Deciding On the Best AR Upper Receiver

The AR15 platform is popular for a variety of reasons, one of which being its modular design which allows virtually limitless options for customization.  From buttstocks to triggers, barrels to handguards, sights to flashlights, bolt carrier groups (BCGs) to rail systems, there’s an abundance of options from a host of manufacturers that will all work together.  This allows for ultra-customization, by the shooter for the shooter.  In this article, we’ll discuss the finer points of the AR15 upper receiver, what its function is, and how to get the most out of it for your money.

The upper receiver portion of an AR15 rifle generally comprises the barrel, handguard, and BCG, sold together as a complete package.  It’s intended to be coupled with a lower receiver to complete the rifle, resulting in a fully functional weapon.  Each of the parts mentioned above will have features that will yield specific results.  For instance, the barrel itself.  Shorter barrels offer more mobility, but decreased accuracy at longer distances than a longer barrel.  The BCG is the group of parts that are responsible for chambering a round, setting off the primer via the firing pin (which fires the bullet), ejecting the spent round, and then re-chambering a new round.  BSGs made and coated with different materials may be easier or more difficult to keep clean, and durability between different BCGs can vary.  The handguard is also known as a heat shield and offers a protective barrier between the shooter and the heated barrel, as well a place to put rail systems to which vertical grips, optics, and flashlights can be mounted.

Choosing the Best AR 15 Upper Assembly  

For all intents and purposes, the term “best” can be considered highly subjective, but depending on what your goals are, you should be able to easily to decide on what the best AR upper for the money is for you in your situation.

You simply need to ask yourself a few questions to help identify what you want to be able to do and what you intend to do with the weapon, and doing so well help to whittle your choices down to a digestible number.  Some of these questions should be:

Do I want to be able to shoot targets at especially long ranges?  If so, you probably want to purchase an upper with a fairly long barrel.  M4 profile barrels are shorter and designed for short to medium-range engagements, whereas M16 profile barrels are built more to “reach out and touch someone”.

For a long range or hunting weapon, we recommend the Bushmaster Predator .223 Remington Barrel Flat Top.

Is this going to be a home defense weapon? If so, you probably want a shorter barrel as it will be more mobile and specifically built for close quarters combat.  At the types of ranges that are common in home defense, there is no good reason to have a long barrel.  Chances are, you’ll be moving through narrow hallways and corridors in a home defense scenario, so the shorter the barrel, the better off you’ll be.

For a short range or home defense option, the Chiappa M4 22LR 16” is the best option for your money.

Do I want to add various weapon attachments to my rifle? If you intend to add a vertical grip, flashlight, laser sight, or any other type of mounted optics like a reflex site or scope, you need rails on your weapon.  Typically, rails can be found on the portion of the upper receiver that contains the BCG, and then additional rails may be found on anywhere from 1 to 4 sides of the heat shield.  A quad rail is essentially a heat shield with rails on the top, bottom, and sides of the handguard – all places where you would attach vertical grips, flashlights, lasers, and any other attachment you can think of.  If you intent to add such attachments, go for an upper receiver that already has them built-in.  If you want a bare bones rifle, choose an upper receiver that doesn’t have the rails.  You’ll save money this way, and you can always buy a quad rail or individual rails to add to your upper receiver at a later date if you decide you want to.

What’s the best overall AR Upper for your money?

We recommend the DPMS Upper A3 Flat Top .223 Remington 16” Barrel.

All things considered, there a lot of options at your disposal when choosing the best AR15 upper receiver, and it can be easy to get overwhelmed.  Hopefully with a little thought about your end goal, you can choose something that is both functional and cosmetically desirable that you will be happy with for years to come.

How to Train for MMA at Home

While there’s no replacement for training with professionals and sparring partners in a studio, there are certainly steps you can take to start conditioning your body to train. Why can’t you train solo all the way to the octagon? Fighting is mostly technique and muscle memory. While you can try to learn from videos, you need feedback on proper form from professionals who can identify your weak points. There is no replacement for this professional feedback or for time in the ring against capable opponents.

