XS also makes rifle sights like those on this Springfield M1A.

Gunsite currently has seven square ranges that are supplemented by numerous range-like facilities that are used for specific training purposes. For those who have been there, I am speaking of the Donga and Scrambler, just to name a few. For those who have not been there, these are areas within the facility that, due to their topography, allow the Gunsite staff to put the student through a few challenging courses of fire. Other areas, like the 727 simulator and the North American and African ranges, are facilities set up to meet specific training needs.

Gunsite also offers three live-fire training houses, what are call "simulators," that will meet the needs of most any enduser. Whether you are a clerk wanting to learn how to protect your mom-and-pop grocery or a Navy SEAL working your way down the center of a ship, one of these live-fire houses will simulate the environment in which you will operate.

Our group was then welcomed by vice president of operations Bob Young. Young is the man responsible for the day-to-day operation of Gunsite, and it is easy to tell that he runs a tight ship. Young is a retired Marine Corps Colonel who has been associated with the school since 1992. Giles then introduced his brother, Ed, as well as the folks from XS Sights, and the day began.

Dave Biggers emphasized to the group that XS Sight Systems feels that the Express handgun sight system is the finest sight made for fast sight acquisition in all light conditions. While XS still makes plain white-dot sights for some models, everyone in the group had a handgun that was equipped with one of the 24/7 tritium-insert sights. Glock and 1911 variations made up the bulk of the firearms in the group, with Ed and Wiley Clapp carrying the lone SIG-Sauer pistols.

The author engages the charging bad guy from the holster after taking a lateral step.

Anyone who thinks that you must carry only a 1911-style .45 at Gunsite is sorely mistaken. I had the pleasure of talking with a number of the Gunsite instructors who were on site (there were a lot; the school was playing host to the 10th Special Forces Group, two carbine courses and a pistol course along with our group), and while a number of them were carrying 1911s, I also saw a number of them with Glocks strapped to their sides. Giles mentioned that the school wants students and instructors alike to carry what they are comfortable with. It should be noted, however, that a bottom threshold of .38 Special/9mm is strongly recommended. This sounds reasonable.

Wiley Clapp works his way through one of the simulators.

The XS handgun sight system does take a bit of time to get used to as it does not offer the classic "square post in a square notch" sight picture offered by other sights. To line up XS sights, the shooter needs to place the large front dot in the center of the shallow V rear notch. When this is done correctly, the large white dot will sit on top of a white line in the center of the notch. XS calls this "dotting the 'i'" while I prefer to think of it as making a lollipop. Whichever visual representation you wish to use does not matter as long as the job gets done.

The 24/7 sight has the advantage of having a white front dot with a green tritium dot in the middle, and the rear white line has a green line in the center. I find the combination of the black, white and green sight easier to acquire than a plain white sight. At close range (15 yards and in) the front dot goes on top of where you want to shoot. At farther distances, rounds will hit at the top of the sight dot.

In timed exercises I have found that the XS-sight dot is quicker to get on target than a traditional post front sight. From seven yards, using an 8x10-inch steel plate, I have found that the XS sight is .19 second faster, on the average, than a traditional set of three-dot pistol sights. While some may argue that this is insignificant, it is a measurable difference and something to consider. I think this is due to the fact that the XS sight picture is acquired by placing the large front sight on top of the rear vs. trying to find the front sight through the notch of the rear.