I have had quite a few discussions concerning the Glock lately. Like the curvature of the earth and the definition of infinity, the Glock is a subject that I considered closed a decade ago. However, a new wave of concealed carry shooters, and the general proclivity of the population to misunderstand mechanics, has brought the Glock to the forefront again.
That’s fine. I know more about the Glock today than I did in the past. Most shooters want a gun that is comfortable to fire and carry, a pistol that is fairly lightweight, and one which is reliable. Power isn’t often high on the list.
The 9mm Luger is the default choice for most of us. A modern loading using a well-designed expanding projectile will be effective in stopping a threat with a minimum of well-placed shots. The most popular carry gun in America — by a huge margin — is a polymer-frame striker-fired pistol.
Manual Safety
A point of contention is whether the pistol should have a manual safety or not. This seems the primary objection to the Glock pistol. I remember the Walther P38 inspired safety of the Smith & Wesson M39/M59 series. These safeties were not easy to manipulate. The 1911 thumb safety falls under the thumb instinctively. The SIG P220 did not have a manual safety, but safety features.
The SIG is much easier to train with and master than P38 types, although it requires the user master two types of trigger action. The double-action first-shot pistol has pretty much played out in police and military circles. Some who have used the type for decades still carry a SIG P-series or Beretta 92. That’s fine for those who have practiced.
A new shooter will be hobbled by a long, double-action first-shot pistol. A look in competition circles confirms that single-action pistols reign, while a few striker-fired pistols are very competitive. That isn’t self-defense, but it is shooting and being all you can be. A double-action first-shot pistol simply isn’t as easy to use well and demands much more training to approach the first shot hit probability of a striker-fired gun.
There is no law requiring a manual safety, although a few institutions once required all self-loading handguns in use to have a manual safety. There is a difference between a manual safety and safety features. The SIG P-series ushered in a new era and a tactical doctrine based on simplicity. The pistol had safety features but no manual safety.
Glock pistols are Safe Action pistols. There are many striker-fired pistols that may accurately be termed single-action pistols. The striker is cocked, and the trigger releases the striker. These rely on a trigger lever to prevent the trigger from being pressed or snagged by the holster body and firing.
The Glock is a double-action-only (DAO) design. The slide is cocked, and the striker is partially prepped but not completely cocked. A pull on the trigger finishes cocking and dropping the striker. This arrangement allows for a reduction of trigger force to the point the pistol’s action may be operated with 5.5 pounds of trigger pressure.
The Glock has three safety features. A lever, set in the trigger face, prevents discharge by lateral force. A striker block prevents the striker from falling unless the trigger is pressed to the rear. A drop safety prevents the pistol from firing if dropped.
There are pistols that offer a choice of a manual safety or not. The Smith and Wesson Military & Police, a handgun comparable (at the least) to the Glock offers a manual safety option in most versions. The safety is easily operated it falls under the thumb nicely. The bottom line is that the shooter must diligently practice operating the safety — both on and off — if that is the type deployed.
The most common accidental discharge is fumbling the trigger. Another accident may occur if the pistol is dropped. The Glock is more ‘drop safe’ than many older designs which have a manual safety but do not utilize a drop safety in the design.
I often carry a 1911 ‘cocked and locked,’ safety on, hammer to the rear. I rely on this manual safety, appreciate the additional safety of the grip safety, and a heavy duty firing pin spring. Some 1911 types feature a firing pin block.
I also deploy double-action revolvers. A person who relies on the long, double-action trigger of a revolver as a safety feature will find this diligence transfers readily to the Glock. Safety or not, no type of safety feature is as important as adhering to the rules of safe gun handling.
Muzzle discipline is most important. Trigger discipline is also very important. You should be on your toes with every firearm type. If the Glock requires greater diligence, so be it. The Glock will not fire unless the trigger is pressed.
There were plenty of negligent discharges with revolvers. The rule of keeping the trigger finger off the trigger until you fire — not when you think you will fire but when you fire — cannot be broken. The advantage of a handgun without a safety is the simplicity in action tactical doctrine. The manual of arms is uncomplicated. Load, holster, draw, fire.
There is no safety lever to actuate or fail, no need to rack the slide or release a slide. Draw, press the trigger, and fire. Take the finger off the trigger when you are not firing.
Holsters
I would never carry a Glock in the waistband or pocket without a holster. Then again, I don’t carry anything else in that manner when going about my daily chores, with few exceptions. Occasionally, I drop a snub .38 in my back pocket around the home. When hiking or small game hunting, I have carried a single-action revolver in the waistband with the loading gate open to secure the revolver in the waistband.
