Are Glocks safe?

[Buford57]

Max,

However, when I would want to reholster any Glock, I would first remove the holster, reholster a hot pistol, then return the holster to my belt. I am fond of the Blue Star kydex holster.

The only time that I reholster a striker fired pistol is during matches without removing my holster is when I have shown the pistol to be clear.


If you practice safety, it will become second nature!

I'm just thankful I didn't have to remove the holster from my Sam Brown every time I reholstered my sidearm. If it isn't safe to do on the range, it's not safe to do on the street.

 

[kbm6893]

Thanks. Many good replies here. My friend carries his 43x in condition 3.
I'm still on the fence. 5.5 lb trigger pull concerns me. I might buy it because its a good deal. I don't have to carry it, or keep it for that matter. I could flip it or trade.
The thought of having 11 rounds of 9mm in such a small package does sound appealing.

You can change the stock trigger spring to either a NY1 (8 pounds) or a NY2(11 pounds). They’re less than 5 bucks. If you want an extra layer of security, there is a striker control device offered by Tau Group, that when you place your thumb on the back of the slide, it prevents the gun from firing, so you can press the striker plate with your thumb as you holster and no threat of Glock Leg.

 

[jimmyj]

I have CCW Glocks for years.
1. use Universal Cover Mode
2. use a quality holster that covers the trigger guard.

 

[Beemerguy53]

With all due respect to the legion of Glock fans out there, I don't care for them. I'm not necessarily opposed to pistols without a manually-actuated safety, but I would want a much heavier trigger pull than a Glock has.

I have two Beretta DAO pistols -- a 92 Centurion and a 96 Centurion -- and a Sig 229 with their DAK action...no manual safeties on any of them, and I'm very comfortable with that. But there's just something about the combination of light triggers with no safeties that I don't like...

 

[Univibe]

The typical "modern" striker action is an answer to a question that didn't need to be asked in the first place. All it takes is one time for the trigger to be inadvertently actuated and your life can change forever. Why make Mr. Murphy's task easier compared to a full-stroke, full-weight DA trigger?

Shoot a G17 rapid fire. Then shoot a full stroke, full weight DA trigger.

Then tell us which one you want when your back's against the wall and the Jackboys are preparing to do you bodily harm.

 

[AlHunt]

There are animations online showing how the Glock action and safeties work. I looked them up when I first had an opportunity to buy a Glock.

The striker is partially cocked until you pull the trigger. Until then it doesn't have enough energy to fire a round even if released. The striker also has a block until the trigger is pulled.

A holster that covers the trigger and only holstering when you can see the trigger are the keys.

A clip on IWB holster works for me. The weapon is holstered before t goes into the trousers.

 

[first-model]

I love my Glocks—so much so that if I was stuck on a desert island and could only have one gun for survival, a Glock 19 would be one of my top 3 choices.

As others have mentioned, the New York trigger springs are available to weight the trigger heavier. Installation is pretty simple (there's a million YouTube videos showing you how), and it's completely reversible if you decide that you don't want a heavy trigger anymore. And it's worth mentioning here that when it comes to parts availability, you simply will not beat Glock.

As for the ergonomics ... they fit some people and they don't fit others. The same can be said of every gun in the universe. As fine as the Springfield XD is, it just doesn't work in my hands. Glocks do.

Mike

 

[Old cop]

I carried a Glock as my issued weapon for the last 20 years of my career absent any negligent discharges. That said I would never carry a Glock, or any other striker fired pistol, IWB/appendix b/c I don’t think it’s safe.

 

[lrrifleman]

I'm just thankful I didn't have to remove the holster from my Sam Brown every time I reholstered my sidearm. If it isn't safe to do on the range, it's not safe to do on the street.

Sir,

I think that I should qualify my response. Being disabled with only 1 good limb (my right/shooting arm), I am super cautious. Earlier this month, I just had my 30th surgery in just shy of 15 years (24 of those were accident related), and I really don't want to end up in anymore hospitals!

Between the Adaptive Defensive Shooting Summit matches and PPC matches, I am getting much more comfortable holstering a "hot" pistol in an OWB holster, but I am hesitant to reholster a "hot" pistol in either an IWB or pocket holster. In these two instances, that muzzle gets a little close to the body.

 

[zzclancy]

I don't like Glocks or other striker fired pistols. I own two and shoot them on the range. I never carry them.

I would never carry one in an appendix holster. Something about pointing the barrel at my junk or my femoral artery. Many do here.

One size doesn't fit all.

My preference is a Colt or Ed Brown 1911 in 45 acp or a S&W revolver.

I like the heavy trigger pull on revolvers.

Pick what you shoot the best and are most comfortable with.

 

[zzclancy]

Can you measure the trigger pull? Any chance the trigger pull on this one has been reduced from factory normal? Reduced trigger pull is probably not a good idea on a carry piece but it is great for target shooting.

Everyone should have a trigger pull gauge. Inexpensive.

