Glock 19 safety features

[ohbythebay]

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I used my new Glock yesterday and was wondering.

if you insert a magazine and the slide is forward, you do have to rack the slide to chamber the first round, yes ? Trigger pull produces nothing

If the slide is BACK and you insert a mag and release the slide, then a round is automatically chambered

If that is true, then technically, don't you have 2 safeties - besides the trigger safety - so if you carry and you carry as I pointed out the first way (unchambered round) then if you pull, even if you accidently hit the trigger, then there is no GLOCK leg, correct ?

Just curious if that is fact ...I am going to try again tomorrow (the safety I spoke of, not the Glock leg...lol)

 

[rcmodel]

No, the trigger is not reset with the slide closed after you dry-fire, or snap the trigger.

Pulling the slide to the rear to load it re-sets the trigger.
And it will most certainly fire if you pull the trigger then.

Every time the slide cycles it is ready to fire again.

rc

 

[ohbythebay]

So you are agreeing then ?

If a magazine is loaded while the slide is forward, she will not fire UNTIL you rack the slide..so its a safer way to carry, yes ?

 

[Steve C]

You are correct regarding the chambering of a round. Without a round in the chamber no firearm will discharge with a pull of the trigger so this is a safe way to store weapons but slows putting the weapon into readiness to fire so isn't the best way to carry a weapon that may be needed for immediate defense. Empty chamber and magazine removed is the safest way to store a firearm but requires the most effort to get it ready to shoot.

The Glock has 3 passive safeties, this link will explain them: http://us.glock.com/technology/safe-action.

Safeties are designed to prevent a gun from firing accidentally when a round is in the chamber. Their function is not to prevent a gun from firing if the trigger is intentionally pulled. Manual safeties require action from the guns operator to engage or disengage them, passive safeties are always in place and keep the gun safe as long as the trigger is not pulled.

 

[moxie]

Your dealer should have gone over these points with you, in fact Glock has a special form the dealer is supposed to go over with you. If you are new to handguns, a short introductory course would also be very helpful. Learning how your gun works and how to carry it is best done with an experienced teacher, not here on an internet forum.

 

[ohbythebay]

Steve and Moxie...

I know all that, how they operate, my Glock, my Bersa, how they work, Glocks 3 point safety system (which is really not because the 1 point is the trigger safety - the rest is just mechanics of what that safety controls).

My point was people complain that a holstered Glock could be dangerous because some have accidently grabbed the trigger as they pulled (that's a training issue). But my point was that could NOT happen if one carries without a round chambered, thus no Glock leg. So I could never understand when people post about "Glock Safety"...that's all

 

[moxie]

Gorsh, Mickey, he "know(s) all that." Our work is done here!

 

[ohbythebay]

don't take it that way

I never said I "know it all". I just said I am familiar with the features and operation of my handgun. If you READ what I was talking about, you would know I was asking if I was "missing something" since people make a big deal about Glock safety and I don't see it.

So I was basically asking was there some situation of carrying (other than ready to fire) I was missing.

So Gosh Moxie, if you don't know, then just say(s) so..

 

[sakata8242]

You're overcomplicating the issue. If you pull the trigger on a Glock with a round in the chamber it will go bang.

1.) I will treat all firearms as if they are loaded
2.) I will never let my muzzle cross anything I'm not willing to destroy or purchase
3.) I will keep my finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until I'm ready to fire
4.) I will know my target, its background, and foreground.

Learn 'em, live 'em.

I would also suggest spending the money on some quality instruction by a qualified instructor. Take the time to learn about your pistol and how it operates. Many people are uncomfortable with the idea, for some reason, of carrying a Glock chambered. There are issues with carrying w/o a round in the chamber, including but not limited to the fact that you have a paperweight; it takes time and you need the opportunity to rack the slide which you may not get; racking the slide in a less than ideal situation can actually lead to a malfunction, putting you even more behind the curve.

