Trijicon RMR and XS Suppressor Sights on a Glock 34

[KitePilot]

I recently purchased a Glock 34 MOS, and put a Trijicon RMR on it.  I did this because as I'm getting older, my eyes are getting worse, and I wanted to see if putting an optic on a handgun would make it easier for me to shoot quickly and accurately.

I first tried a red dot optic way back in the 1990's.  I put a Tasco Optima 2000 on an H&K USP 45.  This mounted to the slide using the rear sight dovetail, so I effectively had no iron sights.  This was only a minor problem during the day, when I could line up the pistol by looking flat across the slide, enabling me to find the red dot.  But in dim light or darkness, when it was harder to see the outline of the pistol, I often found myself wiggling the gun in front of me, trying to glimpse the dot so I could line it up with a target.  I ended up selling the Tasco on eBay, and going to iron night sights.

Almost 20 years later, I've decided to try a pistol optic again.  The deciding factors were, as previously mentioned, my older eyes, and Glock offering the MOS system on their latest pistols.  I originally planned to go with a Glock 19 MOS, but then decided I'd give the Glock 34 MOS a try, instead.  (The Glock 19 MOS is for sale in the Firearms Classified section.)

The optic I selected was the Trijicon RMR RM05, a 9MOA green dot sight, illuminated both by a tritium vial, and by ambient light.  This model does not require batteries, but the tritium will only be half as bright 12 years from now.  I think, but I'm not sure, that Trijicon can replace the vial when it gets dim, but until then ,I shouldn't have to worry about it not working if I need it.

When the RMR arrived, I tried to install it.  I removed the smooth cover from my Glock 34's slide, and installed the appropriate MOS mounting plate.  I then mounted the RMR, inserted the screws, and started to tighten them down.  I did this very carefully, because I had noticed that they seemed a bit long...and they were.  The screws that Trijicon includes with the RMR ***DO NOT FIT*** the Glock MOS mount.  ***DO NOT*** try to force them, or you will destroy your Glock slide.  Fortunately, I was able to purchase the proper sized screws at my local Ace Hardware store {6-32 3/8"), so I didn't have to order them and wait.  By the way, if you go this route, pick up a bit of Loctite blue, to make sure the mounting screws do not come out.

With the sight properly mounted, I went to the range to sight it in.  This was an extremely easy process, and I had the dot zeroed in very quickly.  Right away, I noticed a big improvement in my group sizes, consistently creating singular ragged holes in the bullseyes of my targets at 7 yards, and much smaller groups than I was used to making at 15 yards.  (My hands aren't as steady as they used to be, either.)

Although I liked the RMR a lot, I still had the same problem that I had with the Optima 2000 from years ago--without a way to visually index the pistol, finding the dot could be problematic.  Even though the Glock MOS system features a slide cutout which seats the optic lower than usual, it still doesn't sit low enough to be able to use the factory sights.  The optic's base covers the factory sight picture, making the factory sights absolutely useless while the optic is mounted.  So I decided to pick up a set of suppressor sights, which are taller.

I decided to go with the XS Systems Big Dot sights, with tritium front and rear.  I chose these over the Trijicon brand because (1) The Trijicons were sold out, (2) The Trijicons were $50 more, and (3) Trijicon still makes the tritium lamps for XS.  Also, (4), the big white dot on the front sight helps me to find it faster, and finding the front sight faster also helps me to find the green RMR dot faster.  

I am really quite happy with this setup.  Yeah, the cost of the sights was almost as much as the gun itself.  But I can shoot better and faster than I did before, so to me, it's worth it.  If ever I need it, it will be more than worth it.  But even if I don't, this setup makes target shooting a lot more fun.  I'm hoping to take it to an outdoor range, soon, to see what I can do with it at even longer ranges.

Here's a picture of it:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/puqe5vcnmjmncj1/2016-06-26 09.33.27.jpg?dl=0

Also, another forum member asked me about "the washout effect."  Basically, it happens when you're in a relatively low-light position, and you use the sight to aim at a brightly lit area.  The light coming from the target area can overpower the reflected light of your aiming dot.  Yeah, it's a thing.  But if you've got suppressor sights, you can use them to aim through the optic, so I don't think it's that big a deal.  If you use the battery-powered red dot sights, washout is probably less of a problem.  I'm thinking of trying a Leupold DeltaPoint Pro, next.

Here's a short video that I made, to show the washout effect in action.  I also tried to get video of the dot in low light, but my camera didn't do too well at that, so there are some still pictures at the end that show the sight picture better.  Full disclosure, the final pictures show the sights just a little bit brighter than they appear in real life, but in real life, the sight picture is much better than what is seen in the video.  

