Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Why the Police shouldn't use Glocks
Los Angeles Times ^ | Bob Owens

Posted on 05/10/2015 9:58:40 AM PDT by re_tail20

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-77 next last
To: umgud

“Under immediate threat with all kinds of things going thru your mind, all you have to do with a Glock or most revolvers is pull the trigger.”

Hence the need for training and practice, practice, practice. Flicking safety off should be as second nature to breathing. It is muscle memory. A practiced shooter doesn’t have to “think” about it. It just happens.

If someone has to “think” to take the safety off, that person hasn’t lived with their weapon enough... and shouldn’t be carrying it, IMHO.


41 posted on 05/10/2015 11:59:14 AM PDT by PastorBooks
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: cpdiii

The Browning Hi-Power Pistols, by Donald McLean, Desert Publications, The Combat Bookshelf:
Page 20,
II. `Precautions in handling’,
(c) “It is poor safety practice to carry a loaded pistol with a round in its chamber, even with the safety catch on, as the safety can work clear. It is equally poor practice to carry a loaded pistol with a round in the chamber and the hammer uncocked, as it can inadvertently become cocked. If a pistol must be carried with a round in the chamber, put the hammer at half-cock position and apply the safety catch.”

This would apply particularly to a Glock with a 5.5 pound trigger—or even less after modification by the owner—and no safety.
The third option should of course be completely disregarded by Glock owners since it isn’t an option.
If not for your own safety, then for the safety of those around you—leave that chamber empty.


42 posted on 05/10/2015 12:04:33 PM PDT by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: all armed conservatives.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: PastorBooks
Flicking safety off should be as second nature to breathing.

So should frame indexing, but they didn't do that either.

43 posted on 05/10/2015 12:14:32 PM PDT by papertyger (Gun fighting is the American martial art.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: re_tail20

The point of a safety is to ensure the gun doesn’t fire (obviously).
The first thing learned about drawing a gun with a manual safety is to flick the safety off while drawing.
At this point, there is no difference between manual and integral safeties.

Remember the rules:
Rule #1: all guns are always loaded (aka in their most dangerous configuration including safety off)
Rule #2: don’t point a gun at anything you’re not willing to destroy
Rule #3: keep your finger of the trigger until your sights are on the target
Rule #4: know your target and what’s beyond

So...
Because there seems a problem with people violating #3, the suggestion is to downgrade #1 while violating #2.
Stark raving STUPID.


44 posted on 05/10/2015 12:32:39 PM PDT by ctdonath2 (Hillary:polarizing/calculating/disingenuous/insincere/ambitious/inevitable/entitled/overconfident/se)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: re_tail20

Police shoot too much.
We have had way too many cases of this, even locally.
The stress should be on moral authority, intimidation and physical restraint. Cops should be big, powerful, physically fit men.
The billy club should be the default weapon, not the pistol.
Yeah, we have also had cases of beatings, but this is rarely fatal and its hard to do accidentally.


45 posted on 05/10/2015 12:33:09 PM PDT by buwaya
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: re_tail20
In both of these incidents, the police officers were using the same weapon, a Glock: a polymer-frame, striker-fired pistol with a short trigger pull and no external safeties.

In my town, the police carry 1911s and know enough to keep their f***ing fingers off the f***ing trigger until their f***ing sights are on the f***ing target.

46 posted on 05/10/2015 12:35:50 PM PDT by Chuckster ("Them Rag Heads just ain't rational" Curly Bartley 1973)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: re_tail20

There is no such thing as an “accidental” discharge. It is either intentional or it is negligent.

Period. And I’m glad to hear that cops are facing the same kinds of charges that Mr Joe Citizen would.

Very, very glad.

L


47 posted on 05/10/2015 12:45:21 PM PDT by Lurker (Violence is rarely the answer. But when it is it is the only answer.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: papertyger

“...I learned all I needed to know about New York Cops when a pair of them wounded nine people in Time Square taking down a fashion designer...”

Looks like even with that debacle, they still didn’t learn anything. Probably the safest place to be when a NYPD cop starts shooting is directly in front of him...


48 posted on 05/10/2015 12:57:44 PM PDT by jaydee770
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: re_tail20

Sounds more like the police should exercise proper trigger discipline.


