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.

[TC Rider]

The recoil impulse from the 40SW seems to be somewhat more abrupt, and can be felt through the trigger. You stop noticing it after awhile though.

Ditto on the .40SW

I had a Glock 23 for a while, but traded it for the 34 due to ammo costs.

I love the 34 for competition, but trust my life to wheel guns.

[Jeff Gordon]

The 40SW Glock is the only Glock I have fired. I have found that firing a box of ammo through is a punishing experience.

I greatly prefer the relaxed feeling one gets after firing a box of ammo through the 1911A1 variations.

The 40SW Glock has a lot of nice features. I just do not consider it fun.

[Wolf_Lochert]

The Glock 17, the first model introduced, was designed as a replacement for the Austrian Military's alumunum-framed Walther P1, the 1960s/70s version of the WWII German P.38 9mm service pistol. Since the P1/P.38 was a double-action or trigger-cocking design, the Austrian military required a user-friendly safety that rendered the pistol reasonably safe for military use, as per the hammer-dropping thumb safety of the P1.

Since the Glock had eliminated the external hammer of the pre-WWII Walther design, a simple trigger and striker blocking mechanism was sufficient, enough to prevent discharge of the chambered round if the weapon was dropped, as from a tank turret onto the steel chassis below, or by a pilot in the cockpit of his aircraft onto a concrete airfield ramp below. The German G3 rifle accomplishes this with a trigger pull in the 8-15 pound pull range, not a practical approach with a handgun, just as the US M1911A1 .45 pistol used a grip safety to obviate the possible problem, as does the German-issue MP2 Uzi submachinegun.

Those military services that issue handguns in fairly large quantities usually try to limit the possibility of such incidents by requiring the weapons to be carried with the chamber unloaded. That restriction is immediately disregarded by serious frontline troops, who pop one up the pipe just as soon as the rear echelon MPs and officers fade away from the combat areas. So too do the Austrians seem to take things more seriously: both the Austrian Jagdkommando troopers and the AustriaAir Air Marshals I've run across carried their Glocks with a round chambered.

Neither do I mind doing so, given a decently designed and constructed holster.

[xsrdx]

The 40SW Glock has a lot of nice features. I just do not consider it fun.

Glock 35. The G22/23/26 are nice guns, but for a pleasant shooting experience, the G35 is the way to go.

The "Practical/Tactical" G34 (9mm)/35 (40SW) guns are Glocks best kept secret, with 5" barrels, a better trigger, and double column capacity.

[altura]

ping for the fat thing.

[Billthedrill]

I have to ask, was there a holster that came with it?

No, doggone it. But you're right about the pain it is to clip the cartridges together. I only use the half-moons and very, very seldom fire the piece anymore.

[HairOfTheDog]

other guns may shoot when the gun is dropped,the hammer falls...etc.

Modern guns should definately not fire from a drop on the hammer. Not any manufactured since WWII.

[jongaltsr]

Personally I don't like safty locks for two reasons. When you need it quick you have to remember to find the the lock and disable it. Secondly I always keep a round in the chamber. I know that I have to be careful ALL of the time knowing that my gun is always ready to fire. That keeps me on my toes knowing that I have to ALWAYS treat the gun with extreme respect. I ALWAYS have to be aware of other people and what would happen if they got their hands on my gun without knowing this fact - including another professional.

Since I carry various weapons my favorite is the Baretta which has a roll away firing pin. Just pulling the trigger a bit lets you know if it is armed or not. A thumb roll away is quick and easy to arm or disarm the weapon.

[Dark Knight]

I know, but how many times have you heard that the gun went off when it was tossed on the bed...

LOL

DK

[mcshot]

I concur. I have several glocks and prefer my 35. I like the durability and the fact they don't show holster wear like my blued babies. Best bang around guns for me.
mc

[7.62 x 51mm]

I have a G32/ .357 SIG, and don't chamber a round until I'm ready to shoot. That's an extra safety.

That said, my daily carry piece is a Kimber "Eclipse Target II" 1911A1 .45cal ACP w/ a manual safety and grip safety. I don't chamber a round with that one, either, unless I feel the need.

http://www.kimberamerica.com/eclipse.php

[e_castillo]

If the trigger-trigger is pulled back by a branch you had better get out of the way. I don't like guns made from German washing machine parts! But the ones I have fired were fairly accurate.

[ASA Vet]

and you could even use it to repel boarders if need be.

I have a potential offer for a sailing trip where repelling boarders might be required.
The crafts owner is connected and can get near anything.
My thoughts were a nice layered defense starting with an M-2,
then either a M-79 or M-203, and for close up an M-16.
I'm leaning toward the M-203 since there would be no need for a separate M-16.
I do have a question though. I've used the M-79/M-203 on land, but never on the water.
Will the grenade round detonate on the waters surface?
Hitting a small fast boat would be mostly shl, but a few of them in front of
approaching small boats should get the point across to not come closer.

[Space Wrangler]

Firearms are an intensely personal choice, and I can see why some shy away from the Glock. I agree with the others here that the Glock's have no "soul", and I actually consider mine more a 'tool' than a gun (of course it IS a gun, but the Glock just has a 'tool' feel to it--hopefully you can understand what I mean). Having said all that, I LOVE my 23, and in a hostile situation, there is not a concealable pistol that I would rather have than that Glock. I hold almost all of my pistols (quite an extensive collection) in much higher regard than I do that 23, but like I said, give me the 23 in a fight. If I lost the 23, I'd see it as $500 down the drain, and easily replaced. If I lost, say, my stainless Colt Anaconda, I'd be crying for weeks! I think most of us see it that way, but Glock makes a darn fine pistol, and it's only true drawback (aside from the safety that some seem to dislike) is it's perfectly utilitarian design that seems to rob it of it's own details and traits so common to other firearms.

I remember the case you are talking about. It happened in Smyrna, TN if memory serves. Bad deal all the way around.

[Space Wrangler]

Um, yeah, the 203 should be perfectly sufficient to repel any boarders you come across!! LOL! Pirates aren't out there looking for a fight. An explosive round close aboard ought to send them on their way! You better not get caught with it though.

[wardaddy]

indeed...it was Smyrna.

[snooker]

If you don't own a gun and are unfamiliar with them, buy a S&W Mod 36 .38 Special for carry or a S&W 19 for holster use. That way you can learn with a simple gun, be safe and not loose when moving up.

I would recommend a S&W Mod 36 to newcomers. Wife still uses hers after 30 years.

[gracex7]

Mr. S. and I both are saying "Huh?"

[xsrdx]

is it's perfectly utilitarian design that seems to rob it of it's own details and traits

Glock action pistol competitors have an anecdote regarding the lack of Glock sex appeal;

Nobody ever asks, "Who built your Glock?"

[ASA Vet]

Like I said the owner is connected (and wealthy.)
And it would be international waters.