How many sales have the plastic sights cost Glock?

[albanian]

I have heard so many people say that they bought another gun other than a Glock at least partially because the cheap plastic sights Glock puts on there guns. I know it probably saved them $1.50 by using plastic instead of steel sights but how much has it cost them?

At first, there really was no competition for Glock but now with the XD line from SA, and Walther P-99 and H&K poly pistols, I think people are finding better bang for the buck. Glocks never impressed me as very good deals considering what goes into them. When you look at a SIG and compare it to a Glock, I can't see spending almost as much for a Glock. SIGs are made with much better materials and seem like it should cost much more to make than a Glock. Glocks should probably cost quite a bit less than they do esp since there really hasn't been any real R&D done on them in forever.

 

[Sir Aardvark]

I replaced the sights on my G30 with XS 24/7 Big Dot sights - I actually had the sights in my possession before I had the pistol.

One good thing about plastic sights is that they pop off REAL easy; makes replacement a snap.

I, myself, would rather have an XD instead of a Glock, except that .45 ACP isn't an option with the XD.

 

[lyricsdad]

The HK, Walther, cost a bit more.. I think the XD is waaay more competable with the glock... Now the XD seems like more bang for the buck.. 3 Magazines, a holster, case..

 

[MAGNUMMAN]

Three.

 

[Tecolote]

Not enough to convince them to make standard metal sights.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I truly doubt that Glock has lost very many sales because of having plastic sights. My guess is that it would have been a combination of factors, not just the sights. In other words, said potential buyers probably weren't totally sold on the gun in the first place.

Not enough to convince them to make standard metal sights.

Right. Plus, Glock isn't even going to know that the missed sales were because of plastic sights unless people complained to Glock. So, how many people who didn't buy a Glock because of the plastic sights also complained about the sights and told them that a sale had been lost?

 

[Boss Spearman]

And I can't see spending more for a Sig. The couple of Sigs I've owned or tried were both unreliable. I have never had reliability issues with any Glock.

And with the grip safety on an XD, you cannot perform one hand clearing maneuvers because you can't rack the slide without the grip safety being depressed. I'll take Glock over Sig or XDs any day.

 

[Rink]

The Glock I have must be an old one, as I only have a single dot on the front and its built into the frame, it doesnt seem 'plastic' at all.

My pistol is a Glock 19 in 9mm and it came with a 15+ 2 round magazine.

I've had it for over 5 years now.

 

[litework]

And with the grip safety on an XD, you cannot perform one hand clearing maneuvers because you can't rack the slide without the grip safety being depressed.

Of course with the XD, you won't have to

I know when I buy a Glock, I'll be replacing the sights (and the guide rod). I figure it into the cost.

I'll gladly pay more for a polymer framed pistol. The cost of the materials going in to the making of a combat pistol add no value to the pistol for me. I'm paying for function, not raw materials. I've owned a 12 round, all steel .45 and don't care to own another. I'll gladly take a high capacity .45 with a polymer frame. I have plenty of all steel guns, but they are generally not carry guns.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

SIGs are made with much better materials

I would say this is a very subjective statement. What do you mean by better?

A common tactic of people who dislike Glocks it to start with a pre-conceived prejudice against them, and then make vague statements like that to try to justify the prejudice.

How many people have actually had problems with the plastic sights? I know of no one personally, though the internet is replete with people who know "some guy" who's Glock sights fell off.

 

[1 old 0311]

Hi Rink,

I used to have a VERY old Glock 19. Like 13-14 years ago. The front sight was held in place with a nut under the slide. Good reliable gun just has all the pizzazz of a Hyundai. Very functional that is it.

Kevin

 

[tlhelmer]

None from me! I have replaced the factory sights with night sights on all my Glocks, and guns for that matter.

 

[Onmilo]

Considering the majority of handgun shooters change factory original sights on their personal handguns when something more to their liking is available and considering that Glock will install any type of sight a volume purchaser wishes to have on the guns, I am going to say not one sale has been lost.

 

[Bobby Lee]

If you pay $500 for a Glock it is wise to replace the sights.

If you pay $1,500 for a SA M1a rifle you must replace the junk cast extractor with a GI part if you want it it last.

If you pay $1,000 for a Kimber is is a good idea to replace their MIM slide stop before it breaks.

 

[HSMITH]

It hasn't cost them any sales from me, even if the factory sights were steel I would replace them with a design I like better.

 

[GLOCKT]

It hasn't detered many of us shooters with the intent of buying a quality pistol.
Like putting an after market stero in your VW.Stock is fine if your needs are met.The 6 disc cd changer and 100 watts boomer appeals to us in the need for performance.
The 3 Glocks I own didn't last 1 day with stock sights.
Trijicon on the G27 carry pistol.
Trijicon front sight Glock adjustable on the rear on my Comp G22.
And the G22c has the Trijicons also.
Some of us us expect to upgrade our pistols,some are content with a stock shooter.
The question is how many Millions did Ruger loose by backing the Brady Bill?

 

[Bix]

Any pistol purchase is going to involve a compromise to some degree. I don't mind compromsing on Glock sights.

Also, while I personally prefer aftermarket sights, I believe the factory sights are entirely useable (within the context of a fighting pistol).

 

[Rockstar]

With proper respect for albanian's marketing expertise, I'd say that the plastic sights are a non-issue from a marketing standpoint. Glock sells every pistol that they manufacture.

Same response for albanian's "theory" that Glocks cost too much.

 

[logical]

How many sales have the plastic sights cost Glock?

It was the plastic frames that did it for me.

 

[KurtC]

I didn't find the plastic sights half as insulting as the plastic trigger, mags and mag release. The sights were actually easy to use, unlike the aforementioned parts.

 

[Glocker]

WELL GO BY A SIG AND GET ON WITH LIFE SOME PEOPLE LIKE THE WAY GLOCKS IS MADE, THATS WHY WE BUY THEM

 

[mcooper]

One, xd instead
....Also I am a lefty, the non ambidexterious mag release was a bigger factor.
But those 2 are the reasons

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I find the factory plastic FIXED sights to be pretty durable. The factory adjustable sights are another matter entirely. I've got 10 Glocks and I replace the plastic sights on each and every one of them within a few weeks of purchase. Not b/c I'm concerned about durability, but b/c for some reason these sights just do not line up properly for me. I have had good experiences with Meprolights. Always very easy for me to line up the sights. Just recently, I've been convinced to try Ameriglo sights and I'm pretty impressed with them. Hasn't cost Glock any sales with me.

 

[denfoote]

With most Glock owners, including myself, the stock sights are the first thing to go!!
That has not kept me from getting more Glocks!!
I just take it as a given that the sights will be stripped off and Trijicons put on!!

 

[SouthpawShootr]

Well, look at it this way: How many things can you customize on a Glock?

Let's see, you have:

Trigger pull
Sights
Backstrap channel plug
Slide release
Grip reduction (definitely not a do it yourself job you can really make a mess here).

There's just not all that much you can change to make the gun suit you. Sights and most other stuff are real easy and inexpensive to change.