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First things first, what is Co-Witness?
Co-Witness is the alignment of two different sighting systems – iron sights and a red dot optic.
We usually do Co-Witnessing to use both sights simultaneously, allowing us to use a red dot sight as our main sight and the iron sights as our backup.
So, how do you get started with a Co-Witness sight? Do you choose an Absolute or 1/3 setup?
Absolute Vs. 1/3 Co-Witness
It is essential to understand you get two types of Co-Witnessing setups – 1/3 Co-Witness and Absolute Co-Witness sights.
Both of these setups have the same function – providing a dual sighting system – but offer unique advantages and shooting experiences.
So what are they?
Absolute Co-Witness Red Dot Sights
Absolute Co-Witness sights align the iron sights and the red dot sight in a straight line.
When you aim, your iron sights and red dot optic are on the same optical plane.
Basically, the top of your iron sights are dead-level with the center of your red dot.
Absolute Co-Witness Pros and Cons
Pros:
Seamless Transition: You can easily transition from your red dot optics to your fixed iron sights. It’s like having a backup right in your line of sight.
Consistency: With everything on one plane, your sight picture remains consistent, which is crucial for quick target acquisition.
Cons:
Cluttered View: In this setup, the iron sights can clutter the field of view, especially when you’re using smaller sights, like reflex sights.
Limited Situational Use: The Absolute Co-Witness setup can decrease situational awareness. I’ve experienced it a couple of times: the target is at a longer distance, and my front iron sight keeps getting in the way of my view of the target.
1/3 Co-Witness Red Dot Sights
In a 1/3 Co-Witness setup, your iron sights sit in the lower third of the red dot sight’s window, hence the name 1/3 Co-Witness.
This setup offers a less cluttered sight and a better view of the target through the optical sight.
1/3 Co-Witness Pros and Cons
Pros:
Clearer View: Thanks to the lower placement of iron sights, you have a clearer and less obstructed view through the red dot sight.
Versatility: This setup is more versatile for various shooting distances and situations.
Cons:
Adjustment Required: It requires a slight adjustment of the head or gun to align the iron sights, which, to the untrained, is a disadvantage in those fast-paced shooting situations.
Less Intuitive: It takes practice to align these sights.
Why Should You Use Co-Witness Sights?
It’s simple.
Co-Witness sights ensure that if your red dot sight fails for whatever reason, you can immediately switch to your iron sights without losing time or accuracy.
In high-stakes situations like hunting, competitive shooting, and tactical enforcement, every second and shot counts, and a co-witness setup ensures reliability.
The number of times my Co-Witness setup saved me while hunting turkeys and other game is astonishing.
Choosing The Right Co-Witness Sights for You
Selecting between Absolute and 1/3 Co-Witness is actually pretty straightforward.
First off, you need to identify your iron sight setup, which can either be flip-up iron sights or fixed sights.
You should consider your use case after identifying the type of iron sight on your firearm. Are you a hunter, range shooter, competition shooter, or law enforcement?
Choosing The Right Co-Witness Based On Iron Sights
Let’s compare what Co-Witness Setup is better for what type of iron sight – fixed vs flip-up sights.
Flip-Up Iron Sights
If your firearm has flip-up iron sights, I strongly recommend you use an Absolute Co-Witness setup – I also use this setup a lot on my firearms.
The main thing I like about the Absolute Co-Witness setup is you get the best of both worlds.
When your iron sights are down, you get a clear and unobstructed view while still providing the reliability of having a backup sighting system instantly available when flipped up.
Fixed Iron Sights
For fixed sights, the 1/3 Co-Witness setup is better. You won’t have to worry about constantly aligning your sights perfectly. Plus, you’ll have a better view of your target.
It’s not my favorite, but it still offers unique benefits. If you want the security of iron sights without them dominating the visual field, the 1/3 setup is better.
Choosing The Right Co-Witness Based On Use Case
Generally, we have five types of use cases for Co-Witness setups: hunting, self-defense, range shooting, competition shooting, and law enforcement.
Hunters
As a hunter, I know the main reason we hunt with red dots is for quick target acquisition. It’s not like the red dot is replacing your 5-15x Leupold.
I know a lot of hunters tend to side with the 1/3 Co-Witness, providing a clear field of view.
But I prefer the Absolute Co-Witness setup for hunting, with a red dot paired with a flip-up front sight, not a fixed sight.
Remember, the iron sight is your backup, so why would you constantly want it in your field of view?
If my red dot’s battery dies – which it often does – I simply flip up my iron sights and have an aiming point.
Self-Defense
For self-defense, we need to look at your environment, comfort level, and firearm skill level.
For home defense, the absolute co-witness setup is better – providing a consistent sight picture and immediate alignment of the backup iron sights.
For concealed carry, 1/3 Co Witness is better – offering a clearer FOV and quicker target engagement.
Check out our review of the best budget red dot sights for 2024.
Range Shooting
For range shooting, the choice entirely depends on personal preference.
Absolute Co-Witness is better for training with iron sights as a primary backup aiming method.
1/3 Co-Witness is the better option if you favor a clearer sight picture.
Competition Shooting
In competition shooting, every second counts.
To ensure almost instantaneous reactions, the 1/3 Co-Witness setup is better.
The lower positioning of the iron sights allows a broader and clearer view, which converts to faster target acquisition and transition between targets.
Law Enforcement
For law enforcement personnel, reliability and versatility are key.
The Absolute Co-Witness setup is more suited for this task.
The main selling points of why you should use this setup are the consistent sight picture and ease of transition between the red dot sight and the iron sights.
How to Set up Co-Witness Sights
Setting up co-witness sights involves aligning your red dot sight with your iron sights, with specific adjustments depending on the co-witness setup you chose. Here’s a basic step-by-step approach:
Mount the Red Dot Sight: Ensure you securely attach the red dot sight to your firearm.
Adjust the Height: Depending on the type of co-witness you want, adjust the height of the red dot sight. Use riser mounts if necessary – I prefer the UTG Super Slim 3 Slots because of their durability and quality.
Align the Sights: Look through the red dot sight and align the dot with the top of your iron sights for absolute co-witness. Or with the iron sights sitting in the lower third of the sight picture for 1/3 co-witness.
Test and Adjust: Go to a range and test your setup. Adjust as needed to ensure you have properly aligned both sighting systems.
Zeroing With Co-Witness Sights
Zeroing co-witness sights ensures that the red dot and iron sights point to the same spot at a specific range. Here’s how to zero your co-witness sights:
Start with Iron Sights: First, zero your iron sights at your desired range.
Align the Red Dot: Without moving the gun, adjust the red dot sight so that the dot sits directly on top of where the iron sights are pointing.
Test and Adjust: Fire several rounds to test the alignment. Make adjustments to the red dot sight as necessary. You can use our guide on how to zero a red dot sight if you’re unsure about what steps to follow.
Conclusion
Co-Witnessing is a straightforward yet powerful aiming setup.
It provides both the precision of a red dot and the reliability of a backup iron sight.
Whichever setup you pick, Absolute or 1/3, just ensure it aligns with your existing iron sight setup and your use case.
Doing so ensures you get the most out of the Co-Witnessing setup, which converts to the best possible shooting experience!
