Modding a Glock 17 to add a safety?

Hey all,

I am going to purchase a new firearm the full size Glock 9mm. I love just about everything this gun has. Feels right in my hands, recoil is slight and very controllable, great accuracy, reliable. Now I know it's dropsafe with the safety being that extra triggerguard. I plan on using it as my concealed carry and the only thing I wish I could change about it is I wish I could have a thumb switch safety added above the clip release. You can never be too careful even though most people seem to think I don't need it but drawing from a holster in a split second with your adrenaline pumping is totally different than firing at the range. I could always not chamber the first round but that kind of defeats the purpose of being able to fire immediately.

So anyone out there with experience modding a pistol for a quick thumb safety latch? Is it difficult? Is it expensive? Is it recommended? Thanks

The safety mechanism in a Glock is three-fold; The trigger safety, the firing-pin safety, and the drop safety. You already know what the trigger safety and drop safety are, but did you know that when you chamber a round in a Glock pistol, even though the trigger returns, it's not technically 'cocked'? There is no hammer in a Glock pistol. They operate using an enclosed striker which is only partially retracted when you rack the slide. It is not a true DA/SA pistol, but IMO it's a similar feeling on that first shot. The event of pulling the trigger retracts the striker and releases it for that first shot, the following shots fired like a SA with the striker fully retracted. This is what Glock refers to as "Safe-Action".

So, IMO, the Glock is one of the safest pistols in trained hands, period. To alter the functionality of one would only introduce a potential failure or worse.

If you simply want an external safety because it's what you prefer, I would look at purchasing a Sig Sauer or HK USP. They are all fantastic pistols and I cannot say one is better than the other.

-Vin

[edit on 6/10/08 by vinrock]

Hmm, don't glocks come with a 'grip safety' already? Or is that a totally different model?

reply to post by vinrock


Thanks for the info. I had a Sig Sauer but I don't like nearly as much as the glock. I agree the glock is very safe but I just wonder what the feasibility is of adding an extra safety feature to it.


WatchRider: They don't come with a grip safety I think you may be thinking of something like a Springfield 1911 .45 ACP which has a grip safety.

Every gun is only as "safe" as the person using it.

Trigger discipline is the best safety you can have. Don't place your finger on the trigger until you have your target lined up.

I see people at the range all the time practicing to be a better shot, and working to improve their handling of their firearms. Most people are fairly safe, and do almost everything right, unfortunately, most forget this simple rule. The instinct to immediately place your finger inside the trigger guard when you draw your gun is probably the worst habit you can get into. Teach yourself to keep your finger resting on the outside of the trigger guard and move it into place on your trigger only during the action of firing.

If you can do this, then your Glock doesn't need any other safety. Good shooting, and stay safe!

While the Glock is a fine weapon possessing 3 safeties already, they are all passive and actuated by pulling the trigger normally. This is fine for me but some people think they need a manual safety on their firearms.

There is nothing wrong with wanting a more safe firearm, and it may be worth it just for "peace of mind". For that reason, many manufactures have started making manual Glock safeties that sell for about 80 bucks.

Here is a link to one of them


(Props to my mad Photoshop skills)

Installation is very simple and it has very good reviews. Just remember, if you ever have to use your carry pistol in a self defense situation, a prosecutor can jump on ANY modification you have to your gun while trying to fry you. For that reason, all my carry pieces are 100% stock. You may be able to avoid this by have the safety manufacturer install it. They will for a small fee.


P.S. Always remember to follow the 4 rules of shooting.

The 1st Law of Gun Safety - The Gun Is Always Loaded!
The 2nd Law of Gun Safety - Never Point A Gun At Something You're Not Prepared To Destroy!
The 3rd Law of Gun Safety - Always Be Sure Of Your Target And What Is Behind It!
The 4th Law of Gun Safety - Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until Your Sights Are On The Target and You Are Ready to Shoot!

Remember, you are the best safety your your firearms have.


[edit on 16-6-2008 by Tiloke]

People can alter their firearms as they wish, assuming that they don't make them less safe.

The fact is however that the Glock does not need more safety features than it already has.

A manual safety might add some peace of mind for some, but in the moment of truth, one would only add one unnecessary step to fire the weapon.

It could be argued that a manual safety might prevent another who might wrest the pistol from one's control from firing the pistol immediately, believing that the pistol has no manual safety.

The Glock revolutionized pistol design in a way that the world hasn't seen since the days of John Browning.

Why cripple genius when such is entirely unnecessary?

Many people want a fool-proof firearm and want such built into the firearm, but that really only creates a firearm that is worthless in an emergency and all the attendant contingencies.

There is only one way to fool-proof a firearm and that is through training and even that can't eliminate all the fools.

Here the NY Times of all people tells us how to build a safe pistol. Remember folks that these are the same people who throw around such terms as "assault weapon," Saturday-night special," and "cop-killer" bullets without knowing what they mean or even caring that they might mean nothing.

query.nytimes.com...


[edit on 2008/6/16 by GradyPhilpott]