Want to put Heinie sights on my glock 26...why so pricey though?

[smalls]

Heinie charges $X.XX for the sights, and that's their income/profit off the sights. I don't think it's unreasonable to charge for extra work of putting them in, but $67 is a bit steep. Free would be nice, but shouldn't be expected. If they included free installation, the sights would be more expensive...

Would it be necessary to be a licensed gunsmith with an FFL to take in slides? That's not considered a firearm per ATF rules...

And yeah, doing something as a favor one time really isn't being "in the biz".

 

[JohnBT]

"That said, I still understand from a business perspective why they would choose to charge that much. I'm just not payin' it, that's all. "

I don't hear Richard Heinie calling you unreasonable for making a smart business decision. That's all he has done. He obviously doesn't want to do hundreds of sight installations a day (or whatever the actual number would be if the service was cheap or free.) A gun store has hourly workers standing around getting paid already, so the real cost of a quick sight install to them is essentially zero. They don't have to log it in the book, pack it up and ship it either - all time wasters.

 

[WardenWolf]

Just remember: Heinie Sight is always 20/20.

 

[CPshooter]

Update:

I just ordered the Ledge Straight-8 sights. Been busy and totally forgot to order the sights the other day when I ordered the sight pusher. I can't stress enough how excited I am to install these sights. The factory Glock sights are probably some of the worst sights out there if you ask me. The sight picture is just terrible with how the front sight takes up almost the entire width of the rear notch. Not to mention the white box outline on the rear that steals my attention away from the front sight. Plastic garbage. I haven't even shot the new 26 yet because it's pointless without aftermarket sights. I won't be able to hit the target! The Heinies will make a HUGE difference for me. I'll be sure to post an update with pics after I install them.

 

[CPshooter]

"That said, I still understand from a business perspective why they would choose to charge that much. I'm just not payin' it, that's all. "

I don't hear Richard Heinie calling you unreasonable for making a smart business decision. That's all he has done. He obviously doesn't want to do hundreds of sight installations a day (or whatever the actual number would be if the service was cheap or free.) A gun store has hourly workers standing around getting paid already, so the real cost of a quick sight install to them is essentially zero. They don't have to log it in the book, pack it up and ship it either - all time wasters.

You know what, I take back what I said about understanding why he charges that much. I was trying to think about it from his point of view as a business owner, but what it really comes down to is that he's saying, "I'm tired of having to install all these damned Glock sights over and over, so I'll charge enough to deter a lot of them from wanting me to do it for them." It's just a crappy way of dealing with the demand. As a result, he didn't make a penny from me on the installation. He could have charged me $30, for example, and paid an extra hand to install them. Even if he pays an employee $29 and makes $1 for himself, that is still $1 more than what he made from me. It just doesn't seem like a smart business move after I think about it.

Let me be clear here. I have absolutely NO problem paying more for a better product. I believe his product is superior to others and I'm willing to pay the premium. That being said, anyone can install sights and the result will be the same. His service is no different than the next guy's and therefore doesn't command a premium price. I really would have liked to give him more of my business too, but I couldn't. It's a shame because it's lose-lose situation when it could easily be win-win. Am I missing something here?

 

[9mmepiphany]

It's just a crappy way of dealing with the demand. As a result, he didn't make a penny from me on the installation. He could have charged me $30, for example, and paid an extra hand to install them. Even if he pays an employee $29 and makes $1 for himself, that is still $1 more than what he made from me. It just doesn't seem like a smart business move after I think about it.

Actually it is the perfect way to deal with demand within our system of supply and demand...he doesn't want that money, because it would cost him money to collect it

He has determined what he has to charge to keep demand low so that he can keep his employee's efforts maximized. I'm sure he has determined how productive each employee has to be each hour/day to make it worth employing them. If they are being used to do a job that produces less, that is inefficient and actually cost him money.

Sure he would make money...though I doubt as much as you believe...but not as much as that employee could be making if doing something else. That is money loss.

This is an perfect example of when you should let a local worker do the job...or do it yourself

 

[NMPOPS]

I have a sight pusher I bought years ago when I was the Block Armorer for my department. I recently put a set of Straight Eights on my 19 and it took me maybe 15 minutes to push out the old sights and install new ones. I bought the sights from Brownell's.

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[GlackAttack]

Find a smith that will take their time on it, or do it yourself. I did my glock with a triangle file, brass punch, and light-weight hammer. Brass or Nylon punches do not remove finish from the gun or sights. I didn't have access to a vice, which would have made the 20 minute job into a 5 minute job.

 

[bowtiebubba]

It's a five-minute job, and the installation price quoted is outrageous!!! I've installed Heinie Straight 8 sights on Glocks, and there's nothing special about them. Installing sights on Glocks is one of the easiest firearms-related sight installations out there.

If a local smith charges more than $10-$15, then he's ripping you off. IF you bought the sights and shipped them to me with your slide, I'd install them for free. I use the MGW Glock sight pusher and have for many years, having installed dozens of sets of Glock sights.

Stories like this really piss me off. Heinie has a great reputation. To think that they'd charge ANYTHING for installing their own sights on somebody's Glock slide is absurd!!!

Glock installs their night sights for $57, and pays for return shipping, and that price includes the price of the sights.

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[coalman]

I run Heinies. I've installed them all myself many times. A good vise, brass punch and heavy steel hammer gets it done. Buy used and save $.

