Considering new sights for my Glock [Archive]

duece71

10-27-11, 18:54

lethal dose

10-27-11, 19:01

Not hard with the right tools.

Semper Paratus

10-27-11, 19:18

+1 on not hard with the right tools. If you buy from Ameriglo you get the front sight tool. What I found I needed was:

Front Sight Tool
Soldering Iron to break the lock tight on the front sight
A brass drift To drive the old sight out/new sight in
Something to hit the drift with
Something to hold the slide while drifting the sights in and out
Something to file/fit the rear sight to the dovetail. I used a diamond hone from Harbor freight, file and fine (600 grit sand paper)
Lock tight (blue)
flourescent green finger nail polish ( to help with 50 yo eyes and front sight visibility)
A few minute to look around using Google or You tube search for instructions for installation.

BigBen66

10-27-11, 19:22

You need the "Tools and the Talent". Or you maybe buying another slide.

Denali

10-27-11, 20:52

All,
I am thinking about picking up some Ameriglo Defoor sights for my G19. If I replace the sights, is this something I can do or is it better suited to a gunsmith?? I do not have a lot of experience working on guns and thought I would ask before getting these sights. Sending them out to a gun smith is not a problem. Just wondering if anyone has done a "DIY" on their Glock original sights. Thanks.

It's simple, assuming you have the proper tools on hand, those being the front sight(nut driver)tool, and the rear sight pusher. That said, most folks don't invest in the hundred dollar rear sight pusher because most folks don't make a habit of swapping out sights all that often!

I strongly advise against just hammering the rear sight into the dovetail via a hammer and drift punch set up, not that I expect you'll do much damage to your Glock, but you may well crunch the rear sight up, especially as you've no experience with installing the sights in the first place.....

So long and short, go to your LGS who very likely has the tools on hand and ask them to install them for you, usually no more then $20.00, usually done right there as you wait(5-minutes max)....;)

ST911

10-27-11, 22:43

I am becoming a big believer in the Trijicon HD sights. Give them a look.

When I see words like "punch...drift...fit" combined with Glock sights, I cringe. Find an armorer with the correct rear sight pusher and FS tool.

locust

10-28-11, 01:35

When I see words like "punch...drift...fit" combined with Glock sights, I cringe. Find an armorer with the correct rear sight pusher and FS tool.

+1. Not sure where you are located, but around here, most gunsmiths will install the sights for free if you buy them from them. I went from trijicons in my G22 to Meprolights when I bought my G17, and both times, the shop I bought the sights from put them on for free, took about 5-10 minutes.

duece71

10-28-11, 05:48

All,
Thank you for your responses. I don't want to screw the pooch on this one so after a very short search on Google (hello my friend) I found a Glock specialist here in Central Ohio. I will contact them and get it done the right way. Nothing like doing damage trying to save a few bucks. Not for me.
Thank you for all your replies.

rauchman

10-28-11, 07:19

It's simple, assuming you have the proper tools on hand, those being the front sight(nut driver)tool, and the rear sight pusher. That said, most folks don't invest in the hundred dollar rear sight pusher because most folks don't make a habit of swapping out sights all that often!

I strongly advise against just hammering the rear sight into the dovetail via a hammer and drift punch set up, not that I expect you'll do much damage to your Glock, but you may well crunch the rear sight up, especially as you've no experience with installing the sights in the first place.....

So long and short, go to your LGS who very likely has the tools on hand and ask them to install them for you, usually no more then $20.00, usually done right there as you wait(5-minutes max)....;)

+1

As an aside, if you ever go the M&P route, the M&P sight pusher fits perfectly for the Glock 9/40 slides as well.

Nephrology

10-28-11, 07:36

You need the "Tools and the Talent". Or you maybe buying another slide.

No, that's absurd. IT would take serious effort to damage the glock slide. New rear sight maybe but its pretty easy to do.

davidjinks

10-28-11, 09:35

uwe1

10-28-11, 10:28

I bought the MGW Sight tool from Ameriglo, but you could probably find it in many places. It's a great tool and built solid. You can probably get one for around $100. If you have multiple Glocks, it will easily pay for itself, especially if you are experimenting with different sight combinations.

Found it on Midway for $85:
http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/884401/maryland-gun-works-rear-sight-tool-glock

$10 off on a $100 order with coupon code: 12101177

Backstop

10-28-11, 11:27

I bought the MGW Sight tool...

The MGW sight tool for Glock works very well. Bought mine from Brownell's.

Battlex1

10-28-11, 11:34

Hello everyone, I'm an avid reader/learner here, although I have never really posted. I own an M&P 9&GLOCK 17/19 (based on advice I've garnered here). I would like to be able to change the sights out myself on all of my pistols. Rauchman, or anyone else, can you confirm the MGW M&P Sight tool will work on the GLOCKS also? Would it be a good idea to buy the M&P MGW tool for all three of my pistols, or invest in a different universal type sight pusher?
Thanks everyone for your knowledge and advice.

Backstop

10-28-11, 11:45

Rauchman, or anyone else, can you confirm the MGW M&P Sight tool will work on the GLOCKS also? Would it be a good idea to buy the M&P MGW tool for all three of my pistols, or invest in a different universal type sight pusher?

This doesn't really answer your question, but does provide the Brownell stock numbers (in red):

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=8846/sku=584-045-017/Product/Glock-Sight-Mover

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=8846/sku=584-000-003/Product/S-W-M-P-Sight-Mover

I'll also state I'm not a fan of "universal tools." It either works perfectly without any additional muscle, hammering and/or coaxing, or it's gone.

