You know how when you buy a picture frame it comes with some cheesey picture already in it? That picture is basically just there as a placeholder to show what you’re supposed to put there, using a better and more personal image.
Factory sights on a Glock are pretty much that.
(And, credit where credit is due, that analogy came from Tam.)
Anyway,Glock factory (plastic!) sights do the job, I suppose, but I wanted something a bit more durable and a lot more glowy since this particular G17 was going to replace my very dog-earred Gen2 G19 that I’ve been toting around for the last ten years. Since Tam has shot more Glocks, and used more different sight combinations, than pretty much any primate on the internet I asked for her opinion. She very graciously replied to my email with not only her learned opinion but a good bit of detail explaining that opinion.
My go-to recommendation these days is Trijicon HDs, either in the regular version or the HD XR, which have a slightly thinner front sight.
…The advantage to the XR sight is that the narrower front sight (still fat compared to fine target sights) gives wider “light bars” on either side and is therefore a lot faster to pick up when shooting at speed. Also, it doesn’t completely obscure a target like a B-8 bull as close as 15 yards the way most “combat” front sights do. (Pretty much all USPSA guys will run skinny Dawson fibers on game guns these days for speed and precision.)
….
(Interestingly, part of the reason for the trend hugely fat front sights is the limitations imposed by insetting a tritium vial. The new, skinnier front sights like the HD XR and CAP LE are literally as narrow a front sight as Tool Tech can safely load with tritium.)
Who am I to argue? I found a place that had them on sale for $80 delivered and ordered up a set. They arrived today. A few minutes with a front sight tool (highly recommended) and my old factory Glock sight pusher (also rather handy) and sights were in. Now, of course, the gun is virtually useless until I go to the range and make sure things hit where theyre supposed to. I’ll swap out all the springs just to be thorough, sight it in for the usual 115 gr. chow, and call it good.
I’m sure someone may ask “Why the 17 instead of the smaller 19”? I generally find that, given the holsters I use, the difference in size between the two pistols makes virtually no practical difference on concealment. So, I’ll take the bigger grip and slightly longer sight radius. Oh, and these landed today:
So, off to the range later this week.
With all the money that you’ve spent and continue to spend on firearms, and given what a large role they play in your life and in your worldview, I’m curious why your personal daily carry firearm isn’t something a bit more personal.
I can see going the budget route for a pistol that you’re going to be buying by the dozen and socking away for a rainy day. But for something you’ll be personally carrying and using for 10 years–and on which your own life may depend–why not invest in something more capable, reliable, or at least personal?
I know some Glock fans are going to pitch a fit, and I admit that Glocks are perfectly fine and reliable firearms. That said, there are definitely better guns out there for discriminating shooters willing to invest the money.
Is it just that Glocks work best for you? Fit your hand well? Are the brand you’re most familiar, and therefore most comfortable with? If that’s the case, why not at least get a Glock that’s had some custom improvements. Wilson Combat, TTI, Grey Ghost, Zev, etc. all offer good upgrades to the platform.
Not trying to start a gun brand war in the comments section. Just genuinely curious as to your thoughts on the matter. I know it isn’t a matter of money, given how much you’re apparently willing to drop on guns.
Well, lets examine that. If the gun I was going to carry everyday was of sufficient quality and reliability that I wold choose it over the GLocks that I store, then logically I should be storing more of that pistol rather than the Glocks, right? In other words, if the gun is good enough to supplant the Glock and be my everyday carry gun then its good enough I should be storing it rather than the Glocks.
But, for me, I’ve found the Glock to be pretty much what I want: a ‘high capacity’ 9mm that is reliable and durable. I’m the first to admit that the Glock has absolutely no soul or character…its a Bic lighter with a trigger. But I care absolutely nothing for ‘personal touches’ on a gun that add nothing but aesthetics but cost me the other valuable traits. I have a very nice tweaked out 1911 with extended beavertail, throat and ramp, adjustable sights, checkering and stipling, extended safety, Wilson parts, etc, etc. Does it do anything the GLock doesnt? Nope. It has more style and personal touches but thats not enough for me to carry around a $1200 gun over a $350 gun IF they both perform the same.
The exception, of course, are BBQ guns or similar ‘special event’ guns. There’s a time and place for the lightly engraved P35 with monogrammed ivory grips, but not for everyday use where its going to get banged around.
