How do you install Glock sights? By doing these 5 simple steps:
- Use the slide release to take off your Glock’s slide.
- Remove the existing sights with a front sight tool and a rear sight tool.
- Replace the sights with the ones you want.
- Tighten the hex nut on the front sight and push the new rear sight in to tighten it.
- Test your weapon.
For a more detailed step by step instruction on how to install your glock sights, keep on reading!
Step 1: Field Strip Your Glock
Since your Glock comes with standard-issue sights, you’ll have to first remove the front and rear factory sight. To do that, though, you have to take apart your Glock first.
You always want to eject the magazine and lock the slide back first. Double- and triple-check that your weapon is clear before moving forward. Let the slide go back into place.
While aiming your Glock in a safe direction, disengage the firing pin and recoil spring by pulling the trigger. Now use the slide release and remove your slide by rocking it back and then forward out of the frame.
The rest of your handgun is fine, so you can set it down. With your slide open, it’s time to get to work on the sights.
Step 2: Remove the Sights
When it comes to taking the sights off of your Glock, you’ll need a front and a rear sight tool. Here’s what I use:
- Compatible with Glock 19,17, 43, 26, 22, 48, 27, 45, 21, 42, 30, 34, 20, 44 and more
- Rear sight pusher will work with 90 degree and 30 degree rear sight profiles
- Both side witness windows tool frame to check sight alignment
You can start from either direction, so feel free to remove them vice versa. The front and rear sight tools go to their corresponding sights for removal, or you can use a universal tool.
In any case, flip your slide over to see under it. At the front, there’s a 3/16” hex nut. That’s what the front tool is for, but take it slow to avoid damaging your slide.
Once that’s off, you can go to the rear sight. There’s a small trench that the rear sight rests in, so you’ll have to push from the underside to get it out after loosening the nut with your tool.
You can use a sight pusher if you want. As before, take this one slow. It’s possible to damage the slide if you push too hard, but keep in mind that it can be a little tough.
After all, Glock pistols are built to hold together. A sight pusher can make this part easier, but either way you’ll need to get the original sights out.
Step 3: Install the New Sights
With the sights out, you can now install your sights. Once again, you’ve got a lot of options to choose from, like red dot sights, night sights, and suppressor sights:
- DAY & NIGHT SIGHTS - When the lights go out, your sidearm doesn't need to be left in the dark; The TruGlo Tritium Handgun Sights transition from white dots during the daylight, to glowing green dots...
- HIGH VISIBILITY - These Glowing Gun Sights feature Swiss Tritium elements that provide a bright and consistent glow, along with an excellent sight picture in low light or even complete darkness;...
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION - You're on the go and count on your handgun to be rugged and reliable; Your gun sights should be held to the same standard - which is why TruGlo Night Sights are machined from...
You can also go out of order again, if you want, but we’ll stick with front-to-back installation.
It’s actually pretty simple. All you do for the front sight is hold it in place where the previous sights were and tighten the hex nut from below.
Just don’t tighten it too hard, because you could damage your new sight. It’s also important to make sure your sight’s balanced and even before you do the last turn.
The rear sight is similar in installation. Push it into the slide as far as it will go while keeping it even with the front. Once it’s in place and centered, tighten the nut.
Step 4: Reassemble Your Glock
With your changing sights in place, you can put your slide back on the frame. Because Glock pistols are solid, they’re easy to put back together.
Flip your slide right-side-up and line it up with the guide rails on your Glock’s frame. Starting from the barrel end, pull your slide back into place. While you do so, you should feel the trigger assembly reengage.
Keep your hand on the slide to ease it into place. It should naturally settle onto your frame again and lock into place. It’s important to safely test that you’ve reassembled your handgun correctly.
Using the same safe direction from before, you can release the firing pin and recoil spring by pulling the trigger. Then, just pull back the slide and squeeze the trigger again.
If all goes well, your Glock should be back together with the sight installation! Once that’s done, you can use a Glock sight adjustment tool to make small improvements:
Alternate Method
If you can’t find the front and rear sight tools, or just don’t want to, it’s possible to change out your taller sights at home if you have the specific regular tools.
The first step is the same, which is to safely remove your Glock’s slide and set the frame down. The front sight tool can be swapped for a 3/16” nut driver or a socket of the same size, if your socket is long enough to reach it.
For the rear sight, you need to use a vice grip or needle-nose pliers to hold the sight in place. Then use a nylon punch and hammer to lightly tap the sight out. Lightly is the key word.
For the new sight installation, the front will go in just as before. Tighten the hex nut with your sight in place. The rear is a little trickier, because you’ll have to, again, lightly tap it into place with the nylon-hammer combination.
Step 5: Test it Out
With your new sight installation in place, it’s important to put them to the test and make sure they’re lined up. Especially if you’re dealing with a sight installation that uses MOA for accuracy, you might need to adjust it.
You can use a Glock sight adjustment tool for these purposes. A good distance to set your target at is 25 yards, because that’s right in the sweet spot for accuracy.
Fire three rounds to establish a pattern. If your aim is off, it’s time for a sight adjustment. Remember that you’ll need to adjust your rear sights to the left if your handgun fires left and vice versa. Line your rear sights up with the front sights and try again.
Once your Glock is firing with precision, you know how to install Glock sights! If you’re still having trouble, watch this video:
FAQ
The tools to remove or install sights are named for their position. So, for the front sight you’ll need a Glock front sight tool and to install rear sight needs a rear sight tool.
If you have a good tool collection, though, you can also use a 3/16” socket wrench or a nut driver.
Glocks come with factory sights, but no sights on Glocks are generally considered fixed. They’re all adjustable in some fashion. You can also swap them for several sight options, like red dot sights or tritium night sights.
Yes. The Glock sight adjustment tool from Glock can be used to alter them in either direction to improve accuracy.
The hex nut holding your front sight in place is 3/16”.
You’ll either need a front sight tool, a 3/16” nut driver, or a 3/16” socket set if the socket is long enough.