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Is the Glock Inherently Unsafe?
Human Events ^ | 3-2-10 | Ed Miller And Phil Elmore

Posted on 03/06/2010 8:03:05 PM PST by smokingfrog

You've seen the endless discussions on internet discussion sites. You've read the articles. You've seen the topics discussed ad nauseam by gun owners who range from novices to experts. What all these pundits have in common is a simple enough prospect, but one in which they hold the firmest of convictions and the most powerful of faiths: They are convinced that the Glock pistol is inherently unsafe.

In fact, the Glock is a remarkably popular weapon with civilians and law enforcement agencies alike. There are very good reasons for this. If the Greek philosopher, Plato, could have imagined a handgun in his world of forms-those concepts that embody the ideal versions of all we are capable of imagining, the earthly manifestations of which are but imperfect copies-he would have envisioned a combat firearm with a simple means of sighting, a barrel, a hand grip, a simple and light trigger, and a cocking and ignition mechanism that fires when the user pulls the trigger (but does not fire unless the trigger is pulled).

The closest "imperfect" manifestation of this Platonic form would be the Glock. Available in multiple popular calibers, the Glock comprises precisely the minimum number of features a combat handgun must possess. It has a comfortably sized, slip-resistant grip for the average male or female hand, which remains comfortable across a broad range of ambient temperatures. It offers a simple, easily upgradeable sighting system. It exhibits reasonable combat accuracy at 25 meters. It has an acceptable light trigger that is long enough on the first shot to permit mere mortals to recognize that the trigger finger is moving, but it has a very short trigger reset that permits rapid fire of multiple shots.

(Excerpt) Read more at humanevents.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Sports
KEYWORDS: banglist; bywhamo; glock; glockhaters
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To: Yo-Yo

There might be one or two things in the article that I would take minor issues with, but I thought it was very well written overall.


21 posted on 03/06/2010 8:25:53 PM PST by smokingfrog (You can't ignore your boss and expect to keep your job... WWW.filipthishouse2010.com)
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To: Haiku Guy

I bet there was some underwear that needed cleaning though.


22 posted on 03/06/2010 8:27:54 PM PST by smokingfrog (You can't ignore your boss and expect to keep your job... WWW.filipthishouse2010.com)
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To: smokingfrog
Is a Glock safe, yes.
Is a Glock less tolerant of a user screw up, yes.
Have had only revolvers until 2 months ago when I bought a Glock G 17, I now think it's the best up close self defense pistol I own.
23 posted on 03/06/2010 8:29:02 PM PST by The Cajun (Mind numbed robot , ditto-head, Hannitized, Levinite)
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To: smokingfrog

I’ve finally built up the arm strength to be able to shoot my dad’s 1911A1 - I love it!!! It rocks!!!


24 posted on 03/06/2010 8:32:09 PM PST by SkyDancer (If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed)
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To: smokingfrog

No, it is not at all unsafe. What it is is totally unforgiving of user mishandling. Handguns with double action trigger pulls are somewhat more able to resist a careless touch on the trigger than the 5.5# trigger of the Glock (Springfield XD, Smith and Wesson M&P, Smith and Wesson Sigma, or 1911).


25 posted on 03/06/2010 8:32:52 PM PST by sig226 (Bring back Jimmy Carter!)
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To: smokingfrog
Is the Glock Inherently Unsafe?

No !

If people were to follow these NRA safety rules they would eliminate "accidents":

Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction

Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot

Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use

NRA T/C CRSO
26 posted on 03/06/2010 8:34:45 PM PST by Uri’el-2012 (Psalm 119:174 I long for Your salvation, YHvH, Your law is my delight.)
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To: umgud
Think of the Glock as a high capacity revolver with a 5 1/2lb trigger.

And that's the main problem IMHO. Light trigger.

A revolver has about an 11-13 lb. pull in double action. It requires a conscience effort to pull the trigger.
A little twitch, trigger fouled in a purse on a lipstick, etc. is not likely to discharge it.
Isn't there a mod. called a 'New York' trigger that bumps up the pull to around 11 lbs?

27 posted on 03/06/2010 8:35:46 PM PST by Vinnie (You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Jihads You)
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To: SkyDancer

The 1911 is an excellent back-up weapon!


28 posted on 03/06/2010 8:40:42 PM PST by smokingfrog (You can't ignore your boss and expect to keep your job... WWW.filipthishouse2010.com)
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To: smokingfrog

I love my Pocket Freight Train.


