Chamber support is fine. Never heard of one blowing up from FACTORY ammo. Always someone with reloads. Never seen a full first hand account. Always a photo acompanied by "40s&w blows up Glock". Like that story of a S&W 44mag that blew up from Chinese ammo.

ND happen because people, cops including, cant keep their booger hooks out of the trigger guard. Or they snag something while holstering. Also doesnt help that Glock is the most widely used police handgun. If most departments issue M&P then youd hear more about M&P ND

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Space limitations for The Blue Press prevent me from addressing the chamber support issue in any depth. One of the reasons the Glocks are so reliable is that the feed ramp does cut deeper into the chamber area than with most pistols in similar calibers. I have noted this in my .45 ACP models 21 and 30. With factory ammo, which Glock specifies, no problem. With ammo reloaded many times, there can be a head support/blowout issue, particularly with unusually hot loads. Another problem with reloads is using sizing dies which do not go down far enough on the case to squeeze down the resultant bulge near the extractor groove. If the bulge is retained and it does not line up with the feed ramp "groove," a jam is very possible if not probable.

My references, including one which was quite detailed and specific, show that Gaston Glock did indeed best his adversary hand to hand. It makes better press to say that he was able to use one of his own guns, but the believable evidence says no.

Some have said that putting a "safety" on the trigger is akin to giving the keys to the hen house to the fox. The Glock is perfectly safe until the trigger is pulled, which is true in large measure with most guns. However, since there is no manual safety, the owner must be especially careful not to touch the trigger until one is ready to shoot, and avoid setting up any situation where the trigger could become snagged. One aftermarket solution is a small plastic insert designed to be applied behind the trigger; it can be pushed out quickly with the trigger finger before shooting. Here's one that I sometimes use on my G21 and G30; it's set-screw adjustable for the best push resistance and has a hole in the off side for a small padlock to secure the gun.



I've seen pictures of an ND where the culprit was a well-used holster that had a projection that snagged the trigger, resulting in a nasty wound down the leg. I personally would not "Mexican carry" a Glock by just shoving it into my waistline. I'd have to carry it chamber-empty to feel safe. Above all things, safe use of the Glock requires one to THINK.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

You know, it's been so long since I've handled a stock Glock, that I forgot the configuration of the plastic sights. I modifed the original post to eliminate the 3-dot reference. Thanks!

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

They may be plain, but I don't think Glocks are ugly. The Pontiac Aztek, now that was ugly.

Nice to see other Glock owners here. I love my 23. Don't have any issues with the .40 recoil. Yes, it's a bit "snappy", but no issues keeping a tight group with rapid fire. I don't think they're ugly per se. I'm currently contemplating a Sig 1911 Carry Scorpion, I think it's a beautiful gun, but even if I add it to the collection I'll still keep the glock next to my bed at night. I love all guns, and pretty is nice, but in the end it's a tool, and it works. ALWAYS.

BTW- I know one person who had a Glock 22 blow up in his hand. He was using reloads he bought. A friend who reloads checked the ammo and said they were way too hot. The guy who sold the ammo offered to repair the gun. After some discussion he gave my friend retail price for a new one.

A cardinal rule with me is NEVER to shoot someone else's reloads, in Glocks or any other type of gun. This incident underscores the validity of that personal rule. I recommend it to others.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

As I understand it this was an issue with some of the earlier generation 3 G-23s. And it is also my understanding that the problem was corrected and the ones after that were alright. I have a G-23 with nearly 6,000 rounds through it (all factory fresh ammo and no solid lead or semi jacketed bullets) and I haven't had any problems of any kind.

I have seen the reports of some of them going KABOOM but actually it doesn't seem to be as many as a lot of people think. The 23 is one of the most popular Glocks in the line and I don't know anyone that has ever had that happen to them. I'm sure glad they took care of that problem before I got mine.

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Real men love cats!

John, good article.

I'm one of those that never had any great love or desire to own a Glock until the SF frames came along. My occupation allows me the opportunity to buy firearms at very good prices.

Anyway, I recently broke down a added a Glock 30SF to the stable. She ain't pretty but she is a good work horse that rides well. Honestly isn't that what we really want in a working gun: reliability, accuracy and affordable all come to mind. Of course I'm one that had real problems with the ergonomics of the Glocks. The short frame solved that issue for my paws.

Let's just say I'm warming up to Glocks, finally. It is an old dog kind of thing.

and of course a pic of my Glock 30SF ... I need to take another just for varieties sake.

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Bill Bates

I hated Glocks until I got one. I've carried my little Glock 27 since about 1995 and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I just upgraded my wife to this Glock 19 - she loves it.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

I carry a Gen3 G22 12+ hours a day 6 days a week on duty. Have for a while. Its ugly its uncomfortable . But neither matter when my life is at risk. I trust my Glock with my life. That outweighs ergonomics and styling any day.

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I had heard the same thing when I was looking but, I'm pretty sure it was the early Gen 4 that had the issues. Either way, I have the Gen 3 Glock 23 as well, and have thousands of rounds through it with out a single issue. It shoots straight and that's my main concern. I don't really have an issue with the ergonomics of it at all, maybe because I have big hands. I think it's more comfortable then my 22-45 (1911 style).

