In case you've spent any kind of time at the range with a factory pistol, you've probably thought about changing sights on a glock to something even more durable than individuals standard plastic "U" dots. Let's become real: Glock can make a fantastic, reliable firearm, but their particular stock polymer sights are often the very first thing owners want in order to swap out. Whether or not you're looking intended for high-visibility night sights, a fiber optic setup for competitors, or just some thing made of actual steel that won't get dinged up the first-time a person bump it against a barricade, doing the swap yourself is a good way to get to understand your pistol.
The good thing is that you don't need to be a professional gunsmith in order to pull this off. It's a relatively straightforward process that always takes about twenty minutes if a person have the correct tools on hand.
Why bother swapping them out there?
Most people start looking into changing sights on a glock because the factory ones are, frankly, a little bit "budget. " They will work fine for basic target practice, but polymer is soft. If you're carrying your Glock every day, all those sights can obtain chewed up or even even sheared away from if you're unlucky. Plus, the white "bucket" rear sight isn't everyone's beloved for fast focus on acquisition.
Moving to a set of steel sights gives a person peace of mind. Beyond durability, there's the visibility factor. Tritium night sights glow in the dark without needing a battery, which is a substantial upgrade for a home defense gun. Fiber optics, on the other hand, catch ambient lighting and glow gaily during the time, making them a top choice regarding outdoor shooting.
The equipment you'll actually require
Before you begin using things apart, you need a several specific items. You can test to "bubba" all the way through this with a hammer and a flathead screwdriver, yet I wouldn't recommend it unless a person enjoy scratching your own slide and stripping screws.
Initial, you will need a front sight tool . This is essentially a tiny 3/16" thin-walled nut driver. Glock front sights are held in by a really small, very slim hex bolt. A standard socket usually won't fit since the clearances inside the slide are so tight.
For the rear sight, you have two choices: a sight pusher tool or a brass punch and hammer . A sight pusher may be the "pro" way to do it. It's a mechanised device that slowly cranks the sight across the dovetail. It's precise and keeps your slide scratch-free. If you don't are interested a dedicated tool, a brass punch functions, but you have to be careful. Brass is softer than metal, so it shouldn't mar the finish off, but it may leave little gold-colored marks that you'll have to clean off later.
Lastly, grab some Glowing blue Loctite (242 or 243) . Vibration from shooting can eventually rattle those sights loose if you don't make use of a thread locker. Just make certain you use the blue stuff—not the red. Red Loctite requires a blowtorch to eliminate, and you definitely don't want in order to be hitting your slide with a torch later on.
Removing the particular old ones
First thing's first: make sure the gun is unloaded. Check the holding chamber, check it once again, and move the particular ammo to one more room. Once you're safe, field remove the pistol therefore you only need the slide you are holding. Consider out the barrel and the recoil spring assembly therefore they don't get in the method.
To get rid of the front view, flip the slide upside down. You'll observe that tiny hex screw. Use your own front sight tool to unscrew it. Sometimes they're a bit stubborn in the event that the factory used a lot of finish on the threads, but this should pop correct out. When the screw is gone, the front sight usually simply falls off the particular top of the slide.
The trunk sight is usually where things obtain a bit more physical. In the event that you're using a sight pusher, just line it upward according to the particular tool's instructions plus crank it until the sight glides out of the particular dovetail. If you're using a punch, secure the slide in a cushioned vise. Give the rear sight a few firm shoes with the metal punch and hammer. It doesn't matter much which direction you go to take it out , but traditionally, sights are pushed within from right in order to left (looking through the back of the gun) and pushed out through left to best.
Installing the new front sight
When changing sights on a glock , front side a single is the easiest part of the install. Clear the area where the particular sight sits with a little bit of rubbing alcohol to get rid of any essential oil or grease. This helps the Loctite bond better.
Drop the particular new sight in to the hole. It need to sit flat against the slide. Put a tiny fall of Blue Loctite on the strings of the fresh screw. Don't go overboard; a little little bit goes a long way. Use your device to tighten it down. You would like it snug, somebody, it's a tiny mess. If you crank it like you're tightening a haul nut on a truck, you will snap your head off. Just get it "finger tight" plus a little nudge.
Getting the rear view just right
This is the particular part that needs a few patience. If you're using a view pusher, it's quite simple—just reverse the removal process. Slip the new view into the dovetail by hand as far as it will go (usually about a third associated with the way), then use the device to push this the rest of the way.
If you're using a punch, carry it slow. You need to hit the particular base associated with the sight, not really the top cutting blades, or perhaps you might bend them. Tap, check out, tap, check. You're trying to get it completely centered on the particular slide.
A quick tip: most aftermarket sights (like Trijicon, Ameriglo, or Night Fision) are made to very tight tolerances. Sometimes the dovetail on the view is simply a hair too large for the slot on your own slide. If this feels like it's stuck and won't shift even with a good hit, a person might need in order to "fit" the sight. Take a fine-grit metal file plus take a several passes off the bottom of the sight (the part that slides directly into the groove). Proceed slow. You may always take even more metal off, yet you can't place it back.
Last checks and alignment
Once everything looks centered, wipe off any excessive oil or brass marks. Use a set of calipers if you need to be medically precise about the centering of this rear sight, but most of the time, "eyeballing it" gets you 95% of the particular way there.
Before you decide to contact it a day time, look through the particular sights. Do they look level? Is usually the front sight straight? Sometimes the particular front sight may "cant" or angle slightly as you tighten the screw. If this looks crooked, loosen the screw, straighten the view, and snug this back down.
Let the Loctite cure for a minimum of 24 hours just before you head to the range. If you go out and begin blasting rounds immediately, the vibrations might break the bond before it's arranged, and you'll discover your front view flying off in to the dirt.
Testing it out
The true test of changing sights on a glock happens at the range. Even if they appear perfectly centered, they may be off by a hair. Start in a close distance—maybe 5 or seven yards—and fire a few slow, stable shots. If you're hitting consistently in order to the left, you have to move your rear sight to the particular right. A great rule of thumb to keep in mind is: Move the trunk sight in the path you want the bullet to go.
If you discover you're hitting low or high, that's generally a function of the sight levels you chose. Nearly all "standard" sets are regulated for a combat hold or even a center-mass keep, but every shooter's eyes and grasp are a little different.
Conclusions
Changing your personal sights is a bit of a transitional phase for Glock owners. It's a basic mechanical task that makes a massive difference in how the gun performs and how much a person enjoy shooting this. Plus, there's a certain satisfaction in knowing you did the work your self rather than paying a shop $50 in order to do something that's this easy. Simply take your time, use the right tools, and don't neglect the Loctite!