defense Rapid Transition Sights (RTS), visit SureFire.com.
