Why Plates and OR Sights?
XS Sights has been setting the standard for iron sights since 1996, but as the industry evolves, so do we. With more shooters adopting red dot optics and the mounting landscape becoming increasingly complex, we saw the need to step in. Our new line of optic plates, minimalist iron sights, and bundled solutions is designed to simplify the process—eliminating guesswork while ensuring a secure, reliable setup. Whether for everyday carry, competition, or duty use, our new solutions bring the same dependability that XS is known for.
Setting up a red dot pistol has become overly complex. There hasn’t been much standardization between optics, mounting plates, and iron sights. Iron sight manufacturers don’t make the mounts, and optic mount manufacturers don’t make the irons. The old solution to this issue was to mount tall suppressor height sights to overcome the height variability. It was simple, but in most cases, the sights were too tall and obstructed a significant portion of the optic window.
Currently, many iron sight competitors offer ten plus different height variations for optics-ready sights (not factoring in tritium vs. non-tritium options). Some manufacturers provide sight selector guides, but these don’t account for plate thickness, which adds another height variable. The most accurate way to determine the proper sight height is for the end user to buy the optic and plate, mount them, then measure the height to determine the correct sight height they need—or rely on information from forums and blogs. This system is too convoluted for many civilian shooters and law enforcement agencies determining department gun specifications.
We built our plates and backup iron sights around the KISS principle. We wanted to optimize visibility through the primary sight system—the red dot—while providing an unobtrusive, low-profile set of backup sights. To achieve this, we needed to standardize optic plate heights. Our solution is simple: we offer two duty-rated optic plate footprints and one height of iron sights that work with either optic plate.
Made in Fort Worth, TX
We are gun nuts, who love American manufacturing, all things that glow, and new technology. Our mission is to Empower the GOOD GUY to be more prepared, confident, and self-reliant with functional weapon upgrades. We are a small second-generation women-owned family business. All XS employees are active in the shooting and outdoor industry. Our team comprises shooters with experience in hunting, military, law enforcement, competitive shooting, civilian self-defense training, and even precision air rifle.
With over 25 years of gun sight manufacturing experience, we have learned that gunfights don't happen in perfect light or in complete darkness. They happen in between these two broad spectrums. Night sights don't just need to glow in the dark. They must always be visible.