Sights on Target: Tips for Adjusting Your Glock Rear Sight

Are you struggling with hitting your target accurately with your Glock? Do you find yourself constantly missing the mark? If so, it may be time to adjust your rear sight.

Glock has been a popular choice for firearm enthusiasts for decades. However, even the most experienced shooters can struggle with accuracy. One of the most common reasons for missed shots is a misaligned rear sight.

Adjusting your Glock rear sight is a simple process that can greatly improve your shooting accuracy. With a few tips and some practice, you can make the necessary adjustments to hit your target with ease. In this article, we will explore the steps you need to take to adjust your Glock rear sight and get your sights on target.

Understanding Your Glock Rear Sight

The Glock rear sight consists of two main parts; the sight blade, which has a rectangular notch, and the sight base. The base consists of two side-by-side screws that secure it in place on the slide. It’s essential to note the direction in which the sight blade moves. Glock rear sights are adjusted for windage (horizontal adjustment) by moving the rear sight in the opposite direction that you want the bullet impact to move. Elevation adjustments (vertical adjustment) work, in the same way, moving the sight blade up to move the bullet impact up.

Why Adjust Rear Sights

Over time, the Rear Sights can become misaligned, causing your aim to be off. Inaccurate aiming can be the result of a misaligned Rear Sight. It can be frustrating for target shooting and dangerous in self-defense situations. Adjusting your Rear Sight would solve this issue and improve your accuracy.

Tools Needed to Adjust Your Glock Rear Sight

You don’t need many fancy tools to adjust your rear sight on a Glock pistol. However, you will need the following tools to get the job done:

• Brass or Nylon Hammer
• Punch
• Glock Rear Sight Tool

Now that you have the required tools, let’s proceed to adjust your rear sight.

Factors Affecting Rear Sight Adjustment

Several factors can affect Rear Sight adjustment. The most common being the individual shooter, ammunition, and distance to target. The shooter’s hand size, grip, and the pistol’s recoil can cause gun sights to lose their alignment. Additionally, the ammunition used can affect sighting performance. Finally, varying distances to targets can require different Rear Sight adjustments.

How to Adjust Glock Rear Sights

For adjusting Glock Rear Sights, you need to understand two things – windage and elevation.

Windage

Windage is the horizontal adjustment of the Rear Sight. You adjust windage by moving the Rear Sight left or right to align with the Front Sight. To adjust Windage, follow these steps:

• Loosen the set screw on the side of the Rear Sight.
• Use the Rear Sight adjustment tool to drift the Rear Sight in your desired direction.
• Check your adjustments by firing a few rounds. If more adjustment is needed, repeat the process.

Elevation

Elevation is the vertical adjustment of the Rear Sight. You adjust elevation by moving the Rear Sight up or down to align with the Front Sight. To adjust Elevation, follow these steps:

• Loosen the set screw on the bottom of the Rear Sight.
• Use a precision screwdriver to turn the Rear Sight screw.
• Turn the screw clockwise to lower the Rear Sight and increase the angle.
• Turn the screw counterclockwise to raise the Rear Sight and decrease the angle.
• Check your adjustments by firing a few rounds. If more adjustment is needed, repeat the process.

Methods to Test the Adjusted Rear Sights

To ensure your Rear Sights are properly adjusted, you can test them using different methods.

Bore sighting

Boresighting is a technique used to align your Rear Sight with the bore of your gun. The technique involves aiming at a specific target from a fixed distance while keeping the gun steady. If the point of aim matches the point of impact, your Rear Sights are properly adjusted.

Laser Bore Sighting

Laser Bore Sighting is a more precise method used to test the accuracy of your Rear Sights. This technique uses a Laser Bore Sight, which is inserted into the Chamber of the gun, and a small target is fixed on the wall. The laser will light up on the target and indicate the point of aim.

Tips for Adjusting Your Glock Rear Sight

For a more efficient and precise result, you can follow these tips for adjusting your Glock rear sight.

• Tighten the screws that hold the dovetail to the slide after confirming that the sight adjustment is correct.
• Use a bore sighting tool to validate the re-alignment of the sights.
• Take your time to make small, incremental changes to avoid overshooting your target.
• When tapping the sights, use a brass or nylon hammer and drift punch. Do NOT use a steel hammer or punch, as this may damage the sight.

Common Issues While Adjusting Glock Rear Sights

While adjusting Glock Rear Sights, some common issues can arise. These include:

• Losing small parts – Sights are delicate and using a cloth to catch falling parts is essential.
• Over-tightening – This can cause damage to the adjustment slot or break the screwdriver.
• Removing sight too hard – This can damage the slide.

Conclusion

Adjusting your Glock rear sight is an essential step to achieving accuracy with your firearm. By following the tips and tricks outlined in this article, you can fine-tune your sights and achieve pinpoint accuracy. Always remember to follow all firearm safety rules and take all necessary safety precautions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)