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Real Avid Glock Sight Pusher Review: Two Years Later, It’s Still My First Reach
Real Avid Glock Sight Pusher Review: Two Years Later, It’s Still My First Reach
I own four sight pushers. Four. And at this point, I should probably just sell three of them. Because when a Glock slide hits my bench, there’s only one tool I’m grabbing: the Real Avid Glock Sight Pusher. It’s not the most expensive. It’s not the most universal. But it’s the one that actually fits how I work.
Real Avid sent this unit for testing about two years ago. Since then, it’s become the default for every Glock build that comes through. Even when my MGW Sight Pro is sitting right there, perfectly capable. Even when I’ve already got the MGW set up for another pistol. I still reach for the Real Avid first. That wasn’t the plan when I unboxed it. But two years and probably a hundred Glock slides later, here’s what actually happened.
Quick Pros and Cons
Pros:
Integrated front sight tool and Glock armorers tool built into the handle
Large, ergonomic grip that actually works for users with weak hands
Reversible pusher blade handles factory and aftermarket sights
No mechanical failures in two years of regular use
G43/G48 compatible with simple clamp rotation
Cons:
Shim system requires remembering which spacer for which model
Have to crank shoe up high to swap shims in and out
Glock-specific only; won’t work on SIGs or 1911s
Thick spacer + thin spacer stacking needed for slim slides
First Impression: Four Pushers, This One Stood Out
In the video, I said it straight: “I have four sight pushers. But this one’s really cool.” Here’s why that first impression stuck. Most sight pushers give you these tiny bars to grip. You know the type: thin, round, knurled maybe, but small enough that you’re fighting the tool just to get torque on the sight. Real Avid looked at that and did something different. They gave this thing a proper handle: thick, shaped, something you can actually hold onto when you’re pushing against Glock’s notoriously stubborn factory sights.
But the part that made me stop and actually pay attention: it’s not just a sight pusher. The handle holds a front sight tool magnetically, so it’s always there when you need it. No digging through drawers. No wondering where you left the little hex tool. And when you unscrew that front sight tool, there’s a Glock armorers tool built right into the handle. If you’re new to working on Glocks, that’s everything you need: rear sight pusher, front sight tool, and disassembly tool, all in one unit sitting on your bench.
I said it in the video and I’ll say it again here: “This is more than just your standard sight pusher.” After two years of using it, that first impression has only solidified.
Real World Testing: What Actually Happened
The first Glock slide I used this on was a factory G19. Standard sights, nothing fancy. I remember thinking the clamp felt different: it seated more positively than my old Wheeler, less fiddly than the MGW before you get the adapters dialed in. The pusher blade had that satisfying glide where you can feel the threads are smooth, not gritty. But that was just the first one.
The real test came a few weeks later when I had a Patmos aftermarket slide that needed sights. Aftermarket slides can be hit or miss. Sometimes the dimensions are off just enough that universal tools struggle. I clamped the Real Avid on, rotated it to the standard position, used the thin spacer, and it locked up solid. Pushed the sights on, no drama. That slide has probably 500 rounds through it now, sights still tight.
Then came the Glock 43. This is where cheaper pushers fall apart. The 43 slide is narrower, and if your tool doesn’t adjust for that, you either can’t get it clamped or you end up clamping crooked and pushing the sight sideways. With the Real Avid, I loosened the shoe, rotated the clamp upward, stacked the thin and thick shims, and suddenly it was set for the slim slide. Took maybe 30 seconds. After that kept happening, slide after slide, the pattern became clear: this wasn’t just convenient, it was removing friction I didn’t realize I was accepting as normal.
The screw that broke loose cleanly on the first attempt. That’s what I kept noticing. Not because it was fancy, but because it wasn’t a fight anymore.
What Changed After Real Use
First impressions were focused on convenience. Everything in one case, ergonomic handle, integrated tools. What mattered more over time wasn’t the feature list, it was whether I actually kept using it. After a couple of weeks, I stopped grabbing my old Wheeler for Glocks. After a couple of months, the Wheeler was still on the bench but it was gathering dust for Glock work specifically. This one just covered more situations without forcing me to swap tools or remember which adapter went with which slide.
