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How to Install Glock Night Sights (Without a Sight Pusher Tool)

Want to install Glock night sights? But don't want to go to the gunsmith or get expensive tools? We've got you covered with the most cost effective options.

Learn how to quickly install new Glock sights without having to buy an expensive sight pusher.

Our example is with OEM night sights, but the same process can be used for other sights.

Now with both written and video tutorials:

If that helped, please subscribe to our YouTube channel since we’re adding new videos every week!

Why Night Sights

If you ever think you’ll need your Glock in a nighttime situation such as home defense, self-defense, or just a night pistol course, I would recommend getting the night sights.

I learned my lesson with my G17 after failing hard during a nighttime course.  You can order your Glock with factory sights already installed, but if you didn’t, here’s how to install them easily at home without needing to pay the gunsmith ~$50.

If you don’t know which ones to get…check out Best Glock Night Sights.

What You Need

Glock Night Sights Necessary Tools
Glock Night Sights Necessary Tools
  • Glock (of course)
  • Nylon Punch: Helps prevent marring of your frame/sights when compared to a regular brass punch.
  • 3/16 Nut Driver: For removing and installing the front sight.
  • Thread Locker (Medium): Prevent front sight from loosening due to vibration.
  • Hammer
  • Vise
  • Nylon Vise Jaws: Prevent marring of your frame.
  • Glock Night Sights: I went with OEM Glock sights (~$80) since I’m already used to them on another gun. Other great reviewed sights include Meprolight (~$80) and Trijicon varieties (~$100).

Check out Best Glock Sights for some more inspiration.

Installing Glock Night Sights

Disassemble your Glock so you only have your slide without the recoil spring or barrel.

You did check if everything was safe right?

And if you don’t know how to do this yet…you might want to reconsider installing night sights, or just watch the video above.

Get your nut driver out and remove the front sight.  I like to screw in the old screw back into the sight for safe keeping.

Glock Front Sight Nut Driver
Glock Front Sight Nut Driver

Place in the new night sight facing the right direction and put a little dab of the medium strength thread locker onto the new screw.

I like to place the screw first into the nut driver before applying.

Then hold the front sight so it doesn’t pop out, and screw it in.  Don’t torque it too much since the screw can break.  Double-check that the sight is straight.

Glock Front Sight Install
Glock Front Sight Install

Put on the nylon jaws onto your vise and place the slide. I like orienting it so that I’m hammering downwards.

Then take the nylon punch and hammer and start hammering down on the old plastic sight.

I like to hammer more towards the base of the rear sight, but with the nylon punch, I end up tilting it so I match up with the angle of the sight.  It should come out pretty easily.

Glock Rear Sight Removal Nylon Punch
Glock Rear Sight Removal Nylon Punch

Put in the new sights (oriented the right way…I can’t believe I need to say this but I’ve seen people mess up).  With the OEM versions, they drop down about half-way.

Glock Rear Night Sight Drop In
Glock Rear Night Sight Drop In

Start hammering it in with the nylon punch.  It goes in pretty easily as well.

Glock Night Sight Nylon Punch In
Glock Night Sight Nylon Punch In

When it looks pretty close to the center, I take out the slide to double-check. In this case, it looks like I need to hammer in just a little bit more so the empty edges are even.

Checking Glock Night Sight Install
Checking Glock Night Sight Install

After one more tap, it looks pretty good and is ready for the range.

I sometimes use a micrometer to double-check but I think your eyes will tell you if something is off.  Then time for the ultimate check at the range or you can use a laser trainer (which is a sweet practice tool anyways). The MantisX Training System is great also!

Mine ended up perfect.

Let me know how your install went, and if you didn’t get the Glock OEM sights, what did you get instead?

Glock Rear Night Sight Installed
Glock Rear Night Sight Installed

Conclusion

That wasn’t so hard…was it?  If after learning how to do it without a tool…you still want to use one…take a look at our list of the Best Sight Pusher Tools. 

Want more of our favorite guns and gear recommendations?  Check out Editor’s Picks.

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11 Leave a Reply

  • Commenter Avatar
    Pete S

    Ameriglos in a Brownells slide didn’t go in so well…guess that’s to be expected.

    January 28, 2023 2:01 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Bob B.

    I just installed Glock factory night sights on my 19 using
    your procedures.
    It worked great, no problems.
    Thanks!

    September 18, 2019 12:42 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    cj

    all the parts you listed costs just short of $50.

    I think its worth paying an extra few dollars to the gunsmith.

    August 10, 2019 11:15 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Jarda

    They hit it with a hammer and the wrong side. I can't look at it. I'm happy to pay $ 50.

    August 6, 2019 1:23 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    bob

    put a block under the slide so it doesn't twist in the vise and leave swirly marks on the finish, numbnuts

    July 4, 2019 12:56 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Sgt. Pepper

      Only a "numbnuts" would use the word swirly instead of swirl.

      July 5, 2019 8:01 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Oak

    Love my TruGlo TFO sights.

    February 12, 2019 4:20 am
  • Commenter Avatar
    William F. Turnage

    Excellent job

    October 6, 2018 4:24 am
  • Commenter Avatar
    Gray

    Just got some TruGlo TFX Pro sights, used this guide to install them and came out perfect. Maybe I didn't use all the fancy tools to do it but these TruGlos use a key to lock them in with little friction on insertion so it was easy. Thanks!

    July 31, 2018 10:31 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    Boar

    Very helpful tutorial Eric. I bought the Trijicon sights, and nylon drift punch. Followed your directions and they went on easily and look perfect. The local shop here charges 25$ for sight install and never seem to put them on centered.

    January 2, 2018 5:04 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Eric Hung

      Glad I could help out!

      January 12, 2018 5:09 pm
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