TruGlo TFO's let me down

[Pistol Pedro]

After jumping on the bandwagon of praising the TruGlo TFO sites for the past year, I now have to jump on the bandwagon of displeasure. While cleaning my G19 today after a session at the range, I noticed that the fiber optic rod in the front site was hanging out about a 1/16th of an inch. The rod goes back and forth freely but does not come out completely yet. However I’m sure a little persuasion would be all it needed to disappear forever.
This is very disappointing as these sites have so much to like about them and I really have enjoyed them. I am past TruGlo’s crappy 90 day warranty a few times over so I probably won’t even bother trying to contact them. Besides, my confidence in the quality of these sites is now gone and this can not be tolerated on any part of a carry weapon. I guess I am out $95.00 and shopping for night sites again. Think I will give AmeriGlo sites a try this time.

Until then anyone have any idea if a strategically placed drop of super glue would secure my loose fiber optic rod?

[firefly]

Hate to hear that. How many rounds before this issue? I've got a 26 that I have carried for a while and it's had TFO's since I bought it new with no issues to date and hundreds of rounds fired. BTW, just curious as to weather or not you avoided solvents/oils in the sights during cleaning as this would affect the integrity of the sight.

[SMLR]

Cabela's will sell you a replacement TFO front sight for about $50. They don't have them offered on their website, but if you give them a call they can order one for you.

[RayB]

1) This is very disappointing as these sites have so much to like about them and I really have enjoyed them. I am past TruGlo’s crappy 90 day warranty a few times over so I probably won’t even bother trying to contact them. Besides, my confidence in the quality of these sites is now gone and this can not be tolerated on any part of a carry weapon. I guess I am out $95.00 and shopping for night sites again. Think I will give AmeriGlo sites a try this time.

2) Until then anyone have any idea if a strategically placed drop of super glue would secure my loose fiber optic rod?

*****

1) Too bad it's not a Sig Sauer Equinox--I bet TruGlo would cover it for you then! :dunno:

At any rate, you didn't get your $95.00 worth, and you might just want to tell them so! :steamed:

I see no downside to contacting them. Tell them how you've sung their praises here on Glock Talk. :whistling:

2) Clean it up and blow it dry with canned air. Push the rod back into position. You might then try a small bead of Super Glue Gel along the bottom of the rod, where it rests in the sight. Magnification and steady hands would be a plus! :wavey:

--Ray

[edrobert]

Contact them anyway as I have had them replace a sight on a gun that the previous owner had screwed up. Just call them and they will take care of you.

[sidewinder6]

For those of you repairing the loose tube Ive seen a couple times folks post about superglue.This stuff is brittle and might not continue to hold the tube. I have had this happen and used a tooth pick and epoxy bond that I filled the tube hole with and then pushed the tube back in place. Then use a large set of pliers to seat the tube fully back in the hole so it is flush once again. I learned that finger tight isnt enough pressure.

I have run these sights for a while on 2 platforms and it is a love/ hate thing because of their durability. I am not inclined to go through the hastle of returning them and I dont like that they dont sell front sights alone ( except in the Cabellas case where they probably buy so much, the factory bends to their wishes). When I look at all the fast competition sights, the picture is not as bright as TFOs and Ive spoken to some shooters who took their Warrens and Sevigny sights off because being fast leaves too much wiggle in the sight picture that untimately effects accuracy. My TFOs are dead on when they are in proper shape.

Measuring the TFO with calipers, the measurements have many similarities of the high speed sights, just that front sight problem needs to be fixed by proper engineers.

[Pistol Pedro]

Hate to hear that. How many rounds before this issue? I've got a 26 that I have carried for a while and it's had TFO's since I bought it new with no issues to date and hundreds of rounds fired. BTW, just curious as to weather or not you avoided solvents/oils in the sights during cleaning as this would affect the integrity of the sight.
I had about 1500 rounds through it since adding the TFO's. I have been very diligent to keep solvents and oils off them.

[sigpro-fessor]

This is why I think Ill pass on the TFO's.Too many stories of the vials popping out.

Think Ill rock the triji novaks instead.

[SMSTRICK]

All this is a shock to me. I have never heard of this problem before.

