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From: ke4zv!gary@gatech.edu (Gary Coffman)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: magazine safetys
Message-ID: <35654@mimsy.umd.edu>
Date: 14 Jun 91 20:05:36 GMT
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In article <35420@mimsy.umd.edu> hes@ccvr1.cc.ncsu.edu (Henry E. Schaffer) writes:
#
#to drop the magazine - and this was given as an example of why a
#magazine safety is undesirable for police use.  (And this general
#reason, including the capability of operating single shot when it
#is necessary, is why many police agencies specify that their duty
#arms not have a magazine safety.)
#
#  However, because of the complications of semi-autos (with their
#many operating controls and parts that the user must keep track of)
#there is a chance of "pilot error", and the magazine safety is one
#attempt at trying to foolproof the pistol.  For people without
#enough training (and current experience/practice) it still is
#probably the right thing - and I'll include many police officers
#in this category.  I generally recommend to beginners that they 
#start with a revolver for this kind of reason - there is much less
#to keep track of, and the dangers are much more visible and obvious
#to an untrained person.  For a properly trained/practiced person,

Our local police department wanted a pistol that could be treated
like a funny looking revolver with a *big* cylinder, so they
bought the Glock. No safety, no grip safety, no magazine disconnect,
just pull the trigger and it goes bang, just like a revolver. It
has only one control other than the trigger, the magazine release,
just like the cylinder release on a revolver. The slide release can
be ignored, if you shoot empty, change magazines and treat it like
a jam by jacking the slide back and releasing. Think of the magazine
as an easier to use speed loader. They transitioned easily because
it worked just like what they were used to using. Other than getting
used to the new sights and grip angle, the main thing they had to
learn was how to jack the slide to clear a misfire or jam. And with
good ammunition, those are rare. The officers have been delighted
with their new weapons since they are easier to care for, easier
to carry, and give more firepower. Even a couple of detectives 
who had been lugging personal Colt .45s changed over.

I switched from a Browning Hi-Power to a Glock as my personal
carry pistol for many of the same reasons.

Gary