Glock Night Sight Installation (Without A Vise)

How I installed the Meprolight Tru Dot night sights on my Glock 19 with no vise, and no brass or vinyl punch. I actually should have flipped the slide over so that I would be installing the new sights left to right. Then maybe I wouldn't have needed to sand them. Oops! As you can probably tell this was my first time doing this.

[@BackyardSniper21]

Gotta love all the "that's bad for your gun" comments. There are a million torture test videos of people freezing, burning, blowing up and even shooting their Glocks with another gun and they still can function. I can't imagine tapping it with a wooden dowel will hurt it. Haha. I applaud your ingenuity, and helping all of us cheap DIY people out. Keep it up!

[@charlielee3927]

BackyardSniper21

[@HeyYoMikey81]

One of the best comments I've ever received, thank you!

[@DanielGonzalez-sp9xz]

All these comments are hilarious. People have been brainwashed by the tactitard community to always do things a certain way, that they can't help but criticize when someone thinks outside of the box. Good job man, you did what you set out to do and it worked for you, then that's all that matters.

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Thank you so much, that comment means a lot to me.

[@Paul-es9el]

HeyYoMikey81 awesome man!! Good job I'm going to do my sights tonight the same way as yours. Will be my first try I've always brought mine to a shop but I think I can do this after watching your video. Thanks dude !!!

[@christopherpoindexter4889]

Well said Daniel! Mission accomplished and that is better than forking over money and he learned along the way.

[@patricksmith8930]

Agreed. Read through the comments and found them to be pretty funny. I guess ingenuity doesnt fly anymore.

[@endzie]

Man for the price of some of these sight pushers you can buy another set of complete sights! There are reviews out there of people using actual sight pushers and them breaking while installing. So now you're out a $50-$100 sight tool and you're back to where you started! I applaud you for using a dowel to install your sights! I have been debating just using a brass punch, but I may just end up getting a dowel.

[@MrTOOBS420]

This video gave me that last push of confidence to get the job done ... Patience and research payed off the sights went In beautifully ! Thanks

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Hey thanks, it's comments like this that make it all worthwhile.

[@MrTOOBS420]

It did it's amazing what some time and videos can do ! Thanks guys

[@kcreative7293]

Followed your vid, wood dowels, clamp and all.......and installed my ameriglows and it was superb and flawless. Just about everything you need to fix or install you can find a vid on youtube. I don't see how life existed 40+ years ago. Thank you so much

[@dsbiddle]

I just gnawed the stock sight out with my teeth. Took 2 days.

[@dejuanballard3367]

Are u serious?

[@damon323]

Nice!! Did mine slightly different by putting my slide on a piece of wood, and my foot on top my slide cause I didn't even have a C-Clamp..lol!! But your video inspired me to give it a shot and installed my Dawson Precision sights with no problem. Thanks buddy.

[@TautologyTechSystems]

I just installed truglo tfx pro sights with a similar method. The stock rear sight was the biggest pain. I used a nylon punch and and it still literally smashed the plastic sight like play dough. I ended up tearing the sight out by hand because I couldn't get it to move any further. There is a metal tab that sits below the rear plastic sight which wasn't budging. After I tore the sight off I used a very small roll pin punch to remove the metal tab. Also I discovered that a Glock slide will fit perfectly in an AR15 upper receiver block. I just put it in that and clamped it to the bench. The truglo sight installed fairly easy. I went right to left and when it wouldn't go any further I tapped it out and went left to right. No issue, install was perfect. Not a single mark on my brand new cerakoted slide or sight, and I saved $30 going to a smith. Also, it doesn't matter which direction you push the sights on a glock. The taper is at the center of the dovetail.

[@bigtruckboy20011]

Nice job. I installed all of my sights myself as well. I make sure its done correctly. I use a vise and nylon tipped aluminum punch and all that jazz. It's good to see someone gettin It done with what they have. Nice job improvising.

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Thanks!

[@mauserman2514]

same voice as Alan from 2 and a half men

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Haha! That's a new one!

[@daspiper8941]

For your first time doing this, you did a very good job. Proud of you Mikey.