One last thing...It's not easy to take photographs and video of a sight picture, so I knocked up a mount for everything on my workbench today.  It's pretty ratched, as the kids say, but it works.  I did this for you, RT...you sure you don't want to buy my Glock 19, now?    https://www.dropbox.com/s/1m6n0x674pabwlz/2016-07-02 21.04.45.jpg?dl=0

Edited July 30, 2016 by KitePilot
Replaced dead video link with embedded YouTube link.

[orientalexpress]

14 hours ago, KitePilot said:

 

When the RMR arrived, I tried to install it.  I removed the smooth cover from my Glock 34's slide, and installed the appropriate MOS mounting plate.  I then mounted the RMR, inserted the screws, and started to tighten them down.  I did this very carefully, because I had noticed that they seemed a bit long...and they were.  The screws that Trijicon includes with the RMR ***DO NOT FIT*** the Glock MOS mount.  ***DO NOT*** try to force them, or you will destroy your Glock slide.  Fortunately, I was able to purchase the proper sized screws at my local Ace Hardware store {6-32 3/8"), so I didn't have to order them and wait.  By the way, if you go this route, pick up a bit of Loctite blue, to make sure the mounting screws do not come out.

 

There's kit you're supposed to get that has the right length screws and a plate that covers up the bottom side of the optic where it overhangs off the edge of a Glock. 

[KitePilot]

Yeah, but $12.00 on Amazon with a 2-day wait for shipping, vs. $1.25 at Ace with instant gratification...

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[ehull20000]

I also had a bit of a slow time learning to draw my RMR Glock.  Lots of dry practice and then competition to validate my practice helped me. 

[jmevis]

Excellent write up. I can appreciate all the time it took to write and post this especially with pictures. I recently purchased an RMR 06 (LED adjustable) It'll be here on Monday.  How do you like those XS sights? I tried them on a demo gun and they seemed almost too tall. I went with an ameriglo blacked out rear white tridium front.

[shotgunshooter]

Awesome write up. I'm glad to know someone else on here likes XS. I wouldn't have any other sights on a handgun that I trust my life to. Red dots on handguns are definitely cool and whether we like it or not they are the future.

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[KitePilot]

6 hours ago, jmevis said:

Excellent write up. I can appreciate all the time it took to write and post this especially with pictures. I recently purchased an RMR 06 (LED adjustable) It'll be here on Monday.  How do you like those XS sights? I tried them on a demo gun and they seemed almost too tall. I went with an ameriglo blacked out rear white tridium front.

I do like the XS sights.  I have the standard height Big Dot on one of my Glock 19s, and for short range shooting, it's fast.  At speed, it's not as accurate as the Glock factory or bar/notch type sights, but it's accurate enough for short range defensive shooting.

I'm going to have to get a PACT timer, and quantify that statement.  Might make another video...

[jmevis]

12 hours ago, KitePilot said:

I do like the XS sights.  I have the standard height Big Dot on one of my Glock 19s, and for short range shooting, it's fast.  At speed, it's not as accurate as the Glock factory or bar/notch type sights, but it's accurate enough for short range defensive shooting.

I'm going to have to get a PACT timer, and quantify that statement.  Might make another video...

Oh yeah I have nothing against Big Dots. I put them on my wife's 19 and I can tell you they are some of the fastest easiest sights to use. I just remember trying a demo gun at the 2015 NRA show that had the XS suppressor height sights and a RMR and it was like a absolute co-witness. Where as the Ameriglo seem like a lower 1/3 co witness. Now it also could be different with the MOS glock the RMR might sit a little higher then a milled glock. 

[jmevis]

12 hours ago, shotgunshooter said:

Awesome write up. I'm glad to know someone else on here likes XS. I wouldn't have any other sights on a handgun that I trust my life to. Red dots on handguns are definitely cool and whether we like it or not they are the future.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Agreed. 

[MuscleHead]

Your rear sight is the 24/7 with tritium insert correct? How well is it view able in daylight? I noticed it hardly has any of the white line like the non tritium rear sight has. More of a thin outline around the tritium tube.

[KitePilot]

On 7/27/2016 at 10:54 AM, MuscleHead said:

Your rear sight is the 24/7 with tritium insert correct? How well is it view able in daylight? I noticed it hardly has any of the white line like the non tritium rear sight has. More of a thin outline around the tritium tube.

It shows up just fine.  Just realized that the link to my video was dead, so I updated it. You can see what the sight picture looks like in the video above.

[Dustbuster]

I recently purchased a Glock 34 MOS, and put a Trijicon RMR on it.  I did this because as I'm getting older, my eyes are getting worse, and I wanted to see if putting an optic on a handgun would make it easier for me to shoot quickly and accurately.

