For some, the Glock is like an old reliable pickup truck that just won’t die. It’s not the most attractive, maybe not the most comfortable, but it’ll always do what you need it to do.
For others, they want the sexiest-looking and fastest-running gun on the range and in competition.
Whether you want to take your Glock to the top or keep it more simple, the question becomes, "Which upgrades should I be looking at?"
There are many upgrades available for the Glock, but these are, in my opinion, the best Glock upgrades you can do yourself.
Night Sights | XS Sights
Generally speaking, factory pistol sights suck, although I’m starting to see a trend of manufacturers using higher quality OEM sights. Seasoned shooters, though will find a variety of faults with factory pistol sights.
Everything from the plastic material they are made from (Glock!) to the newer unconventional sight designs. Whether you just want more durable sights or you’re having trouble getting the factory sights on target, there is no shortage of options.
Aiming with these sights is similar to using a red dot but without the worry of the batteries going dead.
Upgrading pistol sights is one of the first upgrades, and most important, shooters make to new handguns. If you’re using that handgun for concealed carry or home defense, then upgrading to some type of night sights is your best course of action.
Many DIY gunsmiths face the challenge of properly removing the old sights and getting the new pistol sights lined up correctly. Without the proper removal and installation tools, you risk damaging that expensive handgun and your new set of sights.
That’s where a sight pusher such as the Wheeler Armorer’s Handgun sight tool comes into play. With experience, you’ll be able to use a gunsmith hammer and punch, but until then, I recommend some type of sight-pushing tool.
Is a match barrel worth the money? What will it do for you that a stock OEM barrel won’t?
Generally speaking, a good match barrel will cut your groups in half at 25 yards. That is if you have a solid grasp of the shooting fundamentals. Here is my thought process for getting a match barrel.
When I purchase a new pistol, as seen above, I replace the sights. Once I have a good set of sights on the gun I verify my zero at the range. When you’re comfortable with putting rounds on an NRA B8 Repair Center at 25 yards, you can then entertain the idea of installing a match barrel.
There are several companies out there manufacturing match barrels for Glock handguns, but the one I chose to run with is from Faxon Firearms. I chose that one because of its reputation in the industry as one of the best barrel manufacturers.
Faxon Firearms match grade barrels drop right in without the need for any gunsmithing.
Faxon Firearms Match Barrel Features and Specs
Stress Relieved 416-R Stainless Steel – Only the best steels for durability, longevity, and accuracy
9mm SAAMI chambers – Superior accuracy with complete SAAMI compatibility & boring reliability
Tighter Tolerances – Drop-in, yet better fitment and lock-up
Conventional Rifling – Fully compatible with cast bullets
11 Degree Target Crown
Flame Fluted, Drop In (Compatible with Glock Gen 1-4)
Barrel Twist: 1:10
Barrel Finish (inside & outside): Salt Bath Nitride
Where Can I Buy a Faxon Firearms Match Barrel for my Glock?
We’re always looking for ways to improve our accuracy and give us an edge against the competition (if you’re a competition shooter) or against an assailant if our life is on the line.
The Faxon EXOS Pistol Compensator is one of the best to enter the industry. Granted it’s not the only player in town, its design, ease of installation, and performance have put the competition on its heels.
The Faxon EXOS Pistol Compensator is designed to fit flush with the slide and has been optimized for Faxon pistol barrels.
I’ve been using Talon Grips on my Glock 26 and Glock 17 for about 4 years now and can confidently say they feel great and are worth the small investment.
When speaking with Talon Grips, they mentioned to me that they are also in use by a few Army Special Forces units (the exact number of units and which units is not public record according to Talon Grips). I thought that was a cool bit of information and also adds to the reputation of the company and product.
Glock 17 (left) Glock 26 (right)
For concealed carry, I personally think it’s important to do something with the stock grip to improve grip retention in a stressful confrontation. These confrontations are when your hands will get clammy and sweat causing you to have a less than ideal grip on the gun when you need it most.
Some choose to stipple their grips and other points of contact on the gun, but again that is a permanent change. I wanted something that was not permanent, but better than those slip on grips offered by several companies.
The single-piece wrap-around rubber grips made by Talon Grips were the answer to my requirements. Talon Grips have stood the test of time and proved to me that they do what they say.
Talon Grips Specs
Trusted by law enforcement and military worldwide
Installs easily in minutes (learn more)
Encourages faster, more accurate follow-up shots
Durable material that performs in hot, cold, wet, and dry conditions
Ultra-thin materials add minimal bulk/size
Custom designs available in both rubber and granulate materials (learn more)
Will not move/shift once properly installed
Removes cleanly when needed, allowing the gun to return to its original condition
Only through consistent training and practice will you determine if you need to make these upgrades or others. Get some quality training and get to your local range to put your reps in. Shooting is a perishable skill.
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