More New Stuff

LaserLyte Rear Sight Laser

LaserLyte raised some eyebrows with the must have (I already have one ) Pistol Bayonet, but its Rear Sight Laser introduced at SHOT has more…practical applications. Mounted on the rear sight of a Glock, this laser is tiny, yet powerful. It is an aiming tool that works in concert with your iron sights and requires no special holster, making it ideal for a carry gun. It adds virtually no weight or bulk, yet projects a clear laser on your target at any self-defense range and beyond. What’s more, it actually enhances your iron sights by making the front sight easier to pick up. The company plans to introduce models to fit the Springfield XD and other popular handguns in 2009.

Taurus Model 709 Slim

While several companies, including Sig Sauer, Magnum Research and Taurus itself introduced palm-sized or smaller handguns in .380 ACP, this model is more appealing for those of us who prefer a larger caliber. The 709 Slim is a tiny 9 mm with 7- or 9-round capacity. Perfect for concealed carry, it weighs only 19 ounces and the titanium model weighs a mere 17 ounces. At under 1-inch in width, those of us with stubby fingers will love its grip circumference. It will likely be my carry gun when it hits shelves this spring.

Nikon Coyote Special Riflescope

Nikon finally has an affordable scope that will look and function great on an AR, especially the Remington R-15. With a version of Nikon’s patented BDC reticle specifically designed for varmint hunting, holdover with either .223 Rem. or .22-250 Rem. out to 400+ yards is simple. The scope also comes with a Tenabraex ARD to eliminate glare off the objective that can scare game or give away your position. Finished in Mossy Oak Brush or Advantage Max-1 in both 3-9x40 mm and 4.5-14x40 mm, the Coyote Special is a much-needed tool for those who like to hunt with the nation’s most popular centerfire rifle.

Leupold Prismatic Riflescope

This scope is kind of like a tiny red-dot sight, but it’s actually quite a bit more. The tactical model has a duplex reticle perfect for an AR-15, but what caught my eye was the hunting model. Though not yet shown on Leupold’s website, this version has a unique reticle composed of a dot inside a small circle inside a large circle, making it ideal for a home-defense shotgun. Put the big circle on your target, and you can be pretty much ensured of a defended home. Both tactical and hunting models weight in at just 12 ounces and are only 4.5 inches long, so you don’t have to worry about added bulk.