 

[ohbythebay]

Wow...

I think you guys are the ones overcomplicating things. Thanks for nothing ...If you pull the trigger on ANY gun with a round in the chamber and there is no other safety...yeah, it will go bang. I got that back in Handguns 101..about 35 years ago

Does anyone READ anymore ? did I ask how to operate a gun ? Did I ask if it will go off it a round is chambered ? Have there been topics on this board about GLOCK safety ? Did I not point out that it seems wiser to carry un-chambered. did I specifically ask IF there was some UNKNOWN way it could still fire ? That's all I was asking

And if racking a slide is going to slow you down that much, perhaps you guys needs some training...

really...stop trying to be "expert educators" and read what a person is asking.

 

[jmr40]

There are several accepted ways to carry or store guns. Having the magazine loaded, slide forward but no round in the chamber is one way to do it. It is one of the safer methods because you have to manually pull back the slide to chamber a round before firing. There would be no danger of accidentally pulling the trigger Depending on the situation this method is used by the military. It is a method I use as well when the situation dictates.

It is not the best method if you anticipate using your gun immediately. All LE officers keep a loaded chamber with their guns holstered. As long as the gun is holstered, and on your person I see no reason not to have a round chambered. For a gun kept in a nightstand or car console, unchambered is my preferred method. The gun still needs to be in a holster and would require 2 hands to bring into use. Chambering a round in an unholstered gun is just as fast as pulling it from a holster. And a lot safer than being in a nightstand of console unholstered and with a loaded chamber.

If you are more comfortable carrying a Glock, or any other gun without a round chambered then do it that way. There are lots of internet experts that will discourage the practice. It isn't that much of a disadvantage if you practice and is safer. Do what you are comfortable with.

 

[sakata8242]

WoW indeed

If you pull the trigger on ANY gun with a round in the chamber and there is no other safety...yeah, it will go bang

If that is true, then technically, don't you have 2 safeties - besides the trigger safety - so if you carry and you carry as I pointed out the first way (unchambered round) then if you pull, even if you accidently hit the trigger, then there is no GLOCK leg, correct ?

I specifically ask IF there was some UNKNOWN way it could still fire ? That's all I was asking

So you acknowledge that you need a round chambered for a bang, but then basically ask if a Glock with an UNCHAMBERED round could "somehow" go off? What? :bang head:

And if racking a slide is going to slow you down that much, perhaps you guys needs some training...

LOL that's rich. It's obvious that you haven't thought this through at all, much less tried it on the range in a simulated FoF scenario or even under mild stress. The real world isn't a 180 degree range where the RO controls the pace of things.

 

[Field Tester]

So much fail in this thread.

OP,
You really need to take a firearms course. Also watch a few videos of shootings and YOU tell us whether or not someone needs a round already chambered. Seriously, do it. Go on now, open a new window, type in Google, find a few videos where a civilian needed to draw and the amount of time that was needed.

The off duty police officer in IL at a gas station caught on video being robbed at gunpoint recently immediately comes to mind. FRACTIONS of seconds with each choice and movement.

Method of carry is a personal choice. How comfortable someone is with the firearm they carry as well as Condition of carry. If you're not comfortable carrying a Glock, don't carry a Glock. Find a handgun with a slide safety.

Don't however come to a public community forum and be condescending to men and women who have been doing this a lot longer and have a lot more knowledge than a obvious newbie who is ASKING questions from those very same people.

You may have owned firearms longer than I've been alive, but you're obviously new to this. There's no problem asking obvious questions, just don't speak down to those you're asking to.

 

[HexHead]

For a gun kept in a nightstand or car console, unchambered is my preferred method....

...If you are more comfortable carrying a Glock, or any other gun without a round chambered then do it that way. There are lots of internet experts that will discourage the practice. It isn't that much of a disadvantage if you practice and is safer. Do what you are comfortable with.

