Glock "safety" vs. other striker-fired pistols...

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Chris17404

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Hi all,

I am wondering why Glock pistols (at least to me) seem to get so much more criticism that "they're not safe" or "they really have no safety" or "I'd never carry a Glock with a round chambered" over other similar trigger-action pistols much as the new S&W M&P, or Walther P99, etc.

To me, there's really no difference, is there? They all have a relatively short trigger pull and no external safety (other than on the actual trigger). It seems like Glock gets a bad rap. Is it just because they've been around the longest?

Chris
 
I think it's likely a combination of "success envy", and the fact that there are so many Glocks out there; therefore, everytime someone tries to re-holster their duty pistol with their finger on the trigger, you have someone willing to jump all over "those unsafe Glocks".
 
I think the Glock is plenty safe in most situations. However, I think the XD system with the grip safety is a big leap forward. I wouldnt throw a Glock in a crowded backpack with one in the pipe cause you never know when a magic marker will be in just the wrong spot. with the grip safety on the XD I would feel much more comfortable in such a situation.
 
I consider Glocks the equivalent of a lap seatbelt only in a car. At one time, they thought it was safe enough. Now, all cars have shoulder belts, because they know better.

So many things can catch in a trigger guard, from a holster retaining part to a coin to the edge of a holster itself. And push on that 'trigger safety', and that it...you've got an ND happening.

No external safety, no grip safety? No thanks. YMMV.
 
The main issue with Glocks is that if something snags or enters the trigger well during holstering it can easily cause an accidental discharge. A number of LEO's have experienced AD's (and accidental self-inflicted injury in some cases) due to their holster straps or other items getting inside the trigger guard while reholstering. Find the video of the infamous DEA agent who accidently shot himself while reholstering in front of a classroom of kids for a great example.

With the XD, as long as you keep your hand off the grip safety while reholstering, you can snag the trigger all day long and it won't AD. Just hold it using the frontstrap with the thumb on top of the slide as you holster the weapon and the grip safety will prevent any AD's.

AD's = BAD!
 
I've been carrying a Glock for a week now, and I've never had a problem reholster-...



uh oh... :eek:




...I think I need to call 911.


:D

Seriously though, I have been carrying a G33 for a little over a week, and I'd be lying to you if I said I wasn't extra careful when reholstering. The trigger isn't hard to manipulate at all, and you'd be surprised how easily you can "accidentally" put 5 and a half lbs. of pressure on something. That said, a good holster shouldn't have components that will enter your trigger guard and cause a discharge. I'm not against retention holsters for most guns, but I probably wouldn't use one with my Glock.

I personally prefer not to have a manual safety on my carry gun.
 
not knocking the Glock..since i know at some time i ll either own a G19 or a G23..but id love to see the grip safty on one like the XD..i like my XD but the mid size Glock feels better in my small hands..but its taken Glock this long just to put a chamber loaded indicator on them..waiting on a grip safty which prb wont happen anyway would be light yrs away lol

i agree with the other forumite..never really thought about it..but yeah i could see a big ole Sharpie or something getting wedged in the trigger guard and popping of a round..but on the other hand if someone is that careless to just use a reg ole backpack or school bag ..and not one from Galco or Maxpedition etc they shouldnt even attempt to carry one in that manner..and this goes for women to..dont just toss a piece in your Dooney & Bourke bag cause it looks good and you spent a bunch of money on it either..ok im done..man that coffe was strong :what:
 
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I'm not really a fan of the grip safeties. Sure it helps prevent an accidental discharge, but it is one more thing that can go wrong, and more parts. The Glock, on the other hand, is very simple with something like only 33 parts. Also, what if one were to find themself in a situation where you are struggling for the gun, but can't get your hand in a position to press down on the grip safety in order to pull the trigger?
 
i just bought a kimber 1911 and think its scarier to have that thing cocked and locked instead of a glock. My DAO sig p226 doesnt even have a safety but nobody knocks on it. I just think practice and knowledge of your gun will help with AD's, but everyone has a bad day now and then haha
 
Honestly, Glocks are the safest weapons in the market. I hear too many "what if's" and "imagine if". The reason why people get a NEGLIGENT (NOT accidental) discharge on a Glock while holstering is that they kept their finger in the trigger. Didn't they remember the 4 rules?

