Night sight install drama.....

[glockjeeper]

I received my set of AmeriGlo Operator night sights for my newest G19 this past Saturday. I usually use my brother's Glockmeister sight tool to do installs of all my night sights. Well lately this tool has been crapping out on me when the rear sight is barely halfway across the slide. I was all pissed the last couple of days because I didn't want to send the slide off to have them installed, drive to Lexington to get it done, or didn't want to wait/pay for a new sight tool just yet either. So tonight I finally decided to try and bang them across using a hard plastic hammer hit with a rubber mallet so as to try and not mar them any worse than what the sight tool had already done and also to try and not (hopefully) crack a tritium vial.

Long story short, finally got them lined up good and some cold blue fixed the finish (of the sights, the 19 slide was untouched).

Lets just say you do crack a tritium vial (all tubes are still glowing bright green btw) how long till they "bleed out"? Is it immediate or does it take awhile to notice? I hated having to bang these on, as I know thats not good for the vials. Also, should I have used locktite on the rear sight? I've never had a problem with rear sights coming loose before but I do use locktite on the front sights.

[tact-shooter]

No loctite on the rear. The sights would probably seem dim pretty soon and get dimmer rather quickly say a few weeks. This would depend on the amount of damage, but you may be alright.

[glockjeeper]

Thanks tact-shooter. I don't feel like I did any damage either but I was just nervous about it.

[ppcrusa]

I use wooden dowels to drift sights. I have a couple different sizes I use. I buy a couple of those long dowels and cut them into whatever length I need. To me, they work good. They don't mar things up and they give before they put too much impact on the piece you are working with.

[alienspeedfreak]

i broke down and did the same thing with mine couple of months ago, they're still going strong....

i see this is a common problem with the operators....my rears would only go on halfway as well. i was using a brass punch to begin with, then i was marring the crap out of 'em so i plastic hammered 'em using a TON of force and painted where i marred them up (both sides, had to tap them back OUT a few times).

they look fine and they're still glowing bright, i just dont understand why ameriglo offers them as "do it yourself"...sure, if you have a sight pusher.

[tggt05]

Originally posted by tact-shooter
No loctite on the rear.

Is that for all rear sights? I was just wondering and going to post this question... I had ordered some Meps this morning.

Thanks!

[Jeep274]

Have any of you guys tried putting the rear sight in the freezer for an hour or two before install and then maybe heat up the slide with a heat gun? This works well for sliding bearings on shafts and may allow the sight to drift easier. I am planning on getting the Ameri-glo classics for my 23 soon and have been thinking about this.

[tggt05]

That's a very good idea... are night sights freezer safe?
That would make for an easier install for sure.

[glockjeeper]

Originally posted by alienspeedfreak


i see this is a common problem with the operators....my rears would only go on halfway as well. i was using a brass punch to begin with, then i was marring the crap out of 'em so i plastic hammered 'em using a TON of force and painted where i marred them up (both sides, had to tap them back OUT a few times).



The exact same thing happened to me. Went too far a few times and had to bang on the other side too. I tell ya, its a helluva lot harder having to bang them across than when using the sight tool.

[Tazwolff]

I’m considering getting a set of the Operators for my G23, but you guys are making it sound like a nightmare to install them. I do plan on purchasing the MGW installer though. Do the Operators install smooth with the tool, or is it still a PITA?

[AgentM79]

Meprolight's installation instructions DO recommend use of Loc-tite to secure the rear sight. As they are crush-fit into place, this would provide some extra stability to keep the sight from drifting out from the direction it was installed from. Considering that they are a VERY tight fit to begin with (even with the Glock installation tool), this measure is largely redundant. I used the recommended Loc-tite product, front and rear. The front is very secure. I found myself having to adjust the rear about two months after I installed the sight (I thought the sight was properly centered, having tested it/measured it the same day, prior to the Loc-tite taking a "set". I was wrong, to the point where I had to make a correction favoring slightly to the right). The rear sight moved without any fuss (so much for Loc-tite). I did, however, adjust the sight further in the installed direction (left to right, from the rear of the slide).
It is a tough job to install/adjust hollow-base Glock rear sights without the sight tool - to the point where I just bought one to avoid the problem altogether. I've become a popular guy at the range during re-quals (provided I have the tool in my bag.....)

[BOB THEDOG]

I installed a new set of Ameripro operators on my G27 using the punch and rubber mallet procedure. I thought at first I'd need to put it in a vise but it was easier to just press it down into a towel laid out with the hand I was using to hold the punch. They tap into the channel easily enough. But you WILL have to give it a couple of good whacks to get it near center. After that just tap and look, tap and look until its on center or past. I had to flip it over once and move it a tap or two back. Now, its dead center. Theres a little punch mark but I'm sure the Glock tool leaves some impression also.

The trick seems to be the front sights. Locking down that little nut with a pair of needle nose isn't tight enough for me...time to get soem lock tight from the Autozone...

Otherwise, JUST DO IT. The sights are nice, nice, nice.

Just like what the baby glock wanted to grown up like.

[WIG19]

Originally posted by BOB THEDOG
The trick seems to be the front sights. Locking down that little nut with a pair of needle nose isn't tight enough for me...time to get soem lock tight from the Autozone...

Unusual; every Ameriglo sight I've ever received (set, or front sight by itself) came with a little 3/32" shallow-walled nut driver. If they missed it, you should ask them for one.

Take care to put only a tiny amount of Loctite on the side of the little screw's threads, NOT on the tip. There have been reports of, once in the socket, the threadlocker causing too much pressure on the Tritium vial above it when it hardens, which could ruin your day. :)

[BOB THEDOG]

Nope, no nut driver. It came in the display pack with the foam and warranty info on the back...but no driver. I guess I'll email Ameriglo and see what they have to say...

The driver is small enough to fit in the display box huh?

[ppcrusa]

I like a dunce misplaced my hex wrench for the rear sights of my Ameriglo Smooth Slopes. Sent Ameriglo an email and was prepared to pay for another one. Wonderful folks there sent me TWO free of charge. Ameriglo has my business from now on.

[BOB THEDOG]

So did you need two? Did you install a second front backup sight? I've heard the Iraqui insurgents do this so they can get a second shot off fast....

Yeah Rick over at Ameriglo is sending me a new driver. No charge, no question. Good company.

BTW, I just got a #7500 Bianchi paddle holster (I dont CCW just in house and on ranch) I love it. I had gotten a Fobus but didnt like it. Took too much jerk to get a little G27 out. Fobus is great on my Ruger P85 though. They really should cover the muzzle though. When I'm outside with it, the last thing I want to worry about it leaves and crap getting in it. Cedar trees are messy suckers.

Anyway, the Bianchi is nice, easy to get on/off, adjustable height and cant, covered muzzle, was under $50 shipped. I'm in G27 heaven now.

Midwayusa.com even had the Gold Dot .40 155's I've been hunting...and it was all delivered to my door, what a deal.