Understanding Glock 17 Sights
Types of Sights
There are several primary categories of sights commonly used on the Glock 17, each with its own strengths and weaknesses:
Iron Sights: The foundation of handgun aiming, iron sights consist of a front sight and a rear sight, typically aligned to create a sight picture. These are the most basic and readily available type of sights.
Factory Sights
Glock’s factory sights are functional but often considered basic. They typically feature a white U-shaped outline on the rear sight and a white dot on the front sight. While perfectly adequate for close-range shooting, they can be difficult to acquire quickly and precisely, especially in low-light conditions. They serve as a starting point but many shooters find them lacking the enhancements desired.
Aftermarket Iron Sights
This category encompasses a vast array of options designed to improve upon the factory offerings. These come in various forms:
Fixed Sights: These offer a consistent sight picture that’s always ready, great for concealed carry where snag-resistance is key.
Adjustable Sights: These allow for windage and elevation adjustments, perfect for fine-tuning your point of impact and ideal for competition or target shooting. However, they can sometimes be bulkier than fixed sights.
High-Visibility Sights: Often featuring colored front sights (orange, green, yellow) and contrasting rear sight configurations, these are designed to enhance target acquisition speed.
Night Sights: These incorporate tritium vials that glow in the dark, providing a constant aiming point in low-light environments. Tritium is a self-illuminating isotope that requires no batteries, making it a reliable solution for defensive carry.
Red Dot Sights
Red dot sights (RDS) have become increasingly popular for handguns, offering a significant advantage in target acquisition and accuracy.
Micro Red Dots: Compact and lightweight, these are designed to be mounted directly to the slide, minimizing bulk and weight. These offer excellent benefits for concealed carry.
Full-Sized Red Dots: Slightly larger and more robust than micro red dots, these may offer features like larger lenses and extended battery life. They’re a great fit for competition or recreational shooting.
Iron Sights with Fiber Optic
Fiber optic sights combine the durability of iron sights with the enhanced visibility of fiber optic rods. These rods collect ambient light and transmit it to the shooter, creating a bright, easy-to-see aiming point.
Benefits of Fiber Optic
Fiber optic sights offer a significant advantage in bright light, making them ideal for outdoor shooting. The bright aiming points allow for rapid target acquisition and are available for both front and rear sights.
Key Features to Consider
Beyond the type of sight, several key features can influence your choice:
Sight Picture: The clarity and ease with which you can align the front and rear sights is paramount. A clean and easily visible sight picture allows for faster and more accurate shots. A sight picture with a well-defined front sight is crucial for proper alignment.
Durability: Your sights should be able to withstand the rigors of everyday use, including recoil, impacts, and harsh weather conditions. Quality materials and construction are essential for longevity.
Adjustability: While some sights are fixed, others offer windage and elevation adjustments. This is especially useful for fine-tuning your point of impact and correcting for any minor errors.
Ease of Installation: Consider the ease of installation. Some sights require specialized tools or gunsmithing expertise. Select sights that are compatible with your Glock 17 model.
Brightness and Visibility: The brightness and visibility of the sight elements are critical, especially in various lighting conditions. High-visibility sights, such as those with colored front sights or fiber optic rods, can significantly improve target acquisition speed. Red dots have a distinct advantage in this regard, by making the target acquisition faster.
Battery Life: If you’re considering a red dot sight, pay attention to battery life. A long battery life reduces the need for frequent battery changes and minimizes the risk of your sight failing at a critical moment.
Top Glock 17 Sights Reviews
Now, let’s explore some specific Glock 17 sight recommendations based on those factors:
Iron Sight Recommendations
Trijicon HD XR: Known for their durability and excellent sight picture, the Trijicon HD XR sights feature a high-visibility front sight with a tritium lamp for low-light performance. The U-shaped rear sight is designed to quickly align with the front sight, making them great for defensive use. The HD XR sights offer a balance of speed and precision. Their robust construction and reliable performance makes them a favourite among many Glock 17 owners.
Ameriglo: Ameriglo offers a wide variety of iron sight options, catering to various shooting styles and preferences. They are known for their affordability and quality. They provide a range of sight pictures, including traditional three-dot setups, Pro-I-Dot, and various colored front sight options.
Red Dot Sight Recommendations
Trijicon RMR: A legendary red dot sight, the Trijicon RMR (Ruggedized Miniature Reflex) is renowned for its durability, reliability, and performance. The RMR is built to withstand the most demanding conditions. It offers a crisp, clear red dot and various reticle sizes, making it adaptable to a variety of shooting styles. The RMR’s compact size makes it a popular choice for concealed carry.
Holosun: Holosun has emerged as a leading contender in the red dot sight market, offering high-quality optics at a more accessible price point. Their sights often feature innovative features such as shake-awake technology, which automatically turns the sight on when it senses movement, extending battery life. Holosun red dots are a great option for users looking for enhanced features without breaking the bank.
Aimpoint: Aimpoint is a well known name in optics and have produced excellent red dot sights for long guns. Their sights are often a very reliable choice for those seeking a robust option, suitable for harsh conditions. Their red dots often feature exceptional battery life.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Glock 17 Sights
Making the right choice involves understanding your specific needs:
Intended Use
Concealed Carry: When concealed carry is your primary purpose, consider sights with a low profile to minimize the risk of snagging on clothing. Prioritize sights with a durable finish and a bright, easily acquired front sight.
Competition: For competitive shooting, speed and accuracy are paramount. Adjustable sights or red dot sights with a large field of view are often preferred to help you quickly acquire the target.
Home Defense: In a home defense scenario, quick target acquisition and reliability are essential. Night sights or red dot sights with a crisp dot can be invaluable in low-light environments.
Range Practice: If the primary goal is range practice, prioritize a balance between performance and affordability. Standard iron sights or more affordable red dot options can work well.
Personal Preferences
Sight picture preference: Experiment with different sight pictures to find what suits you. Consider different front sight colors and rear sight configurations to see what works best.
Eye dominance: If you are cross-dominant (left-eye dominant and right-handed or vice versa), a red dot sight can provide an easier aiming solution compared to iron sights.
Budget: The price range of Glock 17 sights varies considerably, from affordable iron sights to high-end red dot optics.
Shooting experience and skill level: Newer shooters might benefit from red dot sights as they simplify aiming, but it may take some practice to adapt to.
Installation and Maintenance
Installing Glock 17 sights requires some basic mechanical skill and the correct tools:
Iron sights usually require a sight pusher, or a punch and hammer. Some are installed via a dovetail, which has its own set of challenges, and the tool can help you avoid damaging the slide.
Red dot sights might require a mounting plate or adapter.
It’s important to use the correct tools and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Zeroing your sights is essential for accuracy. This involves adjusting the sights until your shots consistently hit the point of aim.
Maintenance is important for long-lasting use of your sights. Regularly clean your sights and replace batteries when necessary, especially for red dot sights.
Conclusion
Upgrading your Glock 17 sights is one of the most impactful improvements you can make to enhance your shooting experience. By understanding the different types of sights, the key features to consider, and your specific needs, you can choose the perfect sights to improve your accuracy and performance. Whether you choose iron sights, a red dot, or a fiber optic setup, the right sights will allow you to get the most out of your Glock 17.