 

[Buford57]

Sir,

I think that I should qualify my response. Being disabled with only 1 good limb (my right/shooting arm), I am super cautious. Earlier this month, I just had my 30th surgery in just shy of 15 years (24 of those were accident related), and I really don't want to end up in anymore hospitals!

Between the Adaptive Defensive Shooting Summit matches and PPC matches, I am getting much more comfortable holstering a "hot" pistol in an OWB holster, but I am hesitant to reholster a "hot" pistol in either an IWB or pocket holster. In these two instances, that muzzle gets a little close to the body.

With that context, your decision makes a great deal of sense. Other than a little arthritis I have all the faculties I had 40 years ago. I still engage the manual safety on my Shield when holstering, and immediately disengage.it.

 

[Miami_JBT]

I've got a chance at a good buy on a Glock. But they don't have external safeties and the trigger pull is lighter than my J frame in DA.
I'm sure this has been discussed to death and I'm not trying to stir the pot but I'm tempted by this good deal. And sometimes it would be nice to have 10 + 1 without a reload instead of the 5 my j frame gives me.
Another con is I would need a good holster and wear it on my waistband instead of in a pocket like I'm used to. I'm afraid I might buy it and not use it much for that reason.
It's a Model 26 which is a bit bigger than my S&W 638. I don't feel operation of the pistol would be an issue. I've been around guns all my life. But I'm having doubts. Seems like there's too much chance for Murphy's Law to take hold, what with a relatively light trigger pull and no external safety.

Thoughts?

Completely safe. Carried a GLOCK professionally fornthe entirety of my LE career and my Father was one of the first LEOs in FL to carry a GLOCK starting in the early 80s and he still carries one to this day.

The GLOCK pistol has three safeties.

1. The safe action trigger.
2. The semi-cocked striker is not fully cooked. Pulling the trigger does it.
3. The firing pin block.

The striker will not go forward with the firing pin block in the way. That is deactivated when you pull the trigger, which also fully clocks the striker. So even at its normal rest. If the firing pin block was completely removed. The striker doesn't have enough energy at its semi-cocked state to detonate the primer.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Some one tell me why a 1911 has 4 (FOUR) safetys and a Glock has NONE.

Because people don't care about safeties anymore. It's one more thing to worry about when you pull on a threat. I agree with the no manual safety school of thought. Never did like the idea of a manual safety on a carry pistol. Glock doesn't have a manual safety. But Glocks don't have a street trigger or a hammer either like an HK LEM. No safeties on that model either, just a nice long take up that lets you know you're about to shoot someone and a hammer that you can ride when you holster it, unlike a Glock.

Actually, the HK LEM trigger is the best there is for the street but the unwashed masses won't adopt it because of a deal I found on a used Glock.

If my choices were Glock or a revolver, I stick with a revolver.

 

[Miami_JBT]

Because people don't care about safeties anymore. It's one more thing to worry about when you pull on a threat. I agree with the no manual safety school of thought. Never did like the idea of a manual safety on a carry pistol. Glock doesn't have a manual safety. But Glocks don't have a street trigger or a hammer either like an HK LEM. No safeties on that model either, just a nice long take up that lets you know you're about to shoot someone and a hammer that you can ride when you holster it, unlike a Glock.

Actually, the HK LEM trigger is the best there is for the street but the unwashed masses won't adopt it because of a deal I found on a used Glock.

If my choices were Glock or a revolver, I stick with a revolver.

GLOCK has three safeties. They are all simply deactivated with a proper pull of the trigger.

 

[pantannojack]

If I ever want to read about Glocks, I will find a Glock forum.

 

[Mr Z]

I would like to take the suggestion of obtaining a holster that covers the trigger/guard one step further. For me to be comfortable and have confidence in carrying a Glock, I require the pistol to "lock in" to the holster. Unfortunately, this eliminates most holsters made of leather and the ability to pocket carry. With a quality Kydex or similar material holster that actually locks the pistol in, I have no concern about the safety of a Glock (with OEM parts) carried in condition one. Increasing the trigger weight can be helpful, but won't render as safe as a revolver, in my opinion. Carrying in condition three is perfectly safe, but not recommended by most. I would also encourage you to purchase the pistol. If it fits your hand, the G-26 is one of the best options for concealed carry.

 

[rogerwnuss]

I don't own any Glocks, tho I've had probably a dozen over the years. Grip angle like a Luger, no safety ( that thing in the trigger is a joke), and, well I guess I just like a hammer as a visual cue.
We were talking at a local shop a few years back, about how scarey it is to see all these young guys bringing their wives/ girlfriends in to buy their first pistol and they always beeline to the Glock counter. The shop owner would always try to steer them towards some da/sa auto or even a revolver. His feeling was that a Glock is an operator's gun, not a beginner's gun.
And there's a reason they make a "New York" trigger........

 

[alwslate]

I own four Glocks, a 19, 26, 43, and a 42. If you don’t want your Glock to fire don’t pull the trigger. The only purpose of an external safety on a carry gun is to get you killed.

 

[OFT II]

Glocks are just as safe as the person carrying them.