Step-by-Step Guide to Glock Upgrades
Glock pistols are some of the most popular guns on the market. They are known for their reliability and versatility, and due to their popularity, they have a ton of aftermarket support and different options to make them more fun to shoot, to enhance their functionality for different applications, or to create a unique look for the firearm.
Different people have different reasons for selecting different upgrades, but fortunately, the wide availability of these kinds of pieces means there’s something for everyone.
Let’s take a look at some of the popular and easy-to-implement upgrades available for most models of Glock pistols.
Barrel Upgrades
Upgrading your barrel is a simple way to add a little bling and can make a big difference in performance.
There are several aspects of barrels that companies have changed in their aftermarket parts that can enhance the performance and versatility of the gun.
One of the main reasons many people purchase an aftermarket barrel is simple aesthetics. Being able to update the color and give your Glock a unique look is enough for a lot of people who are just trying to add something different to their collection.
Threading is another reason many people purchase aftermarket barrels. If you’re planning to suppress or compensate your gun then having a threaded barrel is a given. There are a lot of options available for threading, and most companies that produce aftermarket barrels will have threaded versions of their most popular models.
Polished feedramps are all about ensuring the gun reliably feeds whatever ammunition you put into it.
The legendary reliability of Glocks is one of the main reasons most people purchase them, but adding a polished feed ramp can improve how the gun functions with a wide variety of ammunition and add a level of reassurance to an already trustworthy platform.
It’s also worth noting, when talking about aftermarket barrels, that the rifling in OEM Glocks does not allow for use of cast lead ammunition.
For people who want to use this type of ammo, they can purchase aftermarket barrels featuring different types of rifling that allow for use of these rounds.
If you’re looking for a new barrel, take a look at our recent article: The Top 10 Glock Barrels for Enhanced Accuracy.
Our pick: Faxon Firearms barrels
Faxon Firearms Glock barrels are one of the best out there. Their impressive lineup includes OEM standard replacements and threaded barrels to enhance accuracy and reliability.
These barrels are meticulously machined with tight tolerances and have a smooth finish. They are made from durable stainless steel with a nitride coating for improved corrosion resistance.
Faxon barrels function flawlessly and offer excellent fit and finish. Available in various finishes and styles for different Glock models, they provide noticeable accuracy improvements over stock barrels.
Check Faxon Firearms products here!
Slide Upgrades
Aftermarket GLOCK slides provide a lot of different upgrades – some more practical, some more fun. One of the biggest draws for many enthusiasts purchasing aftermarket GLOCK slides is the pure aesthetics. You can get slides in different colors and with different cuts to add a personal and bright touch to the ubiquitous GLOCK.
One of the reasons a lot of people start looking at aftermarket slides is that they want to mount a red dot sight. There are a lot of different red dot sights on the market, however only a few popular footprints that can help narrow down the selection of your slide. There is a large availability of slides with different red dot sight mounts, so it’s easy to find something that has the look you want and will work for the sight you want.
A lot of slides upgrade the fitment and firing ports as well, to improve accuracy and ejection. You can also get slides with different coatings that increase corrosion resistance or lubrication properties. Most of them are easily installed drop in parts that can quickly and easily transform your Glock into something that looks unique and shoots even better.
If you’re looking for a new Glock slide, take a look at our article (Top 6) Best Aftermarket Glock Slides to find the best models.
Our pick: Killer Innovations slides
Killer Innovations produces high-quality Glock slides known for their innovative features and exceptional craftsmanship.
These slides are crafted with precision from durable materials and feature aggressive serrations for improved grip and manipulation.
Many Killer Innovations slides are optics-ready, allowing for easy installation of red dot sights.
They offer various finishes to customize the look of your Glock. Installation is typically straightforward as they are drop-in replacements.
Killer Innovations Glock slides are sought after for their performance enhancements, functional design, and aesthetic options, making them a popular choice among firearm enthusiasts looking to upgrade their Glock handguns.
Check Killer Innovations products here!
Trigger
Trigger upgrades are an easy way to make shooting your gun a more pleasant experience. There are a lot of options that will make your trigger pull lighter and give you a more positive reset. Part of picking trigger weights is knowing what your gun is going to be used for – there are heavier triggers with very crisp, clean pulls for concealed carry or duty use, and lighter, more performance-based triggers for competition or range time.
Another good reason for changing out your trigger could be as simple as you don’t like the shape. Different trigger profiles are more comfortable for different people, some prefer the modified trigger safeties in aftermarket selection or want to opt for a more flat-faced trigger if they find the curve of the stock Glock trigger uncomfortable.
When it comes to aesthetics, which let’s be honest is a big reason a lot of people opt for these upgrades, swapping out the trigger can add a splash of color. It’s a really good way to make a smaller statement or bring the color scheme of a firearm together.
For most people, however, they’re just looking to clean up the stock trigger pull. Most aftermarket triggers will have a smoother trigger pull and a more positive reset.
To learn more about Glock triggers, visit The Best Glock Triggers for 2023 article. You can learn how to choose the next Glock trigger and check out a few of our top picks.
