Glock 19 factory glock sites?

This topic has come up recently. Here are three related threads:

"Best Glock Sights" has some opinions thrown around, and pictures of a couple different types of sights.

"Websites that sell gun sights" has links to three different aftermarket sight manufacturers, each of which are very popular. You can check those sights for pictures of products and see if you find something you like.

"Site Set Question" is a very short thread that explains a POA/POI question in regards to aftermarket sites. You didn't ask about this, but if you do select an aftermarket manufacturer, you'll probably find this helpful.

Honestly, I hate the factory Glock sights. The whole 'u-dot' sighting system is just not for me. However, their night sights are not too bad (IMO).

Also, as to the extended slide stop; be careful with it. For many people who shoot Glocks correctly (thumbs riding high on the frame) they will inadvertently hit it during recoil and cause the slide to lock open on a loaded magazine or they will hold it down and prevent it from locking the slide back on an empty mag. For those same reasons I keep an extended slide release on my competition gun (Glock 34), but not on my carry gun (Glock 19). I have never had a problem with it (yet), most likely due to my smaller hands, but I don't want to chance it with the gun that I trust my life to.

Honestly, I hate the factory Glock sights. The whole 'u-dot' sighting system is just not for me.

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Same here. I'm strongly considering blacking-out the rear sight on my G19, but I've never used a handgun without a rear sight marking. I think it'll take some getting use to.

I agree with your take on an extended slide release too, but for different reasons. I'm becoming more and more of a fan of training with gross motor skills versus fine motor skills, so I slingshot the slide every time I chamber a new mag, instead of using the slide release. Only time I use the SR is to lock the slide back without a mag inserted - but we all use two hands for that anyway, so the normal SR works just fine. That's my take anyway.

Bobson, a blacked out rear sight is not that difficult to get used to. Most people actually immediately shoot more accurately. If you can, use some grip tape first to black it out just in case you don't like it.

And as to your reason for not wanting an extended slide stop; I agree. For any defensive pistol training and practice I use the slingshot. Even when I am doing one hand reloads I use the rear sight against my belt to get the gun up and running.

I don't understand the idea behind anything other than a black rear sight. You shouldn't be focusing on it. The exception would be night sights, where it would be helpful to know where your rear sights are in low light conditions.

I live about twice as far from Smyrma (I-20) as you do and I can tell you the guys (and gals) at Glock are good people. Prices change over time but they do have a toll free number and they've always been extremely helpful to me.

I was in their shop about a month ago and it you can work in that 140 mile trip it's be worth your time.

Personally, for low light in-house situations, wife and I have gone with CTC lasers ... see dot; see hole. On the range the factory sights have served me well since 1991. If you want something else, well ... it's your money, your gun and your decision.

I've visited the Glock/Smyrna facility several times over the past 20 years, always with excellent results. They'll install their night sights for $57. Trijicons, I believe, are $70. They might put on an extended side stop lever free.

Was wondering if anyone here has any opinions on the factory sites vs. other aftermarket sites.

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If 3-dot sights work alright for you, then the factory Glock nigth sights are quality items and IMO as good as any. I had a set of the factory NS on my Glock 17 and just could never really adapt to them. I found the 3-dot system slow and not at all suited for rapid reactions in a SD gun. After then wore out, I replaced them with Heine "straight eigth" sights which use a two dot system. I find this much quicker to align properly in rapid fire than the 3-dot system. Another option I've been looking at for my GLock 36 now are the XS Big Dot express sights, which use a bar-dot system which looks like it could be good.

This is all personal preference, of course, as lots of people use and like 3-dot NS, but its something you might want to consider before spending any money.

I have a G19 gen 3. I went with the 10-8 Performance U-notch and brass bead set up. I like it alot. Brownell's had them on sale a while ago.

I do not like night sites. I like a steel plain black rear and a brass bead front.

I have Trijicons on all my guns. Good quality, bright and last a long time. On top of that, they are warrantied for 10 years. Can't beat that.

I do not like night sites. I like a steel plain black rear and a brass bead front.
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What does that have to do with this thread? Just feel compelled to post a non sequitur?

hentown said:

What does that have to do with this thread? Just feel compelled to post a non sequitur?