 

[CPshooter]

The MGW pusher came in today. A very nice tool FWIW. The stock sights didn't make it through the removal though. Basically tore them apart. Oh well, the Ledge Straight 8s will be here tomorrow..can't wait! I haven't shot the gun yet, so I'm definitely going to take it to the range this weekend. It will also be the first time I've used Heinie sights on a Glock.

Can't exactly practice dry firing though!

 

[CPshooter]

Finally got around to installing the sights. I didn't even have to file anything. I simply put some oil on there and started the rear sight with my fingers and then when it wouldn't go any more I used the pusher to finish the job. It took a little bit of wrist strength to turn the handle, but it wasn't super difficult or anything. For those of you with experience, how is it supposed to feel? Most of my time was spent trying to perfectly center the rear sight using only my eyes. I think I pretty much have it dead center though. Now that I know from experience how easy it is to install sights, it's even more ridiculous that someone can charge over $50 for something that takes 15 minutes at the most.

I went with the Heinie recommended Loctite 271 (red) for the front sight, but I didn't put anything on the rear set screw. I want to make sure the windage is adjusted correctly before I set it. Is Loctite even necessary for this set screw considering the rear sight is held in place by friction? Also, how much do you crank this set screw down? I know the front sight screw doesn't take much, but I wasn't sure about the rear. For now, I just have it snugged down a little bit. Once I know the rear sight is dead center I'll probably use the same Loctite 271 on the set screw. What would you do if it was yours though?

As for the sight picture, I couldn't be more pleased. So much better than the stock sights!

 

[JohnBT]

"it's even more ridiculous that someone can charge over $50 for something that takes 15 minutes at the most"

Didn't you read any of the previous posts? It's about what their time is worth. If they charged $10 for that 15 minutes worth of work it works out to $40 an hour. Sounds like a lot, right? It's not if they can use that hour to do a $100 or $200 machining job (or whatever they are getting paid for their skilled labor.)

There are only so many hours in a work day and installing sights doesn't bring in much money. When they price it at $50 they're saying, "We'll do it, but we don't want to."

Clear?

 

[9mmepiphany]

When they price it at $50 they're saying, "We'll do it, but we don't want to."

That is the way I would read it also...it is part of the free market system...you price a service at the level you are willing to perform it at. You aren't forcing anyone to pay it when there are other alternatives.

I knew a mediator who's usual rate for her services was $120-$150/hour. She hated going to court to testify, so her court rate was $375/hour

 

[ForumSurfer]

"it's even more ridiculous that someone can charge over $50 for something that takes 15 minutes at the most"

Didn't you read any of the previous posts? It's about what their time is worth. If they charged $10 for that 15 minutes worth of work it works out to $40 an hour. Sounds like a lot, right? It's not if they can use that hour to do a $100 or $200 machining job (or whatever they are getting paid for their skilled labor.)

There are only so many hours in a work day and installing sights doesn't bring in much money. When they price it at $50 they're saying, "We'll do it, but we don't want to."

Clear?

I agree. It is no different than a mechanic charging a per-hour price and a minimum 1 or 2 hour charge.

Heck I've done it with side business. I charged 2 hour minimum, period. 1 hour minimum for remote assistance. Even if it is a 5 minute job, I still had to take the time to prep and do it. Factor in overhead and other employees, then the price is understandable.

I know a great shop that has a similar pricing strategy. But if I walk in today, they'd mount my sights free because I'm a repeat customer. If they did that for everyone, they'd be over run with low paying or freebie menial tasks.




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[CPshooter]

"it's even more ridiculous that someone can charge over $50 for something that takes 15 minutes at the most"

Didn't you read any of the previous posts? It's about what their time is worth. If they charged $10 for that 15 minutes worth of work it works out to $40 an hour. Sounds like a lot, right? It's not if they can use that hour to do a $100 or $200 machining job (or whatever they are getting paid for their skilled labor.)

There are only so many hours in a work day and installing sights doesn't bring in much money. When they price it at $50 they're saying, "We'll do it, but we don't want to."

Clear?

I sure did read your previous posts. I don't care if they feel that their time is worth that much. No business justification can take away from the fact that they are overcharging for this particular service. Period. If they are saying, "We'll do it, but we don't want to," then like I said before that's just a crappy way of dealing with the demand. Rather than adapting the business process to offer this service at a competitive and reasonable price, they are just price gouging to compensate. You might not agree with me, but that's fine. No skin off my back. You go ahead and pay someone $67 for a 10 minute job. I'll look to other resources like doing it myself. Just my opinion on the subject...again, you don't have to agree.

 

[JohnBT]

Fine, keep on denying reality.

 

[JTQ]

CPshooter wrote.
The problem is that Heinie wants $67 to install them. I also would have to pay for shipping.

CPshooter wrote.
It took a little bit of wrist strength to turn the handle, but it wasn't super difficult or anything. For those of you with experience, how is it supposed to feel? Most of my time was spent trying to perfectly center the rear sight using only my eyes. I think I pretty much have it dead center though.

I went with the Heinie recommended Loctite 271 (red) for the front sight, but I didn't put anything on the rear set screw. I want to make sure the windage is adjusted correctly before I set it. Is Loctite even necessary for this set screw considering the rear sight is held in place by friction? Also, how much do you crank this set screw down? I know the front sight screw doesn't take much, but I wasn't sure about the rear. For now, I just have it snugged down a little bit. Once I know the rear sight is dead center I'll probably use the same Loctite 271 on the set screw. What would you do if it was yours though?

I say once you figure out all your questions and now that you have all the tools, you set up a business to install them for $20 and give the customer free shipping. You could corner the market on Heinie sight installations for the Glock.