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 ...
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.
I bet there was some underwear that needed cleaning though.
I’ve finally built up the arm strength to be able to shoot my dad’s 1911A1 - I love it!!! It rocks!!!
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).
If people were to follow these NRA safety rules they would eliminate "accidents":
No !
Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use
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?
The 1911 is an excellent back-up weapon!
I love my Pocket Freight Train.
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.
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.
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.
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".).
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
That’s it! We need a Mythbusters show on this one to settle it.
(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
Are you advocating keeping a revolver in a purse, or anything else, without a holster?
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