This month I got to test XS Sights XTI2 sights, a set of rail-mounted offset sight system designed to augment a carbine equipped with optics. When I first went to test this, I thought, “It’s not tritium, so it won’t be as effective in low light.” The XTI2 turns out to be effective in any light.
The XTI2 DXS Ember Standard Dot 45° Offset Iron Sights kit contains a front and rear sight, some thread locker, and a tiny Allen wrench for sight adjustment. The sights mount on the top rail of an AR15 upper, using their sturdy rail clamp. One uses these sights by rotating the AR15 so the sights are upright and aligning on target. We call this “switching to iron sights” or “switching to iron”.
One of the best upgrades to a Law Enforcement carbine is the addition of optics. I am always commenting about how modern production guns shoot better than I do. This is especially true of AR-15 carbines. A variable power optic can make a difference for the patrol officer whose tactical situation cannot wait until a precision rifle can be deployed. In fact, the Law Enforcement carbine is one of the most versatile tools in the firearms toolbox.
With a good carbine and 3-5x of magnification, a trained shooter can shoot consistently at around 250 yards. Shooters with military training can tell you that 250 yards can be done with iron sights, and the distance can be doubled with a minimum amount of magnification. Law Enforcement engagement distances tend to be shorter, making the AR15 even more versatile.
With all of the advantages of optics, there are several disadvantages.
Most optic products are connected to a battery
Some rely on batteries to project a reticle, others use them to just illuminate a reticle.
Let’s not make this sound like we should be “anti battery”. After all, products like the Sig Sauer Bravo3 3x24 measure the battery life in tens of thousands of hours. We do, however, recognize that when things finally do run out, there has to be backup.
Variable power optics can be confusing at contact distance
Most carbine optics are low power, but even a 2x scope can slow target acquisition at pistol fighting ranges. The rule of thumb here is the higher the magnification, the slower it is to target acquisition. This rule varies with the quality of the optic, the width of the viewing angle, and some design features of the scope. Higher power generally means more aiming precision.
The trade off is the precision shooting part. I like a 3x setting for a 25-yard shot. An AR-15 carbine can make a quick hostage rescue shot in ranges less than 100 yards. If given the choice between not having an optic and having one, most of us would pick an optic or scope every time.
If you ask me, I always recommend back up iron. However, you should know that we don’t give our eyes (and actually our vision, which includes the brain’s compensation) enough credit. If we shoot through optics with both eyes open, even through a magnified optic, the eye compensates enough to steer the bullet accurately on target. Non-occluded sighting is an acquired skill, and definitely worth learning.
This type of aiming strategy is the foundation for the Binden Aiming Concept, named for the founder of Trijicon. This concept, adopted by some military units, uses binocular vision to track a moving target. The shooter uses the vision of the non-dominant eye to register and track movement, while keeping the aiming point in the dominant eye. With practice, this technique can be mastered.
I have yet to master the Binden Aiming Concept, but I practice non-occluded shooting regularly. That is, I leave both eyes open while using a low power optic on a carbine. This is an absolute must on a handgun “red dot” as they were designed for non-occluded use.
Anything, and everything that we are issued, purchase, or use will eventually fail
This is just a reality. Firearms instructors do not teach failure drills because they are fun and entertaining. They teach them because things fail. The purpose of this statement is not to have users lose confidence in their equipment. For every situation, there has to be a backup plan.
My AR15 Setup
I tested the XTI2 sights with a Lancer L15 LE Lower designed for Law Enforcement use. The L15 kit is an upgrade to existing LE AR15 systems, which add their polymer magazines, a more intuitive mag release RH side bolt release, and a GL Mag buttstock. The GL Mag buttstock is designed to hold a spare magazine, and I recommend the quieter and more reliable L5AWM mag.
I mounted the sights on a MMC Armory’s Tactical Upper Receiver in 5.56. This model comes in two lengths, 14.7“ and 16.1”, and I like the 16.1”. With it, an officer can do pistol engagement ranges, as well as shots well beyond the 100 yard range. I can hit at 500 yards with my MMC upper. This upper has a Troy Industries Alpha Rail free float handguard, which has a top rail and rounded sides. This is lighter and feels better than having rails all around.
My AR15 package is completed by a TRU-GLO TRU BRITE 1x6x24 30mm tactical scope, which is a fast acquisition scope that allows for binocular sighting and LaRue Tactical MBT-2S Trigger. The MBT-2S is a drop in trigger suitable for duty use, which gives superior performance at half the price.
XTI2 Sights
XS Sights began their company with the idea that many iron sights were both fragile and too slow in a dynamic situation. Ashley Emerson, the original designer, worked with Ed Pastusek, an experienced manufacturer and late president of XS Sight Systems to develop a wide shallow V rear sight with a front sight that was very prominent.
This design carried on to the modernized version, which allowed handgun users the quickest, low light sight picture for low light available. XS Sights added tritium and huge, bright outlines on the front sight. I prefer the Big Dot front sight because one absolutely cannot miss that front sight. On a handgun, this is probably the best way to improve low light accuracy.
The XI2 has the shallow V, and the prominent front sight, but it is not a tritium dot. Instead, it uses a photolumincent dot called the Ember Glow Dot, which glows in low light and in shadows.
I mounted the sight and sighted it in. The rear V is drift adjustable, and it locks down using the included Allen wrench.
The XTI2 set was designed to be mounted in front of the optic, on the 12 O’clock rails of the upper, which keeps it away from chest rigs. This keeps the rear sight away from getting caught on chest rigs., I mounted the sight as recommended. With the rear sight that far forward, my eye tended to drift focus on the rear sight a little. After, I mounted the front sight toward the muzzle and the rear sight behind my optic. This gave me a large sight radius, and made it easier to focus on the front post. I liked having the rear sight closer to my eye, and settled on just before the scope mount.
Mounting the XI2 anywhere does not interfere with full operation of the AR15, including the ejection port. The sight is completely reversible for left-handed shooters.
Switching to Iron
I know plenty of people who believe that purchasing increasingly more expensive items is the gateway to improving shooting performance. The truth is, bullets don’t really care what mechanism one uses to steer them, so get good components, and work on shooting skills.
Having said that, optics reduce the cognitive load on the shooting process, and it is a good idea to use optics as the primary sighting solution. Iron can do things that optics cannot, so it is a good idea to have both.
An optic reduces the cognitive load by allowing the shooter to view, and focus, on the target, in order to engage. When used correctly, the shooter can simply look at the target, then bring the optic (and firearm) up to the viewing plane, placing the reticle on the target. Sights require the user to view, and focus, on the target, then change the point of focus in order to engage. The shooter looks at the target, creates a sight alignment, then places the sight alignment on the target, creating a sight picture. Theoretically, the optic aimed shot is faster, because it reduces cognitive load. Iron sight shooters focus on the sights, optics shooters focus on the target.
I want you to know that watching Max Michel shoot, one of my favorite shooters, will not convince anyone that using iron sights is slower.
If you noticed, XS Sights made the XSI2 sights taller than their original offset sights. When one switches to iron, ideally it should stay on the shoulder the whole time. If the sights are tall, the sighting plane comes into view without changing the cheek position. The XSI2 sights are a good height for standard optics.
Ember Glow Dot
My EDC handgun does not have tritium sights for the same reason why the Ember Glow Dot is the way to go. It is brighter than tritium. Hitting the orange dot with a flashlight, a few seconds will do it, will light the thing up a bright green-tinted glow, which draws the eye to it instantly. The glow lasts more than a few minutes.
The XS Sights XTI2 sighting option is simple, rock solid, and a must have system for any AR15 user.