I keep a pistol in my nightstand without a round in the chamber, because it has a light attached and is for if I need to investigate a noise outside the bedroom and because I have a revolver closer at hand.

Carrying a pistol with an empty chamber is at best a dumb idea and at worst will get you killed. If carrying a Glock with a round in the chamber scares you, it's not the gun for you. Get something else or don't carry.

 

[Field Tester]

If a magazine is loaded while the slide is forward, she will not fire UNTIL you rack the slide..so its a safer way to carry, yes ?

Yes and no. The term is relative to the person, level of experience and familiarity with the firearm. Simply don't touch the trigger until ready to fire.

Another way to look at it is this. A Glock has more safeties than a Revolver. We don't hear of massive issues with Revolver leg. The only reason it is an issue is because of the amount of Glocks that are carried. That in turn increases the odds of hearing about a ND with that particular firearm.

Now compound that with Yahoos that are drunk or negligent and are finding any other issue to blame but themselves.

 

[riceboy72]

With all due respect, your posting a question then slamming those who answer you in your tone is uncalled for. Posting in a firearms forum and asking for answers will yield you exactly that -- right, wrong, or otherwise.

I don't think the members of this forum are reading into anything in regards to how you posted your question. They're giving you an answer based upon their training and experience. If anything, you seem to be reading into what exactly the safeties are on a Glock. There's three; no more and no less. If you want to think of an empty chamber as a safety, then do it. But Glock's not going to say it's an additional safety and frankly, I'd bet most on this board wouldn't either.

If you're unsure about carrying a Glock with a round in a chamber, then seek training or find another gun as has been recommended here. If you keep your finger off that trigger (I know, I know, you KNOW this already) and do what sakata8242 recommends, then you shouldn't be overly concerned about a negligent discharge. "Glock leg" isn't a term I see much or even use because it describes the aftermath of careless gun handling. Reinforce solid gun handling skills and hammer home the four safety rules and carrying with a round chambered in any pistol is significantly more sound than going without.

 

[Hometeached1]

I think the Glock or M&P are "safer" than some other gun in that you have to pay attention to what you are doing. If you just watch what you are doing and follow the four rules you will be fine.

Carrying without a round in the chamber is ok for certain occasions, but really not the best for most, since no matter how much you train you are never going to be able to do two motions as fast as one given equal time practicing both. Also the time are most likely to have a malfunction is when a round is being chambered.

BTW I carry a G19 every day with a round chambered and I just make sure I focus on what I'm doing when I handle it. It goes in the holster when I get up and comes out when I go to bed.

 

[mstreddy]

OP -- Glocks have 3 safeties --
Yes, 1 is the trigger safety.
2 - is the firing pin safety - it projects into the firing pin channel and mechanically blocks the firing pin from moving forward.
3 - is the drop safety - The rear part of the trigger bar, which has a cruciform shape, rests with both arms on the drop safety shelf located in the trigger mechanism housing.

You can read more details at Glock's page.
Basically the other safeties prevent the gun from firing if dropped, jarred, etc, unless you actively press the trigger. Think of how 1911 firing pin safeties work (series 80).

As to your first comment

if you insert a magazine and the slide is forward, you do have to rack the slide to chamber the first round, yes ? Trigger pull produces nothing

Not technically correct -- the pull of the trigger on an empty chamber will discharge/release the sear, striker/firing pin. In effect it is a dry-fire. Of course there will not be a round firing as there is no round in the chamber.

Hope this helps.

A user mentioned that the US military carries with no round chambered. That is not entirely correct. USAF Security Forces (Military Police) carry the Beretta M9 with a round chambered, hammer down (decocked) and on fire.

 

[ohbythebay]

Mstreddy...

Thanks..I knew that but it is a concise summary of the Glock. I do plan on carrying but will be using my Bersa Thunder 380 for CC (manual safety, round chambered - if needed, flick the safety and first shot is DA).

