How do GLOCK safeties work?

H

hjm

New member
I am new to GLOCK's and I do not understand how the trigger safety nor the other 2 safeties work on their guns.

I do not see how that trigger safety would work. I would like a gun that has a safety that prevents the gun from firing when the trigger is pulled. I saw the thread on the Cominolli(sp?) manual safety. Is this what I would want?

Any explanation is greatly appreciated!!

hjm
 
Well, when one handles a regular Glock, just think of the thing as really being more like a revolver in that you pull the trigger, the gun fires. The "safety" in the middle of the trigger is to avoid something accidentally moving the trigger to the rear unintentionally.

There are some internal safety features which help prevent fire unless the trigger is pulled. For instance, unless the trigger is pulled, the firing ping will not be able to move forward far enough to strike a cartridge. This firing pin block also helps prevent accidental discharge.

I understand completely why you and many others would prefer a more definitive safety device. Personally, I like the Glock's simple, consistent (allthough kinda mushy), safe-action pull. When the SHTF, safeties are the last thing I want to try to remember.

As with all guns, the most important safety device is not part of the gun, it is between your ears.
 
hjm:

If you want a gun with a manual safety, then you don't want a Glock. The trigger safety on the Glock simply prevents the trigger from moving if the side of the trigger were somehow snagged on something, but the trigger safety was not depressed.

There are plenty of fine guns with manual safeties -- M1911s, Beretta 92, HK USP, S&W third gen semi-autos, etc.

If a Glock is loaded and you pull the trigger, then it goes bang, just like a revolver. Which, in my mind, is the point of the whole thing. If you don't want it to bang, then don't pull the trigger.

M1911
 
I always felt a little uneasy with the Glock system, not totally rational I admit. I ended up buying a Steyr M9 for a number of reasons, one of which was the manual safety option.

I looked long and hard at the S&W third generation semi autos and the CZ 75 compact. Lots of good choices with manual safeties if that is something you want in a pistol.
 
Manual safeties

I always felt a little uneasy with the Glock system, not totally rational I admit.
Click to expand...
Actually, for self-defense, I prefer not to have manual safeties. Pull trigger and, uh, uh-oh... :eek:

- pdmoderator
 
Simple it is. After you get used to the trigger pull and the setup, it's as good as any DA/SA you can find. The only drawback is that high anxiety and a long trigger pull don't blend well without practice.
 
hjm,

You said in your initial post, "I would like a gun that has a safety that prevents the gun from firing when the trigger is pulled."

If that's what you want, fine. More power to you. Get what you want. Enjoy. And all the other positive statements you can think of. But...

Why on earth are you looking at a Glock? That makes as much sence as saying "I want to learn double action shooting so should I convert a 1911?"
 
Ironically, all of my pistols that have manual safeties also have a statement in the manual that reads something like:

"When you squeeze the trigger, you must expect the gun to fire, and you must take full responsibility for firing it."

or

"Never squeeze the trigger or put your finger in the trigger guard until you are aiming and ready to shoot."

or

"To safeguard against accidental discharge ALWAYS keep ... finger off trigger."

or

"Never depend on the safety to justify careless handling or permitting the pistol to point in an unsafe direction."

or

"Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are aligned on the target."

or

"Caution: Always keep the fingers clear of the trigger, whenever you do not intend to fire."

In other words, they are all saying that one should not rely on a manual safety to prevent the gun from firing when the trigger is pressed. Put another way, they are saying that the only way to make the gun safe is to not pull the trigger.

Sounds like a Glock to me.

The Glock safeties.

1. The trigger safety prevents the trigger from moving unless pressure is applied directly to the trigger face. Bumping the side of the trigger will not move the trigger. If something snags on the trigger, it will likely ride the curve of the trigger up past the trigger safety where it can not actuate the trigger.

2. The firing pin (striker) block prevents the firing pin (striker) from moving forward far enough to contact the primer of the loaded cartridge UNTIL the trigger is pulled.

3. The firing pin spring is only partially tensioned by the action of the slide. Therefore, there is not enough spring tension to fire the gun until the trigger is pulled to finish tensioning the spring.

4. Before the trigger is pulled, the trigger bar is held in the up position by the safety ramp where it acts as a second firing pin block. The safety ramp also prevents the trigger bar from prematurely dropping out of contact with the firing pin (striker) and allowing the pistol to fire.
 
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Dave T,

I said I was uneducated about the functionality of a GLOCK. That is why I am doing some research before I buy. I like the feel of the GLOCK in my hand, the reputation for quality, the reputation for excellent functionality, and the reputation for durability. The local gunshop did not explain how the safeties on the GLOCK work.

I am not concerned about the lack of a manual safety for me, as I am a strict follower of safe gun practice. I am fully aware of how to be a safe shooter. I am thinking of a situation down the line. If my future kids or someone else were to ever get into my gun vault, then ever get a hold of some ammo, then I would prefer a gun that cannot be fired without the manipulation of a lever or button, or some other type of manual safety. I am not promoting one way or the other. I am just trying to get a better understanding of the GLOCK and other semiauto pistols.

hjm
 
If they can manipulate the lock on your safe then you don't have the right safe. You can always disable your gun so that it cannot be fired. For example, remove the slide, cable it shut, etc.

If you are that concerned, you shouldn't own a gun.

Teach your kids to respect firearms. Take them to the range to satify their curiosity and, if you still are concerned, sell them.
 
SERIOUS SUGGESTION

Perhaps a gun like the BHP or a S&W that utilizes a magazine disconnect is more what you seek.

No gun is 'safe'; they're GUNS!

"For sale! the new model "WANKER".. LOL (okay, I've gone too far LOL.)
 
Originally Posted by hjm
If my future kids or someone else were to ever get into my gun vault, then ever get a hold of some ammo, then I would prefer a gun that cannot be fired without the manipulation of a lever or button, or some other type of manual safety.
Click to expand...

If your kids can break into the vault, find the right ammo, load the clip, put the clip in the gun and rack the slide; my guess is that a manual safety lever isn't going to provide any additional security...

If that is what concerns you, I recommend some sort of security lock that fits directly on the gun. Perhaps a cable lock that runs down the barrel and out the chamber.

Of course, after breaking into your vault, a gun lock will be pitifully easy for them to defeat.

Seriously, if you are looking for something that will keep a kid from operating a gun, a manual safety is absolutely, no question about it, the WRONG thing to rely on.
 
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