However, you can definitely start conditioning yourself for training now. Maybe you can’t afford training at a professional MMA studio, or don’t have access to one. Don’t let that stop you from engaging your desire to start MMA training. We’ll teach you how to train for MMA with these MMA exercises and conditioning techniques that cover the spectrum of how people train outside the ring. These tips will get you far in prepping for fight time.

Things you can do at home

Work on physical training that conditions your body to battle through fatigue. This will improve the speed of your punches and footwork, and increases your stability and balance. MMA strength training is about volume and variety. When you train, you will get the most benefit out of your efforts to keep going when your body doesn’t want to.  Let’s take a look at some activities that will help you when it comes time to train and spar.

• Work on your sprawling and other groundwork. You can do so with various solo groundwork drills, such as those for Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and wrestling. There are many variations, and instructions are easy to find.
• Do high-rep body weight exercises. All sorts of variations of push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and squats are good examples. Do as many as you can until your body can’t take it (without hurting yourself). This will help with your conditioning. 
• Plyometric and isometric exercises and holds. Plyometrics will improve cardio, explosiveness, and speed. Isometric exercise will improve stability and muscle endurance, and can often help break strength plateaus. Ensure you do isometric exercises at beginning, mid, and end of a muscle’s range of motion.
• Do tons of stretching and yoga. That’s right. Yoga. There’s no better form of exercise for overall balance, flexibility, and joint health. The kind of stability you’ll get from a serious yoga practice can’t be beat, and the intense stretching actually invigorates joints with new fluid, improving elasticity and recovery time.
• Try working in some gymnastic body weight exercises. Many gymnastic moves mimic moves done in the ring, especially Jiu Jitsu. In addition to programming your body to move correctly, you’ll improve balance, coordination, strength, and flexibility. Examples of helpful exercises include planches and 90 degree pushups.
• Go on long distance runs and run intervals on stairs and hills. Remember, endurance is a big part of fight-readiness. You need to be able to exert continuously and still perform. Throw in the odd plyometric pushup set and other body weight exercises between intervals or right after long-distance runs. 
• Do some shadow boxing drills to increase punch speed. Various drills should be easy to find online. We recommend this Youtube video. Precise, perfect form is not important when shadow boxing, and you can work on basic footwork, coordination, and speed without injury/joint stress.
• Do lots of core strengthening exercises. Think you’ve done enough? Do more. This doesn’t just mean abs, gym rats. Your core includes lower back, abs, waist, and hips. Look up MMA core strength exercises, and do them religiously. This article will get you started with a solid routine.
• Finally, lift weights as you likely already do, but be sure to incorporate sets of explosive lifts.

All these activities will improve your physical condition for when it comes time to train. If you want to extend your efforts to include more but still can’t find or afford a gym, there are other options to consider. Try to find a boxing, wrestling, Jiu Jitsu or other martial arts club for free/cheap sparring and tips from people with more experience. Let them know that you’re looking for feedback and don’t mind their constructive criticism. If money is the issue, try reaching out to gyms that may be interested in trading for labor. You can likely find one that needs help cleaning up the studio and/or working the front desk and phones.

The Three Best Concealed Carry Holsters for Any Context

Concealed carry holsters should be functional, low-profile, and comfortable for use in a variety of clothing and settings. Many gun-owners have a box or drawer full of holsters that are not comfortable or simply not appropriate for the context in which they’ll be used. There are several options for holster types that would be appropriate for concealed carry. We’ll cover which holsters for concealed carry we think are the absolute best for each preference.

IWB Concealed Carry Holster
Galco Triton Kydex IWB Holster

In-waist-band holsters are one of the most popular options for a concealed carry holster. They are low profile and can be worn with any apparel in any type of weather, while allowing quick and easy access.

