A common misconception is that Glock handguns do not have a safety.
If you are one of the people assuming a Glock does not have a safety you would be wrong.
Guess what?
Glock pistols actually have 3 automatic mechanical safeties installed in what is known as the Glock SAFE ACTION® system.
These are all built into the fire control system and operate independently of each other to ensure your Glock 17, 19, 19x, 26, and 43 (all Glock models) do not fire a round without an intentional trigger pull.
The Glock is actually one of the safer handguns on the market despite the lack of manual thumb safety and is guaranteed to not go off without a pull of the trigger due to the double action.
Don’t believe us? Ask yourself why law enforcement, military, and private security groups around the world choose Glock as their sidearm of choice.
Safety definitely weighs into these organizations’ decision-making when it comes to firearms.
Why Does a Glock (or any Gun) Need a Safety
Glock has 3 safety systems to prevent any type of accidental discharge of your handgun.
An accidental discharge is classified as a gun going off or firing a round of ammunition due to a mechanical issue.
Many other firearms use similar internal mechanical safety systems and more commonly a manual thumb safety to allow engagement of the trigger.
Note: Glocks do not have a manual thumb safety wrestling in the myth that Glocks do not have a safety.
This is different than a negligent discharge which is when a bullet is fired from your gun due to not following one of the 4 safety rules of firearms:
- Always Keep Firearm Pointed in a Safe direction
- Treat All Guns as Though They are Loaded
- Keep Your Finger Off the Trigger until You are Ready to Shoot
- Always Be Sure of Your Target and What’s Beyond It
These rules apply to every firearm including Glocks.
Glock 3 Safety “Safe Action” System
Glock has engineered a truly “over the top” and “safe” system aka the Safe Action system to create a gun that will not result in an owner having accidental discharges.
The system is built in such a way that once your release the Glock trigger after a shot the 3 safeties will always fully reengage.
So where is the safety on a Glock?
The Glock 3 safety system includes the following:
Trigger Safety
The Glock trigger safety is the first step in these 3 safety systems and prevents the trigger from moving without the safety on the front of the trigger being pushed in.
There is a small nodule or additional-looking trigger in the trigger that must be first pushed down or depressed before the trigger is able to be pulled.
This helps in preventing your firearm from discharging due to the trigger getting caught on clothing while you are drawing from your holster or being pulled accidentally.
Note: If the trigger is in the forward position, this may indicate that your Glock is loaded with a round in the chamber. When the Glock magazine is empty and a round has not been chambered the trigger will be “pulled in”.
Firing Pin Safety
The firing pin safety is a piece of metal in the Glock that blocks the firing pin from engaging until the trigger is pulled.
Pulling the trigger on the Glock will raise the firing pin safety manually with the trigger bar allowing the firing pin to engage.
The firing pin is what hits the primer or “explosive” part of the ammunition, igniting the gunpowder and projecting the round forward.
The firing pin safety is an integral part of keeping the Glock safe.
Drop Safety
The drop safety is the last line of defense when preventing the Glock from discharging accidentally.
The drop safety physically restrains the firing pin from moving forward.
Even if the firing pin safety failed the drop safety would still hold the firing pin in place and therefore not allow a round to fire.
It is also called the drop safety as this type of mechanism will prevent a Glock from firing from being “dropped”.
Why Don’t Glocks have a Manual safety?
This is designed in a very logical way that is not often clear at first glance.
The idea behind not having an external manual safety is that you should never have your finger on the trigger unless you are ready to discharge your gun(see the 4 rules of firearms above).
Staying with this logic you can see that it is the trigger that acts as the manual safety and should not be pressed until you are ready to shoot your gun.
The internal safeties take care of the rest of possible accidental discharge issues.
Do All Glocks Have Safeties?
Every Glock model, as of 2013, includes the 3 safety “safe action” system.
The following Glock models have inbuilt safeties installed:
- GLOCK 17
- GLOCK 17L
- GLOCK 19
- GLOCK 19x
- GLOCK 20
- GLOCK 21
- GLOCK 22
- GLOCK 23
- GLOCK 24
- GLOCK 25
- GLOCK 26
- GLOCK 27
- GLOCK 28
- GLOCK 29
- GLOCK 30
- GLOCK 31
- GLOCK 32
- GLOCK 33
- GLOCK 34
- GLOCK 35
- GLOCK 36
- GLOCK 37
- GLOCK 38
- GLOCK 39
- Glock 43
- Glock 50
While the Glock does not have a manual safety, you can rest easy knowing the gun will not go bang without your finger on the trigger followed by a strong pull of that trigger/trigger safety.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Do any Glocks have a manual safety?
Currently, Glock does not utilize a manual or external safety on any of its pistols.
They instead trust in the mechanical safeties. As discussed, there is quite a bit of science and engineering backing up the claim that these safety mechanisms are ideal for striker fired pistols.
Does a Glock have a safety lock?
Yes, you can purchase a safety lock that is secured in the back of the pistol grip.
This is engaged via a key and will prevent both the firing and disassembly of the Glock unless released with the correct key.
Conclusion: Are Glocks Safe?
Yes, Glock makes one of the safest weapons available on the market.
Thousands of hours and decades of experience have gone into manufacturing a reliable, safe, and trustworthy sidearm.
You are 100% guaranteed that until the trigger is released and you are ready to fire that your gun will not simply “go off”.
Double-action guns by nature do not require an external or thumb safety.
Get a Glock or even a Polymer 80 and you should have peace of mind.
Until you pull the trigger there will be no boom.
Do you have any thoughts on Glocks not including manual safeties?
Let us know in the comment section down below!
DISCLAIMER: This article and/or product is not manufactured, authorized, endorsed, or warranted by GLOCK. “GLOCK” is a federally registered trademark of GLOCK, Inc. and is one of many trademarks owned by GLOCK, Inc. and GLOCK Ges.m.b.H. Neither 3D Gun Builder nor this site is affiliated in any manner with, or otherwise endorsed by, GLOCK, Inc.