I first tried a red dot optic way back in the 1990's.  I put a Tasco Optima 2000 on an H&K USP 45.  This mounted to the slide using the rear sight dovetail, so I effectively had no iron sights.  This was only a minor problem during the day, when I could line up the pistol by looking flat across the slide, enabling me to find the red dot.  But in dim light or darkness, when it was harder to see the outline of the pistol, I often found myself wiggling the gun in front of me, trying to glimpse the dot so I could line it up with a target.  I ended up selling the Tasco on eBay, and going to iron night sights.

Almost 20 years later, I've decided to try a pistol optic again.  The deciding factors were, as previously mentioned, my older eyes, and Glock offering the MOS system on their latest pistols.  I originally planned to go with a Glock 19 MOS, but then decided I'd give the Glock 34 MOS a try, instead.  (The Glock 19 MOS is for sale in the Firearms Classified section.)

The optic I selected was the Trijicon RMR RM05, a 9MOA green dot sight, illuminated both by a tritium vial, and by ambient light.  This model does not require batteries, but the tritium will only be half as bright 12 years from now.  I think, but I'm not sure, that Trijicon can replace the vial when it gets dim, but until then ,I shouldn't have to worry about it not working if I need it.

When the RMR arrived, I tried to install it.  I removed the smooth cover from my Glock 34's slide, and installed the appropriate MOS mounting plate.  I then mounted the RMR, inserted the screws, and started to tighten them down.  I did this very carefully, because I had noticed that they seemed a bit long...and they were.  The screws that Trijicon includes with the RMR ***DO NOT FIT*** the Glock MOS mount.  ***DO NOT*** try to force them, or you will destroy your Glock slide.  Fortunately, I was able to purchase the proper sized screws at my local Ace Hardware store {6-32 3/8"), so I didn't have to order them and wait.  By the way, if you go this route, pick up a bit of Loctite blue, to make sure the mounting screws do not come out.

With the sight properly mounted, I went to the range to sight it in.  This was an extremely easy process, and I had the dot zeroed in very quickly.  Right away, I noticed a big improvement in my group sizes, consistently creating singular ragged holes in the bullseyes of my targets at 7 yards, and much smaller groups than I was used to making at 15 yards.  (My hands aren't as steady as they used to be, either.)

Although I liked the RMR a lot, I still had the same problem that I had with the Optima 2000 from years ago--without a way to visually index the pistol, finding the dot could be problematic.  Even though the Glock MOS system features a slide cutout which seats the optic lower than usual, it still doesn't sit low enough to be able to use the factory sights.  The optic's base covers the factory sight picture, making the factory sights absolutely useless while the optic is mounted.  So I decided to pick up a set of suppressor sights, which are taller.

I decided to go with the XS Systems Big Dot sights, with tritium front and rear.  I chose these over the Trijicon brand because (1) The Trijicons were sold out, (2) The Trijicons were $50 more, and (3) Trijicon still makes the tritium lamps for XS.  Also, (4), the big white dot on the front sight helps me to find it faster, and finding the front sight faster also helps me to find the green RMR dot faster.  

I am really quite happy with this setup.  Yeah, the cost of the sights was almost as much as the gun itself.  But I can shoot better and faster than I did before, so to me, it's worth it.  If ever I need it, it will be more than worth it.  But even if I don't, this setup makes target shooting a lot more fun.  I'm hoping to take it to an outdoor range, soon, to see what I can do with it at even longer ranges.

Here's a picture of it:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/puqe5vcnmjmncj1/2016-06-26 09.33.27.jpg?dl=0

Also, another forum member asked me about "the washout effect."  Basically, it happens when you're in a relatively low-light position, and you use the sight to aim at a brightly lit area.  The light coming from the target area can overpower the reflected light of your aiming dot.  Yeah, it's a thing.  But if you've got suppressor sights, you can use them to aim through the optic, so I don't think it's that big a deal.  If you use the battery-powered red dot sights, washout is probably less of a problem.  I'm thinking of trying a Leupold DeltaPoint Pro, next.

Here's a short video that I made, to show the washout effect in action.  I also tried to get video of the dot in low light, but my camera didn't do too well at that, so there are some still pictures at the end that show the sight picture better.  Full disclosure, the final pictures show the sights just a little bit brighter than they appear in real life, but in real life, the sight picture is much better than what is seen in the video.  

[/url] One last thing...It's not easy to take photographs and video of a sight picture, so I knocked up a mount for everything on my workbench today.  It's pretty ratched, as the kids say, but it works.  I did this for you, RT...you sure you don't want to buy my Glock 19, now?    https://www.dropbox.com/s/1m6n0x674pabwlz/2016-07-02 21.04.45.jpg?dl=0

looks great, am running a rm07 on a perf center 9. love it it just sucks that you have to co witness an optic cause the optic that costs as much as the gun will fail...


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