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Because the OP specifically asked about night sights?

I can't say for sure they still do it, but about 3 years ago they did. I also live about 60 miles away. I drove down with 6 Glock pistols belonging to myself and friends around 10AM. Dropped them off and drove over to Adventure Outdoors and looked around for a while, ate lunch and came back about 2PM.

They installed night sights on all of them, disassembled and inspected, replaced any worn parts, test fired, and cleaned them for $342. $57 each.

rbernie said:

I do not like night sites. I like a steel plain black rear ...

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Yeah me too ... Novak's when they're available. Got my first set circa 1990 and their simplicity, durability and functionality are top shelf.

hentown said:

What does that have to do with this thread? Just feel compelled to post a non sequitur?

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Well, he did ask for opinions. That leaves the door wide open as long as you stick to the subject at hand I'd think.

Well, in my opinion the black sights are an excellent choice on a range gun meant for playing range games. They are an excellent choice for shooting small groups when shooting at paper targets in good light.

For a gun that has only one purpose, and that is to keep me alive when needed, I'll take the sights that allow me to see them in low light.

I have guns set up both ways. It is about selecting the right tool from the toolbox for the job at hand.

What does that have to do with this thread? Just feel compelled to post a non sequitur?

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Well, he did ask for opinions. That leaves the door wide open as long as you stick to the subject at hand I'd think.

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The OP specifically asked:

Was wondering if anyone here has any opinions on the factory sites vs. other aftermarket sites. Thanks

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And so I answered that specific question. No non sequitur in that, from my seat in the bleachers....

Well, in my opinion the black sights are an excellent choice on a range gun meant for playing range games. They are an excellent choice for shooting small groups when shooting at paper targets in good light.

For a gun that has only one purpose, and that is to keep me alive when needed, I'll take the sights that allow me to see them in low light.

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I've done a fair bit of testing night sights on side-by-side G22s vs. plain black vs. plain rear/brass front. I've shot all three side by side in bright daylight, shade, dim lighting, and darkness. I found that night sights fuzzed out for me and were less useful than the brass bead in dim light, were less useful than plain black or brass bead in darkness (using a gun light for target ID made the black the best), and lacked the crispness desired for bright light shooting. About the only time that night sights might be better for me is in total darkness with no light on the target, and I have gun lights to ensure that I can always tell what I'm shooting at....

I thought he was talking about night sights. Was that not correct? Nothing like a little 5th-grade-level reading comprehension to make a thread more interesting!

Recently bought a Gen 3 Glock 19, and found out I live only 20 from Glock NA. I was told ... I can take my glock there and have factory night sites installed for around 70.00 and the labor is free.

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Hentown, he was talking about night sights. And rbernie specifically addressed that.

When I bought my Gen 3 Glock 19 a few years ago, the sights were one of the two things I changed about the gun. (The other was to install a Jentra plug to fill the gap in the back of the grip.) I went to a local police supply shop, and they had night sights by Glock, Trijicon, and Meprolite. I remember each one being a bit different, but I opted for the Meps. I think I paid $80 or $90, including installation. I've never second-guessed that decision. I love the sights.

I would say Meprolights and Glock Night Sights are on the same level of quality. Trijicons are definitely more sharp and also are warrantied longer, I think.

I have Meps on my two G19s and Trijicons on my G26. I am seriously considering replacing the almost new Meprolights with Trijicons. Trijicons just seem much more crisp/clean/sharp...comparatively.

I think my Meps were $60-80 between eBay and a LGS, and my Trijicons were $105 installed at a LGS.

I've used Trijicons, Meps, Ameriglos and several other brands of night sights. Haven't used Glock factory night sights, but I'm sure they're fine.

I don't think there's any difference in warranties, but I could be wrong on that. The reason Trijicons appear "sharper" is because Trijicon uses a lens to focus the light. Some people actually like the larger-appearing dots of the Mep sights. Guess I don't really have a preference.

Whatever the OP has installed @ Glock/Smyrna will serve him well, and the price and service are excellent.