[stevehof]

After jumping on the bandwagon of praising the TruGlo TFO sites for the past year, I now have to jump on the bandwagon of displeasure.At least one set of TFO's has tolerated about 12-15,000 rounds through my competition G35. I have eight other sets installed on various Glock models and while they get shot a whole lot less, no failures so far...:cool: I have had the rods come out of Dawson Precision FO sights and I think it's prophetic that Dawson provides replacement FO tubes with each purchased sight...:supergrin:....

Whatever, if the FO tubes come out, the gun still has sights and shoots...

For us older guys, the TFO sight picture helps. There are times when shooting low from barricades during competition that I cannot get the sights in the middle vision of my Trifocals. The out of focus FO (big) tubes on the TFOs are good enough to get the job done...

[RayB]

1) At least one set of TFO's has tolerated about 12-15,000 rounds through my competition G35. I have eight other sets installed on various Glock models and while they get shot a whole lot less, no failures so far...

...I have had the rods come out of Dawson Precision FO sights...

2) ...and I think it's prophetic that Dawson provides replacement FO tubes with each purchased sight...

3) For us older guys, the TFO sight picture helps...


*****

1) You are the first I've read to suggest that TruGlo TFOs are more durable than Dawson Precision Fiber Optic sights. Not that I doubt your experience.

2) Except the Dawson Precision sights are designed around the user replacing the FO rod. Instructions are included for it. Not so for the TFOs.

3) They are a cool concept, I'll give you that. They just have a long way to go, IMO. The 90-Day warranty is very telling.

Where they solve vision problems, I guess they're fine for the range. But I'd never trust them on a HD/SD, or CC weapon.

--Ray

[stevehof]

1) You are the first I've read to suggest that TruGlo TFOs are more durable than Dawson Precision Fiber Optic sights. Not that I doubt your experience.

2) Except the Dawson Precision sights are designed around the user replacing the FO rod. Instructions are included for it. Not so for the TFOs.

3) They are a cool concept, I'll give you that. They just have a long way to go, IMO. The 90-Day warranty is very telling.

Where they solve vision problems, I guess they're fine for the range. But I'd never trust them on a HD/SD, or CC weapon.

--Ray

1) I didn't say TFO's were better than anybody else's sights. I just gave my own experience with the only two aftermarket sights I have used.

2) My Dawson FO front sight tube broke once and one of the rears broke once. I didn't replace them just because I wanted a color change. And, the sight elevation pivot pin walked out from firing reduced power handloads on two different Dawson FO installations. Both pins had to be staked in. I don't exactly know just how 'precision' those sights actually are...:supergrin: If I hadn't seen the pin before it came all the way out I would have been without a rear sight. The point is any sight can fail. For SD or competition or whatever, Without one of your light tubes you are still in the game. Without a rear sight, you are greatly handicapped.

[JBP55]

Hard to go wrong with Ameriglo.

[shoot]

I had front sight fiber optic rod fall out after 1000 rounds and the gun shop messed around with it as it went over 90 day guarantee tried super glu didn't work and finally got it to stick but ruined the rod and lost glow.

I don't know where to get another rod so I guess I'm stuck buying an entire new front sight.

I think perhaps I'll send the dead one in.

[RIPPED]

CALL TRU GLO.. TFO's DO HAVE A 10 YEAR Half Life Warranty,
Think before you bash a product!


heres a response i received from TRUGLO over 6 months ago .


" Our tritium have a 10 year half life warranty which the dealer can
take care of if there is an issue. This allows the customer to get taken
care of with little down time. the customer can also call our customer
service department and make arrangements to have it sent in for repair
or replacement.


Thank You
TRUGLO Inc.
710 Presidential Drive
Richardson, Texas 75081
P#: 888.887.8456
F#: 972.774.0323

[RayB]

" Our tritium have a 10 year half life warranty which the dealer can
take care of if there is an issue. This allows the customer to get taken
care of with little down time. the customer can also call our customer
service department and make arrangements to have it sent in for repair
or replacement.


*****

"Our tritium have a 10 year half life warranty..."

This refers to the tritium gas' ability to self-energize the lamps for ten years. It does not imply warranty on workmanship, mechanical failure, etc., just lamp integrity (thank you Trijicon!).

