Why Upgrade Your Glock Sights?
The Glock pistol. It’s more than just a firearm; it’s a legend. Known for its reliability, durability, and simplicity, the Glock has become a staple for law enforcement, military personnel, and civilian shooters alike. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a new enthusiast, the pursuit of improved accuracy is a constant one. While the Glock platform itself provides a solid foundation, the factory sights often leave something to be desired. That’s where aftermarket Glock sights come into play. Upgrading your sights is one of the most impactful modifications you can make, transforming your shooting experience and boosting your confidence on the range or in defensive situations. This article delves into the world of the best aftermarket Glock sights, guiding you through the options and helping you choose the perfect upgrade for your needs.
One key advantage of aftermarket sights is enhanced visibility. Many aftermarket sights utilize brighter materials or more pronounced sight pictures, making it easier to acquire your target quickly and accurately, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Whether it’s the glare of the sun, the dimness of a tactical environment, or simply the contrast between the sights and your target, improved visibility translates directly into faster and more precise shooting.
Durability is another important consideration. Aftermarket sights are often constructed from more robust materials than their factory counterparts, able to withstand the rigors of repeated use, harsh environments, and potential impacts. Steel construction, for example, offers significant advantages over polymer in terms of longevity and resilience. This added durability ensures that your sights remain reliable and functional over time, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Customization is a major benefit of going aftermarket. You can choose a sight type that best suits your shooting style, environment, and personal preferences. From classic iron sights to advanced fiber optic and tritium night sights, the options are vast. Furthermore, some aftermarket sights offer adjustable features, allowing you to fine-tune your point of impact for specific ammunition or shooting scenarios. This level of customization ensures that your sights work perfectly for you.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Aftermarket Glock Sights
Selecting the right aftermarket Glock sights can feel overwhelming given the plethora of options available. However, by considering a few key factors, you can narrow down your choices and find the perfect sights for your needs.
Let’s begin with sight type. This is perhaps the most fundamental decision, as it dictates the core functionality of your sights.
Iron Sights
These are the most basic and traditional type, often featuring a front post and a rear notch or U-shaped aperture. They are generally affordable and reliable. However, they can be slower to acquire in low-light conditions compared to other options.
Fiber Optic Sights
These sights utilize fiber optic rods to gather ambient light and transmit it to the shooter’s eye, creating bright, highly visible aiming points. They excel in daylight and provide quick target acquisition.
Tritium Night Sights
These sights use tritium, a radioactive isotope, to provide a glowing aiming point in low-light or no-light conditions. They are self-illuminating, requiring no batteries, and are a favorite among tactical shooters and those who prioritize nighttime visibility.
Adjustable Sights
These sights allow you to adjust the point of impact, either for windage (left and right) and/or elevation (up and down). This is useful for zeroing your pistol or adapting to different ammunition types.
Next, consider the material and durability of the sights. The material directly impacts the sight’s longevity and resistance to wear and tear. Steel sights are generally more durable than those made of polymer, but they may also be heavier. Look for sights made from high-quality materials that can withstand the stresses of regular use and exposure to the elements. Check for resistance to corrosion.
Visibility and target acquisition are crucial factors. The sights should be easy to see and quickly align with your target. The color contrast between the sights and the target is important, as is the brightness of the aiming points. The sight picture (how the front sight aligns with the rear sight) should be intuitive and easy to understand.
Don’t overlook ease of installation. Some aftermarket sights are designed for easy installation with minimal tools, while others require more specialized tools and expertise. Make sure the sights are compatible with your Glock model and that you have the necessary tools or are comfortable seeking professional installation if needed.
Finally, establish a price and budget. Aftermarket Glock sights range in price from affordable to premium. Determine how much you are willing to spend and consider the features, quality, and durability that are most important to you. It’s often worthwhile to invest in quality sights, as they can significantly impact your shooting performance.
Top Aftermarket Glock Sight Recommendations
Now, let’s explore some of the best aftermarket Glock sight options available today.
Enhanced Iron Sights: Elevating the Basics
Sometimes, a simple upgrade can make all the difference. Many shooters prefer enhanced iron sights for their reliability and familiarity.
Ameriglo
Ameriglo is a well-respected brand known for its high-quality iron sights. Their ProGlo and I-DOT series are particularly popular for Glock pistols. They feature bright, easily visible front sight dots that are often paired with a rear sight with a U-notch or a similar design. These sights are excellent for quick target acquisition in various lighting conditions. Their bright colors enhance visibility, and the robust construction ensures long-lasting performance. The front sights are often available with tritium inserts for low-light visibility.