The Triton Kydex is one of the most durable and feature-rich of the IWB holsters. It also happens to be our favorite IWB. The Kydex material means it’s ultra-durable and resistant to smells and degradation, and the sweat-guard protects the gun. A firm but smooth form keeps the user comfortable while still retaining shape after draw, allowing smooth re-holstering of your weapon.

Belt Holster for Concealed Carry
Galco Concealable Belt Holster

If you’re looking for an outside-the-waist-band option that’s comfortable and easy to keep concealed, this Galco holster is the right option. The unique design fits the contours of the hip for maximum comfort and a low-profile design that lies flatter on the body than most “pancake-style” holsters.

This holster works with numerous semi-automatic pistols and double-action revolvers, and will last a lifetime. The combination of comfort and durability with a low profile are what make this our number one selection for an OWB concealed carry holster option.

Shoulder Holster for Concealed Carry
Galco Miami Classic Shoulder System

If you’re looking for a shoulder holster system for concealed carry, you won’t find a better option than the Miami Classic. This true classic is the most popular shoulder holster in the world for good reason.

This holster is by far the most comfortable shoulder holster system, due to Galco’s Spider harness system, which allows all four points of the back plate pivot independently. This makes all the difference for concealed carriers, for whom most shoulder rigs would become uncomfortable in little time.

This system also includes two magazine carriers, and is fully modular, allowing you to add various accessories depending on your needs.

Conclusion

Picking the best conceal carry holster depends on the user, the context, and how often they’ll be carrying. Regardless of your needs, these Galco concealed carry holsters are some of the most versatile and beloved options available. What do you think of our selection of the best concealed carry holsters around? Will you be picking one up, or do you think we missed a great option? Comment below and join the discussion!

How to Wrap Your Hands for Boxing and MMA

Wrapping your hands is critically important for protecting the bones and joints in your hands and wrists. Wraps’ main purpose is to protect the bones in your hands, which connect to each of your fingers. They also serve to stabilize and protect the wrists. This does more than protect from injury. It also gives a fighter the confidence to punch with full force. Knowing one can deliver an aggressive blow without feeling it in the bones of the hand has a definite impact on the force of the punch. To stay in proper fighting form, be sure you know the correct way to wrap.

Keep in mind that over-wrapping with tape or gauze can hinder a fighter. Sweat can build up, accumulating weight and slowing punches. Wraps should be firm and taut without affecting circulation. Ensure the wraps are free of wrinkles, which are uncomfortable and reduce the stabilizing effect.

1. Hook the loop over your thumb and lay the wrap over the back of your wrist
2. Pull the wrap under and wrap it three times around your wrist, ending just under the wrist near the base of the thumb
3. Pull the wrap across the wrist and over the back of your hand
4. Pull it under your hand and across your palm just under the knuckles; then wrap your hand three times and end on the inside of the hand near the thumb
5. Wrap over the back of the thumb, pulling over the back of the hand and looping between the small and ring fingers
6. Bring the wrap across toward the inside of the hand, between the index finger and thumb
7. Wrap across the back of your hand and under your wrist, bringing it up under the wrist near the base of the thumb, over the back of the hand and between the ring and middle finger
8. Bring it again to the inside of the hand between the index finger and thumb, over the back of the hand, and under toward the wrist/base of the thumb
9. Wind it over the hand and between the middle and index fingers
10. Wrap once more across your hand, then your wrist, and repeat in an X pattern until you can secure the wrap using the Velcro end 

Once the wrap is completed, throw a few punches and flex your hand to make sure it’s comfortable. If it’s too tight or loose, you’ll have to redo the wrap.

The Best MMA Gloves

The world of mixed martial arts has continuously gained in popularity over recent years. In fact, revenue earned from MMA pay-per-view events now exceeds those of professional wrestling and boxing. With such popularity, it's no surprise that more and more people are opting to practice MMA to stay in shape and have a little fun. As any professional fighter will attest to, however, having the right gloves can make all the difference in the world.

