The Scrambler requires the shooter to run from point to point and shoot from a variety of positions--certainly a challenge.

Some argue that XS sights are not as precise when shooting small targets due to their lack of a sight "window"; however, it is this same lack of a precise window that allows the shooter to get the gun on target fast, find the sight and get the solid hit needed to end hostilities and save your skin. It's up to each of us to decide just how much "precision" is needed to prevail in the confrontational environment and at the distances we are likely to face.

It doesn't get much better than this.

It was this first-shot speed that was emphasized to each of us as Giles and Ed took us out to the range. The first half of the day was spent at distances from three to 50 yards getting hits to vital areas of the target. These drills were done from both ready and the holster as well as while moving. The XS sight is quite capable of good hits out past 50 yards, with everyone in the group making hits out to this distance. The second half of the day was spent working with XS sights mounted to various shotguns, carbines and rifles. Both close-quarter and long shots were made with the group looking at the advantages and disadvantages of the XS dot sights vs. the newer 24/7 Tritium Stripe post-style sight.

After dinner, the group returned to the range for a bit of reduced-light shooting. Each of the participants had been given a Surefire G2Z combat light made from space-age nitrolon polymer. Giles feels that this is one of the best lights made by Surefire due to its shock-resistant construction, light weight, bright white-light output and low cost. The design of the flashlight permits the use of the Surefire/Rogers flashlight technique (also known as the syringe technique) as well as others. A lanyard is supplied with each light that can be placed around the wrist so that the flashlight is not lost while reloading, opening a door or other function required of the nonshooting hand. With a light output of 65 lumens and a white-light beam with no "dead spot" in the center, a Surefire G2Z combat light is as essential to personal defense as gun and holster.

The remainder of the evening was spent working with the tritium 24/7 sights in combination with the Surefire flashlight from various positions and distances. Emphasis was placed on getting the hands into a stable flashlight shooting position from the holster without crossing the support hand and arm with the muzzle of the gun. Of course, keeping your finger off the trigger until the sights are on target will go a long way toward not shooting yourself when working with gun and flashlight.

Realizing that a rifle will always be better than a handgun, the author ran the Scrambler with a Colt carbine under the watchful eye of Giles Stock.

The bulk of the second day was spent in all three of the various simulators, doing both live-fire as well as Simunitions-driven force-on-force scenarios. During these scenarios, emphasis was placed on proper weapon control, search techniques, use of cover and concealment, room clearing and--yes--getting on target fast for the first accurate shot. It is always interesting to see how differently people perform when they are being shot at vs. engaging a paper target. The flinch factor of trying to pull back away from incoming fire is immense and can be reduced considerably if the shooter would just slow down, move carefully and not expose any part of his body not needed to get the job done.

Most people are "killed" in force-on-force training because they go way too fast, trying to dynamically enter rooms and pie corners instead of being methodical. Very few defensive situations require the speed of a SWAT operation or hostage rescue, but many equate speed and "cool" tactical movements with competence.

One of the more interesting drills of the event was shooting at one of the Gunsite robots. Anyone who is familiar with what really happens in gunfights realizes that they are not static affairs but situations in which most all of the "participants" are moving.

SOURCES Gunsite Academy 2900 W. Gunsite Rd. Paulden, AZ 86334 (928) 636-4565 www.gunsite.com Surefire LLC 18300 Mt. Baldy Cir. Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (800) 828-8809 www.surefire.com XS Sight Systems 2401 Ludelle St. Fort Worth, TX 76105 (888) 744-4880 www.xssights.com

Charging and lateral target systems are certainly a step up from stationary targets, but the robots used at Gunsite can move in a fashion similar to real people and at a speed that closely mimics human movement. Shooting at these robots from the holster was both a challenging and worthwhile experience.

A company that will allow a group of writers to evaluate its product in an environment like that supplied by Gunsite is very sure of the quality of its product. Throughout the stress provided by the Simunitions being shot at me, moving robot targets, building search scenarios and shooting-on-the-move drills, I had no problem getting my eyes on the front sight of any of the guns I used.

In reality, XS sights are hard to ignore. At the same time, Surefire lights are a must-have, and Gunsite training is the best available. XS Sights, Surefire and Gunsite--it doesn't get much better than this.