You will also note when shopping for sights, TruGlo TFO never states the warranty... :whistling:

I was told 90-Days on the overall sights, when I called. Yeah, I looked into them. They're cool! :cool:

I've monitored this forum for a long time, and TFOs have more problems than any other aftermarket sights out there. Problems include:

. Poor Workmanship
. Poor Finish
. Poor Fit
. Lamp Failure (Covered 10-Years)
. FO Rods Falling Out

A summary of facts is not "bashing". That's Liberal-speak... :upeyes:

There's nothing wrong with contacting the OEM, and if they replace them, that's great!

They are, or at least have been, awfully nebulous about their warranty. :dunno:

With better than 9500-rounds on my G17, the only time I replaced a fiber optic rod on my Dawson Precision sights, was to make a voluntary color change to the FO.

--Ray

[sidewinder6]

The shelf life of Tritium is is diversion from the fact they are having a problem with their front sights.

When you read through the HUNDREDS of threads and comments they are all related to the front sight. Beyond that they work fine. If they sold their front sights to registered users that would go a long way to solve the problem of the tubes comming loose.

Now, aside from the service and warranty issues, these soghts have the BEST sight picture if brightness means anything to you and in fact, if you take the calipers to them and compare the sight picture from ( insert your favorate company or high speed shooter here) you will find their not that bad.

I have never tried the Texas route preferring to have spares ( you DO have spares of everything else dont you??).

They need to recognize their weakness as a company and move to fix that. The sights are great and help you during the day as much as negate the need for flashlights in the dark.

[Pistol Pedro]

I used some clear epoxy and the fiber rod is now securely fastened in the front sight. Unfortunately, I used a little to much epoxy and even though it is clear, not enough ambient light is getting to the fiber rod to light it up. The front is now much dimmer than the rears under lighted conditions.:crying: In the dark, it's just fine.

I am now shopping AmeriGlo. Classic night sights or Pro series? decisions decisions....

[Gordov2]

Just call Tru Glow!!!! They will send you a front sight for free!!!! Now, quit jabberring back and forth over stupid S$%@!!!!

[buzzman_45011]

Don't worry about it. I called them a few months ago after my front sight went dim. I'm sure it was my fault. I got a bit goofy with the brake cleaner. I called them and sent them the old set and they sent me a new set. They have great customer service. Just give them a call.

[shoot]

I like the Truglo product a lot.

Not bashing just fact and the fact that they have to install the rod back in their factory is something my gun shop should have known but whatever they used on it made it a "noglo".

Problem was more with my gunshop trying this and that and me wanting to compete not wanting the down time. TruGlo said my gunshop should stick a new one in and they would reimburse.

Problem is with them not truglo. Also with me waiting past the 90 day to bite the bullet and give up my glock 34 to a smitty that takes a month to get to it.

I just want the front sight not an entire rig. That may be my frustration with TruGlo. I will probably end up buying an entire new front and back just so I can get a repair on the front. Expensive sport but that is how much I like TruGlo product on my Glock 34.

Makes a slow shooter a little faster on target what more can you ask.

[RayB]

Man. The customer support required to make this TFO product work just amazes me. In particular that it would be tolerated on such a dependable platform as a Glock. :shakehead:

You TFO fans are real believers! :horsey:

Good luck! :wavey:

--Ray

[Pistol Pedro]

As a few suggested, I sent TruGlo an email explaining how the fiber rod fell out of my front sight and that I made the situation worse trying to fix it myself with clear epoxy. I inquired on how I should go about getting a replacement front sight. I asked in a way that I feel left the door open for them to either make good on their crappy 90 warranty and poor quality hoping they would offer a replacement free of charge or at least give me a price for replacement. It's been over a week and I have received no response.

With customer service being no better than their product quality, I have given up on TruGlo. Today I went to my local gun shop and bought a set of AmeriGlo Classic green/yellow night sights. On looks alone, I am very pleased with them. I am sure they will hold up very well over time.

I will miss the TFO's. I really liked how bright they were in any light condition. Perhaps some day they'll work out the quality issues with these things and start putting out a sight people can have confidence in. If that day comes with improved customer service and a longer warranty, I might be tempted to look at TruGlo TFO's again.

