Review
One handed manipulations are something that is very rarely practiced in defensive handgun training. While the idea of having to use your sights to fix a handgun with a malfunction may not seem all that possible, it is not out of the realm of a real world plausible scenario. I’ve preached how people should upgrade the sights on their defensive pistols before, and now Ameriglo brings a totally new concept to the market.
Overview
Everyone knows I’m a big fan of stepped or ledged sights. There are a few companies out there that make great rear sights, Dawson, Warren, and 10-8 are some of the most popular, with 10-8 being my favorite. Ameriglo can now be added to that list of manufacturers with their new Emergency Manipulation Sights (EMS). This new sight is actually the brain child of Rob Pincus of I.C.E. Training, who designed it as a sight with an extended hook, or 
“claw”, to use for one handed manipulations. One of the weakest points on most defensive handguns is a set of plastic sights. I’ve personally broken off 3 rear sights in 1 day doing one handed manipulations with my Glock factory sights. I never saw a need for any kind of steel sights until after this incident. I had thought about a variety of different situations where I could potentially lose the sights on my gun, so I started making the transition to steel sights on all my guns, more specifically, stepped steel sights. After exploring all the options, I settled on the 10-8 rear sights, and figured I’d never have to switch them out, that is, until the Ameriglo EMS sights hit the market. I had seen them a little over a year ago as a “concept” that Rob had made a prototype of, and had brought with him to a class. At the time, there was no release date for a production run of sights.
The purpose of stepped or ledged sights is to be able to rack your handgun, using the rear sights, off your holster, pants or belt, while shooting one handed and after experiencing a malfunction. Some people may say “well what the hell are the chances of that”? Well, you probably carry a gun, knife, spare magazine, OC spray and a cell phone for those worst case scenarios right? Well we carry all those other implements of self defense to be “prepared” so why not upgrade our sights? The sights are made of steel, so there’s very little chance of them sheering off while using them as a charging handle on your gun, as there is with plastic factory sights.
After having used the sights on my Glock 19 for the past few weeks, I must say, I’m thoroughly impressed. The “claw” is more subtle than you would think, but, does EXACTLY what it’s supposed to. I’ve racked my 10-8 sights ff all kinds of extremities and gear, but it doesn’t “catch” quite like these claw sights do. I was able to hook the pocket of my jeans, my belt, my holster, and even excess material on my pants, and get a much firmer purchase, and, more solid rack than with any other “charger” sights I’ve used. The U – notch on the EMS sight is a little larger than what I’m used to (.18” vs .14”), but with my standard fiber optic front sight, I was still able to accurately engage targets with the same balance of speed and precision that I would normally use with my standard defensive sight set up. The sights are unobtrusive, and actually a good deal smaller than the standard 10-8’s I’m used to as well. The “claw” isn’t sharp, so don’t worry about it snagging on clothes or outer garments. The sights are very purpose driven, and while many may not see a use for them, if you’ve ever incorporates one handed manipulations into your “training”, then you’ll appreciate the fact that these sights exist. For the price that the sights will retail for, there’s no reason not to grab a set and throw them on your EDC.
Final Thoughts
The EMS sights are simple, effective, and efficient, and when talking in the context of defensive shooting, we want to do things as efficiently (with as little time, effort and energy) as possible. The EMS sights are currently the ONLY sight on the market that actually has a concave top edge in front of the bottom edge. Almost all other sights are flat or even textured for friction, but there aren’t any that are angled forward. They are currently made 
only for the Glock, with a model for the Smith and Wesson M&P’s to follow. My only complaint, which isn’t much of a complaint more of a wish/desire, would be that the rear of the sight be serrated. It’s most likely just a personal preference, and I’m a creature of habit, but I do prefer serrations on the rear of my sights. I was able to test this first run of sights, and I’m sure there will be changes along the way as the product progresses to fit the needs of different shooters, but as is, it is a fantastic product. Other than that, a simple, efficient, and flawless design brought to the table by Ameriglo, and Rob Pincus, two leaders in the firearms industry who know what
shooters need based out of necessity.
