Ruger Forum

ditto1958 · August 8th, 2012, 04:15 AM

How do most Glock accidents happen?

I don't own a Glock (yet), but it's only a matter of time before I get one. I'm really intrigued, though, by all the debate concerning whether or not Glocks are dangerous.

I understand how the "Safe Action" system works. I also appreciate the philosophy behind having a weapon that works as intended every time.

I'm not worried about anything personally. My Glock when I get it will not be used for concealed carry. It will not be bolstered. It will not have a round chambered unless I am going to fire it. It will not have a loaded magazine in it until I am ready to shoot it. What I like about it is that I want a firearm that will shoot when I squeeze the trigger. I don't want something that bristles with buttons and levers that only see each to confuse me.

So, when people do accidentally shoot themselves or others with Glocks, what are the most common problems? Bolstering? Drawing from holsters? Something else?

daleeman · August 8th, 2012, 04:26 AM

Pickup, pull, OH Damn !!!

Not going to go look up stats on the internet, because well you know, if it on the internet it has to be true!

Opinion: people who have accidents with guns are far less safe than the gun is. I do not pick up snakes wondering if they are the poison variety. All guns are loaded unless proven to be otherwise

I have two Glocks, a 17 and a 30. They are very safe and when called upon, they just go bang.

I imagine (Opinion again) pulling from a holster in a moment of fear is probably the most unsafe time for any gun.

Critch · August 8th, 2012, 04:34 AM

I think of my Glock 22 as a double action revolver. I keep my finger off the trigger unless I'm firing it.

ditto1958 · August 8th, 2012, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Critch

I think of my Glock 22 as a double action revolver. I keep my finger off the trigger unless I'm firing it.

I guess that's what's got me wondering what all the fuss is about. No one seems to think double action revolvers are all that dangerous to carry. They don't have safeties.

AquaHull · August 8th, 2012, 05:44 AM

Most of what I hear about Glock AD's or ND's are when reholstering , especially if you have a retention strap or a holster that doesn't stay open.

Then there is the lighter triggers , like the 3.5# connector that will go off if you look at it wrong( Just joking)

I carry one in the pipe holstered.

On my nightstand, it's chamber empty,trigger dry-fired and back, full mag inserted, holstered .I need the time it takes to rack one in to decide if it's a friendly or not walking down the hallway.

Plus we all know that the sound of a gun racking will scare the bad guys away( Another joke here)

terry_p · August 8th, 2012, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ditto1958

I guess that's what's got me wondering what all the fuss is about. No one seems to think double action revolvers are all that dangerous to carry. They don't have safeties.

They don't have 3 1/2# double action trigger pulls either.

Rivers2k · August 8th, 2012, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ditto1958

I guess that's what's got me wondering what all the fuss is about. No one seems to think double action revolvers are all that dangerous to carry. They don't have safeties.

DA revolvers have heavier trigger pull the hammer is seen coming back. That is what makes it safer.

The weight of the revolver isnt enough to cause around to fire, kind of hard to explain but look at the case of Plexico Burris. The gun was slipping down his pants his finger touched the trigger it went off. If a revolver was slipping and you caught it by the trigger the weight of the revolver does give enough pressure to fire around. you actually have to squeeze the trigger. (unless trigger is modified)

jdavis · August 8th, 2012, 06:06 AM

I suspect that a ND with a Glock is a rare event because the gun is designed not fire unless the trigger safety and trigger are pulled. As with any gun, if you do not follow safe handling procedures you will be vulnerable to a mishap.
If you are going to carry your new Glock and don't intend to keep a loaded magazine and a round in the chamber, you will be in trouble in the event of a confrontation. I doubt if the bad guy will wait for you to pull your weapon, insert a loaded mag and rack a round into the chamber. Just saying......

Dawgface · August 8th, 2012, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivers2k

If a revolver was slipping and you caught it by the trigger the weight of the revolver does give enough pressure to fire around. you actually have to squeeze the trigger. (unless trigger is modified)

Rivers2k..I think you meant *doesn't*.

jaxrider14 · August 8th, 2012, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ditto1958

I guess that's what's got me wondering what all the fuss is about. No one seems to think double action revolvers are all that dangerous to carry. They don't have safeties.

Most double action revolvers are not carried cocked, and have quite a heavy trigger pull (and distance) to cock and fire. And many of the modern ones have a transfer bar between the hammer and the firing pin.

What I've read about the Glock accidental shootings is the danger is when drawing or re-holstering a cocked gun. Somehow either contact with their finger or the holster is enough to fire the weapon.

Dawgface · August 8th, 2012, 06:21 AM

What is so confusing about a thumb safety, click on click off?

Also, I believe a lot accidents happen when the mag is dropped out but the person forgets one still remains in the chamber, it happens way too often. We're talking about accidents now not wrestling with the bad guy. I can understand a LEO wanting the ability to fire without a mag in the gun but how many private citizens find themselves in need to fire that one round in an emergency?

JMHO.

Clovishound · August 8th, 2012, 06:24 AM

Quote:

I also appreciate the philosophy behind having a weapon that works as intended every time.

I would take exception with the notion that a Glock works as intended every time. My SR9c has been more reliable in feeding than my buddy's Glock. We have been getting into reloading 9mm and trying a variety of loads with different bullet diameters, OAL, and powder loads. My Ruger has eaten everything that we threw at it, with the exception of a batch of primers that caused non fires in both weapons. There have been some bullet diameters and some powder loads that ran fine through mine, that would not feed, or cycle through his. Yes Glock builds weapons with a deserved reputation of reliability, but the above statement is advertising hype.

As to the lack of safety, I see no real problem with the lack of a manual safety, given your stated use for the weapon. I, personally, do not consider a weapon without a manual safety as appropriate for a striker fired weapon intended for carry. You can throw stones at the LEOs who have discharged their weapon when holstering/unholstering, but the fact is these individuals have probably had more formal training than most "civilian" gun owners. Despite this training, they managed to literally shoot themselves in the foot.

bwinters · August 8th, 2012, 06:37 AM

I have several glocks and all of my glocks have the new york plus trigger installed giving a trigger pull of about 12 lbs. There is the new york trigger that is about 8 lbs. I have mild loss of sensation in my hands so all my semi autos have a trigger pull of at least 8lbs. i also have a manual safety installed. I know 2 companies that do this 1 is Tarnhelm equipment in New Hampshire and another is ten ring precision in Texas. both do good work. I am not saying everyone needs a safety or heavier pull but it is not a bad idea either.

seagill · August 8th, 2012, 07:03 AM

I saw a trigger kit for Glocks on the Lone wolf website that mimics the pull of a double action revolver. I know some Glock purists may cringe at this, but I've grown to like DA triggers.