I remember the exact moment my relationship with pistol shooting changed forever. It was after mounting my first-ever red dot sight—a Trijicon RMR—onto a freshly milled Glock 19 slide. The promise of rapid, target-focused aiming was intoxicating. But as I brought the pistol up, a new problem emerged. My standard-height factory sights were completely lost, a useless shadow in the lower portion of the optic’s window. The solution was obvious: I needed taller, “suppressor height” sights. My first set, however, created a new kind of visual noise. Their bright white dots fought for my eye’s attention, creating a confusing and cluttered sight picture that defeated the purpose of the red dot. The quest began for a set of backup iron sights (BUIS) that knew their place: to be there when needed, but to stay out of the way the rest of the time. This is the precise dilemma the AmeriGlo Glock Optic Compatible XL Tall Sight Set aims to solve.
- Designed for use as back up or co-witness iron sights for pistol mounted red dots
- Variety of options for both outlines, illumination, and heights provide options for any user
What to Consider Before Buying Optic-Ready Gun Sights
A set of gun sights is more than just an aiming device; it’s a critical interface between the shooter and the firearm, dictating speed, precision, and confidence. In the age of slide-mounted optics, the role of iron sights has evolved. For many, they are no longer the primary aiming system but a vital backup for the rare but possible event of an electronic optic failure. The benefits of a quality set are immense: they provide peace of mind for concealed carry, a secondary aiming reference for training, and a fail-safe that ensures your firearm is never truly “down” in a critical moment.
The ideal customer for a product like this is a Glock owner who has invested in a slide-mounted red dot sight (like a Trijicon RMR, Holosun 507c, or Swampfox Liberty) and needs a reliable backup sighting system. This shooter values a clean, uncluttered field of view through their optic and understands that in this context, less is more. Conversely, these sights might not be suitable for those who use iron sights as their primary aiming method and prefer a high-visibility front sight (like a bright fiber optic or tritium night sight) for rapid acquisition in all lighting conditions. For shooters who do not use a red dot, a standard-height, high-visibility set would be a more practical choice.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Co-Witness Height & Sight Picture: This is the most critical factor. “Suppressor height” isn’t a single standard. You need to match the sight height to your specific optic, slide cut depth, and desired co-witness. “Absolute co-witness” places the iron sights directly in the center of the optic window, aligning with the dot. “Lower 1/3 co-witness” (or even lower) places them in the bottom portion of the window, keeping your view of the target through the optic much clearer. The AmeriGlo XL set is designed for a lower co-witness, which most experienced red dot shooters prefer.
- Performance & Simplicity: For backup sights, complexity is the enemy. Do you want three dots, a colored front ring, or fiber optics? While excellent for primary irons, these features can become distractions when paired with a red dot. A blacked-out rear and a simple black or single-dot front provide a clean, simple reference point that doesn’t compete with the illuminated dot of your primary optic.
- Materials & Durability: Gun sights are subjected to violent recoil and harsh conditions. Look for sights machined from high-quality steel with a durable finish like nitride. While some product data may erroneously list materials like plastic, reputable brands like AmeriGlo use robust steel construction. The durability of the front sight screw and its installation is also a key consideration, as this is a common failure point if not manufactured or installed correctly.
- Ease of Use & Installation: Pistol sights require specific tools for proper installation, typically a sight pusher for the rear and a hex driver for the front. While seemingly simple, improper installation can damage the sights, the slide, or both. Consider whether you have the tools and expertise to do it yourself or if you’ll need the services of a gunsmith. A properly installed set should require no maintenance beyond routine cleaning.
Keeping these factors in mind, the AmeriGlo Glock Optic Compatible XL Tall Sight Set stands out for its commitment to a clean sight picture and proper co-witness height. You can explore its detailed specifications and see if it fits your setup here.
While the AmeriGlo Glock Optic Compatible XL Tall Sight Set is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, including high-visibility and night sight options, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Reticle allows for 4 different styles. Dot, Circle/Dot, Crosshair/Dot, Crosshair/Circle/Dot combinations. All in one sight!
- 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗰: Designed with a fully sealed system, the optic offers unmatched protection against the elements, ensuring reliable...
- DUAL COLOR OPTIONS: Package includes one Green and one Orange OverSight for versatile shooting conditions and personal preference.
First Impressions: Spartan Simplicity and Purpose-Built Design
Unboxing the AmeriGlo Glock Optic Compatible XL Tall Sight Set is a lesson in minimalism. There are no fancy packages or unnecessary extras—just two precisely machined pieces of steel and a small front sight screw. This no-frills approach speaks directly to the product’s purpose. The finish is a deep, uniform flat black that resists glare effectively. Picking them up, the sights have a reassuring heft that immediately dispels any concern from erroneous online listings mentioning “plastic”; these are solid steel. The rear sight is a simple, flat black blade with a generous U-notch, while the front sight post is slender and features fine serrations on its rear face to further reduce glare and draw the eye. It’s immediately apparent these aren’t meant to be flashy. They are purpose-built tools designed to perform a single, critical job without drawing attention to themselves until the moment they are needed. They feel like a professional-grade component, ready to be integrated into a serious defensive or competitive shooting system.
