XS Sights: 30 Years of Innovation, Collaboration, and Service
Posted by Maria Emilia Jaramillo Davila on Jun 23rd 2026
Where It All Began
In 1996, Ashley Emerson’s desire to improve night sights led to the founding of Ashley Research & Development. Partnering with Edward Pastusek, founder of Horizon Tech, a precision manufacturing company, they laid the foundation for what would become one of the most influential small American businesses in the firearms accessories industry. By 1997, A&E Manufacturing was born, beginning in a small office inside of a larger building. After the success of the both synergies, Pastusek literally tore down the walls between these two companies forming a large room where office staff worked side-by-side the manufacturing and packaging teams. This one big room fostered a collaborative mindset that XS Sights has used as a guiding light.
Nearly 30 years later, XS Sights continues to serve the people it proudly calls “the good guys”, while earning national and worldwide recognition.
In the organized chaos of that one big room was Pastusek’s daughter, Kellie Brunn, running around assembling parts and learning the business firsthand. Having grown alongside the company, she now serves as CEO. She carries forward her father’s “win-win” philosophy, building strong partnerships, fostering innovation, and maintaining a people-first approach to business.
XS-Sights is an extended family and this legacy continues into the next generation, as Kellie’s own children now take part in the same hands-on experiences that shaped her journey.
Innovation Driven by Real-World Experience
XS-Sights designs have been touched by different experts, creating specialized products tailored to enhance your experience. Our innovations are shaped by people like you, shooters, hunters, and law enforcement officers, who take real-world experience to create a safer world.
Notable contributors include:
- Jeff Copper, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and founder of Gunsite Academy.
- Finn Aagaard, a Norwegian Professional Hunter.
- Clint Smith, founder of Thunder Ranch.
- Andy Stanford, who hosts the Surgical Speed Shooting Summit.
Our collaborative and test-driven approach has resulted in nationally recognized innovations. From practical tools like the Sight Pusher Tool to newer offerings such as magazine extensions, XS Sights continues to evolve alongside the needs of its users.
Breakthrough Products and Performance Philosophy
Inspired by African dangerous‑game rifles, one of XS Sights earliest and most defining innovations was The Express (Big Dot) Sight system. The original “V” shape of a rear sight was first used on large animals that came up at short distances, making reaction time and accuracy critical. XS Sight adapted this system to improve defensive handguns, improving rapid target acquisition at close range. Today, the Big Dot Sight remains one of XS Sights’ best-selling products. Enhanced by tritium illumination, it delivers dependable performance in low-light and no-light conditions for over a decade.
From intuitive sight systems to durable installation tools, XS Sights prioritizes simplicity, reliability, and performance. As Chris Mudgett of On Target Magazine explains:
“[XS] delivers a drop-in, worry-free solution…..no math, no guesswork, no compromises. This is practical performance for the serious user. Done right, right out of the box.”
Expanding Product Lines and Market Reach
XS Sights is the one stop-shop for the good guys' personal handguns. We continue to meet modern demands, providing comprehensive solutions for handgun upgrades and performance enhancements, including:
- Optic mounting plates.
- ON TARGET Magazine’s Editors’ Choice Award.
- Suppressor-height sights.
- “your firearm can accommodate reflex optics, suppressors, or both without issue” -InsideFirearms.
- Magazine extensions.
- “remarkably reliable” - ProGunFighter Team.
In addition, we are one of the frontrunners in OEM supplier to many firearm manufacturers, ensuring you are receiving the best possible product, right out of the box.
Our growing presence in retail locations also allows customers to explore products firsthand and make informed choices based on their needs.
Media Partnerships
XS Sights has extended its reach beyond the range through a growing presence in film, television, and digital media. These partnerships showcase the performance and reliability of XS Sights’ products in high-visibility, high-pressure environments.
Our Lever Rail and Ghost Ring gained significant exposure in Jurassic World (2015), where Chris Pratt’s character is seen navigating extreme scenarios with the help of our products. XS Sights components have also been a part of custom builds like the “Tracker” rifle in John Wick: Chapter 4, developed by Mad Pig Customs on a Marlin 1894 Dark platform. While we can’t make an exact replica, your optic rail and front sight could match the “Tracker.”
In the gaming world, XS Sights products appear in Battlefield Hardline and DayZ, where speed, visibility, and accuracy are essential to gameplay allowing gamers a guaranteed win. Like in the movies and games, XS Sights products save the lives of "the good guys."
Supporting the Good Guys
Supporting “the good guy” means standing behind a diverse community that includes law enforcement, veterans, responsibly armed citizens, educators, and families.
Our partners include:
- Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA)
- United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA)
- Guardian Program
- Kids S.A.F.E. Foundation (Safety Around Firearms Education)
- American Police Officers Alliance
- Federal and Local Law Enforcement Agencies (DEA, FBI,PD)
- Team Fidelis
- Meals on Wheels
HAVA
As one of HAVA’s founding corporate partners, XS Sights plays a vital role in supporting HAVA’s mission to assist disabled veterans and their families. Each fall, we help host the HAVA National Family Day in San Antonio, creating meaningful opportunities for connection, healing, and outdoor engagement.
USCCA
Aligning with XS Sights values, “to Serve Gun Owners” and save lives, XS Sights partners with the USCCA. USCCA’s programs empower individuals with the knowledge and confidence to safely protect themselves and their loved ones.
Guardian Program
The Guardian Program provides defensive training for educators and school personnel. Supporting this initiative reflects XS Sight's belief that preparation and education are key components of community safety.
Kids S.A.F.E.
Focused on early education, Kids S.A.F.E. teaches children how to respond safely if they encounter a firearm. XS Sights proudly supports a program that has reached over 30,000 children with an ultimate goal of,“zero firearm accidents”(S.A.F.E).
American Police Officers Alliance
Through this partnership, XS Sights helps support law enforcement officers with advocacy, outreach, and resources that benefit our heroes.
Federal and Local Law Enforcement Agencies (DEA, FBI, Fort Worth PD)
XS Sights proudly supports law enforcement agencies nationwide with dependable equipment designed for real-world scenarios, reflecting our shared commitment to safety and exceptional service.
Team Fidelis
XS Sights also understands the importance of mental health which is why we partner with Team Fidelis, a supporter of veteran’s recovery, and long-term well-being.
Meals on Wheels
Every Wednesday, our team reaches out to our local community and helps distribute meals to those in need.
Looking Ahead: The Next 30 Years
Since 1996, XS Sights is where ideas are tested, refined, and turned into specialized products that shooters rely on. From its beginning in a single shared workspace, to its position as a nationally recognized brand, XS Sights has stayed true to its roots with American-made, family-driven, and leading products that excel on practical performance. Rooted in Fort Worth, our extended family serves customers across the United States and around the world. We are honored to have served you for 30 years and look forward to continuing partnering with you.
Here’s to staying on target and serving the, “good guy.”