When Glock pistols hit the scene, they revolutionized the handgun world. Polymer-framed guns became the standard—and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon.
For a gun that is simple and reliable, it’s no surprise that so many companies have copied Glock’s design. Some clones have only minor tweaks or alterations, while others retain only a small trace of that original Glock DNA.
But whether you’re running a true Glock or a clone, there’s a good chance the parts are mostly the same—and often interchangeable.
This compatibility is one of Glock’s biggest strengths. From magazines to internals, parts are easier to find and swap than with just about any other handgun out there.
If you own a Glock-style pistol, you may decide at some point that you want to upgrade or replace a part. The good news: you can do most of it yourself. You just need a few quality tools.
For years, Real Avid has been my favorite armorer’s brand of tools. There are other great brands out there, but once I tried a few Real Avid tools, I liked them so much I kept buying them.
Here are some of my favorite Real Avid tools for working on Glock pistols.
Real Avid Sight Pusher
The Real Avid Sight Pusher is just about a necessity if you plan to upgrade your sights. I’ve seen some people do the job with a flat screwdriver and hammer, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
This tool is made to push the rear sight from the slide and install the new one. As you know, Glock handguns use dovetail rear sights, so they are designed not to move without a significant amount of pressure.
The Real Avid Sight Pusher is designed specifically for Glock pistols, providing a secure hold while pushing the sight in or out. Precision adjustments allow for smooth and controlled sight movement, so you can also adjust the sights on your Glock.
It’s heavy-duty and takes just a few minutes to use. I’ve upgraded sights on multiple Glock pistols, and this thing has easily paid for itself.
Because Glock pistols are so popular, I’ve also had numerous friends borrow it for their own Glock upgrades.
Price: Around $99.99
Smart Mag Tool
The next Glock tool on my Real Avid list is the Smart Mag Tool. It is designed to remove the base plate (or floor plate) of the magazine, which keeps the spring and follower from coming out.
You can remove a base plate without this tool, but it sure does make the job easier. If you have tried removing one before, you know how annoying it can be to get it back on.
A small stem sticks up from the bottom of the mag-tool and pushes in on the base plate removal button. Put the magazine on the tool, push down and forward, and that’s it. The base plate is off, and you can make your upgrades.
While it’s not a must-have tool, it’s inexpensive and worth the investment.
Price: Around $24.99
Glock 4-in-1 Tool
This little nifty tool is one I would place in the “must-have” category. It works like a pocketknife, with four tools that are all made to work on a Glock pistol.
It includes the following:
- Pin Punch – Used to remove the pins in the Glock frame for disassembly.
- Front Sight Tool – Designed for installing or removing the front sight screw without stripping it.
- Slide Lock Spring Tool – Helps with removing and replacing the slide lock spring inside the frame.
- Magazine Release Tool – Makes swapping out a magazine release quick and easy.
I keep this tool in my range bag in case I need it during training events. It’s even small enough to carry in your pocket if you want to keep it on you while you’re at the range.
I once took a Glock pistol apart for someone at the range to help them swap out a trigger. The only tool I used was the 4-in-1.
Price: Around $29.99
Master Bench Block Pro
This isn’t a must-have tool, but it’s a nice little bench block to have for any handguns.
It has non-slip texturing on the bottom, so it won’t slide around on you. Various cutouts and holes allow you to push out pens while keeping the gun on a flat surface.
Two small clamps are stored underneath the bench block and screw into multiple holes on the top side. With these, you can clamp the gun to the bench block to keep it from moving.
The surface is designed to keep your gun from getting scratched up while you work on it. One side has a built-in magnetic strip to keep small items from getting lost while you work.
It’s small and easy to store in a drawer, shelf, or range bag so it doesn’t get in the way when you’re not using it.
Price: Around $39.99
Accu-Grip Steel Pick Set
This is another one that isn’t just for Glock handguns, but any handgun, really. If you own any firearm, you should probably own some cleaning tools. We won’t get into the lubricants and other cleaning necessities today, but I do want to mention the Accu-Grip set.
This is a steel pick set for detailed cleaning and maintenance. These picks are designed to help you remove carbon buildup, clean tight areas, and manipulate small parts.
A lot of cleaning kits come with plastic picks, which are good to have, but sometimes you need something stronger. When there is some hard carbon built up on an area, you can get it off with these.
Just be mindful anytime you are using them to clean something, that too much pressure can cause damage to your gun. It is possible to scratch the finish of your firearm. Even on the inside of the gun, you don’t want to scratch it all up.
Besides cleaning, I also use these to manipulate small items when installing or repairing parts. They are a great addition to your cleaning tools, and they’re inexpensive.
Price: Around $19.99
Master Gun Vise
Now for the Real Avid Master Gun Vise. I’ll say this is one of the best investments you can make if you work on guns at all. Regardless of the type of gun or part you are upgrading/replacing, this vise is your best friend.
I used to get so annoyed trying to hold a gun in place while I worked on it. On some occasions, there was no other choice but to hold it in a vise. All I had at the time was a “normal” vise, so I would wrap rags around my gun and clamp it in.
This one, however, is made just for working on guns. Real Avid provides some soft jaw covers that slip over each side of the clamps to prevent scratching. You can easily clamp your handgun in it and not have to worry about the gun moving or getting messed up.
If you are going to invest in something like this, you can also find all kinds of accessories from Real Avid that fit on the master gun vise.
It’s a little more expensive compared to the other tools mentioned here, but it’s the ultimate tool for a gun bench.
Price: Around $299.99
Keep your Glock running strong
Real Avid continues to make some awesome products, and I like how many tools they offer for specific tasks on specific guns. I’m not a master gunsmith, and if a tool makes a job easier, I need it.
Most of these tools are affordable, and I’ve used them for years without any issues.
So, if you own a Glock, check some of these out. Your Glock’s tough, but it’ll run even better with a little help from good tools.