49 posted on 05/10/2015 1:12:21 PM PDT by RWB Patriot ("My ability is a value that must be earned and I don't recognize anyone's need as a claim on me.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PastorBooks
It is muscle memory. A practiced shooter doesn’t have to “think” about it. It just happens.

Unfortunately, probably most shooters aren't well practiced. Here in CA we have a 4hr ccw every two years (8hrs initial). You'd be amazed at just the poor shooting by many folks I've seen for years. You'd be surprised how many admit to not training.

50 posted on 05/10/2015 1:51:09 PM PDT by umgud (I never capitalize; muslim, islam or allah)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Bulwyf

One of the reasons that the Army looked for a newer pistol than the 1911A1 is because of all the unintended discharges.

A common one was because of not getting the grip safety adequately depressed. The pistol would not go off because the grip safety was still engaged, no matter how hard the trigger was pressed.

The person would wonder why the pistol would not fire, examine it, try to fire it again with a slightly shifted grip, and bang! unexpectedly. Usually the pistol was pointed downrange at the time.


51 posted on 05/10/2015 2:03:09 PM PDT by marktwain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Woodman
"The truth is, most New York City cops I know don’t train other than their required qualifications."

Man, if I had the the state paying for my ammo I'd be hitting the range 3or 4 times a week. Forty minutes or so on the way home from work - greatest stress reliever in the world.

52 posted on 05/10/2015 2:10:48 PM PDT by circlecity
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: re_tail20

How low into absurdity must media go? ... Try carrying a 1911 cocked and locked, but releasing the safety when in pursuit of a criminal or in a tense situation. The pressure on that trigger is less to fire the round than on a Glock with a round chambered. Some of this crud will get cops killed because of ‘political correctness’. the presstitutes, wadda bunch a maroons!


53 posted on 05/10/2015 2:15:53 PM PDT by MHGinTN (Is it really all relative, Mister Einstein?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PROCON

You must keep a good eye on that thing. I’ve heard guns are sneaky mean and will shoot someone as soon as you turn your back on them.


54 posted on 05/10/2015 2:48:41 PM PDT by Pollster1 ("Shall not be infringed" is unambiguous.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: marktwain

I can see that. Mine is a Kimber. I’m thinking the way modern machining works perhaps it has improved that aspect. I say that because I’ve put a lot of 45 through it and it still works like a charm and it’s never gone off, or double fed, or anything. I’ve yet to have any stoppage. I’ve been shooting regular ball ammo though.

In the army we used the browning high power 9mm. That’s not a bad sidearm, even if it is 9mm. I did notice though that it’s modeled after the 1911.

I’m a big fan of whatever people find that works for them is good, but if I’m asked I will always steer towards the 1911.


55 posted on 05/10/2015 2:59:50 PM PDT by Bulwyf
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: re_tail20

First the cop should not have had his finger on the trigger. Second Glocks are not safe weapons in the hands of non proficient shooters. That is most cops. That being said the Glock does have a pretty heavy pull through which is the safety.


56 posted on 05/10/2015 3:49:19 PM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose o f a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: re_tail20

Maybe the problem lies not with the tool but instead with the user.


57 posted on 05/10/2015 4:02:28 PM PDT by Rides_A_Red_Horse (Why do you need a fire extinguisher when you can call the fire department?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: circlecity; All

“Man, if I had the the state paying for my ammo I’d be hitting the range 3or 4 times a week. Forty minutes or so on the way home from work - greatest stress reliever in the world.”

In most places, the agency does *not* pay for practice ammunition. The FBI used to encourage its officers to practice, but it was a rare exception.

Officers that practice a lot a uniformly gun guys, probably less than 10% of the force. Affirmative action and political correctness may have reduced that number.


58 posted on 05/10/2015 4:22:59 PM PDT by marktwain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: re_tail20

I hate Glocks. With a burning intensity that can not be put into words.

However, these incidents will happen with any gun if you start clenching up your hands. The key is to keep your finger outside the guard unless you are ready to shoot.


59 posted on 05/10/2015 4:38:37 PM PDT by redgolum ("God is dead" -- Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is dead" -- God.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PastorBooks

I agree.

I shoot a 1911 and my father’s XD. Taking the safety off is automatic.


60 posted on 05/10/2015 4:43:05 PM PDT by redgolum ("God is dead" -- Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is dead" -- God.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-77 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson