I had the fortunate opportunity to field-test fiber optic sights for duty-use viability a while back, and wrote about that experience over at Blacksheepwarrior.com. I didn’t want to put them on my duty gun right away as they were untested, so I retrofitted a few of my project Glock pistols with a set of 10-8 Performance F/O sights and some Frank Proctor Y-notch sights. In addition, I also picked up a project G17 with suppressor-height sights to send to Agency Arms for a RMR project.
The downside, was that I had no sight pusher in my toolbox, let alone a sight pusher that would accommodate suppressor-height sights, so like most average Joes, off to the Internet I went.
The multitude of sight pushers and tools out there are numerous, and I found sight tools that ranged from things that looked like they were made with from 2×4 scraps and wingnuts, to the high end industry standards such as Ameriglo, MGW, and Trijicon, with prices ranges from $35 – $130.
Now I am solidly in the "buy once, cry once" camp. However, like most normal folks out there, my discretionary money is limited and I still need to approach my personal purchases with the balance of durability, reliability, quality, and price in mind. While comparison shopping on eBay, I came across a company called Rear Sight Tool (RST), that claimed to have a Gen2 version that would accommodate suppressor height sights. The cost was a whopping $67. Just by looks alone, it seemed to be built solidly enough, and I figured that for the limited use it was going to get, if I broke it, it wouldn’t be THAT big a deal. It definitely wasn’t going to win any beauty competitions, but it looked from the outset to have what was needed for a field-expedient sight pusher for my range bag – small, compact, simply designed, and would take care of any minor adjustments I would need when patterning new, or evaluation sights for future use. So into my cart it went.
Less than a week later, and way before the eBay projected delivery time, I received my RST in the mail. The Gen2 RST is a simple assembly; comprised of two metal end plates, three winged screws – two adjustment screws that are used to secure the Gen2 RST against the sides of the slide and the third drifting screw to move the pusher head, 3 different sight pusher heads, and 2 guide plates. Assembly is a breeze, and the instructions are very east to follow. Once assembled, the tool is about the size of a pack of cigarettes, perfect for throwing into a range bag without taking up a ton of space.
The thing I like about the Gen2 RST is that it was advertised to be able to accommodate standard and suppressor height sights, so I thought I’d put that to the test. I have a limited amount of sights that I use on my Glocks. My duty pistols are all equipped with standard Trijicon night sights, my Agency Arms Field Battle G17 wears 10-8 Performance sights, and I have two project Glocks outfitted with Way of The Gun Proctor Sights, both Y-notch and standard, and another Agency Arms Urban Combat G17 slide with factory Glock suppressor height sights.
The Gen2 RST comes with three different pusher heads that work for all of these configurations, as well as the Glock 42/43 series.
When assembled properly, the Gen2 RST is easy and intuitive to use. Of course, ensure that your pistol is unloaded and lock the slide to the rear. Cover the sides of the slide with masking tape to make sure the sight pusher doesn’t mar the finish of the slide. Orient the sight pusher against the rear sight to be adjusted, pinch the end plates together and tighten them down flush against the sides of the slide with the adjustment screws. Turn the drifting screw slowly and gently drift the rear sight in the desired direction. It’s about as simple as it gets.
Now on to the caveats.
It is important to understand the limitations of the Gen2 RST. This is a field-expedient sight pusher tool, and it is important that the end-user uses the tool not only in the manner prescribed, but in the correct context. The Gen2 RST is small, compact, and seems robust enough, but it is not intended to be used to crack out stubborn rear sights. I found that it was best to initially punch out my existing sights and get them roughly centered using a hammer and nylon-tipped punch to get them centered "well-enough" in the dovetail slot, use the Gen2 RST to finish the finer adjustments, and then confirm they were where I wanted them once at the range while patterning my groups at the desired range for that particular pistol.
The Rear Sight Tool also works for dovetail front sights; however, I have not personally attempted this as I do not have any pistols with dovetail front sights. Videos demonstrating these techniques can be found on Youtube. According to Rear Sight Tool documentation, the Gen2 RST will work for 1911 platforms, all Glock models, and various models of Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer, Springfield Armory, CZ, Keltec, HK, Beretta, Ruger, FNH, Browning, Taurus, Kimber, Canik, IWI, and Arex pistols. I’ve included the link to the Rear Sight Tool FAQ page at the end of this article.
Unfortunately, the Rear Sight Tool is not easily available to the American market, but that might change. It is important to understand that the Rear Sight Tool is a French product, and currently available via eBay and Amazon. Since I first bought my Gen2 RST back in May 2016, a Gen3 version has been released, which offers newer features and may be used as a viable installation tool as well as for field adjustments, and the Gen2 may likely be phased out of production. The folks at Rear Sight Tool reached out to me via social media, and let me know that the Gen3 will have some ground-up updated features and fabrication methods, so even if the Gen2 is phased out, I believe the Rear Sight Tool, as a field-expedient sight pusher, is well worth a look.
For now, the Gen2 RST works for my intended purposes, and works well. I have not had any reliability issues, the drifting screw gently and smoothly makes for minute adjustments, and I have the confidence that my duty and carry pistols will send my rounds where I intend them to – as long as I do my part, of course.
Want to know more about Rear Sight Tool? Check them out on the web:
To read about compatible pistol brands:
Visit them on Facebook and read about their new Gen3:
www.facebook.com/rearsighttool/
Youtube installation instructions here:
www.youtube.com/channel/rearsighttool
Check out Chris Tran on Facebook and Instagram.
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