XS Sights Easy DIY Glock Installation – DXT2 & RAM Night Sights

By XS Sights

Glock sights are among the easiest pistol sights to change out and are one of the first upgrades people make to their pistols. You don’t need an expensive sight pusher tool or gunsmithing tools to install your own set of sights. Some of these specialty tools are nice to have if you plan to install sights regularly, but for this article, we are focusing on the bare bone essentials that will get the job done.

We are going to walk through two demonstrations, one with a benchtop vise and one without a vise (the budget method). We didn’t include the cost of some basic items that should already be in your home. Anything with an * isn’t included in the cost.

Like any D.I.Y. project, the trick is to go slow and pay attention to detail. You can always remove more material; you can’t add it back. Use moderate hammer strikes being careful not to hit your slide or fingers. If you hit a snag, call us for help! And finally, remember you can never use too much Loctite!

Tools Included with Purchase of XS Sights:

• Glock front sight installation tool
• Loctite
• Allen Wrench if applicable

Benchtop Method Installation

Required Tools – Benchtop Install Method with Basic Gunsmith Kit:

Estimated Cost without the Vise: $40 to $60 (Depending on how fancy you go).

• We went as cheap as possible you can see the exact tool list below.

• We purchased a gunsmith punch kit for the benchtop installation, as the punches are very convenient to have on hand. You can get away with a standard hammer and nylon spacer as seen in our budget install video.
• We didn’t include the vise cost because to use a vise, you need a workbench. The cost adds up quickly.
• Wheeler Engineering Gunsmith Punch Set ($30 – Amazon)
• Flat 6″ File ($8 – Home Depot)
• Nylon Vise Jaws ($12 – Amazon)
• Pliers* – Any will do
  • This tool is only needed if the front sight is pinned or if you are removing old night sights that have already been installed with Loctite.
• Q-tips or Paper Towel*
• 70% Isopropyl Alcohol*
  • Any alcohol solution will work (gun scrubber and brake cleaner are common options).
• Pencil*
• Ruler*

 

Our bench mount video featured DXT2 Big Dot Night Sights. Our express sights for Glock pistols are designed for a slip fit installation method. The two set screws will hold the sight in place, while the Loctite cures to keep the sight in place permanently.

The trick to installing a set of sights that go 10,000+ rounds is to properly degrease the parts, use plenty of Loctite, and cure overnight before cleaning or oiling the gun.

Budget Method Installation

Our goal with the budget install method was to use as many everyday items as possible to reduce buying a ton of one-time use specialty items.

Required Tools – Budget Method

Estimated Cost: $25 to $30

• 6-Inch 100 Lbs. Trigger Clamp ($10 – Home Depot)
• Hammer ($8 – Home Depot)
• Flat 6″ File ($8 – Home Depot)
• Nylon Spacer 1/2″ Dia. X 1″ Length ($0.50 – Home Depot)
• 70% Isopropyl Alcohol* (We used Lucas Oil Contact Cleaner, but anything will work)
• Old Towel*
• Pliers*
• Q-tips or Paper Towel*
• Pencil*
• Ruler*

 

Our RAM sights were installed with the file to fit the method. For the most part, this is our preferred method. For an experienced person, it is usually just as fast as using a pusher tool. Our biggest tip for this type of installation, especially with minimal tools, is to file material off slowly and make light precision hammer strikes.

One of the most common questions is our tech line receives: How do you know if the sight is perfectly centered on the slide? There are three easy ways to ensure the sight is centered correctly.

1. Eyeball it
2. Mark the center of the slide and sight with a pencil
3. Use calipers to ensure the empty dovetail space is even on both sides of the sight

To ensure proper centering on the slide, we recommend placing the slide on a table with the sight installed and take a few steps away from the table. It is easy to see if the sight is massively off-center. An example of this is hanging a picture frame on a wall. From a few feet away, it is reasonably easy to tell if the frame is level or not, but not so easy to see if you are standing directly under the frame.

We at XS, are shooters and tinkerers. We encourage everyone to try installing their sights if they have basic tool handling experience. It is a good skill to have and helps shooters learn more about their pistols. Our 10-Year No-Questions-Asked warranty policy backs all XS night sights. If you break the sight during the install, we will replace it. If you get stuck, call us and we will happily walk you through it.

For more information about installs or our sights, visit xssights.com or call 888-744-4880 to speak with one of our knowledgeable and helpful customer service technicians today!

 

XS Sights is known for making the fastest sights in any light. For more than 20 years, the XS team has created some of the most innovative sights on the market today for pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Whether used for personal defense or hunting, these sights are designed and built to be the absolute best for their specific purpose. American Made. Texas Proud. 2A Strong.