Choosing the right sights for your Glock can significantly impact your shooting accuracy and overall performance. Factory Glock sights, while functional, often leave room for improvement in terms of visibility, durability, and design. This guide explores the best Glock aftermarket sights available, helping you choose the perfect upgrade for your needs and shooting style.
Why Upgrade Your Glock Sights?
Before diving into specific recommendations, let's understand why many Glock owners opt for aftermarket sights. Factory sights sometimes suffer from:
- Poor Visibility: Low light visibility is a common complaint. Factory sights can be difficult to acquire quickly in low-light conditions, hindering rapid target acquisition.
- Limited Durability: The factory sights, while sturdy, may not withstand the rigors of intense training or competition shooting. They can be susceptible to damage from drops or impacts.
- Suboptimal Design: The design of factory sights might not suit every shooter's preference or shooting style. Some shooters prefer a different sight picture or a more robust design.
Top Glock Aftermarket Sight Categories & Considerations:
Several types of aftermarket sights cater to different preferences and needs. Choosing the right one depends on factors like your shooting environment, personal preference, and budget.
1. Tritium Night Sights:
These sights incorporate tritium vials that glow in low-light conditions, providing excellent visibility regardless of the ambient lighting. Popular choices include:
- Ameriglo: Known for their bright tritium and durable construction. Various models cater to different preferences.
- Trijicon: A leading brand in the night sight market, Trijicon sights are renowned for their reliability and brightness. Their HD sights are particularly popular for their clarity.
- XS Sights: XS Sights offer unique designs, often featuring a large, bright front sight for rapid target acquisition. Their Big Dot system is highly regarded.
Considerations: Tritium night sights are generally more expensive than other options but offer unparalleled low-light performance. The lifespan of tritium is around 10-12 years.
2. Fiber Optic Sights:
Fiber optic sights utilize a fiber optic rod to channel ambient light to the front sight, enhancing visibility in daylight conditions. Many models also incorporate a tritium vial for low-light performance.
- Dawson Precision: Dawson Precision sights are known for their precision machining and high quality. They offer a wide range of styles and configurations.
- Hi-Viz: Hi-Viz offers a variety of brightly colored fiber optic sights, providing excellent contrast against various backgrounds.
Considerations: Fiber optic sights are generally more affordable than tritium sights but may not perform as well in very low light situations. The fiber optic rod can be damaged if subjected to significant impact.
3. Steel Sights:
Steel sights offer superior durability compared to polymer sights. They can withstand more abuse and maintain their zero longer.
- Warren Tactical: Known for their robust construction and clean sight picture. Warren Tactical sights are a popular choice among competitive shooters.
- Heinie Straight Eight: Heinie Straight Eight sights offer a unique design that facilitates faster target acquisition.
Considerations: Steel sights can be heavier than other types, and some may be more challenging to install.
4. Suppressor Height Sights:
If you use a suppressor on your Glock, suppressor height sights are necessary to ensure proper sight alignment. These sights are taller than standard sights to accommodate the added height of the suppressor.
Considerations: Choosing the correct suppressor height is crucial; incorrect height can result in significant inaccuracies.
Choosing the Right Sights for You:
The best Glock aftermarket sights depend on your individual needs and priorities. Consider the following:
- Shooting Environment: Do you primarily shoot in daylight, low light, or a mix of both?
- Shooting Discipline: Are you a recreational shooter, a competitive shooter, or a self-defense enthusiast?
- Budget: Aftermarket sights range in price from affordable to high-end.
- Personal Preference: Some shooters prefer a specific sight picture or design.
Ultimately, the best Glock aftermarket sights are those that best meet your individual needs and enhance your shooting accuracy and confidence. Thorough research and careful consideration of your shooting style will help you make the right choice. Remember to always follow proper gun safety procedures when installing or using any firearm accessory.