Our pick: Agency Arms triggers
Agency Arms triggers for Glocks are excellent aftermarket upgrades. They feature a flat-faced design that can improve trigger control and consistency.
These triggers are made with high-quality materials and have precision-machined components for a smooth trigger pull. Installing them is a breeze since they are drop-in replacements.
You won't have to worry about compromising Glock's safety system, as these triggers are compatible with the original trigger safety.
Some models even offer adjustable pre-travel and reset options for customization.
Check Agency Arms products here!
Sights
The first thing most GLOCK owners do when they get a new gun is upgrade their sights. Stock GLOCK sights don’t present most people’s favored sight picture. Fortunately, there are a lot of different aftermarket options available for different applications and different preferences.
There are two different options for upgrading a pistol’s sights: Iron sights or red dot sights. They have different purposes and people have different opinions about which they prefer, but both are options to mount on a Glock pistols.
For iron sights, upgrades might be to help extend the sight picture higher to mount a suppressor, so the shooter can pick a sight picture that works better for them, or for a brighter or more visible sight picture for faster sight picture acquisition and low light shooting. Upgrading iron sights requires a sight tool and, for many less experienced gun owners, is going to be best done by a gunsmith. Most local shops will have someone who can professionally swap out your Glock sights for your preferred set.
Red dot sights are another good option for quick sight acquisition and low-light shooting. They’re easier to use than iron sights but somewhat bulkier for a concealed carry option. One thing to note is that you have to make sure your slide is properly milled to accept the footprint of the red dot sight you are looking to purchase. One easy way to do this, if you don’t purchase one of the factory Glocks that is set up for it, is to buy an aftermarket slide that is set up for the site you want.
If you’re more of a red dot sights guy, check our article 5 Best Pistol Red Dot Sights.
Our pick: Trijicon red dots
It’s almost impossible not to mention Trijicon when it comes to red dot sights.
Their optics are designed to withstand harsh conditions and are favored by military, law enforcement, and of course, civilian shooters.
Trijicon utilizes tritium and fiber optic technology to provide bright, self-illuminating reticles without relying on batteries. Their optics offer clear and precise aiming points, ensuring quick and accurate target acquisition - even in low light situations.
Explore Trijicon products here!
Compensator
Compensators mitigate the gases coming out of your barrel so your gun shoots flatter, allowing for quicker and easier follow up shots. Compensators are great for all types of shooters, from new shooters who are looking to develop good habits without having to fight high recoil, people who are just at the range having a good time and want to be able to get on-target shots off quickly, or competitors looking for an advantage (double check the rules of your competition before adding a compensator to your gun – they’re not legal in all sports or all divisions!).
Regardless of the reason you’re choosing the compensate your Glock, the most important thing to pay attention to when purchasing a compensator is how it installs on your barrel. Most will require a threaded barrel, which you can get either as a factory part or as an aftermarket upgrade. Most 9mm Glock barrels will be threaded to 1/2x28, as will most compensators, it’s just prudent to double check that your parts will work together.
Our pick: Agency Arms compensators
Agency Arms is a reputable manufacturer of Glock compensators known for their precision machining and effective recoil reduction.
Their compensators are designed to minimize muzzle rise and improve shooting control, particularly during rapid-fire scenarios. With sleek and streamlined designs, they seamlessly integrate with Glock pistols for a cohesive appearance.
Agency Arms compensators are typically drop-in replacements, ensuring easy installation. They are popular among competitive shooters and those seeking enhanced shooting performance.
Explore Agency Arms products here!
Magazine
As a bonus, you can purchase aftermarket magazines for your Glock as well. For competitors or others running hard-use handguns, a big draw of aftermarket magazines is improved basepads. If you are dropping your magazines from your gun onto hard surfaces frequently the plastic, factory basepads can crack and eventually fail.
A probably more popular reason to purchase aftermarket magazine is increased capacity. There are Glock magazines on the market that can hold upwards of 30 rounds. This means fewer mag changes on the range and can make for a more enjoyable shooting experience. In some cases you can just purchase magazine basepads and extensions and upgrade your existing magazines.
If you do purchase aftermarket magazines for a carry or duty pistol it’s important to run them on the range to ensure they function well before relying on them, the same is true if you upgrade the capacity of an existing magazine. Sometimes feeding issues can occur and you won’t be able to tell until you get the magazine out on the range.
Check our list of Best Glock Magazines for 2023.
Our pick: Glock OEM magazines
Glock OEM magazines are the original and official magazines manufactured by Glock for their handguns.
Known for their exceptional reliability and compatibility, these magazines meet Glock's strict specifications and undergo rigorous testing. They provide a perfect fit with Glock pistols, ensuring secure and wobble-free operation.
Available in various capacities, Glock OEM magazines cater to different shooting needs and legal requirements. With consistent design and compatibility, these magazines are widely trusted by law enforcement, military personnel, and civilian shooters.
Conclusion
Glock pistols are already great but if you want to make them even better or unique to match your taste and preferences, there are a lot of different aftermarket parts that allow you to do this.
Of course, this is just a summary of our top picks for each part, but you can explore them even further if these specific parts are not what you’re looking for.
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