However, I seldom carry any type of handgun without a holster — particularly an automatic. A Glock trigger must be covered by the holster. I am unaware of any holster made for the Glock that does not cover the trigger guard but there may be one somewhere. I also have this requirement for revolvers and 1911 handguns.
The holster must be stiff and not collapse after the gun is drawn. There are many cheap, worthless, fabric holsters that are not worth two cents of my hard-earned money. The holstering welt or holster mouth must be rigid and allow reholstering.
When returning the handgun to the holster, I guide the handgun into the holster with the trigger finger extended and away from the trigger. If the finger is inside the triggerguard as you holster, the finger will be pressed to the rear quickly and you’ll have a negligent discharge. This occurred with numbing regularity in revolver days at the PD.
If the trigger becomes entangled in a safety strap as the pistol is holstered the same may occur. This isn’t a design defect of the pistol or the holster. It is a problem with gun handling.
Acclimation
Here is what I recommend when you begin using a Glock. Wear a holster in the normal manner you intend to carry on your daily walk. Be certain the Glock is triple-checked and unloaded. Remove the magazine, and rack the slide. Perhaps even use a fake gun for acclimation. Draw and holster. Keep the finger off the trigger. You will find the pistol does not snap the striker unless you commit a grievous error.
Practice dryfire. For safety’s sake, I only dryfire against an object that would stop any caliber in the gun safe. A very thick bookcase against a heavy wall in the 118-year-old chalet is the usual aiming point. Dickens, Plato, Maugham, and John Updike have yet to be perforated.
Become acclimated to the pistol, but not too familiar. Regard the pistol with a kind of awe. The same as you should a truck, chainsaw, or heavy machinery. Practice drawing the pistol with your trigger finger extended alongside the frame. Do not place the finger on the trigger until you are going to fire.
Next, practice holstering the handgun. Carefully angle the muzzle into the holster. There will be natural resistance, but the handgun should slide into the holster. A leather holster or Kydex feels different. One has more resistance the other the characteristic SNIK as it holsters in place.
If you meet too much resistance don’t force it. You may have managed to snag the handgun in a covering garment as you holster. This is common. We train to rapidly shunt aside covering garments as we draw to avoid impeding the draw motion. However, we often practice moving these garments aside as we reholster the handgun? This is also essential.
Another concern with the pistol is tactical movement. Be certain that you move with your finger off the trigger. The Glock is superior to a double-action first-shot pistol in this regard. A DA first shot would require the hammer be de-cocked for safety during tactical movement, causing the shooter to resort to another long DA trigger press if you must fire. The single-action 1911 requires only that the safety be placed on during movement.
Another concern, some of us like to have a pistol by the bedside at night but have concerns with the Glock. This is a valid line of inquiry. I do not keep a cocked-and-locked 1911 by the bed, nor in the usual scheme of things a revolver. The 1911 is hammer down and the revolver will be holstered.
I simply keep the Glock at ready in a holster. This solves these concerns by keeping a handgun at ready in a holster. However, the handgun is available by sampling tugging it from the scabbard.
Training With a Glock
Training with the Glock is simple enough. Training is in some ways simpler than with a revolver. All Glocks handle the same. Controls, take down, trigger press, magazine release, it is all the same. I enjoy training and push myself to master each firearm. If you are to excel, exertion must be part of your physical vocabulary.
My carry guns receive the most attention. There is no ambiguity in my personal training. I never lose sight of the ultimate goal — defending myself and my family. That focus is vital. There are some who claim to train hard and to maintain focus, but their words and performance do not support their claim.
I practice for attacks and situations that are similar to documented events. In other words, conceivable logical training. I train drawing quickly and getting a center hit at 7 and 10 yards. I occasionally fire at longer range. The draw is practiced from my carry holsters. I use several types of holsters depending on the weather conditions and general circumstance, from inside the waistband to secure high ride OWB types. I wear my normal garments.
I practice, perform drills and tactical movement until I am certain I can do so on demand without a warmup. In short, it isn’t the arrow; it’s the archer. When you consider what a handgun is for, and what a Glock is capable of, the Glock is as good as any handgun for the intended mission.
Reliability is high and maintenance is low. Give the type a good try. You may find pride of ownership not in the handgun’s appearance but in its performance. The Glock’s performance has the warrant of truth — pragmatic truth — it simply works.
Upgrades
If you do not like Glock grip texture, simply use the famous Talon applique to either roughen the texture or make it more comfortable, as Talon offers both options. Glock factory sights may be improved. TruGlo’s self-luminous sights are an option. Magpul offers reliable magazines. Faxon offers barrels and compensators.
Once you rid yourself of Glock anxiety, the sky is the limit.
How do you feel about Glock pistols? Have you ever had Glock anxiety? Share your thoughts in the Comment section.