[Gordov2]

As a few suggested, I sent TruGlo an email explaining how the fiber rod fell out of my front sight and that I made the situation worse trying to fix it myself with clear epoxy. I inquired on how I should go about getting a replacement front sight. I asked in a way that I feel left the door open for them to either make good on their crappy 90 warranty and poor quality hoping they would offer a replacement free of charge or at least give me a price for replacement. It's been over a week and I have received no response.

With customer service being no better than their product quality, I have given up on TruGlo. Today I went to my local gun shop and bought a set of AmeriGlo Classic green/yellow night sights. On looks alone, I am very pleased with them. I am sure they will hold up very well over time.

I will miss the TFO's. I really liked how bright they were in any light condition. Perhaps some day they'll work out the quality issues with these things and start putting out a sight people can have confidence in. If that day comes with improved customer service and a longer warranty, I might be tempted to look at TruGlo TFO's again.


CALL THEM! I did a year after I bought them, and they sent me an entire new front sight immediately! Forget email, pick up the telephone, it will work and they will help.

[Gordov2]

Another good way to fix the TruGlo front sight yourself is to heat-up the front of the tube (the part facing you when you're shooting) with a Bic lighter, while at the same time using a small, flat device (such as the flat, big end of a tweezer) and forcing the tube into the iron sight while heating. DO NOT ALLOW THE FLAME TO TOUCH THE TRITIUM TUBE, BUT GET IT CLOSE.

Get the flame close to the tube and get it good and hot... (maybe 60 - 75 seconds), while applying fairly significant pressure on the tube with the big flat part of your tweezer. This should slightly melt the exterior part of the tube's tip enough to hold it against the iron portion of the front sight that is facing you when you are aiming.

This is something that worked for me while I was waiting for TruGlo to send me my new front sight - which they did in just a few days (after I CALLED them.)

[Pistol Pedro]

CALL THEM! I did a year after I bought them, and they sent me an entire new front sight immediately! Forget email, pick up the telephone, it will work and they will help.

I use email because I don't have time to be put on hold. If they can't answer an email, why in the hell do they have a customer service email address? It's a moot point now anyway. I now have a new set of sights that I have confidence in.

What the heck, I might call them tomorrow anyway. If they send me a replacement sight, I'm sure I could sell it quickly to some other person whose front side broke. There doesn't seem to be any shortage of people with this problem around here.

[Gordov2]

I should also say that the new front sight TruGlo sent me has worked perfectly for a long time now... proving to me that they have fixed this problem. I am rough on my sights, especially my front sight, and the TruGlo front sight they sent me has held-up better and longer than I expected.

[Gordov2]

I use email because I don't have time to be put on hold. If they can't answer an email, why in the hell do they have a customer service email address? It's a moot point now anyway. I now have a new set of sights that I have confidence in.

What the heck, I might call them tomorrow anyway. If they send me a replacement sight, I'm sure I could sell it quickly to some other person whose front side broke. There doesn't seem to be any shortage of people with this problem around here.


No one has time to wait on hold - NO ONE!

I'd bet good money that I have less time to wait on-hold than most anyone... because I get paid based on time - just like attorneys that get paid by the hour - those attorneys will never be rich - only the contingency lawyers will. Anyone who gets paid based on time can only make so much money - there are only 24 hours in a day.

The point is this: I didn't wait on-hold for any extended period with TruGlo at all. I spend much more time on-hold with my bank, phone company, broadband, etc., than I ever have with TruGlo. Just call 'em and get a new sight... I mean why not?

[Dean]

After jumping on the bandwagon of praising the TruGlo TFO sites for the past year, I now have to jump on the bandwagon of displeasure. While cleaning my G19 today after a session at the range, I noticed that the fiber optic rod in the front site was hanging out about a 1/16th of an inch. The rod goes back and forth freely but does not come out completely yet. Until then anyone have any idea if a strategically placed drop of super glue would secure my loose fiber optic rod?


Super glue your falling apart sights. Then get Crimson Trace. Their product is superior. Their customer service is immediate and phenomenal.