Best MMA Grappling Gloves

Hayabusa Tokushu MMA Gloves

Even if a person's so-called "bread and butter" is striking, they're going to end up grappling and on the ground. When considering the best MMA grappling gloves, it's important to find a pair that stays secure on the fighter's hands, regardless of what position they're in. Considering how quickly a fighter may have to change positions, this is an imperative feature.

Additionally, grappling gloves must provide wrist support. In grappling situations, gloves that don't do this can lead to broken bones. Because of these necessary features, the Hayabusa Tokushu MMA gloves are ideal. Their wrist closure design protects the wrist from potential injury. Additionally, at only 4 ounces, the gloves are lightweight enough to allow for maximum power while staying secure around the fighter's hands.

Best MMA Striking Gloves

Revgear's Thai Style Boxing Gloves

When it comes to striking, padding and wrist protection are vital. Walking away from an MMA bout with an injured wrist and knuckles will likely take the excitement out of even the greatest victory. With this in mind, most people would do very well by opting for Revgear's Thai Style boxing gloves. Those who enjoy Muay Thai will love the open palm design, but there are various other features that make these gloves ideal for striking.

For wrist protection, these are the best MMA striking gloves. They have a trademarked design that ensures maximum wrist protection and comfort. This is invaluable in fights where striking is the prominent tactic. The gloves' padding provides great protection overall, but it's the additional foam placed over the knuckles that makes these gloves perfect for striking.

Best Overall MMA Fighting Gloves

Hayabusa Tokushu Hybrid Gloves

Making a second appearance on the list is the Hayabusa Tokushu brand. It's their hybrid gloves, though, that stand out as the best overall MMA fighting gloves. The name means exactly what it sounds like: the gloves are hybrid. When actually in the octagon or ring, fighters will have to transition between striking and grappling, and these gloves' hybrid design allows for just that.

As always, wrist support is a necessity, and the loop design of these gloves provides full protection. Some people don't consider comfort in gloves since they're fighting anyway, but gloves that are more comfortable make for a quicker recovery after a bout. The bamboo lining in these gloves provides just that. The lining even helps to regulate the heat inside of the gloves, so no more sweaty hands after a match.

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Different people have different tastes in MMA gloves, but just about everyone pays attention to certain features. These features are found prominently in the aforementioned gloves, so for anyone who's looking to get into MMA or just wanting to buy new gloves, these are a great place to start.

Wilderness Survival Kit Check List

If you’re preparing for a possible wilderness survival situation, you need to create a set of essentials that can fit in a pack. You can keep the pack in your vehicle for emergency situations or on you during outings into remote areas.

Knowing what’s essential can be hard if you’ve never faced such a situation before. So what do you bring? First off, we need to keep things lightweight. Just fitting your items in the bag isn’t enough. You should still be mobile and not expend too much energy lugging your pack. Plus, you want to maximize the amount of situations you’ll keep your pack on you, to be best prepared.

Some key things to keep in mind:
- The average survival situation lasts 72 hours.
- Your goal is to be found, not to blend in, so choose bright items over camo.

Click here to download an editable Excel spreadsheet or printable PDF of the essential survival pack gear list

The Wilderness Survival Gear List

Pack

Your pack should be tough and easy to carry. Your best bet is a backpack, which will provide the most comfort and allow you use of your entire body. You’ll want something comfortable and versatile. Look for features like hip straps and hip padding. These make a tremendous difference in comfort when lugging a bag over long distances.

For a max-comfort, lower-profile bag option, check out the Geigerrig Rig 1600 Hydration System.
For a more robust pack with plenty of space and organization, try the Maxpedition Falcon II.

Hydration

Hydration is essential. That’s why the two packs listed above are also hydration systems. Water purification tablets will make water you may encounter safe to drink.

If you’re not using a hydration system, you can find water bottles with built-in filters. Filter straws are also a popular, lightweight, cheap solution. However, these may only be viable in areas that have easy access to water sources.

Knife

Next to hydration prep, a knife is the most important thing to have in your pack. Something with a fixed blade is best, for durability and tougher cutting tasks. Their uses in survival situations are limitless. You can use them to cut rope, create fire starters like bow drills, assist in building emergency shelters, cut cloth for bandages, and so much more.

