I'm behind on shooting projects as we had a large number of new products hit at about the same time. I'm playing catch-up and this is where I start. Rifle Sights

Backup "iron" sights for your carbine can be helpful. This tritium set from Meprolight is one example.

I'm a belt-and-suspenders type when it comes to firearms. While optics are now the order of the day, a good set of backup irons really takes the worry out of being close when the glass takes a crap. It doesn't happen often, but once is enough. Two sets of sights came into the shop recently and they both have certain advantages. The first was from XS Sights – the express sights people. I'd really been waiting for this setup and can't wait to get them deployed. The front sight is the XS AR 24/7. A white stripe on the post with embedded tritium. Night sights on a carbine? Sure. Useful in that situation where the target has enough light –ambient or otherwise – for identification but you can't make out the front post, the 24/7 covers all hours: the white stripe calls your eye when the front post is well enough lit and the tritium bead catches your eye when the light is deficient. I've used this system before on an earlier carbine and I'm here to tell you it works wonderfully.

XS 24/7 AR sights with the CSAT rear sight take care of sight visibility in adverse light and the problem of off-set at close range.

The rear sight has no tritium or white markings – which suits me fine in most applications. It's the XS CSAT rear sight in the TROY flip-up folding BattleSight base. For those who came in late, the CSAT rear sight has a pistol-style notch atop the small rear aperture. Having tried this arrangement at the Combat Shooting and Tactics range in Texas, under the watchful eye of the inventor, MSG Paul Howe (U.S. Army, ret'd), I found it to be the answer to high-speed change in distance-to-threat situations. In testing there, we used the CSAT shoot house. Moving into a room, there was a target at 20 feet or so. Using the top "notch" to bracket the front sight, there was no off-set. Moving into a hall, where there was a target at fifty-plus yards, use the peep to center the front sight. It's that easy. If you have to operate in more dimly lit environs, perhaps having to pick the rifle up in the dark, you could always try the Meprolight FRBS M4D – with four tritium elements on the rear sight. Those four elements are at 12 – 3 – 6 and 9 o'clock, making a circle around the tritium bead in the front sight. The sights are "finger-adjustable," the rear for windage and the front for elevation. These are low profile sights and deploy with pressure "up." If you run into something in the dark – either sight snags – it simply folds down without damage. It'll be interesting to see how these sights turn out on the rifle. It's nice to not need a tool to adjust the front but that's not something you need to do everyday. Magazines

Remember the "Okay Industries" magazines from your military service? Now they're available to consumers as "SureFeed" brand. Available in 10, 20 and 30 round models.

If you were into AR-15s before the 1994 Clinton Gun Ban or if you're an Army vet, you've seen – and likely used – aluminum magazines made by "Okay Industries." I remember when prices on used Okay magazines commanded a premium due to the pointless federal ban along with supply & demand. Like the former Occupant's "star power," the ban is gone – for now – in free states. AR magazines are plentiful but now we face overwhelming consumer demand by the proliferation of new gun owners. In that context, I was happy to find out that Okay Industries AR-15 magazines are now available commercially. The new product name is SureFeed. According to the media release, each new magazine goes through an extensive inspection and testing process before shipping. As Okay Industries helped co-develop the 30 around AR mag with the U.S. Military in 1973 and have been a provider to U.S. forces for many years, it'll be interesting to put these in the rotation to see how they shake out. Samples were provided in 10-, 20 and 30 round capacities. Practice

Need to figure out how to do pistol practice? Here's a program and training aid available for about the cost of a box of defense ammo.

One of the most common questions posted on internet shooting sites is "how should I practice?" They're asking for drills, tests and other ways to get the best use of their time and effort. Claude Werner, the Tactical Professor, has a "Pistol Practice Program" to answer that need. The kit contains a compact disc that contains live fire drills, the safety procedures for dry practice, printable dry practice targets, and instructions on how best to practice. He also includes scenarios based on actual incidents – learn vital lessons that someone else had to learn the hard way. Audio files include dry practice sessions for single and double targets and one-handed practice. The live fire drills are "indoor range friendly" – if you attend a local range that prohibits drawing from a holster and rapid fire, these drills are very helpful in skill development. The package includes the Rogers Tap-Rack-Training aid and costs about $20. It's worth more and highly recommended. -- Rich Grassi