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Suppressors Changing out Glock sights

Rem5R

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Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 19, 2005
64
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Mississippi
Just purchased a set of Glock night sights to install on my G22. The question I have is how do I safely remove and install the rear sight since I do not have a Glock rear sight removal tool? And it seems that none of the gun smiths around here have a Glock rear sight removal tool either.

I know someone out there has swapped sights without the tool that could give some advice. I look forward to hearing how some you guys have done this.

Thanks
Rem5R
 
Re: Changing out Glock sights

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lindy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Clamp the slide in a vise, and carefully drive the old sight out of the dovetail with a brass punch, or one with a plastic face. Drive in the new one the same way. It's no big deal.
</div></div>

Lindy,

I did something similar to what you described, but I did not have a vise or a brass punch. In other words, I used a little improvised engineering. I placed the slide on my work bench and drove out the factory rear plastic sight using a 5/32" punch, and installed the new Glock night sight using the handle end of a small flat head screwdriver, while tapping the "business end" of the screwdriver with my hammer. The nylon material, or whatever material a screwdriver handle is made of, is very hard and durable. It worked very well. Although, a vice would have made things a little easier.

The next step is to figure out how to remove the front sight and install the new sight. I don't have a 3/16" socket or nut driver so I will be paying Lowe's or Sears a visit tomorrow. Unless someone has another method of removing and installing the front sight.

I'm open for suggestions from you guys.

Thanks
Rem5R
 
Re: Changing out Glock sights

Depending on how old the Glock is, you might have to reduce the radius of the nut driver for the front sight nut, so it would fit in the recess for it. I used a Dremel tool, but any kind of bench grinder would work.
 
Re: Changing out Glock sights

I pulled my front sight out with some needle nose pliers. Didn't want to mail order the glock sight tool and have to wait for it to show up, so I got it installed at a local shop for $10.
I did remove the rear sight by putting it in the vise and tapping it out with a small screwdriver. I imagine it would be pretty annoying without a vise. Tapped the new one in using a piece of scrap wood and a hammer.
 
Re: Changing out Glock sights

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lindy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Depending on how old the Glock is, you might have to reduce the radius of the nut driver for the front sight nut, so it would fit in the recess for it. I used a Dremel tool, but any kind of bench grinder would work. </div></div>

Okay, I was able to get the old front sight out and install the new front night sight. I did have to grind down a 3/16" nut driver. I am not sure what loctite I need to use on the screw though. Can someone give me a suggestion? I have actually used some of my wife's nail polish in the past for a thread locker with great results. Is this something I can do here, or do I need to use the loctite for this application?

Thanks
Rem5R
 
Re: Changing out Glock sights

I would use permanent threadlock. You really don't want that puppy coming loose. Searching in the grass, in the dark, for that front sight and the nut sucks. Been there, done that, and found it - wasn't <span style="font-style: italic">my</span> gun - but I wouldn't wish that on anyone else.
 
Re: Changing out Glock sights

One thing that I just noticed after installing the new front sight with the new front screw is that the barrel did not sit down in the slide properly. I felt some play when I was installing the guide rod. I discovered the barrel was making contact with the new screw. So I installed the screw that came out of the factory glock sight, and the barrel fit like it did previous to installing the new sight. Appearently, there was a little differences in heads of the 2 screws and the new screw was making contact with the barrel.

I just wanted to share this with anyone who swaps out the sights on their Glock. I don't know if it would have effected anything, but I did not feel comfortable with it.

Rem5R
 
Re: Changing out Glock sights

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lindy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would use permanent threadlock. You really don't want that puppy coming loose. Searching in the grass, in the dark, for that front sight and the nut sucks. Been there, done that, and found it - wasn't <span style="font-style: italic">my</span> gun - but I wouldn't wish that on anyone else.
</div></div>

Which should I use? Loctite 242 or Loctite 271 for the front sight?

Thanks
Rem5r
 
Re: Changing out Glock sights

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rem5R</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lindy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would use permanent threadlock. You really don't want that puppy coming loose. Searching in the grass, in the dark, for that front sight and the nut sucks. Been there, done that, and found it - wasn't <span style="font-style: italic">my</span> gun - but I wouldn't wish that on anyone else.
</div></div>

Which should I use? Loctite 242 or Loctite 271 for the front sight?

Thanks
Rem5r </div></div>

Blue 242 is fine.
 
Re: Changing out Glock sights

Just check it from time to time. I've had a couple front sights, which had blue loctite applied, come loose on me.

I believe the lube that gets in there (off of the barrel) can compromise the loctite over time.

Now I give the front sight a "wiggle test" when I get around to cleaning/ re-lubing my Glocks.
 
Re: Changing out Glock sights

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jim D</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just check it from time to time. I've had a couple front sights, which had blue loctite applied, come loose on me.

I believe the lube that gets in there (off of the barrel) can compromise the loctite over time.

Now I give the front sight a "wiggle test" when I get around to cleaning/ re-lubing my Glocks. </div></div>

Jim D

I went ahead and used the red Loctite 271 for the front sight. You got me a little worried about it coming loose. I didn't want to take any chances.

Thanks
Rem5R