The Magpul Back-Up Sights or "MBUS" for AR-15 have been around for a long time. These lightweight-yet-tough sights have provided inexpensive, reliable backup sighting to untold numbers of AR-15 shooters. Now, Magpul has released an updated "Gen 3" edition, the MBUS® 3 sights. Brownells Gun Tech™ Caleb Savant is here to tell us about them.
What makes the MBUS 3 different from the original MBUS and MBUS 2 sights? First thing you notice is the MBUS 3s are much slimmer and lower-profile than the earlier generations. The Gen 3 sight body profiles are much closer to the all-steel MBUS Pro® series. Seeing is believing: check out Caleb's side-by-side comparison of the MBUS 3 rear sight to the by no means bulky MBUS "1" and MBUS 2 rear sights. The MBUS 3s are made of the same "Magpul Mystery Material" - a fantastically durable, high-quality molded polymer - as the earlier models.
Another major difference: While the original MBUS / MBUS 2 front sights required a standard A2 front sight tool to adjust them, the MBUS 3 front sight has a built-in elevation wheel - NO TOOLS needed! One change that contributes to the MBUS 3's slimmer profile is the deletion of the quick-release tabs. Don't worry: a simple push on the top of the sight body still makes the sight pop right up.
Need backup sights on your AR? Consider getting a pair of Magpul MBUS 3 sights!
Caleb Savant