If I do carry the Glock, it would be not be ready to rock and roll (no round chambered). I'd rather risk that extra second to rack than to have it be already there waiting for a trigger pull. I am smart enough NOT to do that ...but not sure my fingers have as much brain power...LOL

Thanks again...

 

[oneounceload]

I'd rather risk that extra second to rack than to have it be already there waiting for a trigger pull.

And if your assailant has a gun pulled on you? Then what? Your odds of being successful drop dramatically - THAT is what the others have been trying to get through to you. As also mentioned, if the Glock system has you worried or overly concerned, sell it and get another gun with that extra manual safety, like a 1911

 

[ohbythebay]

I'm not worried

Like I said, my Bersa is my most likely CC handgun. And understand, I am so far removed from any contentious areas, the odd's of me having a drawdown are pretty slim. But one never knows, right? So I hear what you are saying.

Ultimately, it will be me that decides if I carry cocked and locked (so to speak) or carry a tad safer. Perhaps after some practice with the Glock and holster (unloaded) will be my deciding factor...

 

[mstreddy]

OP -- we can't convince you of how to carry. But, I'll mention this -- training, training, training. YOU have to be comfortable in your method of carry and trust the firearm to function when needed as needed.
For example, I am in the AF Reserves as a Security Forces Officer and have spent many a day wearing a Beretta on or about my person. As I mentioned we carry them chambered, on fire with the hammer down. The first trigger pull will be double action, but we don't sweep/use the safety. Thus, we train that way. Our course of fire involves drawing from the holster and firing. There is no slide racking or sweeping of the safety. During the course of fire one of the commands at the end of the string is cease-fire -- decock - put the weapon on fire and reholster. Then when the next command to fire is given - draw and fire.
I follow that "manual of arms" with my preferred carry pieces -- a Glock 26 or 27 and a Ruger LCP. They are carried in a holster with a round chambered. Should I ever need to use it - I will not look for a safety or slide rack. But, then again, that's how I train.
I suggest you become familiar with your weapons, train, train and then train some more.
If you choose to carry on an empty chamber, then your training has to focus on drawing, racking and firing. I believe that some armed forces do just that. If your method is disengaging the safety then your training must include the sweep.
Again I refer you to the training.
I go to a private range at least once a month where it is a "hot" range and we work on drawing, engaging and shooting.

The point of the Glock info is to point out what the other safeties are for. I am pretty confident that the Glock or Beretta or modern 1911 with firing pin blocks/safeties or drop systems will NOT fire if dropped.
Again, hope this helps.

 

[ohbythebay]

Thanks Mstreddy

Makes perfect sense..and that is what I am in process of these days. Getting comfortable, training, etc.

I have my CCP yet, I am not carrying YET because as you say, training and surety are key. Too many people buy a gun, strap it on and think "I am good to go". NOT.

Practice. FTF clearing. Reloading. Physical Distance tactics (disengaging a close in attacker). There is much more than just playing Quick Draw McGraw (okay..now you know how old I am...lol)

 

[Strahley]

I've carried 6 or 7 different models of Glocks over the years, and wouldn't dream of carrying one without a round chambered. Put it in a good holster and it will not fire until you unholster it and pull the trigger. If somebody attacks you and you have to unholster and try and chamber a round, chances are you're not going to be successful. We're already at the disadvantage of not knowing when a bad person is going to do something bad, so why give them more leverage?

 

[GLOOB]

if you insert a magazine and the slide is forward, you do have to rack the slide to chamber the first round, yes ? Trigger pull produces nothing

When you figure out a way around this, let us know!

I keep my nightstand gun with an empty chamber. I rather not find out I'm a sleep-walker the hard way. But I can't imagine securing a dropsafe gun into a good holster and carrying it around with an empty chamber. If you wanna just stick a gun in your waistband, then yeah. Empty chamber is a great idea. But try a good holster, first.