A sturdy and reliable option for a survival knife is the Boker A-F Combat knife with sheath. Because combat knives stay sharp and are made to not break, they are ideal in a situation like this where a knife is an indispensable tool.

Flashlight

Battery life is the essential factor here. While high brightness might seem attractive, it will kill battery life. Search and rescue teams aren’t likely to be around at night, so using your flashlight as a signal isn’t as great an idea as you might think. Go with an LED in a tough casing for a practical survival light.

A product like the Surefire EB2 Backup is a sturdy, low-profile option that is sure to last. With a tactical runtime of 2.25 hours and a stunning 500-lumen maximum output, it is perfect for any dark situation you may find yourself in.

Rescue signals

Signal mirrors are great for long distance signaling when rescuers are in sight but out of earshot. They’re only useful when the sun is out, but worth hanging on to at night due to their low profile. You’ll also want to get a high pitched whistle, and maybe some orange flagging to mark your trail. You can even get a marker to mark your name, and the date/time you left the flagging to assist rescuers.

Shelter

If you’re spending a night in the wilderness, some type of shelter is crucial. Again, light weight and low volume are key. An emergency bivouac sack or bivvy may be your best option, but a simple, lightweight tarp can be used in conjunction with paracord to make a simple A-frame.

Fire starter

Being able to start a fire is important for a number of reasons. Even if you are in an area where the need for warmth isn’t a factor, you may end up needing to dry your things quickly. Leaving them near a fire can help. If your survival situation runs over, you may need to start improvising traps and planning to cook. Redundancy is key here. You’ll want a lighter, stormproof matches, and a metal match.

First Aid Kit

Keep it simple and know where everything is. You’ll want bandaids, antibiotic salve, gauze, Povidone Iodine solution, butterfly bandages, sewing thread, and two large sewing needles. Those are the essentials. Add more, such as pain pills, at your discretion.

Paracord

This has numerous uses, and being lightweight and easily stashed away, you have no excuses not to have it. It’s good for traps for hunting, hoisting food to keep from animals, building emergency shelters, making splints, fishing line, attaching gear to your pack, and a lot more.

Map and Compass

In order for these to be useful you should actually know how to use them! But even if you aren’t a professional tracker, if you take note of where roads and civilization are before you head into the unknown, you can still utilize a compass to keep you moving in right direction.

Change of clothes or layers of clothes

At least one change of clothes is important, in case you get wet. This way you can change, start a fire, and work on drying out your first pair. Synthetic clothing is best, as it will keep you driest and dry the fastest. If we’re talking about colder climates, extra clothes should just be extra layers you can add as temperatures drop. But when it’s raining, rainproof items and a poncho will go a long way

A few last items to consider when packing your extras:

- Beanie cap to keep your head warm, and padded while you sleep
- Trash or ziplock bags to keep things dry
- Duct tape for patching things, making rope for a bow drill, etc.
- Knife sharpener
- Fishing kit

Downloadable Survival Gear List

Editable Spreadsheet 
Printable PDF

Streamlight TLR-1S Review

When it comes to gun accessories, there are few as important as the weapon-mounted light. It's essential to visually identify any potential threat before using deadly force, and with a flashlight, that becomes much easier. At night, it can be impossible to see who's lurking in shadows without illumination. While handheld flashlights can get the job done without issue, they all require the use of an extra hand. That's where weapon-mounted lights shine.

Enter the Streamlight TLR-1s

The company Streamlight is a major player in the tactical light industry. Based out of Eagleville, PA, Streamlight has been developing and manufacturing various styles of handheld and mountable lights for many years. Of their flashlights, the TLR series is probably the most popular for its combination of relatively low cost, high performance, and great versatility. This series boasts the best pistol lights available on the market, and some of the best weapon lights in general.

