What exactly is the purpose of the Glock trigger safety (sincere vanity)?

self

[rudy45]

Please don't flame me for this question. I have shot Glocks on several occasions, and have seen and used the trigger safety.

I'm still unclear, however, what this safety is supposed to do. Assuming that its purpose is to prevent accidental discharges, how does this safety do so? If (for example) a branch catches the trigger, wouldn't the Glock discharge regardless of the trigger safety? Thanks.

[quidnunc]

I am a retired cop and I carried a Colt .45 ACP for about 20 of my 31 years of service.

I fired a Glock a few times and that monkey-motion trigger gives me the willies.

I have read that the NYPD has had some problem with accidental discharges with Glocks.

[isthisnickcool]

That's what that little thingy is on my Glocks. Thanks for the info. All this time I thouht the "safety" was unloading it and then taking it apart.

[paul51]

Well, since we are talking opinions, I'd say get a Sig. In fact, get several.

[Eastbound]

I have a Fobus Paddle holster for my G-36. Trigger guard is completely covered and it will not come out of the holster unless you pull it straight up. An extra safety feature in case someone is trying to grab your holstered pistol. It will not budge if you try to unholster even at small angle from straight up.

[M1911A1]

Very true.

In answer to the original question, it keeps the weapon from discharging unless the trigger safety is engaged.

No discharge if the weapon is dropped, hit or otherwise abused.

The mechanical safety feature is also useful from a legal standpoint, no doubt. Consumers like a safety they can see, knowing that you have to disengage a mechanical safety by manipulating it before the weapon discharges makes some folks feel better.

[ArmyBratproud]

Good pic. I'm drooling now.

[Coleus]

Thanks.

[AdamSelene235]

Grip safety, thumb safety, and on many inertial safety (internal) which prevents firing if the gun is dropped.

The older 1911s will go off if you drop them as nothing obstructs the firing pin.....

Mr. Glock's gun is very good. Mr. Browning's is still the best. In my opinion, and that of many others.

A glock in 40 S&W has 2X the capacity, half the parts count, is much lighter, and is far less prone to malfunctions.

But Glocks aint got no SOUL

[Jeff Gordon]

I am the only one that finds that little trigger safety thingy is a pain in the ... finger?

[Mike1973]

Springfield Armory or a Para-Ordinance .45 with a double stack magazine. Works for me just fine.

Just a few more weeks, does anyone know if H&K will make high cap mags for their USP .45?

[paul51]

Nope

[cpdiii]

A much more effective safety would have been a grip safety,

John Browning got it right back in 1911. If it "ain't broke" don't fix it

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

"A glock in 40 S&W has 2X the capacity, half the parts count, is much lighter, and is far less prone to malfunctions.

But Glocks aint got no SOUL"

Right you are. I love my M23.

But my soulmate will always be my S&W 66 4in SS.

[btcusn]

The older 1911s will go off if you drop them as nothing obstructs the firing pin.....
As long as no one messed with the firing pin spring this has been proven next to impossible. NOT impossible, but real close. Something like 34 feet and landing on the muzzle MAY cause a discharge. Lets just say that I'm not too worried about my Kimber.
Jack

[M1911A1]

You sir, have just identified my beef with Glocks.

I won one after gin to a Glock school. Model 23, when the .40 had all the buzz and the big Glocks and little Glockettes were not around yet.

Shot it well. It ran great. Logical choice for almost any self defense handgun task.

Sold the cold square black hunk of perfection and used the cash to get a M1917 S&W and a bunch of half and full moon clips. Every time I shoot that old WWI vet and gaze at the lanyard ring and the dark, worn wood grips, I smile. It has soul in spades, and you could even use it to repel boarders if need be.

[SC Swamp Fox]

knowing that you have to disengage a mechanical safety by manipulating it before the weapon discharges makes some folks feel better.

Yeah, I guess it does. My thumb just naturally makes that sweep as my finger engages the trigger.

I am just used to that safety-on click...It just seems "normal" to me.

[AdamSelene235]

But my soulmate will always be my S&W 66 4in SS.

I've a S&W 649 5" 44 Mag that was love at first shot.

I mean if you are going to carry a big, heavy, low capacity pistol it might as well be accurate out to 100 meters and put some OOOMPH on the target.

[Redcloak]

There are actually two safeties on the trigger. The internal safety prevents the firing pin from moving forward unless the trigger is depressed. The external safety prevents the trigger from moving backward unless there is pressure on the trigger's front face; dropping the gun on its backstrap won't cause an accidental discharge simply because of trigger inertia.

<nag_mode>

Like any other safety design, these are mechanical devices and can break. A broken safety does not guarantee a nonfunctional firearm. Never rely on a safety to prevent a gun from causing damage, injury, or death. Only safe gun handling can do that.

</nag_mode>

[AdamSelene235]

As long as no one messed with the firing pin spring this has been proven next to impossible. NOT impossible, but real close. Something like 34 feet and landing on the muzzle MAY cause a discharge.

Ever fallen off a motorcycle?

I do so regularly.