Is the Glock Inherently Unsafe?

Human Events ^ | 3-2-10 | Ed Miller And Phil Elmore

[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.

[smokingfrog]

Another issue is re-chambering ammo over and over.

Good point.

[trussell]

Thanks for the ping EGPWS.

I carry a Glock 30 everywhere it is legal for me to do so. It’s always loaded and ready to fire.

It’s in a Galco holster so I know it is safe until I pull it from its holster and put my finger on the trigger. My finger doesn’t touch the trigger until I’m certain what I’m aiming at is what I plan to shoot.

I’ve been carrying my Glock for the last 2 years and find I have better accuracy with it than any of my other handguns.

I wouldn’t trade my Glock for anything. It’s my favorite!

[kalee]

ping

[Vinnie]

Most problems involve operator error.

Exactly.

While almost any gun is inherently safe if handled correctly it's the times when the exact procedure is not followed that causes trouble.

Some guns take more than one 'error' to discharge, ie. the Springer XD, 1911, most revolvers.

Then there are those that only take one error.
The Glock is one of those and the most popular.
The S&W MP is another.
I have an MP and never carry w/ one in the chamber.

Rack the slide, chamber empty..check
Drop magazine.. check.
Pistol empty..NOOOOOO!

[Nathaniel]

If the Glock was unsafe, police would have dropped them years ago?
The vast majority of police are NOT gun savvy and many are DEPLORABLE marksmen. The Ron White bit about the interview of a California highway patrolman comes to mind, (paraphrasing), “I emptied my semiautomatic 9mm and several magazines at the suspect. Reporter what happened then? Cop: He left” comes to mind.
Using police examples to make the Glock argument is irrelevant. The Glock IS a descent weapon, ESPECIALLY for the non-shooter. For the enthusiast and proficient, nothing NOTHING - tops the 1911 and never will, although a quality double action revolver, (with single action capability fully intact - screw lawyer-proofing), in a proven caliber is also hard to beat.

[Nathaniel]

If the Glock was unsafe, police would have dropped them years ago?
The vast majority of police are NOT gun savvy and many are DEPLORABLE marksmen. The Ron White bit about the interview of a California highway patrolman comes to mind, (paraphrasing), “I emptied my semiautomatic 9mm and several magazines at the suspect. Reporter what happened then? Cop: He left” comes to mind.
Using police examples to make the Glock argument is irrelevant. The Glock IS a descent weapon, ESPECIALLY for the non-shooter. For the enthusiast and proficient, nothing NOTHING - tops the 1911 and never will, although a quality double action revolver, (with single action capability fully intact - screw lawyer-proofing), in a proven caliber is also hard to beat.