The behavior change was gradual but definite. I stopped thinking about which pusher to grab. When a Glock slide hit the bench, my hand just went to the Real Avid. Even when the MGW was sitting there, already set up from a previous job, I’d still reach for this first unless the MGW was specifically configured for Glocks. And since I use the MGW for other pistols too, it almost never was.
I stopped keeping other front sight tools in my Glock tool drawer. The one in the handle was always there, always accessible. I stopped buying separate Glock armorers tools for range bags. The one in the handle went with the pusher, so it went with me. The tool went from “convenient” to “default” to “I don’t think about this anymore, I just use it.”
What Held Up
I don’t think about this tool anymore. That’s the highest praise I can give it. After two years of regular use on factory Glocks, aftermarket builds, and friends’ pistols, it’s still the first thing I reach for. The magnet that holds the front sight tool hasn’t weakened. The threads on the pusher screw still glide smooth. The clamp still locks up solid every time. There’s no slop, no wobble, no degradation from day one.
I reach for it over my MGW Sight Pro, even though the MGW costs nearly double and can theoretically do more guns. But the MGW requires adapters. It requires setup. It requires thinking about which platform you’re working on. The Real Avid doesn’t. When a Glock slide hits the bench, there’s no setup, no decision tree, no configuration. Just clamp, push, done. That simplicity proved itself valuable over time.
I even recommended it to Will from Shogun Customs, who does professional stippling on Glock frames. He picked one up for his shop. No complaints. When a pro who handles dozens of Glocks a month is satisfied with an $89 tool, that’s not marketing, that’s validation through volume.
The handle ergonomics weren’t just good on day one; they’ve remained the reason I prefer this tool. My hands aren’t getting stronger with age. The large, shaped grip means I can still generate the torque needed for stubborn factory sights without fighting the tool itself. That’s held up as much as the mechanics.
What Did Not Hold Up
The shim system is my one real annoyance, and it hasn’t gotten better with time. You have to remember which spacer goes with which slide model: thin for most 9mms, thin plus thick stacked for G43/G48, no spacers for some configurations. It’s not hard, but it’s friction every time you switch between a full-size G17 and a slim G43. I’ve done it enough that I should have it memorized, and I mostly do, but I still have to stop and think occasionally.
The bigger friction is the physical act of swapping shims. You have to crank the shoe way up to get clearance to insert or remove the spacers. Once they’re in, you crank it back down to lock the slide. It’s a few extra turns of the screw every time. Not a dealbreaker, not a failure, but definitely an annoyance that hasn’t gone away with familiarity.
I should also note: this is not a universal tool. If you work on SIGs, 1911s, CZs, or anything non-Glock, this pusher won’t help you. It’s purpose-built for Glock-pattern slides, and that’s a limitation that hasn’t changed. The MGW Sight Pro is more versatile if you have a diverse collection. This is more right for Glocks specifically.
The price is fair for what you get, but it’s not budget territory. If you only change Glock sights once every few years, a $30 Wheeler might be the smarter buy. This earns its place through volume and convenience, not through universal necessity.
How It Compares: Real Avid vs MGW vs Wheeler
I’ve used the Wheeler Engineering Sight Pusher for years. It works. It’s cheap. But that’s where the advantages end. The handle is small and round, not shaped, which means you’re fighting for torque on stubborn factory sights. It has no integrated tools, so you’re still hunting for a front sight tool and a Glock armorers wrench separately. By the time you buy those extras, you’ve spent almost as much as the Real Avid and you have three things bouncing around your bench instead of one.
The MGW Sight Pro is in a different category. At $150-180, it’s significantly more expensive. It can do multiple pistol platforms, which the Real Avid cannot. But that versatility comes with overhead: adapters, setup time, and the cognitive load of remembering which adapter for which gun. If you work on Glocks exclusively, or even primarily, you’re paying for capability you don’t need and accepting friction you don’t want.
What was annoying before, and did the Real Avid fix it? The Wheeler was annoying because the small handle made it hard to generate torque without cramping your hand. The MGW was annoying because it was always configured for something else. The Real Avid is always right there, always ready for Glocks, with the tools built in and a handle you can actually grip. That’s the tradeoff: less versatility than the MGW, more usability than the Wheeler, and right in the sweet spot for Glock owners.