Every single Glock kaboom I've ever seen as a Glock Armorer has been due yo this issue. Guy buys reloads at gun show. Gun blows up. Very good advice sir

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WRT the post above about the trigger safety: according to Patrick Sweeny in "The Gun Digest Book of the Glock", the safety was added after prototype tests showed that, if the pistol was dropped from from a sufficient height and hit the rear of the slide first, the weight of the trigger could set the gun off.

Oh, HELL yes! To both, actually. I guess I got used to Glock looks when I owned a couple. But that Pontiac monstrosity...oy!

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Oh well, what the hell.

I predict the Glock will be our military's next sidearm.Pistols with a shot at replacing the M9 | Army Times | armytimes.com

Whats funny is I dont think the Aztec looks all that bad.

Doesnt the military require a manual safety?

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No it's the polygonal rifling tn the Glocks, it causes execive leading that can lead to a kaboom or bullet stuck in the barrel. You can shoot lead but must clean the gun a lot like between magazines, or get a aftermarket barrel with normal rifling and shoot what you please.

The wife EDC's a G27, I duracoated it pink for her...

Yes and the Glock can be outfitted with a manual slide safety. Take the g18-r for example. Very rare but has semi-full and safe

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This is mine. There are others like it, but this one is mine.

As I read the piece it sure looked as if S&W had the edge.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I may be one of the few that has seen a Glock kaboom (40SW) with a factory barrel and factory ammo. Turned out to be bad ammo. Don't remember the brand but it was a common well known brand.

Blew the magazine out. Cracked the frame big time and the trigger split in two pieces driving one of those pieces into the poor guys hand. So it does happen with factory loads.

The ammo company bought the guy a new gun.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

That's the point haha. Any gun Glock, s&w, SIG etc. Can and will go boom from overpressure, cracked casing or any other type of bad ammo. Hand loads are just especially dangerous in polymer guns. More hand loads go boom daily than factory. Factory is rare but plastic guns hurt more when it happens

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You guys do know there's a Glock Forum, right?

So? S&W isnt the only gun and most people own more then just one brand.

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I love my Smith revolvers, and really liked the Glocks I've owned. Also the Rugers, CZ-75, Walther PP, Marlins, Kel-Tec, Browning A-5 and Remington 700 I've owned in the past. I can enjoy talking about them here. It's one of the reasons this is now my only gun forum--civility and breadth of interests, lots of folks who just love guns and shooting.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Well said. Where's the double "like" button?

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RIP Shipmate

Well I certainly agree that they are the ugliest guns available. I don't know about their reliability, as I have never owned one and I never will. I do have several third generation Smith and Wesson semi-autos that are sleek, attractive, and incredibly reliable and I paid less for them than the ugly duckling Glocks sell for.

I freely admit that I am biased against plastic guns of any kind. I guess I did not watch enough science fiction while growing up. However, I believe in live and let live. If you want a Glock then by all means buy one. The more people that buy Glocks, the less buying pressure there is on the limited supply of Smith and Wesson third generation pistols. There may still be one or two that I would not mind adding to my herd.

Superb article. Let me join others in praising the excellent article on "the little carbine" in Dillon's publication.

As for Glocks, I think they are fantastic. This is from a guy who still believes that auto-loaders are a passing fad.

Only one suggestion I could make -- insert a comma in this sentence between "knew" and "he".

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You're shy a few manners.

Well... you need an education...

Glock 21 buried for two years in the dirt... dug up... washed with tap water... and fired 500 times:

Glock 21 Buried 2 years then 500rd test fire - YouTube

James Yeager... who I detest... but this is a good vid...
1,000 rounds in under 14 minutes through a Glock:

1000 Round Glock Torture Test Part One - YouTube

I'd say... a Glock is reliable.

^..^

What happens to the plastic gun if it is left out in the sun for two years, or even for two hours?

Nothin'... not sure what you are gettin' at... but I am sure you have a good point in there. (I do like your question, tho.)

My 21SF's has been in the Sun... hangin' on my sides... whilst I ride horse-back... for 12 hours straight.... 17 days straight, too. I was ridin' 'round Tombstone, pre-monsoon... and it ain't coolish none. And there ain't no clouds. Dragoon Mountains... and desert plains.

I'd say the Sun light... is the least of a man's worries with a Glock. Heck... it ain't like a '70's model car dashboard. Waitin' to crack open...

^..^

EDIT: One final thing... finesse_r... go to Youtube... type in "Glock reliability test"... and look at the countless vids on the subject. Seein'... is believin', my fine friend. Bury a 1911 for two years... fire one underwater repeatedly... I am kinda shy 'bout doin' those things. And I own several 1911 types.

This kind of reasoning can go a LONG way...On keeping a VERY informative Thread, by a VERY "well respected" gun writer, from getting out of hand.

Thank you.

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RIP Shipmate

Ask the guy that baked his in a 500* oven for 2 days.......nothing........


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Hmmm... somehow... I believe that there is an absolute misconception with a Glock. A false belief that the cartridge... when detonated by the primer... explodes within a "plastic framework". And that... my fine friends, out there... is simply, NOT TRUE.

Like any other modern weapon... the cartridge ignites within a solid steel barrel... surrounded by a solid steel slide... that only runs on solidly dependable metal rail inserts... permanently imbedded on an extremely durable plastic frame.

This has got the be crux of the misunderstanding of finesse_r's argument. Nothin' else can explain it.

^..^

I'm pretty sure we are done here. Thanks for the GREAT article John.

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RIP Shipmate