Key Benefits
- Provides an ideal lower 1/3 or lower 1/4 co-witness for most red dot setups.
- Completely blacked-out design creates an uncluttered, distraction-free sight picture.
- Serrated front post and flat black finish effectively mitigate glare.
- Excellent value for a high-quality, steel backup iron sight set.
Potential Drawbacks
- Reports of quality control issues, specifically weak front sight screws that can snap during installation.
- Some users have reported receiving the wrong model, indicating potential fulfillment errors.
Deep Dive: Performance, Installation, and Real-World Application
A set of backup sights lives and dies by its reliability and its ability to integrate seamlessly with a primary optic. We put the AmeriGlo Glock Optic Compatible XL Tall Sight Set through a comprehensive evaluation, from the workbench to the shooting range, to see if its real-world performance matches its minimalist promise.
Installation and Fitment: A Tale of Two Experiences
The installation of iron sights can be a straightforward task with the right tools, or a frustrating exercise in futility without them. Our experience fell into the former category. Using a high-quality MGW sight pusher, the rear sight drifted into the Glock’s dovetail with smooth, firm pressure. The fit was exceptionally snug, with no play or wiggle once centered, which is exactly what you want for a sight that needs to hold zero. The front sight dropped into place, and using a dedicated Glock front sight tool, we applied a small drop of blue thread locker and torqued the screw down. We were careful not to over-tighten, a lesson learned from years of working on firearms. All in all, our installation was textbook.
However, it would be a disservice not to address the elephant in the room: the significant number of users who have experienced the front sight screw snapping during installation. After reviewing these reports, a pattern emerges. It appears to be a combination of a potentially brittle screw in some batches and, very likely, user error from over-torquing. The screw is tiny and requires very little torque to be secure, especially with thread locker. It seems some users, in an effort to make the sight “extra secure,” are inadvertently exceeding the screw’s tensile strength. While we believe AmeriGlo could improve by using a more robust screw, we advise any user to be extremely judicious with their torque wrench. A gentle snugging is all that’s required. The takeaway is that while the sights themselves are well-machined, the included hardware can be a weak point that demands a careful and measured approach during installation.
Sight Picture and Co-Witness Clarity: The Minimalist Advantage
This is where the AmeriGlo Glock Optic Compatible XL Tall Sight Set truly shines and validates its entire design philosophy. We mounted these on a Gen 5 Glock 17 with a slide milled for a Trijicon RMR. The result was nothing short of perfect for a backup system. The sights provided a clean, crisp sight picture in what we would call a “lower 1/4” co-witness. This means the top of the sights sits in the very bottom portion of the optic window. When focusing on the target and the red dot, the iron sights are present but not intrusive. They exist in your peripheral vision, completely out of the way of the primary aiming point, allowing for an incredibly open and unobstructed view through the optic.
This is a stark contrast to absolute co-witness sights or even some lower 1/3 sights that can feel like they’re cluttering up the bottom half of the window. We found this setup to be faster and more intuitive. When the red dot is active, you barely notice the irons. If you were to hypothetically “turn off” the dot and transition to the irons, a slight downward tilt of the head is all it takes to acquire a perfect sight picture. Many users confirm this, with one noting they are “perfect for back up sights” and another praising them because “the extra color gets [in] the way. Blacked out is the way to go.” This minimalist approach is the core strength of this product, and if an uncluttered view is your priority, these sights are arguably one of the best options available.
On the Range: Performance Under Recoil and Durability
On the live-fire range, the sights performed exactly as expected. Our initial point of aim/point of impact was consistent with feedback from other shooters: about an inch low at 10 yards. This is a common and easily adjustable trait for any new sight installation. A few file strokes on the front sight or simply adjusting your hold is all that’s required to dial them in perfectly for your chosen ammunition. The serrations on the front post did an admirable job of cutting glare under the bright midday sun, presenting a sharp, clear post against the target.
The crucial test, however, is durability. We ran several hundred rounds of standard pressure and +P 9mm ammunition to see how they held up. The rear sight remained firmly in its dovetail, and the front sight stayed put, thanks to the proper application of thread locker. Zero did not shift. This is where we must address the most alarming piece of negative feedback: one user reported their front sight shearing off after just a handful of shots. While our set showed no such weakness, this report, combined with the screw-snapping issues, points to a potential for batch-to-batch quality control variance. While we believe our positive experience is the norm for AmeriGlo products, the possibility of receiving a defective unit, however small, is a factor to consider. Despite this, for a shooter seeking an affordable, functional, and unobtrusive backup system, the performance we experienced makes them a compelling choice.
