Why do people think Glocks are safer?

[Reynold]

Specifically, a Glock with round chambered vs. 1911 (condition 1) as a carry gun, both in a holster. It seems that I more often hear people claiming that the Glock design is inherently safer than the 1911. Without the external safety of a 1911, what exactly is the benefit of the "safe-action" Glock trigger?

And yes, I know the most important safety is between your ears. Let's assume the operator is serious about gun safety, and just focus on the mechanical/technical aspects of safe carry.

[DFence]

Depends on what safety you are referring to. Glocks have 3 internal safeties preventing the weapon from firing a round unless the trigger is pressed.

[hyperion.excal]

I will feel safer carrying a 1911 in condition 1 vs a glock with one in the chamber. i heard too many real horror stories in regards to glock being carried with a round in the chamber. Glocks are king of accidental discharge imo.

[PandaLuv]

Depends on the user, I don't think there is a such thing as a "safe" gun out there.

[Bug Splat]

I've had the safety on my 1911 switch off while holstered. Scared the crap out of me when I went to put it away at the end of the night. If you have an ambi-safety like I do, its easy to bump. Some will claim that my safety is too light or I'm not careful enough, either way I don't feel comfortable carrying a 1911 condition 1.

Glock has a long trigger pull, essentially a double action revolver. As long as the trigger is covered, there is no danger of a round going off.

[PandaLuv]

I will feel safer carrying a 1911 in condition 1 vs a glock with one in the chamber. i heard too many real horror stories in regards to glock being carried with a round in the chamber. Glocks are king of accidental discharge imo.

That's due to the users where people shot themselves when they conceal carry, if you keep the finger of the trigger and you have the right holster, you're good to good. For me SA/DA is the "safest" way to carry, but I I had to pick between 1911 and Glock, I'd go with glock because of the striker fired long single action pull.

[DFence]

Plain and simple, a Glock WILL NOT fire unless the trigger is pressed. You can drop it from 20 stories high and it will not fire.

Leave the hammer down on a 1911 with a round in the chamber and try the same. The gun can fire.

Don't get me wrong, a 1911 is a perfectly safe weapon if carried and used correctly. IMO there is no accidental discharge only negligent ones. It all comes down to the operator.

[paul0660]

Why do people think Glocks are safer?

Who thinks that? Other than those who have DONE the 20 story drop test with EVERY other gun as well? Hopefully DFence has a vid of the Glock drop.

[teflondog]

In theory, I think a 1911 in Condition 1 is safer than a Glock with a round chambered. In order for the Glock to fire, all you need to do is pull the trigger. For the 1911 to fire, you need to flick off the thumb safety, depress the grip safety, and pull the trigger.

As a side note, anybody who carries a 1911 with the hammer down on a loaded chamber should consider carrying a different gun.

[DFence]

I think the only thing you could argue in the Glocks defense is that since the safeties are all internal, you take the option of care in the weapon differently then intended out of the equation.

I have heard of people feeling its safer to carry a 1911 with a loaded chamber with the hammer down because they feel it's safer. That is not how the weapon was designed to be carried and in turn make it more dangerous to carry.

Again, all back to the operator.

[wikioutdoor]

I feel safer with the glock because it shoots every time unlike many 1911's

[xoutxkastx]

Depends on the user, I don't think there is a such thing as a "safe" gun out there.

I agree. There is no such thing as a safe gun. But there are unsafe gun owners. I own a 1911 and soon to have a glock 21sf. I think both guns are great.

[fullrearview]

With every Glock (or any other pistol) Negligent Discharge, there is one common denominator... The Idiot who pulled the trigger!

[Sturnovik]

If you feel more confident with a safety go ahead. Nothing wrong with single action, safety included pistols. I just prefer DA/SA and Glocks/XD's constant trigger system. I dont think of them as anymore or less safe.

If the pistol doesn't go off when its dropped and cant go off unless the trigger is pulled, you got yourself a "Safe" pistol for the most part lol.

[AeroEngi]

I feel safer with the glock because it shoots every time unlike many 1911's

That doesn't make any sense.