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Thanks!

[@blahahbly11]

For all the keyboard warrior commentators, I did the EXACT same install technique. I have yet to have any issues; it’s been several years and thousands of rounds.

[@slumberpass]

Big thanks. Local gun range said they do it for $20, but I didn't want to drive 20 miles and I received a front sight tool in the mail so I did it your way. I didn't bother making a punch, so I just used a rubber coated crescent wrench and got it in. Marred the rear sight up a bit, but I don't care. It's a tool.

[@hoaker178]

slumberpass i just put new sights on my xds and had to beat them out. I said the same thing. So what if it gets a scratch its a tool not a showcar

[@blahahbly11]

I installed my Trijicons on my G19 with a wooden dowel the same way 4 years ago. Works like a charm if you’re a very particular person.

[@tranjen]

Awesome video. I just put in some adjustable slights for my Glocks doing it your way (except I did it sideways with a vice - minus sanding). Your video at 7 mins. 6 sec. with that cotton swab to the metal sight made my spine tingle like nails to a chalkboard. ;)

[@HeyYoMikey81]

+jen tran Thanks, I'm glad it helped! Re-watching my vid at 7 min 6 sec with your comment in mind made me laugh pretty hard!

[@andyprairiedog]

Good job. I recently bought 2 Glock 19Gen4s, 1 for me and 1 for my wife. We bought some tritium sights for them but also lacking a nice vise. Thank you for the video.

[@louie111887]

that's brilliant brother. just bought my Glock 19 yesterday. can't wait till the 27th so I can pick it up!

[@Balmy_Jones]

HeyYo, thanks for the tutorial, I learned from your mistake, i.e. old rear sight goes out to the left, and new rear sight goes in from the left. And forgive me, I just skipped the dowel and pounded away with a light hammer. My brother-in-law acted in lieu of a vice, holding the gun firmly against the table. The old rear sight was a "don't care" if it was damaged by pounding (and it was really more like careful tapping.) I thoroughly cleaned the bed of the rear sight channel before placing the new sight. My brother-in-law claims he could see the right side of the channel opening was narrower than the left. The channel was grimed with oxidation, old oil residue, and dust/dirt. I liberally oiled the channel and new sight before gently tapping the new sight in... the new sight snugged right in with much less effort than the pounding out of the old sight. (I replaced the rear sight with a $10 OEM sight I bought on Ebay. The original sight had been damaged by thieves who had stolen (then police recovered) the Glock 17 a few years ago. After entire dis-assembly of the firearm, and replacement of this rear sight, the gun is now in good working condition.)

[@michelefreedman780]

I used a clamp on table vise to install trijicons on my s&w. Anyway, you didn't break anything so I say you did a good job!

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Thanks!

[@damon323]

Just installed my Dawson Precision sights by putting the slide on a piece of wood, and my foot on top of the slide to hold it down cause I didn't even have a c-clamp..lol!! Used an aluminum punch to pound everything out/in and bam, it was done. Your video inspired me, thanks man. The "ghetto" way is the only choice sometimes. Lol!!

[@Wickhaven1]

I'm glad I watched this. While, there are a few things I will do differently, I now know it can be done. Thanks for posting.

[@floridaman3585]

Use a small second c clamp to push the rear sight

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Florida Man That's not a bad idea.

[@coburna5]

Sweet video man. I always let the shop do mine but I'm gonna try it your way with my new 43! Thanks for uploading!

[@HeyYoMikey81]

coburna5 Thanks for watching, hope it worked out ok.

[@pasky2112]

I did this on my G23 and marred the little 'groove' of the rear sight. (It was my first & only sight change) The wood dowel 'punch' is a great idea! I say F it being 'sloppy'... you're ghetto job had the same outcome as ones I've seen using a ridiculously pricy $100+ rear sight tool! You speak clearly, walk your way though everything and the backdrop made everything easy to see. Great job. I've been thinking about adding TFO's to my G29 I carry. But first, gonna get me a wooden dowel! ;)

[@jondo1830]

An adequate sight pusher sells for about $40.00 on amazon. You could probably even borrow one from a friend.