Trijicon
Trijicon is a legendary name in the firearms industry, and their sights are renowned for their durability and performance. The HD XR series is a great choice for Glock pistols. HD XR sights feature a bold front sight with a brightly colored outline, often a highly visible orange or yellow, paired with a U-notch rear sight. The front sight’s prominent design makes it quick to acquire. These sights offer excellent durability, able to withstand the recoil and environmental stresses of regular use.
Fiber Optic Sights: Harnessing Ambient Light
Fiber optic sights are known for their brightness and speed of target acquisition, making them ideal for fast-paced shooting.
HIVIZ
HIVIZ is a leader in fiber optic technology, and their Glock sights are a popular choice. They incorporate bright fiber optic rods in the front and sometimes rear sights, providing a vibrant aiming point that is easy to see in daylight. The LiteWave series features a unique design that channels ambient light for maximum brightness. HIVIZ sights are generally easy to install and offer a significant improvement in target acquisition speed. They are best suited for well-lit environments.
Dawson Precision
Dawson Precision specializes in high-performance sights, including a variety of fiber optic options for Glock pistols. They are known for their precision manufacturing and offer a wide range of fiber optic color options to suit individual preferences. Dawson Precision fiber optic sights are designed for competition and tactical shooting, providing exceptional accuracy and target acquisition speed. The sights offer a crisp, clear sight picture with excellent brightness.
Tritium Night Sights: Illuminating the Darkness
For those who need reliable aiming points in low-light conditions, tritium night sights are a must-have.
Trijicon
Trijicon is a pioneer in tritium night sight technology. Their Bright & Tough and HD XR night sights offer a combination of features for both day and night shooting. The Bright & Tough models feature tritium vials in both the front and rear sights, providing a consistent glow in the dark. The HD XR models combine the tritium with a bright front sight outline for improved visibility during daylight hours. Trijicon sights are known for their durability and long-lasting tritium illumination.
Ameriglo
Ameriglo offers a wide range of tritium night sights for Glock pistols. Their offerings often feature a bright front sight with a tritium insert paired with a tritium-illuminated rear sight. These sights provide excellent visibility in low-light conditions while being easy to see during the day. The I-DOT series is another popular choice, providing a simple and effective sight picture.
Adjustable Sights: Fine-Tuning Your Accuracy
For shooters seeking maximum precision and the ability to fine-tune their point of impact, adjustable sights are an excellent option.
Glock OEM Adjustable Sights
These are manufactured by Glock themselves. They are available as an upgrade to standard fixed sights. They offer a basic level of adjustability for windage and elevation, allowing you to zero your pistol or adjust for different ammunition types. However, they may not be as durable or feature-rich as some aftermarket options.
10-8 Performance
This company offers high-quality adjustable sights specifically designed for Glock pistols. Their sights are known for their durability, precision, and ease of adjustment. They offer a crisp sight picture and provide a range of adjustment options to suit your needs. 10-8 Performance sights are often a popular choice for competition shooting and those who demand the utmost in accuracy.
Installation: Putting It All Together
Once you’ve chosen your aftermarket Glock sights, it’s time for installation. This is a relatively straightforward process for many sights, but it does require some care and the right tools. The basic steps involve:
- Safety First: Ensure your Glock is unloaded and the magazine is removed. Clear the chamber and visually inspect it to ensure it is empty.
- Remove the Slide: Disassemble your Glock to remove the slide. Refer to your Glock owner’s manual for specific instructions.
- Remove the Old Sights: Use a sight pusher tool or a punch and hammer to remove the factory sights. A sight pusher is recommended, as it minimizes the risk of damaging the slide. Use a brass punch and a small mallet for any adjustments to the old sights if a sight pusher isn’t available, but go slowly.
- Install the New Sights: Install the new sights using a sight pusher or, if necessary, a punch and hammer. Take extra care to protect the slide finish. Some sights require the use of Loctite or other adhesives to secure them.
- Reassemble and Test: Reassemble your Glock and test your new sights at the range to ensure proper zeroing and functionality.
If you are not comfortable with the installation process, seek professional assistance from a qualified gunsmith.
Conclusion: Elevate Your Glock Experience
Upgrading your Glock sights is a worthwhile investment for any shooter. By choosing the right aftermarket sights, you can significantly improve your accuracy, speed of target acquisition, and overall shooting experience. Consider the factors outlined in this article – sight type, material and durability, visibility, ease of installation, and price – to select the sights that best suit your needs and shooting style. Whether you opt for enhanced iron sights, fiber optic, tritium night sights, or adjustable sights, the right choice will transform your Glock and give you a distinct advantage. Don’t settle for the status quo. Explore the options, make the upgrade, and experience the difference that quality aftermarket Glock sights can make. Your next shooting session will be the best yet.