[Gordov2]

Super glue your falling apart sights. Then get Crimson Trace. Their product is superior. Their customer service is immediate and phenomenal.

Sorry, but laser sights don't even belong on this thread...

[mfetty77]

The sights are good except the craftmenship could be alot better. I sold mine to a friend tonight.

[Gordov2]

The sights are good except the craftmenship could be alot better. I sold mine to a friend tonight.


Your opinion. The craftmanship on mine is GREAT!

How old are your TFO sights? Are they of the newer lot that have the problems worked out? Or did you sell the older version that had some problems?

Bottom line: The newer one's have the problems corrected. Therefore no further opinions need be proffered on the old ones, period. If you are having problems with the older, TFO front sight, call them and get a new one for free, and they will ship you one quickly.

With the above said, there really is no further discussion needed about ANY RE-HASHING of the same old discussion of the older front sight issues, especially now that the problem is fixed, and especially since TruGlo will send you a free replacement if your old one is broken.

[RayB]

...there really is no further discussion needed about ANY RE-HASHING of the same old discussion of the older front sight issues, especially now that the problem is fixed, and especially since TruGlo will send you a free replacement if your old one is broken.

*****

Or then again, we will rehash whatever the hell we please! :tongueout:

--Ray

[RayB]

Super glue your falling apart sights. Then get Crimson Trace. Their product is superior. Their customer service is immediate and phenomenal.

:freak:

Matt Damon

[stevehof]

*****

Or then again, we will rehash whatever the hell we please! :tongueout:

--RayOK, if we can rehash, once again, 8 sets of TFO's installed on various Glock models over the last two years. NO failures of any sort including my competition G35 with 12-15000 rounds on the TFO's.

MY opinion is that these sights became instantly very popular due to their marvelous functionality in any light. Lots of sets were sold so maybe while the company was teething with this new sight model, there were some problems. I suspect the sights are now as solid as any other FO night sight. And, there have been enough posts assuring us that customer service does work at Truglo. So, if you want a FO and night sight system that you can see extremely well in ANY lighting conditions from bright sunlight to absolute darkness TFO's are very much worth considering.

[mfetty77]

I got them for christmas last year. Within 6 months the front pipe started doing this. If they got the bugs worked out I would try another set. Maybe on my G30 I carry.

[XIII]

Your opinion. The craftmanship on mine is GREAT!


Relax a little. Im sure everyone else gets your OPINION on the subject. I dont know if you realize it but you are coming across aggresive and are doing more harm than good. Trying to bully people out of sharing their experiences gives everyone else a bad taste in thier mouth.

My experiences with them are the opposite of yours (and mine are less than 6 months old) both with QA and CS. But Im glad they were helpful and fixed yours for free. People can take from that what they will.

[Pistol Pedro]

How old are your TFO sights? Are they of the newer lot that have the problems worked out?
I bought mine in February 25th of 2007 from a gun show dealer. In May of 2007 that same dealer replaced the front sight due to it going dim. I have no way of knowing the manufacture date of either front sight.

Bottom line: The newer one's have the problems corrected.
And just what have they done on the "newer one's" to correct the problem? What specific knowledge do you have to state this as fact? Visually, I see no change in the new TFO sights in the case at my local stores. There is still no shortage of people here claiming to have their front sight break within a few months of installation.

Therefore no further opinions need be proffered on the old ones, period.
With the above said, there really is no further discussion needed about ANY RE-HASHING of the same old discussion.
I respect your opinion but please don't tell anyone on this board that a discussion or opinion given needs to end. I don't see the word moderator under your user name.


I am not here to bash the TFO. I really liked mine and wish they would have worked out for me. I just have zero confidence in the build quality of their product and will no longer have it on a carry/defense firearm. I would however still consider using them on a dedicated range gun. To bad I don't have one.

[Dryanta]

I have P.T red/green on my G22. Lifetime warranty for $12 warranty work, can't be beat. I thought they were cheapies but they cost less than TruGlo with a lifetime warranty so....

www.mmcsight.com

[joro]

I run TFO's on six of my eight GLOCKS. I guess I have been lucky, I have never had any problems with them whatsoever. The oldest pair I have are a little over two years old on a G21 with close to 10k rounds through it.