Many people consider the TLR-1s to be the gold standard of weapon-mounted lights. With a durable aluminum body, easy-to-activate rocker switch, blinding strobe option, C4 LED technology, 12,000 candela max beam intensity and 300 lumen output, 2.5 hours of continuous runtime, and compatibility with a wide range of firearm types, what's not to like? The only real difference between the TLR-1s and the older TLR-1 is the inclusion of the strobe function, a very powerful tool when it comes to self-defense. Rapidly flashing light blinds and disorients attackers to buy users adequate time to fight or flee. Another great feature of this compact unit is its mounting system. A captured screw and rail clamp allows users to quickly hand-tighten the light to any firearm. Removal is just as quick and easy. Even though the TLR-1s was designed for handguns, it can be easily attached to shotguns and rifles that have picatinny rails.

Who Should Consider This Firearm Accessory?

Anyone who owns a firearm should find the Streamlight TLR-1s to be an extremely useful tool. The light is marketed primarily towards the home-defense crowd, and it's pretty clear to see the advantages that it would offer. First, it would allow the user to get a more secure grip on the gun for more accurate shots and better recoil management since the light is attached directly to the weapon. A simple finger flick is all that would be required to switch the light on or off. Secondly, single-handed operation of the light when using a pistol keeps the other arm free so that the homeowner can open doors, guide loved ones to safety, and perform any other necessary action with much greater ease. The TLR-1s and other weapon-mounted lights eliminate the clunkiness of operation that comes with having one hand on a handheld flashlight and the other on a handgun. Although you should always have a quality handheld light at home, the Streamlight TLR-1s would certainly be a fine complement to it. Bright, rugged, and reliable, the Streamlight TLR-1s is trusted by professionals, so you can trust your life to it as well.

How to Become a Better MMA Fighter in 7 Steps

Wondering how to become a better MMA fighter? Looking to go pro and want to know how to become a UFC fighter? Here are some essential tips for MMA greatness, along with guidance for accomplishing each, to help you out in your mission.

1. Join a good team to support your training and keep you grounded. Ask impartial but knowledgeable parties about how well a particular team's members have worked in the past with fighters. Does the team show a well-rounded portfolio of skills? Experience also counts for a lot. A coach who has successfully trained other winning champions in the most effective striking and grappling methods for MMA will be far more suitable for your needs than an expert in another martial art who has only recently decided to dabble in MMA training. Looking closely at the win-and-loss records for fighters who have worked with certain coaches is likely to be helpful as well.
2. Hunt down the best gym for mixed martial arts. Trying to fit your specialized training into a dojo that dissipates its focus across multiple specialties will tend to dissipate your own focus and energies. Immersion in a good MMA-oriented environment will add to your fighting spirit and provide opportunities to talk with other MMA experts. If you've already found the right team, then you'll either have found the right location as well or else gotten a suggestion from the head coach for a suitable training ground.
3. Train like a champion who fiercely wants to defend a hard-won victory. Thinking as if you've already won and need to be even better to keep your hard-earned glory will force your mind into a winning pattern. Weaknesses are then no longer threats to victory but temporary problems that will fall by the wayside as you battle your way to mastery. Maintaining good form at all times will prevent the insidious development of lazy habits that undermine your fighting skills, and carefully studying how other winners have fought against different opponents will add steadily to your knowledge, insight, and range of fighting techniques.
4. Never forget to feed and rest the biological machine that is your body. Studies from many different groups of researchers have repeatedly shown that lack of sleep has an outsized effect on the ability to learn new skills and refine existing skills. Slogging through a daily haze of fatigue will rob you of most of your potential gains, so get your daily eight to nine hours of sleep. Remember that speed and endurance gains come not from exercising but from the long rest periods in between hard training sessions. Take frequent breaks even during training sessions to juice up your energies for the next intense bout. Needless to say, listen to your nutritional expert on what to eat and when to eat it. In training more than anything, you really are what you eat, so eat well.
5. Water and ice will help you recover faster. Everyone knows staying hydrated is vital for general health and for quick recovery from pummeling your muscles and bones during hard training. Periodically gulping down replenishments for your precious bodily fluids isn't the end of the story for water, though. While the science surrounding the application of cold, iced water to muscles and joints after intense or extended exercise sessions remains controversial, many doctors, physical therapists, chiropractors, and elite athletes swear by it. Furthermore, some fighters consider contrast showers (1 minute hot, 30 seconds cold, repeat) and myofascial release therapy to be helpful for ameliorating the aftereffects of hard training, especially for a rough-and-tumble sport that involves a multitude of hard, sharp blows to sensitive points.
6. Fight in the ring every chance you get, in sparring matches and in amateur fights. Find enthusiastic fighting buddies and vigorously hone your skills by entering every possible kickboxing and grappling competition you can. Amateur MMA competitions are great opportunities to test yourself against other fighters who may have surprising approaches. All the training in the world can’t replace the experience of a real fight. 
7. Become balanced and well-rounded by incorporating unconventional activities like bikram yoga and slacklining into your training to improve your flexibility and balance. Choose a fighting style that plays to your strengths, and focus on training methods that amplify your best attributes. If you're physically stronger than most, emphasize your striking techniques; contrariwise, if you still enjoy fond memories of your wrestling career in high school and find that you tend to outlast opponents, focusing heavily on your ground game might work best for consistent victories. Regardless of your strengths, making certain to cover all the bases during training will ensure the ability to fight well against a wide range of opponents. 

