Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns What's wrong with the World's Finest Combat Handgun?

I've had the misfortune of being present and seeing three NDs in my life. The weapon in all three NDs was a revolver.

Hard to believe, unless those folks had the poor judgment to cock the hammer on a live round anywhere other than at a range.

Kevin, perhaps you have access to more first hand accounts of AD's than I do presently, so in your estimation, how many cases are there of a mechanical failure using Glocks as opposed to the operator of said weapon not properly trained ie trigger finger enguaged......? In all my LE years I've heard of many, many AD's and practically none were the weapons fault.

It's not cocked any more than a double action revolver is cocked when the cylinder is full and the hammer is down. The Glock striker is not under any spring tension until the trigger pull moves the striker rearward, then releases it...just like a DA revolver.

I'll catch you out of context sooner or later. Cheap shot.

If you insist on carrying a trigger cocking weapon (Glock, Kahr, XD, Taurus, S&W Sigma or M&P), then do yourself a favor and use proper gunleather. This is the same sound advice that the manufacturers of all of the pistols in question would give you.

Kevin (or anyone), are you familiar with the Blackhawk Serpa holster? If so, do you consider this inadequate or proper "gunleather" for a trigger cocking weapon? Thanks!

I'll catch you out of context sooner or later. Cheap shot.

That's not true at all, the Glock's striker is about 1/3 of the the way back in a "staged" position to improve trigger pulls; the reason that a Glock has a much lighter trigger pull than the trigger cocking Taurus.

I think we are are the same page now and thanks for clearing that up. I actually wasn't trying to say that you said or implied that, rather it just seemed that some on this thread do a whole lot of reading (googling) a little doing as they were jawing all the faults of the Glock design.

What reasons do they cite?

Hard to believe as in I'm being less than truthful?

Kevin (or anyone), are you familiar with the Blackhawk Serpa holster? If so, do you consider this inadequate or proper "gunleather" for a trigger cocking weapon? Thanks!

Why no Serpa holsters?
An answer from our friend Paul Gomez: Begin Quote �Over the last year, I have developed some serious concerns with the Blackhawk Serpa Active Retention holster design. Various persons have brought these concerns to the attention of Blackhawk on several occasions and Blackhawk has chosen to ignore these very real issues.

The �Serpa Active Retention� design consists of a plastic L-shaped component which functions as the release button [from the outside of the holster] and as the lock [which engages inside the trigger guard]. The short leg of the L-shaped lever pivots inward [toward the pistol], while the locking tab pivots outward to release the pistol from the holster.

According to the Blackhawk website, �The release is made using your normal drawing motion, with the trigger finger beside the holster body. � As your trigger finger naturally comes to rest on the SERPA lock�s release mechanism, simply push the mechanism as you draw the weapon and it releases the gun for a smooth, fast draw.�

While Blackhawk may intend for the end-user to apply inboard pressure with the flat of the index finger, under stress, shooters tend to push the button with the tip of their index finger. After all, this is the manner in which most people have the most repetitions pushing buttons such as keys on a keypad or phone or ringing doorbells. When the finger pushes in on the release button and the user initiates the upward motion of the draw stroke, the finger tends to stay in motion and as the trigger guard clears the holster, the finger enters the trigger guard and contacts the trigger, with possibly tragic results.

I am aware of two instances where trained personnel have shot themselves using this holster in conjunction with Glock pistols. In August of 2004, a situation occurred with a live weapon that resulted in the shooter losing a 10cm piece of her femur. The other occurred with nonlethal training ammunitions in a force-on-force event in April of 2005. The impact of the NLTA was in the same area as the actual gunshot wound previously mentioned.

Following each of these events, Blackhawk was contacted and advised of the problems observed and concerns raised. In the first instance, they claimed that they were unaware of any previous issues with the design and insisted that the design had been �thoroughly tested by law enforcement and military personnel�.

After the second event, they were contacted by at least two people. Again, they stated that they were unaware of any concerns and had heard nothing similar from any sources.� End Quote

We do not allow the BlackHawk CQC SERPA Holster - Active Retention design because it requires the trigger finger to be doing something other than indexing along the frame of the pistol during the draw stroke.

Simply put...the Serpa is a poorly designed but brilliantly marketed holster that causes a user to press in with the finger tip as they draw their pistol. In many cases it ends up with the trigger finger right on the trigger (and pressing inward) prematurely. In other words...long before it would be safe to do so. I am aware of five situations at other schools where this has caused an AD on the range. Twice where it led so a self-inflicted gunshot. And these guys were either highly experienced shooters of seasoned operators. Twice I have personally seen in it force on force. If I allow a holster like that in class, having seen the problems and knowing the problems, and a student shoots themselves...it really would be my fault. As I understand it several other schools disallow these holsters.

Interesting read jds. Makes sense.


Travis