Glock sights. Why the hate?

[Trey Veston]

I think one area most people agree on is that they despise the stock Glock sights.

They call them plastic garbage and list them as one of the reasons that they hate Glocks, or one of the first things they change out.

Admittedly, all of my Glocks have sight changes, except for the G19 MOS, which came with metal factory night sights.

My G29 has Dawson fiber optics front and rear. But my match gun, a G35 has the factory adjustable rear plastic sight with a Dawson fiber optic front since that is what works best for me to pick up and aim quickly.

What is the biggest reason people hate the sights? Is it because they are polymer, or because of the U-notch on the rear?

Has anyone ever actually broke off a stock Glock sight during normal use?

My girlfriend was looking at CCW pistols and the Ruger Security 9 she fondled had the Glock-style U-notch sight and she really liked it and said it was easier for her to line up on a target.

 

[jmohme]

I think people just like to have something to complain about.
I actually have no problem with the Glock factory sights. My G19 still has them and they work just fine.

I did recently get a set of night sights on my G20, but it is my EDC and problems don't only present themselves in broad daylight.
I carried it everyday for 3 years with the hated plastic sights it came with.

I think Glock did what made sense. Basic cheap plastic sights as one measure to keep manufacturing costs down. It is the one place that a shortcut can be taken and not effect the reliability of the weapon.
Besides that, sights are one of the first things people change on a lot of guns.

 

[tarosean]

I am one that doesn't like them. Although I find it pathetic that a pistol at that price point has plastic sights. It's more so that I prefer plain black serrated rears with a front that stands out. I dont like 3 dots either.

I dont think I have had one break. I do remember one with a over mold "nipple" on the front sight that was quite annoying. Quick whittling with a knife took care of that though.

 

[Bwana John]

I think Glock sights go well with Glock guns.

 

[Hartkopf]

I don’t understand the hate of stock Glock sights either. I have 5 Glocks all bone stock and I have no desire to change anything at the moment. I’ve shot a Sig 320 (I think it was) that had night sights and they did nothing for me at a dim indoor range. It was cool to see them glow in the dark with the lights off but I don’t even remember them after shooting.

Isn’t there a member here who trains shooters by taking the sights off of the gun? The more I practice quick draw and shoot the less I need the sights. I did practice with the sights to get my hands (and sights) to go to the right place, but the end result is me not really using the sights for quick shots. I see no reason to install expensive sights at this time but I could be wrong. Maybe I could benefit from them somehow.

 

[<*(((><]

They don’t bother me, I actually can shoot them well but end up changing them out for night sights. I never understood the hate either. I just chalked it up to, “haters gonna hate.”

 

[Dragonfly]

I like them just fine. I think that they’re best for close in shooting, say from 15 yardsand closer. I competed in my local club’s matches for close to 10 years in the 1990s with a stock G17 and did pretty well. I found that you could focus on letting the front sight find the target and you would almost automatically settle it into the rear sight outline.

 

[Pat Riot]

I like Glock factory sights. I did upgrade the sights on my G26 and my G45 as these will be CCW guns and they also serve as 2 of my house guns. I have never been a fan of all black sights regardless of firearm. I have always had so-so eyesight and have worn glasses all my life. I like some color or should I say I like some contrast on the front and the rear sights that will help me align the sights.

I actually wish I could find night sights with fiber optics that match the Glock arrangement but no one makes them so I chose Tru-Glo TFX sights for the Glock 26 and the Glock 45. I left my Glock 34 sights as stock. They are adjustable but utilize the same visual configuration as the stock non-adjustable factory sights.

 

[sigarms228]

I bought my Gen 2 Glock 19 new in the early 90s and it still has the factory poly sights on them and I can shoot my Glock 19 very well with those sights out to 75 feet that is the max at my range. I never had any interest in changing them either.

 

[Old Dog]

Has anyone ever actually broke off a stock Glock sight during normal use?

Yes. And they don't hold up well to use in kydex holsters either, at least for those who have to train regularly with lots of drawing and physical activity. I don't have an issue with the sight picture (it's as good as any) as far as stock plastic Glock sights, it's the cheapness and durability. There's a reason that most agencies and especially tactical teams that use Glocks have aftermarket sights put on 'em.

"Why the hate?" It's not hate. Some folks employ firearms as hard-use tools. Those parts are … garbage.

 

[guyfromohio]

I have Glocks with OEM sights, Trijicons, Wilson Gold Dot, and Wilson FO. I like the FO personally. My only complaint about the plastics from my own experience is that I’ve taken chunks out of the rear by bumping a wall with an OWB. Purely cosmetic.

 

[jmohme]

Isn’t there a member here who trains shooters by taking the sights off of the gun?

In a self defense situation, I could see the sights being pretty much useless. At close range, point and shoot would probably be what ends up happening anyway.

I see no reason to install expensive sights at this time but I could be wrong. Maybe I could benefit from them somehow.

I agree to an extent. But night sights I do think have their place, but for the most part, expensive, adjustable sights are best suited to target and competition applications. I really like Fiber Optic fronts on my fun guns.

 

[danez71]

When I've shot glocks, the sight picture is something that I very easily adapt to so I must like them. (The squared U set up is what I'm referring too)

I'd prefer metal though.