Then there's this:

Beretta/Glock fit rear sights only. Glock Flat-Side fits aftermarket rear sights with straight, non-sloped sides for standard- and large-frame Glock pistols. SIG fits rear sights on all SIGs except SIG-PRO. Smith & Wesson M&P fits both and front and rear sights; will not fit Pro models with 5" barrel. Springfield XD fits both front and rear sights on all XD models except front sight on 5" barrel Tactical model.

I'm also interested to hear some practical experience.

brzusa.1911

10-28-11, 11:59

I replaced the sights on my G29 to Meprolights and couldn't be happier. The store where I bought replaced them since I don't have the tools, but with the right tools you can do it yourself very very easily.

obucina

10-28-11, 12:05

I put Ameriglo iDots on my '27 and am becoming quite fond of the two dot sight pic. The front sight has a white surround that is really easy for me to pick up and I like the large U gap at the rear sight. I fellow forum member did a lend-lease on the requisite tools and it took me all of 10 minutes. Geez, I spent more time rolling out the armors mat and clearing off my computer desk than I did changing the sights out!

blackscot

10-28-11, 13:46

I replaced the factory sights on my daily-carry G19 with Warren Tactical 2-dot night sights using a locally borrowed MGW sight pusher -- EZ as pie.

That was something like 4 years ago and the sights haven't budged, under both daily carry and monthly IDPA matches.

The tritium inserts haven't faded any either (although my eyesight sure has....).

duece71

10-29-11, 14:55

OP

Go to Glockmeister.com and get the Glock rear sight tool and the front sight tool and a bottle of blue loctite.

It takes about 10 minutes to change out the sights.

After watching a smith change out my sights on my first Glock and then having the front sight fall off, I decided I can do a better job myself.

Take your time and check your alignment.

Just a note...the mepro light front site tool actually works a lot better than the Glockmeister front sight tool. I believe I bought that from brownells.

I have thought about going this route. I am fairly sure that this will be a "one time" installation....:rolleyes: No no, really! :)
If this is going to be a "semi-one time" install, I would rather not do it myself. Believe me, there are more times when I have attemped something that I "thought" was easy (:D) and royally ****ed up what ever it was that I was attempting. It often leads to a bunch of shouting, cursing and general mayhem. Too much stress. This doesn't mean I have stopped attempting projects and stuff, it has made me more "discriminating" (:D) in deciding what is worth tackling and what, IMO, should be left to a pro.

samuse

10-29-11, 17:50

I've put on many rear sights (tritium too) on Glocks with a delrin punch and a padded vise. No damage.

gringop

11-01-11, 22:02

I've put on many rear sights (tritium too) on Glocks with a delrin punch and a padded vise. No damage.

This is true. If you can change a spark plug, you can change a sight.

Gringop

okie john

11-02-11, 11:34

A rear sight tool beats the hell (no pun intended) out of the punch-and-hammer method when zeroing for windage. Mine turned out to be worth its weight in profanity on the first range trip.

Okie John

duece71

11-02-11, 16:29

A rear sight tool beats the hell (no pun intended) out of the punch-and-hammer method when zeroing for windage. Mine turned out to be worth its weight in profanity on the first range trip.

Okie John

Hmmm, sounds like it prevents "royal ****up" and all of the associated profanity and stress that usually follows. Well, if I can avoid those 2 situations, I am probably gonna get one. Now, if only I could avoid "I-am-going-to-use-this-thingy-once" phobia. :dance3:

okie john

11-02-11, 16:37

Hmmm, sounds like it prevents "royal ****up" and all of the associated profanity and stress that usually follows. Well, if I can avoid those 2 situations, I am probably gonna get one. Now, if only I could avoid "I-am-going-to-use-this-thingy-once" phobia. :dance3:

You'll use this tool twice: once to install sights and again to zero it. Then you'll get another Glock and you'll use it two more times, and so on.

I also keep mine in my range bag to help out folks where I shoot.

Okie John

duece71

11-02-11, 18:01

You'll use this tool twice: once to install sights and again to zero it. Then you'll get another Glock and you'll use it two more times, and so on.

I also keep mine in my range bag to help out folks where I shoot.

Okie John

And there it is, the voice of reason and why I need one these sight tool thingys. The local Glock dude is going to be pissed when I tell him I am not going to spend money at his shop. Thank you, and I will probably be getting one soon. I believe Midway USA has them but I may shop around a bit.
Thanks again.

okie john

11-02-11, 18:28

I believe Midway USA has them but I may shop around a bit.
Thanks again.

No problem. Definitely shop around after you decide which one you want. They go on special sometimes.

Okie John

TEXAS_GLOCKER

08-23-12, 20:21

whick mgw sight pusher do i need for installing warren tactical sights on my glock, the standard or the one that has flat sides? :help:

gsxr-fan

08-24-12, 23:17

Before you buy any expensive front site, I highly recommend that you go to your nearest hobby shop and pickup a Sharpie Lime and Orange paint pens!

Why? Because for $5.00 (which is what I paid for both on sale) you can paint your front site and experiment to see first hand which color will work best for your situation.

Does it work in the dark? No, but neither does the stock white dot.

Any tools involved? None, unless you count rubbing alcohol and cotton balls to remove oil and powder residue.

Does painting the front site work? My initial impression is YES! I painted the front site of my G19 Orange and shot it at my local IDPA match and the result was I much faster than I've ever been! A fluke? Maybe but under partly cloudy conditions, I was able to pickup the front site much faster and easier than ever before.

Dissing the after market? Hell no, but as an alternative to buying a new front site you might want to experiment and give painting your front site a try!