Here’s a quick guide on how to install rear and front sights from Ameriglo using basic tools you probably have access to already. Fair warning – I don’t use a sight pusher. I have one – it’s just not necessary.
GEAR – what you’ll need…
- Front and Rear sights – in this case, the Ameriglo GL-291 kit, which comes with a front sight install tool.
- Wooden dowel and smaller hammer.
- Loctite blue / non-permanent.
- A vise.
- Soft grips or towel, 91% isopropyl alcohol, q-tips, paper towel, etc.
Why GL-291 set?
I install metal “irons” as backup sights in case the optic goes out, fails, breaks, etc. Technically, I probably don’t need any sights out to 15 meters or so for point shooting, but they’re nice to have, right?
Why the i-Dot Pro single dot rear, with orange front? It’s easier to line up at night, and the orange pops a bit more. I use these on all my pistols.
AMERIGLO® Optic Compatible sets provide a precise, elevated co-witness sight picture for slide-mounted red dot optics and serve as reliable back-up sights.
The GL-291 is listed as “optic compatible” but aren’t true co-witness for the SRO with stock GLOCK MOS adapter plate.
What is co-witness?
It’s when you see through the iron sighs, and your dot (from the optic) lands on the front sight – you see both at the same time.
I don’t like that – makes the optic (my primary aiming solution) too cluttered. Hence the GL-291’s – they sit right below the optic, but are still usable.
STEP 0 – Clear & check, and field strip the GLOCK pistol.
As always, gun safety is the number one priority. Clear the pistol by unloading, checking, and disassembling it into the lower receiver, slide, barrel, and spring.
Only work with the slide for this install, and never keep live ammo in the work area. The basics.
It’s handy to work on top of a paper towel – easier to see the screws, and helps with any oil or Loctite spills.
We’ll use the vise for the rear removal and install, but for the front sight, your bench is fine as it doesn’t require much force. For optics install, the bench is easier for me – see the last post.
STEP 1 – Remove front and rear GLOCK sights.
Use the front sight install tool to unscrew the front sight from the slide. The GLOCK front sigh is polymer, so you’ll feel some grip by the screw, but it should come out easily. You’ll likely not re-install the stock sight, so dispose of it how you want.
Place the slide in the vise, and use a wooden dowel and light hammer work to remove the rear sight, left-to-right.
It comes out very easily, and you may experience the metal clip popping loose from the polymer sight.
STEP 2 – Clean and Prep the Slide
I use the isopropyl alcohol on a q-tip to prep the rear and front sight locations, letting it dry. Then, prep the rear channel with a dab of Loctite. Spread with another q-tip.
At this point, depending on your vise, soft grips (the blue rubber stuff), you may want to change to a thick towel for a better grip on the slide. See next picture below.
STEP 3 – Install the Rear Sight
Use the wooden dowel and hammer to tap the sight into place, right-to-left. You may need to use some force to get it in the channel – go easy, and it’ll happen. Above, I’ve swapped for a utility towel buffering the slide in the vise.
Once in, center the sight, and remove from vise to check, and adjust as needed.
Should be pretty easy. And, in this case, these sights are for backup purposes in case the optic fails, so I don’t need bullseye 1/2 MOA at 100 meter precision… think combat / self defense distances of 15 meters and in.
STEP 4 – Install the Front Sight
Dab a bit of Loctite on the screw, hold on to the front sight, and install the screw hand tight. Check for alignment – as in – is the front sight blade straight with the slide.
I hold the slide in my left hand, with my left index finger putting pressure on the front sigh blade which using my right hand to tighten the screw. Don’t over torque it…
Both sights are installed. Clean up, let the Loctite set a bit, and re-assemble the slide, barrel, etc. and off you go!
Take it to the range if you want to check zero – but if you’ve been careful, you’re already good to go. Ameriglo knows their business.