Is is difficult to change out Glock sights?

[RM]

Do you need a gunsmith or special tool to remove the fixed sights on a glock 17? And as a general rule, do most replacement sights for glocks require installation by a gunsmith or with a special tool? Thank you.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

You can replace the sights yourself. Bare bones, all you need is a small hammer, a drift punch, a pair of needle nose pliers, and a non-marring surface upon which to work. Sight pushers are nice to have, especially if you have more than one gun (Brownells and Topglock list sight pushers specifically for the Glock that are reasonably priced). Biggest challenge is getting the new sight properly centered. You want to try what I do, be might guest, but I'll assume no liability if you damage your gun (standard disclaimer) Basically, you just drift out the old rear sight and drift in the new one. I usually go left to right, although I'm unsure if this is really necessary. Remove the rears to the right and put the new sight in from the left. Front sight (for Glock factory plastic sight only): grab the front sight with the needle nose pliers and yank it straight off the slide. Note you will not be able to reuse the front sight if you remove it in this fashion, but I never use these plastic things again anyway. The new front sight in most cases is retained by a small bolt from the bottom (inside) of the slide. I usually coat the threads with blue loc-tite to keep from losing the sight (some people recommend red loc-tite). Make sure the front sight is properly aligned (parallel with the sides of the slide). Let the loc-tite dry for a day or two, then go to the range to see how close you are.

Up to you to decide whether you want to do this or pay somebody a small fee to do it for you.

As always, make doubly sure your gun is UNLOADED

 

[Rockstar]

Ameriglo offers several designs that can be installed with no special tools and no hammering and drifting. They even furnish the front sight tool. I believe they're using Trijicon tubes now. Their customer service is second-to-none!

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I'm not familiar with Ameriglo night sights. However, someone whose opinion I respect recently gave these a thumbs up, so I may try them next time. I usually use Meprolights.

If you end up drifting night sights in rather than using a pusher, be careful. These tritium vials to not react well to sharp blows. You don't need alot of force anyhow. If you can get away with not drifting these things in (either by using a sight pusher or Ameriglos) then so much the better.

 

[Onmilo]

Use the sight pusher, drift marks on the slide are an indication that 'Bubba' was at work.

Use standard red Loc-tite to secure the front sight nut.
If you ever change the front sight again you will probably twist the nut and shaft right off the sight but who cares, you are replacing the sight anyway.
The point is, a properly secured front sight will NEVER fall off on its own.

 

[mattdavis0210]

it is not difficult at all with the right tools.the way i do it is with the rear sight tool and with a small flathead screwdriver for taking off the front (if they are the factory plastic sights)to remove the front sight (plastic sights only) take a small flathead screwdriver and place it at an angle on the slit on the sight on the inside of the slide.there is a pin in the center of the split,place the edge of the screwdriver blade in the split and up against the pin and tap the screwdriver with a small hammer.(warning do not hit the screwdriver hard it could damage the sight).i have used this for a long time on all of my glock models and its has worked everytime without messing up the one i was replacing.you can order the rear sight tool from many places. here is one place for example.
http://www.topgunsupply.com/product.php?productid=989
it sells for around $80 but if you have more than one glock it will be worth the price.one tip i can tell people is change the front sight out first while leaving the old rear sight in place to make sure you have the front sight in line.then change the rear sight out and use the front sight to line the rear sight up.
(disclaimer: i am not responsible for anything that you do,this is simply a guide to how i change out my glock sights.if you break something it is not my fault.do this at your own risk)

 

[RyanM]

It depends on the brand of sights, too. With Truglo TFOs, don't even think about trying to pound the rear sight in with a hammer. I managed to install mine with a couple C-Clamps instead of the fancy schmancy tool, but I'll probably break down and buy one in about 10 years when they need replaced. I don't know why they bothered with a set screw, it's completely unnecessary.

 

[W.E.G.]

I would buy the sight pusher, or I would find somebody else who has one to do it for me. Especially if you are installing tritium sights. I have to think you could compromise the tritium container if you pound hard enough on the side of the sight.

 

[shepherddogs]

With Meprolights, the front sight is installed with a nut driver. 3/16 if I recall correctly. The walls of a standard nutdriver are too thick to fit in over the nut. I took a grinder and thinned the walls to make a Glock frontsight tool. The factory front sight can be popped out with a screwdriver. The rear sight is drifted in and they recommend R to L or L to R, I can't remember. Glock will tell you if you call them. I bought a sight pusher from Midway for around 100 bucks and it is useful for lots of guns. I've used mine a bunch. It's made by B&J Machine. It allows you to precisely move your sights rather than beat them back and forth. Hope that helps.