I just got some Heinie Straight Eight Night Sights and a 3.5# Connector for my Glock 19. I am thinking of possibly getting a stainless steel guide rod, just because to me, it will round it out nicely. What are others’ opinions? Specifically, on the guide rod? Thanks in advance.
-WTDeBerry-
The steel guide rod is a waste of money unless you plan on doing magazine dumps all afternoon.
I think you’ll find, that the culture of this forums is skewed pretty far to the function over form side of the spectrum.
All my Glocks get a decent set of sights, the Vickers Mag Release, and a grip plug. MANY would argue that even the plug is a waste of money, but I have it because I’m more consistent with my reloads with it in.
The magazine release will be a real, tangible improvement that you will immediately appreciate. You may also want to consider the new Magazine release that is out as well.
Outside of the sight and mag release recommendations, I’d suggest spending some time shooting the gun to see where it’s not meeting your requirements.
LAV recommends a good set of night sights, his mag release, his slide release, and a grip plug.
I recommend a Vickers magazine release and extended slide stop lever. I don’t recommend a 3.5 disconnector if you are going to carry this for self defense, unless you add a NY trigger.
I would leave the standard guide rod assembly in place and focus on shooting the weapon.
stock with trijicons here.
spend your money on a nice holster. 
dont mean to thread jack but do you folks carry with the extended mag release? Does it bother you?
Bother me? Not at all. And it significantly increases my ability to drop the magazine when I want.
The whole point in the Vickers mag release is to be a little longer than stock, but not too long. It’s shorter than the Glock extended magazine release.
The inability to reach the mag release without fully rotating the pistol is one of my main gripes with the platform and have contimplated getting one but am hesitant cause my holster does a great job of keeping the weapon attached to my side, I thought the extended release might be uncomfortable.
No, you won’t feel it. Again, it’s shorter then extended factory unit. If for whatever reason you don’t like it, you will have NO trouble selling it.
Glock really needs to start shipping all models with the Tango Down/Vickers unit, or something similar. I picked up another Glock 19 not too long ago, and I had forgotten how dismal the factory catch is by comparison.
Ironically enough I ordered Heinie Straight Eight’s yesterday!
Like others have said, spend some time shooting it!
Exactly the kind of info I was looking for.
I shoot it on most weekends, I try to put around 200 rounds thru it each time out, and I believe I have close to 1600 thru it as of right now, have to check.
I have not installed any of these items yet, and although I did spend some money on the connector, I will take the advice. It’s not that it is not meeting my requirements, I just figured the guide rod would cut down on wear more than anything, even tho it has been 100% reliable, thus far.
I will look into the magazine release and extended slide stop lever. That is one thing that bothers me, I have to tweak my grip on the gun ever so slightly to engage the slide release and the slide stop as well.
Again, thanks everyone for the advice. This is why I like this forum. A shit-ton of knowledge; minimal bullshit.
-WTDeBerry-
The OEM extended ones sucked. They were too long. LAV did what many had been doing at home. He shortened it enough to be functional, but not a PITA.
The Vickers mag release is the single best item that you can get for a Glock, imo. Well, anything other than the stock sights too.
Sights and the Vickers mag release is all that you really need to do to a Glock. Everything else is just fluff.
Maybe texture and profile it ?
Another vote for the Vickers mag catch.
Mine also has Warren Tactical 2-dot night sights.
All else is stock, and it is carried every day.
I would go with a 4.5 lb connector for practical purposes.
The only thing a G19 needs, IMO, is nights sights. Heinies are probably the best. Factory three dots are excellent and more than adequate.
FTR the GLOCK (-) connector is technically around 4.5#. Lots of people still call it a 3.5# connector though.
I just set up a new G19 last night myself.
Smooth trigger from a G17
GLOCK (-) connector
Ameriglo ProGlo orange/green front, all black serrated rear
GLOCK ext slide stop (because my LAV ones aren’t here yet)
grip plug
SKIP THE AFTER MARKET GUIDE ROD.
A steel guide rod makes it super easy/cheap to replace your recoil spring.
I’m a 10mm Glock fan, one of the first things I do is put a stronger spring in. I also change them out on a regular basis.
…not that you don’t, but of all guns to talk about mod’s, the G19 is probably the last weapon that you would need to mod for any reason…at least with parts.
I do personally like the texturing or griptape, not a big fan of different trigger weight and combinations…all the “black OPS” G19 configurations…it’s funny.
Of everything over here and about the world, the G19 has proven the overall most successful pistol designed…IMO!
“TRAINING” is where everything comes together. "The G19 is the staple weapon over here, so all the BS about these guys that brought there DE .50 over here to combat terrorists, not saying that there had never been one, because you know there has been at lease ONE…but the Glock, Beretta, SIG and even a rise in the S&W Sigma (could get more sigma’s for the money)…those are the Pistols that are “primarily” fighting the war on Terror.
“Keep Glocks Stock!!!” (…LOL)
Velcro