Whether you carry a G19 or a G20 or something else, your Glock is a simple yet reliable platform that offers simple controls and reliable functionality, even under adverse conditions, and in most cases, plenty of capacity. These are only a few of the things that make Glock handguns so enduringly popular.
But could they be better? Absolutely. As things go, these are pretty plain handguns that don’t really offer many opportunities for expansion or upgrade.
All the same, they do offer some, and here are 5 of the best improvements you can make to your Glock, (almost) irrespective of the model.
Install Night Sights
Glock factory sights are alright, but that’s it. It’s not like they’re the best handgun sights out there. They’re not better than any other sights that come with any other popular model from the factory.
But that isn’t the issue. The issue is that these stock sights, like the sights of many other handguns, only work when there’s adequate ambient light.
Glock night sights are treated with tritium, a radioluminescent isotope of hydrogen that glows in the dark. But here’s the catch; it glows in the dark and needs no batteries, plus has a half life of more than 10 years.
Which means that with appropriate Glock night sights, you’ll be able to shoot more accurately even in complete darkness for over a decade, with no charging or maintenance ever required. This is one of the simplest, most straightforward, and cost-effective Glock upgrades you can make.
Install a WML on the Rail Under the Barrel
Following on the heels of Glock night sights, another good suggestion is to add a WML, or weapon-mounted light, to the section of rail under the Glock’s barrel, since that’s one of the only things that tiny rail is good for anyway.
The benefit of installing a WML is that it, like Glock night sights, will give you an advantage in the dark. The other benefit is that a good one can easily be detached from the Glock and used for general utility.
There is a saying in some circles; what you can’t see can kill you. Being prepared with a WML can help shift the balance of the engagement in your favor.
Get a Ported Barrel and Slide Kit or Install a Comp
If you have a hard-kicking Glock, like a G20, then one of the best things you can do to mitigate recoil is to install a ported barrel and slide.
Barrels with porting and slides that match it will vent gasses at the muzzle, redirecting the forces of felt recoil rather than driving them right back through your wrists. They can significantly cut back on recoil and muzzle jump, improving confidence and accuracy while reducing fatigue.
Alternatively, you could install a compensator, which effectively does the same thing. By redirecting gasses ported at the muzzle, a compensator will also cut back on recoil and muzzle jump, enabling faster, more accurate follow up shots with less recoil fatigue.
Install a Heavier Guide Rod
Another simple Glock upgrade you could make is installing a heavier guide rod, like a tungsten guide rod. The thing is, Glock handguns come from the factory with polymer guide rods.
These are alright, but only just so. Being much lighter than metal alloys, they result in a lighter handgun, which, though it might make the gun easier to carry, does little to stabilize it during firing.
A heavier tungsten guide rod will stabilize the muzzle and add mass near the muzzle, which will help keep it steady during firing. Like a compensator, a heavier guide rod will help counteract muzzle jump.
Alternative Suggestion: Get a Compatible Micro Conversion Kit
One other thing you could do to totally overhaul your Glock is get a compatible micro conversion kit, or MCK, for it.
An MCK that’s compatible with your Glock will convert it into a carbine-style platform with a lot of attachment points, significantly enhancing the handling and functionality of the gun.
Upgrading your Glock with an MCK will offer many of the following benefits:
- Recoil control and mitigated muzzle flip.
- Easier handling.
- More attachment points.
- Compatibility with purpose-made MCK accessories.
- Enhanced accuracy even out past 100 yards.
- No requirements are necessary to upgrade with an MCK.
While an MCK will offer easier handling, greater expandability and superior recoil control, it is important to note that if you make this upgrade, you won’t necessarily want to make the others mentioned here.
A WML and night sights won’t be functional because they’ll be covered by the micro conversion kit; though you could add a light to the MCK, or night sights. The guide rod won’t make much of a difference either since an MCK basically converts the platform into a carbine.
And, you definitely won’t want a ported barrel or a compensator because all that will do is blast fouling all over the inside of the micro conversion kit.
So be wise about the Glock upgrades you choose. Not all of them make sense together.
That being said, one of the most impactful ones you can make is converting the platform with an MCK.
Explore Glock Upgrades Here
Here for Glock upgrades? Take a look through our collections and if you do go the MCK route, make sure you don’t miss out on our collection of MCK accessories that are expressly designed for compatibility with micro conversion kits. Check them out here and if you have any questions get in touch with us at Sales@MCSGearup.com.