[@spearhead2182]

WOW! You just saved me $45!! I just happened to have all those tools in house!!! Thank you for this!

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Haha that's awesome! I'm glad it helped, thanks for the comment!

[@patrickhislar3683]

yeah! Great inspiration on TRUGLO installation on my Glock 19. Thank you! I got it done...used one of those cheap wooden handled wire brushes, sawed off the brush at an angle leaving the wood handle only, and used that as a punch. I started pounding with that and popped that back site right outta there. I used wood hand screw clamps to hold the slide on my workbench and a flat metal round punch as as a fine adjuster. It didn't leave marks, but I used a piece of velcro strap as a buffer between the metal punch and the back site at times. And yes the back site goes out one way, you flip over the slide and the back site goes in the opposite way it it came out.

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Awesome! Glad I could help a little even though I put the sight in the wrong way haha. Thanks for the great comment!

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Thank you sir, I greatly appreciate that. Thanks for watching!

[@MrFiremandingo]

Good video. I like to use a toothpick to spread locktite. No fibers like you get from q tips.

[@RebelSoul556]

dude i live in an apartment and i have a bench vise and a drill press on my kitchen counter. step your game up lol cool video

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Kitchen counter?!?! Haha thanks!

[@RebelSoul556]

lol yeah since i started gunsmithing school my whole apartment has turned into some type of workshop as well

[@HeyYoMikey81]

I wish I could create a workshopartment too haha.

[@gregbrunton1481]

[@JosephMassimino]

I may do this myself too, but I will make a plywood U that sits over the slide and helps to keep the clamp, or vice even and steady. The dowel was a good idea, but cutting a notch into it, so the dowel can be kept at a steady pressure while tapping it with the mallet will help keep it from slipping off.

[@bruce5168]

And by the way... What's the problem?? I think he did a good job by doing it himself!! Looks good to me, good job man, and you saved a few bucks. That never hurts, plus ya got a "Can Do" confidence now. 👍👍

[@six66string]

Nicely done. Better than ordering, paying for and waiting for the rear sight pusher to come in the mail. Can someone answer a question for me? I got cowitness ameriglo sights for my Walther pdp compact. If I were to use the sight pusher, could I keep the red dot on while I do it or am I going to have to take it off first?

[@fireteammichael1777]

Very nice! Heck if I wanna buy a sight pusher, or pay for the labor

[@appleztooranges]

My gun store installed it for free without me even purchasing the sites from his store (trijicon hd night sights for g19). Other stores were asking $30-50 for installation. I figured for free why not! He did scuff it up alittle but glad I put it on my old glock instead of my new one

[@logana6934]

don't push the sight out right to left like this guy. out of always left to right and in is always right to left on Glocks.

[@ckemekc77]

False. It doesn't matter on Glocks.

[@JDS-Dalton]

I just had a gun smith install sights to my glock and I gotta admit... even though he was a certified glock armorer... with the correct vise, they still weren't centered on the slide. So I did something similar, just without a clamp, just put the slide on my knee, took a punch, placed a thick cloth between the punch and the sight, and took a hammer to it, if it works it works

[@TheOneOriginalJackal]

For the price of that big C clamp you can get a medium size vise from Lowes, mount to a 3/4" plywood board...2 little C clamps attach the board to the table. Then stick it in the closet for another project later. I've been there.

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Haha, good idea but I'm pretty sure that c clamp was like 5 bucks. Great idea though, thanks for commenting!

[@staffoffice]

Good video but I would rather pay a Smith to do this. Clamping the slide like you did could cause a micro deformity in it. The slide is C&C milled to exacting tolerances and any pressure on a small area can cause unseen damage. A Smith would charge around $50 to do the job and it's a self defense weapon so it's money will spent. Also most of the time they can do it while you wait since they will have a drift out tool and it's like a 10 minute job.