29 posted on 03/06/2010 8:41:24 PM PST by Clint N. Suhks (Jim Bunning we will miss you. Palin/Cheney 2012)
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To: Vinnie

You take your 13 pound pulls. My duty gun goes off at 2 pounds, and that is exactly the way I like it and it is going to remain. I dont own a gun that has more than a 4 pound trigger. I practice safe handling, and use quality holsters, and my kids are all competent gun handlers. Like the fellow said, they are all very dangerous out beyond the front end.


30 posted on 03/06/2010 8:45:05 PM PST by Concho
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To: Vinnie

The light trigger (compared to the roscoe) does require special respect. I’ve been shooting Glocks for years and that is always in the back of my mind. The other safety issue is that you’ll always have to dry fire it to take it out of battery for disassembly or storage.


31 posted on 03/06/2010 8:46:14 PM PST by umgud (I couldn't understand why the ball kept getting bigger......... then it hit me.)
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To: Vinnie

I have a Springfield XD, which has the trigger safety (which is not a real safety) but also has a grip safety, so you have to grip it RIGHT to get it to fire...not just stick your finger in the trigger. I’ve shot a Glock as well, much prefer the XD. Glock just has a bigger PR department. Can you shoot a Glock accidentally? Put your finger on the trigger and it will shoot. Down range, or down the leg. It will shoot.

Most problems involve operator error. True story time..and caught on video. Cop demonstating in front of class. Instead of dropping the magazine and operating the slide to clear the round, he cycles the slide FIRST, THEN drops the magazine. Well, duh, a round is in place. He then proceeds to shoot himself in the foot.

Never assume a gun is not loaded.


32 posted on 03/06/2010 8:46:43 PM PST by rstrahan
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To: Vinnie
"And that's the main problem IMHO. Light trigger."

My only light triggers are competition pistols. My conceal carry handgun is a Ruger SP101 with the standard long pull. Carry type of pistols are not meant to have light triggers IMHO. Inexperienced shooters will be pulling that pistol out of the holster having their finger on the trigger and shooting themselves in the foot. If you get one, I would suggest a lot of training with a carry pistol and a light trigger pull.
33 posted on 03/06/2010 8:48:59 PM PST by Old Teufel Hunden
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To: The Cajun
Is a Glock safe, yes. Is a Glock less tolerant of a user screw up, yes.

I agree with both of those statements, though it's also worth considering that a pistol with a manual safety can also be pretty intolerant of user screw up when the user needs it to shoot.
34 posted on 03/06/2010 8:49:51 PM PST by The Pack Knight (Duty, Honor, Country)
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To: UriÂ’el-2012
Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use

But handguns in particular need to almost always be ready to use. An unloaded gun used to make a decent bludgeon, but the newer ones are so light, that is not as true as it once was. ( I still have a polymer framed pistol, but it's loaded, as are the all steel 1911, and magazines for the so called "assault weapons".).

35 posted on 03/06/2010 8:50:00 PM PST by El Gato ("The second amendment is the reset button of the US constitution"-Doug McKay)
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo
Although I've seen that image scores of times on FR, apparently we have an easily offended moderator tonight. Here's Post #3 again sans caption:


36 posted on 03/06/2010 8:50:06 PM PST by Yo-Yo (Is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: rellimpank

Sorry the glocks are not combat weapons...their rate of fire and accuracy does not come close to a 1911 or other external hammer weapons...they are designed as a ‘safer’ semi auto, high capacity replacement for service revolvers


37 posted on 03/06/2010 8:50:23 PM PST by databoss
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To: smokingfrog

That’s it! We need a Mythbusters show on this one to settle it.


38 posted on 03/06/2010 8:50:48 PM PST by miliantnutcase
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To: smokingfrog

(Former) DEA called Lee Paige tells some students, “This is a Glock Fawty. ... I’m the only one in this room p’ofessional enough, that I know of, to carry this Glock Fawty.” BANG!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDQhaoocZPw&feature=related


39 posted on 03/06/2010 8:51:43 PM PST by flowerplough ( Pennsylvania today - New New Jersey meets North West Virginia.)
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To: Vinnie
A revolver has about an 11-13 lb. pull in double action. It requires a conscience effort to pull the trigger. A little twitch, trigger fouled in a purse on a lipstick, etc. is not likely to discharge it.

Are you advocating keeping a revolver in a purse, or anything else, without a holster?

40 posted on 03/06/2010 8:52:59 PM PST by papertyger
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