Whenever I holster my Glock my finger is always away from the trigger.

Glocks do not need an external safety because there's three safeties within the gun: 1) the trigger safety, 2) the firing pin safety, and c) the drop safety. Having an external safety like the beaver tail safety on an XD or 1911, causes the shooter to think too much and not focus on the target/accuracy.
 
It ain't just the Glock...

"Glock", has become the generic term for all stirker-fired pistols, don't have a manual safety or grip safety:D . So these people that complain don't like that S&W knock off either...

Still 2 Many Choices!?
 
"I think the Glock is plenty safe in most situations. However, I think the XD system with the grip safety is a big leap forward. I wouldnt throw a Glock in a crowded backpack with one in the pipe cause you never know when a magic marker will be in just the wrong spot. with the grip safety on the XD I would feel much more comfortable in such a situation."


I dont mean to sound rude, but that is just a stupid thing to do with any loaded gun!:scrutiny:
 
It's odd. I heard someone at the range give me this same argument just this weekend. I watched as he Holstered his XD and realized that he was dipressing the grip safety as he holstered it. So, i ask you, how did the grip safety help anything as he holstered his XD?

I have 4 holsters for my glock 22. One shoulder, on thigh, one belt and one slider type. They were all designed to be used solely with glocks, and i cant even see how it would be POSSIBLE to snag the trigger on the holster.

Also, putting ANY firearm into a crowded backpack loaded but uncased is just plain asking for trouble. I wouldnt even hike with someone who did that.
 
If you like to follow the basic firearms rules then a Glock is as safe as any pistol or revolver. Think of a glock like any othe D/A revolver or pistol.

I think you can blame most Glock ND's on something us guys at work call OE. Operater Error!



But, by all means, carry what you are comfortable with. There are so many choices, anybody can find something to fit their needs.
 
I owned 4 glocks. I must say I am a total 1911 guy. I got rid of my glocks because of the fact that Glock Safety is such an oxymoron. In my experience, a carry gun with no external safety is dangerous to carry "cocked and locked". I carry my 1911 C&L and have been since 1975 and have never had an AD when handling. I know 3 Glock owners who have had multiple AD's and never had one with 1911's, or any other gun with a safety.
 
I like glocks just fine, but seriously... I always wonder why did they put the "safety" on the trigger? Of course the "just keep your dang your finger off" mantra applies, but it seems to me if something snags the trigger it'd fire just like a finger would anyway, so the addition of the "safety" seems redundant.

Just seems an odd location, but hey- it seems to work for folks who obey the rules.

(not a Glock hater)
 
Having an external safety like the beaver tail safety on an XD or 1911, causes the shooter to think too much and not focus on the target/accuracy.
Click to expand...
:rolleyes: Yeah, right, tell that to the FBI HRT, LAPD SWAT, and The Marine Expeditionary Units.
 
seems to me if something snags the trigger it'd fire just like a finger would anyway, so the addition of the "safety" seems redundant.
Click to expand...

*DING DING DING DING*

This would be why I chose a PT745 instead. I see NO delay in swiping the mechanical safety with my thumb, which can be done from a firing grip without any other hand movement.
 
This horse is dead. Some people feel safe with no manual safety, some don't. Do whichever you like. Millions of glock owners use their pistol every day without shooting themselves.

One of the versions of the P99 is TDA though so you might argue that the heavier initial double action pull makes it different from the glock.
 
i just got a glock 33

first thing i did was switch to the new york trigger.stock trigger is way to light imo
 
If Glocks are so dangerous, then revolvers must be also since they have no external safeties. Correct?
Click to expand...

DA revolvers with triggers as light as a Glocks?

Yes, probably so.
 
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