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Well where I live (Southern California), I checked a few places and the cheapest I found was $80. Also I love DIY projects and I like to see what's possible, so I threw caution to the wind. I understand it's sacrilegious to some, and I'm not gonna blame them for criticizing me. However I'm happy with the results. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@krazyk86cu]

$80 to install sights? I've had night sights put on every one of my Glocks and if I bought the sights at the shop they've always installed them for free.

[@bamaknifeguy]

Thanks for the idea man. The dowel worked great bro.

[@HeyYoMikey81]

GlockMan1776 Glad to hear that, thanks for the comment!

[@zexnynex777]

to give hope- i also live in an apartment. i have a 40$ vice from harbor freight mounted on a vintage hollowed out radio cabinet with drywall screws lol, ive built like 4 ars with that n a magpul bev block lol ;-) long story short i mounted a surefire brake on this awesome out of stock forever bcm 11.5 ss barrel n couldnt get it off (rockset), actually lifted up the radio cabinet trying lol. only time i went to a gunsmith other than fn up a ksg with loctite lol. you can do anything you want in an apartment bro, dont get a house payment n all that responsibility just to build guns. let someone else replace the roof lol, and put a drop cloth on the carpet n make yourself a shop. my next tool purchase will be a router/bench grinder n drill press to do 80s... (thick drop cloth with the bench grinder because of the sparks.) lol- but 100% serious

[@bryancarmody8149]

thanks man - I was looking for a way to avoid bringing my G21 gen 4 to the gunsmith!

[@Nottryn]

great vid bro

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Thank you!

[@What_Fred_Said]

I bought some after market sights at a gun show from a Glock guy. They put the sights on for free. Glock is really good for that but other manufacturers not so much.

[@bamasvt47]

Thanks so much for posting the video! I'm not about to spend $130 on a drift tool, and my LGS wants $50 to change them out.

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Thank you for watching! Actually $50 isn't so bad, I probably spent more than that doing it this way (the Glock front sight tool is $35 alone, then you have the clamp, lock-tite, ect.). However I'm a DIY type guy and I like to see what is possible. Thanks so much for your awesome comment!

[@blainmagic6736]

You can get a swivel vise from Harbor Freight for twenty bucks. Clamps on to anything you'd like and makes any job easier

[@cinaetscott8340]

Well that was easy. Nice going. Maybe use some sort of non-slip material with the c-clamp to hold the slide steady?

[@toyotrustPR]

Great job man. Now I am more confident to do it myself and at least I have a vise lol.

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Haha thanks for commenting!

[@vladimirsanchez3380]

I agree! You can also damage the tritium lamp. But to each his own.

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Haha, hey no problem. Thanks for sayin' it nicely. I mean, I did mention this is pretty much the most ghetto way possible. I just didn't want to pay $130 for a sight pusher, and I wanted to see/show whats possible. I had a lot of fun doing it and the results are just fine.

[@eddie1851]

How did these work out for you at the range ? Was it shooting accurate or did it need more adjusting on rear sight ?

[@henryian]

Nice job. perhaps a Laser Bore Sight tool can help you zero your new sights.

[@MrTOOBS420]

Love the wooden dowel idea !

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Haha thanks!

[@insaneclownhoty]

The white tube socks tell me enough lol

[@brookwalsh]

got these installed this week and they are 1mm high on the back. Have you measured the heights on these or do you notice high shooting relative to POA?

[@opmike343]

I didn't hear you mention it but while I feel loctite is unnecessary, if you DO use it, you should make sure the sights are adjusted for windage first.

[@FjolnirSyverson]

Good job brother

[@cooldog60]

For what they want for those sights they are more valuable than gold.

[@nellosabato6247]

Great job. It’s done all that matters

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Haha thanks!

[@wanaraz]

Rear sights exit the right side and install on the right.

[@martinchivers7341]

Nice idea. Well done.

[@mhtractorservice6287]

If tapping on these sights with a piece of wood will ( damage them ) why the hell would you trust them to start with, because anything that can go wrong will go wrong and if its made by man it's subject to failure no matter what it is

[@ogreat2468]

Good job man

[@samlott99]

I'd be nervous about using just paper for protection from damage from the C clamp. I'd use like a piece of leather - something thicker. Also, it crossed my mind, maybe a much smaller dowel rod - cigar sized, maybe even pencil sized might work just as well.

[@HeyYoMikey81]

I just grabbed the first size dowel I saw. Leather is a good idea, but I made this video to highlight how little you need to swap the sights. I guess in hindsight I could've used a t-shirt. Thanks for the great comment!

[@samlott99]

@@HeyYoMikey81 Thanks. It was your great idea to begin with. I'm just thinking of options. I'm thinking about building something simple out of some 2x4 pieces.

[@HeyYoMikey81]

@@samlott99 That sounds interesting, I hope it works!

[@Caughtitoutdoors]

Question for you sir. My meprolights had the rear sight 35thousandths higher than the front sight and after the dealer installed them, there was light coming through at the base of the dovetail. Any suggestions? And Glockmeister installed them???

[@ThaiTanCorner]

"Gunsmithing made easy" printed in early 2000

[@SteveKN4POP]

I would also think before securing the reaer sight that a test fire should have been done to asure that the sights are hitting close to center. Just saying

[@bruceprather3014]

I don't think that front sight screw will ever come out again. Red loctite usually is permanent. Also, you should make sure that your sights are zeroed before putting the loctite on the rear.

[@p0ddie]

+Bruce Prather I just removed my XS Big Dot sight and replaced it with a Meprolight. It does come off if you heat it up with e.g. a hot air blower.

[@mikekramer4886]

p0ddie not with red loctite. Blue can be loosened with heat not red.

[@p0ddie]

firstname Kramer I got my sights off by heating them and they were secured with red loctite... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@runitsablackgun9097]

firstname Kramer red you have to remove with heat blue you dont this is common sense 20 plus years certified gm and ford mechanic here just saying good video but spen the extra cash and buy the tool no problem at all there a monkey could throw sights on but applaud you for getting it done buddy!

[@FlacoRidez]

Respect and peace and love thank you brother

[@julietoozie]

Nice work!

[@fuguf1sh]

I'll spend the $126 on a Gtool2 sight press when it's time to install sights on my Glocks. I spend that on ammo every couple of weeks. Not taking the chance of damaging my slides.

[@mattf4143]

Why didn’t you order a nylon punch when you ordered sights?......not that it matters you’re way worked just curious

[@HeyYoMikey81]

I looked for one online at the time and couldn't find one.

[@stektirade]

I tried to install the trijicon hd night sights on my glock and they just would not go in. It ended up bending the sides of the sights and just got torn up.

[@MrRadiantStar]

I used a dowel before too, although I didn't whittle it down. Would have helped if I had thought about that!

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Hey as long it works right? To me that's what really counts. Thanks for the comment!

[@MrRadiantStar]

***** Agreed. It did work. Although it marred the plastic factory Glock rear sight, but still, I didn't need that anyway. I was switching to the T.A.S. rear fiber optic sight 8) Boy that is a nice sight. And now they have the fiber optic/tritium one! Have you seen those? www.tas-sights.com/web/8888/nsf/sbs.py?&_ID=6693&did=2087&G=6693&PF=14&lang=EN

[@BOOS7ED_S2K]

great video

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Thank you!

[@monsterwantfood]

Good video next time am sure you'll realize when installing your back sights you can turn your slide horizontally to get a better grip with the c clamp besides your putting em on the table will give you better resistance.

[@HeyYoMikey81]

JPQ RGV I'll keep that in mind, thanks.

[@hellgate1981]

won't work on a G26.....buggers are too tight. No need to sand, just freeze it.

[@HeyYoMikey81]

So you freeze the sight?

[@beverwyck1]

***** Freezing shrinks metal, heat expands it.

[@TheFtog]

How long should you freeze the sight?

[@hillbillyhansforlife2763]

pushed the sight out the wrong way

[@beverwyck1]

I just have two words. Blue loctite.

[@HeyYoMikey81]

beverwyck1 Yeah maybe I should have used the blue, but the directions said red, so that's what I went with. To each his own I guess.

[@dylski4294]

Is this the same procedure for gen 2 glock?

[@pasky2112]

I get what you're saying and not knocking your valid concern...but it would take a LOT of force to damage a modern slide with a C-clamp used in this application. Also, Mepro TFO sites are guaranteed not to break after a 10' drop on concrete. So an 'oops' bump with a wooden dowel shouldn't break them, either. Then maybe take that cash you saved and buy a reloading setup! ;-) Or, if you shoot .40/10mm, email me to arrange to send me your once-fired brass... my dime!

[@codyjenn8785]

I got ameriglo Spartan night sights for my glock43x do you by chance know what size the sight tool is for the front sight

[@TheJdmwhip]

Thanks this helped out a lot!!!!

[@HeyYoMikey81]

I'm glad it helped, thanks for the comment!

[@briantmartin83]

You should really use a push/pull tool.. They use a dowel for removal because you can break the plastic sights very easily however using the hammer and dowel on install can crack the night sights releasing the radioactive gas that makes them glow turning you into spiderman and making you infertile forever.. lol

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Brian Martin I think becoming Spiderman and infertile is preferable. Could you make a vid showing me how to do that?

[@briantmartin83]

Sorry for the typos.. I corrected them but to be honest I'd get a vice.. You may be in an apartment but you are not that limited.. Get a cheap utility table from home depot or harbor freight and you can also get a vice for $25.. even try craigslist.. ultimately you should never sand down or modify the sights because they are made with certain tolerances taken into account.. It's a big shock to the slide when firing off a round and the sights will not stay center, possibly moving a little at a time.. A push pull tool for around $50-$150 will take care of your issue and the only other way to do it right is take it to a gunsmith and the charge anywhere from $30 to $70 for install depending on demand for work in the area.

[@vinnier6]

you got a little carried away with the loctite...its for the threads, not for gluing your front sight to the slide...use blue next time...you are going to have a hard time getting that front off to replace when the sight goes dark....

[@billyweeks5336]

Using red loctite, You will have a VERY hard time removing the front sight! RED is for PERMANENT bonding!! You should use BLUE Loctite. Otherwise, not a bad video. Hard to believe you got a quarter millions views though. LOTS of PERMANENTLY "Glued" front sights out there now!! LOL

[@adamma65]

Did you try just squeezing the site in using the C Clamp.

[@HeyYoMikey81]

No I didn't, perhaps that's possible. Might be kinda hard to adjust tough.

[@FSH4EYZ13]

With red locktite you never ever have to worry about removing them. Because they are not..... Ever, Without a drill. press..

[@fishsauce1]

if you didnt file some metal on the rear sight, it would have probably damaged the slide if you tried to force it on, I dont want o risk damaging anything.

[@tdarst12]

Has anybody ever written you to tell you they bent their slide by using the C-clamp? Looks scary to me. I want to install some Tru-Glow Fiber Optic w/ Tritium sights on mine - but I think I am either going to find a friend with a sight press, buy one, or pay a gunsmith do it.

[@taichionline]

good information thanks i will try mine

[@samuelandrychowski1769]

If something is stupid but it works, then it's not stupid.

[@danswenson7941]

That sucks they charge you to install. Here in Indiana, we buy the sights and they install them for free.

[@HeyYoMikey81]

That's awesome, in California everything costs money haha! Thanks for the comment!

[@chmiller71]

Where did you get the magnetic glock tool?

[@lukeburcar910]

what tool did you use to put the screw on the front sight? link if possible thank you!

[@logana6934]

Luke Burcar it's a 3/16 hex nut driver.

[@xRUIN87x]

Great video! Subbed!

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Thanks so much!

[@Charagrin]

What would you do if the sites were off? Just looking like it's centered does not mean it will hit where it's aimed. Any tips for that?

[@HotSauceJeep]

boresighter and a nylon armorers hammer

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Charagrin Shoot and adjust as necessary.

[@richardfabbri1989]

Cool vid bro!!

[@HeyYoMikey81]

Thanks, and thanks for the comment!

[@AK-ky3ou]

That was great

[@DavidS19551]

Strong table!!