Finally, whether you’re wondering how to train for MMA or want to know how to be a UFC fighter, negative people are best left alone to grumble and complain by themselves. You're a winner, and winners don't waste their time with soul-sapping whiners.

Looking for awesome MMA gear and gear bundles? Shop our store for killer gear at great prices.

EOTech XPS3-0 Review

Knowing how to aim properly is one of the essentials of effective shooting. When it comes to aiming, most long guns are equipped with some type of built-in sights. To aim the gun, the sights must be lined up on the target before the trigger is pulled. Even though this action usually takes no longer than several seconds, you may not have that luxury during a critical moment.

The Reflex Sight

Also commonly referred to as a red dot or holographic sight, a reflex sight is a style of optic that allows the user to point and shoot with high speed and accuracy. Once properly sighted in, your shots should connect with whatever the reticle covers. The term "reflex" is appropriately given to these optics because they give you the ability to act more instinctively with one equipped on your rifle. An easy-to-see reticle trumps irons any day of the week.

When it comes to high-quality reflex sights, Eotech is a frontrunner in the industry. The company is well-known for supplying U.S. military and law enforcement with its famous holographic reflex sights. A number of models are also used by international peacekeepers. Eotech is a pioneer in the holo sight market, having developed the first one in 1998.

The XPS3-0 Holographic Sight from Eotech

The XPS series of holographic sights was developed in response to overwhelming user demands. Earlier models carried batteries that were oriented north to south. While the majority of these units worked quite well, the batteries would occasionally damage the connectors and cause flickering or sudden outages under harsh recoil. The XPS series is designed with a transverse battery compartment that eliminates the recoil issue. Using a single 123 battery for power, these newer units are lighter and much more compact than previous models.

The XPS3-0 holographic sight is purpose-built for police and military users who require night vision capabilities. It features a protective hood, anodized finish, and 1 MOA red dot surrounded by a 65 MOA circle. The dot makes taking precision shots a breeze, while the circle allows for extremely quick target acquisition for close-range work. On the XPS3-0, the buttons face backwards toward the user. Up and down adjustment buttons brighten or dim the reticle a notch at a time, and the centrally located night vision button activates a reticle that can only be seen while wearing infrared goggles. The buttons are very accessible, but those who wish to pair the sight with a magnifier should consider the EXPS series with the side-mounted buttons instead. As far as mounting goes, a cross screw will secure the optic to any picatinny rail. EOTechs all have an approximate runtime of 600 continuous hours, plenty for all practical purposes.