Can you put glock sights on an M&P??

 

[Paco42]

I think it’s the same sentiment that produced condescension at ‘plastic guns’ in general. The plastic/‘polymer’ sights are, I think, more than adequately functional w/r/t sight picture, use in adequate light, etc. For those whose guns move in and out of holsters a lot, or otherwise have a rough ride in the world, I can seen the plastic being a drawback, certainly. I switch sights not primarily b/c they’re plastic, but for obtaining (a) a preferred (by me) sight picture, (b) more easily picked up (bright orange for me) front sight, and (c) night use (thus the tritium inserts I prefer). I don’t really mind that my Glocks came with polymer sights, especially as I came to realize that sight selection and preferences are fairly personal/subjective things. The next person buying the same gun I have will likely make a different choice. Thus, Glock can’t make everyone happy with their sights right out of the gate, at least without a significant cost increase.

 

[AK103K]

I think it just gives some people something else to bitch about Glock about. If they put a set of high dollar sights on the gun, people would be bitching about having to pay to much because of it. Theres no winning for Glock.

The plastic sights work fine, and Id be willing to bet, that most who dont change them out, dont stress the sights enough for them to be an issue.

Personally, I prefer it the way they are, as I change them out anyway. I like the three-dot night sights, and put them on all my Glocks, even my 44's.

And as much as people bitch, Glocks are about the easiest sights to replace, and usually the cheapest as well. If you dont want to do it yourself, send them your slide, and Glock with put a set of night sights on it for about $60.

So youre still ahead changing them out. But Im sure for some, theres still a problem there too.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

A lot of people don’t know, but Glock has offered their guns with night sights for many years. Glock even had them with Glock marked on the sights.


You can find OME Glock night sights on Amazon for around $89.

Right now Glock is using AmeriGlo night sights. My friend was at the US Glock factory about six months ago and was given a free set of AmeriGlo sights for his G45.
He was told that the guns with night sights were $30 more.

Know why does Glock put polymer sights on most of its guns that are sold to the general public? It’s maybe because most people could care less about night sights, or metal sights, and would rather buy the gun for less.
And for those that want night sights, not all want the same style. That’s because we all have different likes and eyesight.
I have always used the 3 dot standard night sights, but I’m about to switch to the AmeriGlo orange UC sighs due to my eyes getting older.


But some people need something to complain about, and the should thank Glock for giving them the opportunity.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Yes. And they don't hold up well to use in kydex holsters either, at least for those who have to train regularly with lots of drawing and physical activity. I don't have an issue with the sight picture (it's as good as any) as far as stock plastic Glock sights, it's the cheapness and durability. There's a reason that most agencies and especially tactical teams that use Glocks have aftermarket sights put on 'em.

"Why the hate?" It's not hate. Some folks employ firearms as hard-use tools. Those parts are … garbage.

Old Dog
Don’t tell me that your Department issued Glocks with Polymer sights.

 

[ATLDave]

Know why does Glock put polymer sights on most of its guns that are sold to the general public? It’s maybe because most people could care less about night sights, or metal sights, and would rather buy the gun for less.

Stands to reason, as most people I see at public ranges apparently aren't using their sights much anyway! I kid, I kid...

 

[bassjam]

Polymer sights don't bother me in the least on a carry / duty type handgun. I didn't care for the "U" rear, but it also didn't bother me enough to change when I owned a Glock. Likewise I don't care for the bladed vertical marking on the rear sight of my Kahr, but it doesn't bother me enough to change. I prefer 3 dot or plain/unmarked and would prefer all my handguns be one way or the other just for consistency.

 

[tarosean]

Stands to reason, as most people I see at public ranges apparently aren't using their sights much anyway! I kid, I kid...

No you're not.. ever looked up at any indoor range?

 

[ATLDave]

No you're not.. ever looked up at any indoor range?

No doubt, and if you ever go downrange at an indoor range, you will find bullet holes/marks in places that challenge your grasp of Newtonian physics.

Of course, for a lot of the bad shooting at ranges, it's not that people never looked at their sights. They just looked at the sights, then focused on the target, then closed their eyes, then pulled the trigger.

 

[JDR]

IMHO, the stock goalpost sights work OK under normal outdoor shooting conditions and with shooters who have better eyesight than a lot of us. Then there are those of us who shoot in dimly-lit indoor ranges with middle-aged myopic eyesight. I’m convinced that the Wilson Combat Vickers Elite green fiber optic front & blind fixed rear sights on my Gen3 Glock 17 and 19 work well for me.

 

[Texas10mm]

When all the Glock competitors can deliver a better pistol with metal sights at a lower price point it makes you wonder why Glock can't do the same.

 

[jmohme]

On the subject of Glock hate, I bought my first Glock, a G19, after I had looked at and handled a few compacts.

A couple of self proclaimed gun experts where I worked were talking guns and I threw out there that I was looking at a Glock 19. You would have thought I had kicked their dog. They went on and on about how bad Glocks are, so I bought one.

That was 8 years and 10,000 round ago!
So heres a big thank you to Glock haters Brian and Randy!

 

[1KPerDay]

Can you put glock sights on an M&P??

No