If your setup works for you, don’t switch. If you’re a professional gunsmith working on everything from SIGs to 1911s to Glocks, the MGW makes more sense. But if you primarily work on Glocks and you want the path of least resistance from box to completed slide, the Real Avid wins on friction reduction.
If you’re building a complete Glock workbench setup, consider these complementary tools:
Bench Block: The only thing missing from the kit. A real bench block with Glock-specific pins makes slide work easier. Alternatively, a thick roll of tape or shop rag works for field repairs.
Calipers: For verifying sight height and ensuring proper seating depth. Digital calipers with a depth gauge are worth the investment.
Extra Glock Armorers Tools: Keep extras in your range bag. They’re cheap and having a backup never hurts.
Sight Installation Tool Set: If you work on non-Glock pistols occasionally, consider a starter set for SIGs or 1911s as a supplement, not a replacement.
Final Verdict
Bottom Line: Buy It
The Real Avid Glock Sight Pusher is not trying to be universal, and that’s exactly why it works. After two years of regular use on factory and aftermarket Glock builds, it’s held up without a single failure. The integrated front sight and armorers tools eliminate the “where did I put that” problem. The ergonomic handle actually makes sense for aging hands or anyone who has fought with tiny pusher bars before.
Buy if: You work on Glocks regularly, want an all-in-one solution, or struggle with small tool grips. This earns its place through volume and convenience.
Skip if: You need one pusher for multiple pistol platforms, or you already have an MGW Sight Pro permanently configured for Glocks. The MGW is more versatile but costs more and requires more setup.
As I said in the video: “I think they kind of really hit it out of the park with this thing.” After two years of real use, I stand by that.
FAQ
Does this work with non-Glock pistols like SIGs or 1911s?
No. This is purpose-built for Glock-pattern slides. The clamping system, shim spacing, and pusher blade geometry are all specific to Glock dimensions. If you work on SIG P226s, 1911s, CZs, or other platforms, you’ll need a different pusher. The MGW Sight Pro with appropriate adapters is the better choice for multi-platform work.
Can I use this for aftermarket slides like Polymer80 or Patmos?
Yes. I’ve personally used it on Patmos slides with no issues. As long as the slide follows Glock dimensions (which most aftermarket slides do), the Real Avid will clamp and push correctly. The reversible blade handles both factory angled sights and aftermarket flat sights.
What’s the difference between the thin and thick spacers?
The thin spacer handles most standard 9mm Glocks (G17, G19, G26, G34). For slim slides like the G43, G43X, and G48, you stack the thin and thick spacers together. Some slides need no spacers at all. The included instruction manual has a chart, or you can experiment: the slide should sit level in the pusher at the proper height for the blade to contact the sight base.
Does the magnet lose strength over time?
Not in my experience. After two years of regular use, the front sight tool still snaps securely into the handle. The magnet hasn’t loosened, rusted, or failed. Real Avid seems to have used a proper rare-earth magnet, not a cheap ferrite disc.
Is it worth upgrading from a Wheeler or other basic pusher?
If you work on Glocks regularly: yes. The integrated tools alone save you $30-40 in separate purchases, and the ergonomic handle makes a real difference in usability. If you only change sights once every few years, stick with what you have. This earns its place through volume, not through occasional use.
Yes. The pusher mechanism works from either direction. You can set it up to push sights left-to-right or right-to-left depending on your preference. The handle design is ambidextrous.
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Original Content by The Rogue Banshee / My Rogue Solutions LLC. Credit: Jason Schaller Email: jschaller@trb.fyi
About the Author: Jason Schaller is a former FFL holder and founder of Eagle Eye Shooters Supply in Helena, MT, where he provided professional gunsmithing services and guided customers on all aspects of firearms ownership. Today, he teaches DIY gunsmithing at The Rogue Banshee and serves as a Chief Instructor at Freedom Crew University. With over a decade of hands-on professional experience with firearms and nearly 30 years in IT, Jason also holds top cybersecurity certifications including CISSP, CISA, and CRISC. When he’s not geeking out, he’s helping others build self-reliance, critical thinking, and firearms proficiency through real-world content.
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