The Verdict

Anybody looking for a durable, reliable, and fast reflex sight would be well served by the XPS3-0. Trusted by elite professionals all around the globe, EOTech sights have proven themselves for more than a decade. Those who need the night vision capabilities will find this model to be one of the finest close-quarters optics out there. Anyone else can stick with the XPS2 models without the night vision.

How to Sight In a Scope

Whether you’re a hunter or sport shooter, your rifle is useless if you can’t hit your target.  If you’re using aftermarket rifle optics, they will have to be zeroed in to be accurate.  In this post, we’ll go over every step needed to achieve accuracy with your weapon optics.

Hits on Paper

Whether you’re using a red dot scope or an enhanced zoom rifle scope, you’ll need a reference or starting point to begin making adjustments.  This is because you need to know where your bullets will land in relation to what you see through the sight.  Paper targets with the standard .5 inch grid pattern on the background are preferred for this process.

You need to determine the appropriate distance at which to zero your optics.  This should be a distance that you anticipate or plan to shoot from most often.  A minimum of 25 yards is recommended for optics with no zoom function, but 50 is better.  Whether you zero at 25, 50, 100, or more yards is less important than zeroing at a distance you’re comfortable at and most likely to shoot from.

Make sure your optics are securely fastened to your firearm.  Otherwise recoil can move the position of the optic and crosshairs slightly.  Keep in mind that the slightest change in crosshair position will have a huge effect on accuracy which is amplified at increasing distances.

Now let’s start shooting.  Keep in mind that we shoot in groups to account for shooter:  if you shoot three shots - all aiming at the same area of the paper - and they land relatively close together, then we’re good to move on with our zeroing.  It doesn’t matter if the shots land exactly where intended so long as they are hitting the same area of the target consistently.

If you didn’t, then let’s back up and get you on the paper using something like a boresighter.  If you’re on the paper, move on to the next step.  A boresighter gives you a reference point to hone your crosshairs onto, closing the distance between the spot the sights are zeroed to and the spot the shots will land at.

Fine Tuning to Zero

Now it’s time to start making your adjustments.  All optics have elevation and a windage adjustments, allowing control of your reticule’s x and y axis.  Vertical movement of the reticule adjusts for elevation, horizontal for windage.

Most adjustment wheels are stepped so they turn in slight increments with the sound and the feel of a click. Thus your adjustments can be measured and held to a predictable and controlled standard.  Combined with using the .5 inch grid paper we mentioned earlier, this will help you easily adjust for wind and elevation on the fly.  Depending on your particular optic, “one click” may move the bullet a half inch at 50 yards and a full inch at 100 yards, or .25 inches at 50 and .5 inches at 100 yards.

The specs defining how far a click moves the bullet at a given yardage will be found in your particular optic’s user manual.  Bear in mind that caliber, bullet weight, and other factors will affect results, so use the same ammo you plan to use later when zeroing in.  Once this information is determined, you can then measure how many clicks it will take to move your bullet two inches down and five inches to the left, for instance.

If I am using an optic where one click equals a half inch at 50 yards, then I know that to move my bullet 4 inches in a single direction at 50 yards will take 8 clicks.  Because the lines on the grid are spaced .5 inches apart, you have a quick and easy way to determine how many inches you need to move the bullet, thus supplying you the information needed to determine the number of clicks required to achieve the desired result.

Keep in mind that the three shot rule applies throughout this entire process to ensure consistency.

At What Point Am I Considered “On Target”?

This depends on what rifle you’re using, the shooting distance, and what cartridges you’re using.  For example, an M4 rifle is not designed to be used like a long-barrel, .308 bolt-action rifle.  The M4 is a battle rifle, designed to be used in short to medium range situations, where the .308 bolt action is designed for long-range precision.

So, being able to consistently hit in groupings at short to medium distances with the M4 is considered “on target”.  Likewise, shot groupings from a long range precision platform should be much closer together at shorter distances, yet still close enough to be considered “groups” at longer distances.  These concepts validate the reasons for differences between a sniper and a rifleman, as well as the differences in the weapons that they use.