We were invited to a private shoot on Day Three (Monday) of the 2008 SHOT show, we met the folks at Tactical & Survival Specialties, Inc. (TSSI) along with others invited to see their ParaScope™ Urban Combat Sight and we were all driven out to one of the shooting ranges on Nellis Air Force base. About a 15-20 minute drive from the back door of the Las Vegas convention center. Great scenery at the ranges and a nice facility.

The range was set up with plenty of cover and dozens of reactive targets at various ranges. There were two bays and more than a few rifles with the ParaScope™ Combat Sight so we could all get some trigger time with the new sight. We had shot another companies product a few days earlier, so we were interested in comparing the two. This version while costing more, allows the shooter to immediately transfer from a concealed shot to a standard shoulder aimed shot without touching the optic or rifle.

The ParaScope™ Urban Combat Sight was developed by MTC Technologies through the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency to allow the shooter to engage targets from behind a protective barrier with minimal exposure to return fire.  It is designed to reduce warfighter vulnerability in active combat situations.  ParaScope™ incorporates a unique optical design that allows for crisp natural viewing of the target area from either its side or rear ports without any mirror inversion or distortion.  It is a fully ruggedized 1x optical sight that is compatible with a wide variety of weapon sights including 1x tactical scopes, magnified weapon sights, laser designators and iron sights. The ParaScope™ is compatible with any caliber weapon including rifles, shotguns and less lethal weapons (gas guns) fitted with a picatinny rail.

Using the side port capability of ParaScope™, targets may be engaged from the safety of a protective barrier using a variety of conventional and side firing positions. No adjustments need be made when transitioning between firing positions.  Soldiers can also engage targets conventionally by sight using two eyes open through the rear port of ParaScope™. ParaScope™delivers a new capability to the urban combat tactical environment for safely identifying and firing upon targets.

Seeing around corners is just one use for this optic. it can also be used to shoot over and under cover as well

Shooting the ParaScope Urban Combat Sight, all you have exposed to get off a well-aimed shot is your rifle, not your head.

These are sold by Harrisonburg, Va.-based Tactical & Survival Specialties Inc. It was developed by MTC Technologies of Dayton, Ohio

The device contains a five-sided prism and has viewing ports from the rear for normal firing, and from the side for indirect firing

It does not interfere with normal operation when left on the weapon.

Shooting below cover. Great for those times when you are wearing heavy gear or the ground is not conducive to going prone (hazmat, sharps, etc)

Parascope permits both direct or indirect firing without need for touching the optic or the rifle. Speed is a big factor for safety and this optic requires zero time to tranfer from a concealed shot to shooting on the move

The Parascope Urban Rifle's Sight requires no zeroing, calibration or external power source

Shooting some speed drills with the steel targets on the Nellis rifle range

With the ParaScope Urban Combat Sight, you can see the bad guy around the corner long before he knows where you are

Mostly active duty service members, suppliers and media were invited to the shoot, so we didn't take pictures of many shooters.

The side window allows a coach or instructor an opportunity to see what the shooter sees

The Parascope can be left on the weapon or carried in a pouch for quick mounting

The pouch is included and made in the USA. Also includes a Scopecoat in coyote tan

The Parascope can be mounted on any weapon that has a Picatinny 1913 Rail weapon mount.

Top view of the Parascope Urban Combat Sight

The third day of SHOT show 2008 was a Monday after the Superbowl. Las Vegas was less crowded as it was over the weekend, but there were still lots of people at the convention center.

 

There were some other people shooting on the another range. There are some great views of the mountains from Nellis

 

While we were at the range the SHOT show was still going on. We were driven back to the show after the private shoot was finished.

The Harrisonburg, VA based Tactical & Survival Specialties Inc. booth at SHOT Show 2008