What Other Users Are Saying
Synthesizing feedback from a wide range of users reveals a consistent and somewhat polarized view of the AmeriGlo Glock Optic Compatible XL Tall Sight Set. The overwhelming majority of positive sentiment centers on the product’s core design. One user with a Glock 19 and a Holosun 507c praised them for being the “perfect height” for a lower 1/4 co-witness, noting they “don’t take up too much of the window.” Another stated simply, “This is low as you can go with the RMR type 2 on a cut slide… Blacked out is the way to go.” This highlights that those who understand the product’s intent are exceptionally pleased with the result.
On the other hand, the negative feedback is just as specific and focuses almost exclusively on quality control. The most common complaint is the front sight screw snapping. One frustrated user wrote, “2 turns in to tighten front sight. Screw snaps inside of the front sight, now useless.” Another had the same issue happen with two consecutive sets. An even more concerning report came from a user whose front sight “broke off” after only 8-9 shots at the range. These issues, alongside reports of receiving the wrong model number, suggest that while the design is excellent, the execution and fulfillment can occasionally fall short.
Head-to-Head: AmeriGlo Sights vs. The Alternatives
While the AmeriGlo Glock Optic Compatible XL Tall Sight Set occupies a specific niche, it’s helpful to compare it to other sighting solutions to understand its place in the market. The provided alternatives are not direct competitors, but rather represent different approaches to firearm aiming systems.
1. Bushnell TRS-26 Red Dot Sight
- The Bushnell TRS-26 Red Dot goes beyond its historic predecessor with improvements in several key areas including longer battery life, bigger objective lens, and with a sharper 3 MOA dot and push...
- The TRS-26 red dot now has a user-selectable auto-off timer that can also be turned off for defensive applications. The onboard logic allows you to select whether or not to engage the auto-off timer.
The Bushnell TRS-26 is a primary electronic optic, the very device the AmeriGlo sights are designed to back up. Comparing the two is like comparing a car to its spare tire. The TRS-26 offers the speed and target-focus benefits of a red dot sight at an entry-level price point. A shooter might choose the Bushnell as their starting point into the world of pistol optics. However, the AmeriGlo sights are the essential “insurance policy” for that system. For a shooter on a budget, pairing the affordable Bushnell TRS-26 with the equally affordable AmeriGlo backup sights creates a complete, robust, and redundant sighting system without breaking the bank.
2. UTG Super Slim Flip-up Front Sight
- Utilizes Standard A2 Front Sight Post
- Precision Machined from Matte Black Anodized Aircraft Aluminum
This UTG sight is designed for a completely different platform: an AR-15 or similar rifle with a Picatinny rail. It is not compatible with a Glock pistol. The comparison is useful only to illustrate a difference in philosophy and application. This sight is designed to be flipped up when needed and folded down when not, often in conjunction with a magnified scope. The AmeriGlo sights, by contrast, are a fixed, permanent installation on a pistol slide. If a user is outfitting multiple firearms, they would choose the UTG sight for their rifle and the AmeriGlo sights for their red dot-equipped Glock, as each is a specialized tool for its specific host weapon.
3. Trijicon RMR Type 2 3.25 MOA Red Dot Sight
The Trijicon RMR is the gold standard of pistol-mounted red dots, known for its legendary durability. It represents the high-end primary optic that the AmeriGlo sights are perfectly suited to partner with. While the RMR costs many times more than the AmeriGlo sights, the logic remains the same. Spending a small fraction of the optic’s cost on a reliable backup system is a wise and necessary investment. Many users specifically mentioned pairing these sights with an RMR. A shooter who invests in a top-tier optic like the RMR would be remiss not to spend the modest amount required for the AmeriGlo set to ensure their high-end defensive pistol is never without a functional aiming system.
The Final Verdict: An Excellent, if Flawed, Solution
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the AmeriGlo Glock Optic Compatible XL Tall Sight Set is clear: it is an outstanding choice for its intended purpose, but it comes with a significant caveat. For the Glock owner with a slide-mounted red dot, these sights offer one of the cleanest, most unobtrusive backup sight pictures on the market. The lower co-witness is perfect, the blacked-out design eliminates distraction, and the price point represents fantastic value. When you get a good set, they are nearly perfect.
However, the recurring quality control issues reported by users—specifically the fragile front sight screw and rare instances of sight failure—cannot be ignored. It’s a roll of the dice, albeit one with favorable odds. We recommend this product to shooters who are comfortable with careful, precise installation (or are willing to pay a gunsmith) and who understand the small risk involved. For those who prioritize a minimalist sight picture above all else, the potential reward is well worth that risk. It’s an affordable and highly effective component that completes a modern pistol sighting system.
If you’ve decided the AmeriGlo Glock Optic Compatible XL Tall Sight Set is the right fit for your red dot-equipped Glock, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API