For the guns that I carry around, I usually try to stay as close as factory stock as possible since every time you tweak a part with some aftermarket version it increases, in my opinion, the chance of a problem. The exception is if the factory part is a known issue (Glocks crappy factory sights, for example). For the Glock I carry around, all I’d do to it is replacement sights and thats really about it. The rest of the gun in its stock configuration seems to suit my needs. No aftermarket barrel, no aftermarket trigger, no aftermarket linkages or that sort of thing.
Another minor consideration is that if, godforbid, you are involved in a shooting, the popo will hold your carry piece for a while. I’d worry a lot less about them holding my Glock than holding a tricked out piece that may try to walk off from police custody.
And that’s not even considering that no one will take care of your hi$ firearm as well as You will.
Not even a good stippling?
I think the gun(s) you choose to store is entirely about a cost to utility ratio (ie good value). I’d love a stockpile of S&W Performance Center revolvers, but used Rugers are much more obtainable and a better value at quantity. That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the superior nature of some guns over others. I may stockpile police trade-in glocks, but I’ll carry a WC EDC X9 for my own personal firearm. They both shoot 9mm, but beyond that, the EDC X9 is superior in every possible way (other than cost).
Anyhow, thanks for the response, and keep up the good work.
I’m with CZ on this one. A Glock is a tool in the toolbox. Poo-poo the tactical tupperware all you want, it simply works. I have fancier and more expensive 1911s but much like the old saying, If it absolutely, positively has to go bang, no matter what, I’ll reach for my G21.
Or to put it another way. When you go buy a hammer, do you buy the laser alignment, carbon fiber latest greatest thing the salesperson wants you to buy? Or do you by the best hammer for the least amount of money that you KNOW will work?
I like my .45s but I’m collecting G23s for other “deep sleep” reasons. I supposed I COULD get Hi-Points, but I trust Glocks more.
I’ve carried pretty much everything in the last 30 years including Sig, S&W and Colt, but now carry a Glock. The advantage of it being the AK of pistols is one and the commonality of magazines from gun to gun in the same caliber is another. I get everyone thinks their gun is better than a Glock, because its custom and cost more. However, I will let you in a little secret, no matter what “quality” firearm you choose it will shoot groups that 99% of you can’t. Other words most shooters will never reach the firearm’s full capability of accuracy, including myself!!!
Since I’m an ol’guy who has P95’s, and I know that your somewhat of a P95 fan. What replacement sights for them if any do you recommend?
I don’t. Once in a while I troll eBay and find a set of used Millets or soemthing dirt cheap but I generally just leave the sights alone since a new set of sights is almost 1/3 the cost of the gun. The factory sights are decent, just not glowy.
The only thing I added to my G17 was the Hogue sleeve on the grip. (gen1 smoothness) The TINY little bump that the sleeve added was enough to help the grip “key” into my hand. My first shot accuracy went way up. Oh, I added an extended slide release so I can reach it with my stubby little digits. Oh, and factory adjustable rear sight.
So I guess I did do more than I thought.
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@peter, the one thing that recommends Glocks to me is their utter reliability. They go bang every time. If they don’t it’s an ammo problem. There is always the exception that proves the rule, but they just work well. Dry? Dripping in mud? Haven’t been cleaned in ever? They still go bang.
There are a few rules to achieve that reliability. Good ammo, firm grip, avoid using extended mags in short gripped models, and use factory mags. Do those things and it’s a weapon to depend on.
It’s funny that you mention that now… I’m troubleshooting one right now where the slide doesn’t seat all the way about every third time (unloaded) and has yet to fully seat the next round when shooting…
Jonathan,
Which model and Gen? Also have any after market parts be add that you’re aware of?
Sorry “been” not “be”
Thank you for the post. I have a pair of Glocks (G21 – G30) that have factory plastic sights that should be replaced for the reasons given above. I haven’t had any problems with them, they hold zero fine, but its a problem that looms and I may as well take care of now before it really becomes a problem.
I appreciate you sharing Ms. Keel’s advice as to what she thinks are a good choice. I also follow her blog and highly respect her opinion and reasoning. Tam knows guns because she is a serious student.
What holsters are you using?
Well, definitely not the ones youre using.
True.