From: ljb@parkcity.dr.att.com (BLO54620-BonhamLJ(DR2194)240)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Glock "Safe Action" v. Cocked & Locked M1911
Date: 12 Nov 92 14:56:02 GMT


My two cents on the Glock v M1911 "safety" issue.  I own three Colt single action
pistols (Delta Elite, Officer's ACP, Mustang) and am familiar with the Glock
through friends who own them.  Both systems are good but my prefence is for the
Browning/Colt design.  My Colts are all series 80 which means that with the
exception of the Mustang they have four independant and redundant safety
features; thumb safety, grip safety, firing pin block, and half cock notch. 
Three of the four all activate and deactivate through normal grasping and cycling
of the pistol while the thumb safety must be conscously (sp) manipulated by the
shooter.  I find the thumb catch very reassuring because it provides visual and
tactile verification of the weapon's condition while the Glock's only indication
is a minute change in trigger position.  I personally would not want to fumble
around with the trigger on a cocked Glock in the dark!  The Glock is essentially
a cocked and UNLOCKED weapon which requires no more pressure to release the
trigger than a stock Colt 1911, assuming the NYCPD trigger spring has not been
installed in the Austrian pistol.  Several Police officers whom I've talked to
report that their departments have experienced an increase in accidental
discharges since adopting or allowing Glocks (reason why NYCPD went with the
heavier trigger).  Glock fans don't get all upset, I think they're a very
significant evolution in pistol design.  However let's remember that both the
M1911 and Glock were designed as Army battlefield weapons and all services which
issue or issued them require their personnel to carry them uncocked with chamber
empty, so lets not kid ourselves, both pieces carried chambered and cocked are in
violation of the "safest" carry modes recommended by the manufacturer.  

Back to the main theme.  If one feels compelled to carry either pistol chambered,
I personally FEEL that the Colt is the "safer" of the two systems.  The Colt has
been in use longer than any other single make of service pistol and has an
outstanding record of safety and combat effectivness.  In time, the Glock may
prove just as rugged and dependable, but I tend to lean towards established track
records.  Many Glock advocates point to the standard "wunder gun" argument of
higher ammo capacity but the advent of the Para Ordnance double stack conversion
for the Colt pistol negates this supposed advantage. 

Basically, the whole issue boils down to what one is more familiar with.  Both the
Glock and Colt require training and practice for instictive proficiency and both
are very formibable weapons.  The Colt line, for me, offers all the calibers I
want in a semi-auto defensive pistol combined with frames sized for any type of
carry short of inside a string bikini.  Therefor, I made a commitment several
years ago that any semi-auto I intend for defensive use would be exclusively the
Browning/Colt single action for two reasons.  One, I've tried everthing else and
this works best for me in all circumstances and second, I believe firmly (and I
think most COMBAT authorities would agree) that it is best to use one, and only
one, type of action to eliminate confusion in the heat of life or death defense. 
I own revolvers and other types of semi-autos either for recreation or special
needs ie. the 10mm is powerful but the .41 or .44 mag is best for large game.  If
I ever decide to rely on a Glock for defense, I will retire my Colts to the
curriosity case and use only the Glock for the reasons stated above, but as long
as I can draw and HIT a target quickly and instictivly with my Colt I see no
reason to gallup off in search of novelty.

Good day and thanks for your patience!


Larry
Those who would sacrifice personal liberty for some small temporary safety
deserve neither liberty or safety.
	-- B. Franklin