Glock Rear Sight Installation

I've had some problems installing the Polymer rear sights on my Glocks, so I decided to write a long article here about some of the lessons I've learned during those instances. I have had to remove the factory sights on my Glock 23 and Glock 22 to make way for my Burris Fast Fire II Reflex Sight. Now the Burris FF2 will be with the Glock 22, and I ruined one factory sight installing it on my Glock 23 before finally succeeded.

'Glock Rear Sight Tool'
I haven't found a way to remove those factory sights without ruining them. I tried twice, and each time just destroyed both sights. The best way to remove and/or install these factory sights, would be by the use of a Glock Rear Sight Tool. It consists of a vise and some inserts to hold the sight properly and tightly as it is being removed or inserted, and allows accurate and easier installation/removal of the sights without ruining them.

However, these Sight Tools are pretty expensive, starting at around USD 90 and up if you buy them online. If you find any lower than USD 90, then that's a bargain already. Its even more expensive at the Makati Cinema Square Gun Stores, where they are selling them for P12k (USD 280) each. The price is just too high for something you will seldom use, so if you are not awash with cash, then you will have to just find some other way to do it.

'Rear Sight Installation'
First thing to know, is the proper DIRECTION of removing/installing the sight. If you are looking at the back of the slide, the removal should be from LEFT TO RIGHT. Alternatively, when installing the sight, the direction should be from RIGHT TO LEFT. Apparently, Glock tightens the fit of that dovetail area for the sight on the left side of the slide, hence exit/entry should only be on the right side of the slide.

Note that the factory sight is composed of two parts, a metal retainer that sits at the bottom of the sight, and the Polymer sight itself. There is the danger that the metal retainer will fall off during handling. When it does, you will lose the correct orientation of that retainer with the sight. Remember that it also is wider on one side than the other.

Picture of a rear sight I ruined during removal. It also shows the two parts of the sight, the rear sight itself and its metal retainer

However, you can easily find the correct orientation of that retainer by just fitting it on the dovetail area. Just insert it one way, then try again the other way. Whichever side allows you to push the retainer deeper into the dovetail area is the correct orientation.

During insertion itself, ensure that you lubricate both the sight and the dovetail area where it sits with oil. Lubricate it generously, you will need its help to push down that sight.

Then you will need to invest in a rubber or plastic punch or hammer to pound that sight in. I was able to buy a relatively large (about a foot long, with a 2" diameter by 3" long rubber head) Rubber Mallet from Ace Hardware, and it costs only P200. I wanted to get a smaller mallet or punch, but it was the only one available at that time.

Photo of the rubber mallet I used. You will need to use a similar tool to install the Glock Polymer rear sight

Once you insert the sight into the dovetail area, try to push it with your hand until the point where you are unable to push it in anymore. Then you start slowly pounding on that sight so it goes in little by little. Remember to not use too much force, your goal is to just push it in a little bit with every pound.

If all is well, your factory sight should end up properly seated on the slide, but likely with a very slight, almost imperceptible deformation on the side where you did the pounding. This is usually not so evident, unless you look closely enough.

'Parting Shot'
Another option is simply to buy the Factory Adjustable Sight. These sights are easier to install as you simply need to put a Dovetail Block on the Dovetail Area, and then screw the sight in. Any adjustments windage (i.e., side to side) can then be easily done using the windage adjustments. These sights are more expensive, though, typically around 2 and 1/2 times more expensive at the MCS Stores. However, they will save you a bit of time and work.

These pistol sights can be easily bought online. They are non-critical firearm parts, you should have no problems sending them over, as long as you don't buy a lot. Buying online is generally cheaper than buying them at the local gun stores, you only have to deal with the long shipping times, though, which is typically aroun 1 1/2 to 3 weeks, depending on where the item is shipped from, and how it is shipped (i.e., standard shipping, express, etc.).