It’s Official: Plaxico Shot Himself with a Glock
December 2nd, 2008 by Syd
Why is it that I always hear these kinds of things about Glocks?
…the athlete’s accidental shooting of himself with a .40 Cal. Glock semi-automatic pistol, ABC News has learned from two separate sources involved in the investigation…
…According to police officials, Burress’ trouble began at about 1:50 a.m. Saturday morning at a New York nightclub when the star receiver attempted to balance a drink in his left hand while catching his Glock with his right before the gun slipped from the waistband of his trousers. In the process, the gun discharged sending a powerful .40 caliber round in and out of the Super Bowl hero’s thigh…
Source: ABC News
Ouch. In the interest of full disclosure, I dislike Glocks; I have always disliked Glocks; I will always dislike Glocks. Don’t waste your time trying to convince me to change my mind. I think they’re ugly and dangerous. You never, or almost never, hear these kinds of stories about Beretta 92F’s, SIG 229’s, the evil-looking 1911 or even snubby wheel guns. Yet, you hear these stories constantly about the Glocks. Anymore, when I hear an accidental discharge story, I assume it’s a Glock until I hear otherwise: “Police Chief [name withheld] shot himself in the leg while reaching for his car keys… Swat operator [name withheld] shot himself in the leg while cleaning his pistol… Competitor [name withheld] shot herself in the butt while adjusting her holster…” Glocks all.
[Yeah, I know I’m going to get some hate mail on this one.]
To be fair to the Glocken, I never juggle drinks with one hand and fiddle with my pistol with the other. I use proper holsters, and I feel confident that I could carry a Glock successfully without blowing off an appendage. Nevertheless, I hear way too many “accidental discharge” stories about Glocks, many more than with other types of pistols. Is there something inherently dangerous about the Glock design, or are careless people drawn to Glocks? If as many people carried SIG 229’s as carry Glocks, would we hear the same number of accidents with them? I don’t know, and I know of no way to test the theory. All I do know is that I hear of a whole lot of leg shooting with the Glocken. Would Plaxico be in trouble today had he been carrying a 92F, a 1911 or even a Springfield XD having a grip safety? Given the quality of judgment he has displayed, I would have to say yes, he would be in some kind of trouble, but maybe it wouldn’t be for the bullet hole in his own dumb leg.
There’s nothing wrong with the Glock that John Moses Browning couldn’t fix.
[Did I mention that I don’t like Glocks?]
I KNEW there was a reason I liked you so much… You have some damned good sense…
You can’t chase me hard enough, far enough or fast enough to GIVE me a Glock… Unless maybe, just MAYBE, I am going fishing and I need a line sinker…
My Son’s Dept issues 9mm Glocks, some officers DO take them too, but the ones with good sense buy a .40 or a .45 something, SIG, H&K, S&W, Springfield XD’s, anything but a damned Glock…
A Glock nearly got me killed in 1993, the thing jammed up tight at the WORST possible moment and I would quite likely be dead had it not been for the Model 19 .357 w/2″ barrel I had for a backup…
Screw Glocks, they ARE ugly, butt ugly!! And that’s the best thing I can say about em…
P.S., I publish HATE MAIL!!!
I am so happy to hear another GLOCK hater vent. Seems like so many Internet gun forums are peopled largely by the GLOCK mafia, blind sycophants lacking the good sense to use Sigs or Berettas or anything else.
I was eye balling a new Smith snubnose @ gunshop yesterday and the clerk told me I should buy a Glock, he said they were the best gun ever, then a retired cop standing next to me said the same damn thing, sheesh what has this world come to, give me my old clunky Colt 1911s and Smith revolvers thank you very much. I must be getting old.
I really believe the reason we hear all these stories about Glocks is they are the single most issued platform. Talk to folks in the sand pit and you will hear lots of horror stories about M9’s
Back when wheel guns were the standard issue I used to hear these stories about wheel guns all the time. You can do most of the stupid things that will get you hurt or killed with either a Glock or a Revolver. The one main difference is a revolver probably won’t go off if you try to catch it, unless you have cocked the hammer, while its falling. You have to let a Glock fall.
I too don’t like Glocks. When I got my CCW some years ago, I thought seriously about getting a Glock 19, but I didn’t. Instead I got a Para CCO. Since then I’ve added a 2 1/2″ S&W M13, a S&W 442 that I usually carry in a pocket holster.
I’ve continually be drawn to a DAO, however. I know all the issues with a DAO but I’m still drawn to them. At one time, I had a Kahr P45 and detested the trigger and only carried it a few times. In November, I traded the Kahr on an S&W M&P 9mm Compact.
I like it. I’m also very careful how I holster and draw it. I’ve practiced more with the M&P since I was shooting IDPA.
I still practice drawing and holstering to make sure I don’t get complacent.
I wonder if it is the shear numbers as well.
That said, glocks are the lowest common denominator gun, they’re made for idiots to be able to use and when you give firearms to idiots, you get negligent discharges.
1) Glocks are very popular
2) Glocks are even more popular with idiots
3) Glocks go off when you pull the trigger more reliably than any other gun, whether that is done by an idiot accidentally, or by someone using the gun to save their life
4) I kinda like the idea of a gun that marks idiots with a loud bang and one or two bright red spots. Let’s assume it’s the Glock’s fault — which it isn’t — great, without the Glock I wouldn’t have known this Plaxico guy was an idiot. I’m not harmed and I have useful information..win, win.
Get a holster. Use it. Don’t drink before or during the handling your pistol. Keep your finger out of the trigger guard when you are not actively shooting. It is that hard?
Go get “To Ride, Shoot Strait and Speak the Truth” by Jeff Cooper and read “Reflections on the New Order”. Seriously. The whole book is great, but reflection directly deals with why the 92F is *not* a good pistol.
In summery:
1. The 92f has too many levers, buttons and other exposed parts. It is busy and confusing to look at. There is a lot of stuff hanging off of the pistol to get hung up on or cut you with.
2. The double action is not selective. If can only be carried with the hammer back and safety on or with hammer down. The trigger pull is too heavy for serious use.
3. Slide release is located so far back that it can easily be depressed with the thumb. This makes the slide to not lock back on an empty mag.
4. Exposed trigger bar allows the pistol to be fired without pulling the trigger. Yes you have to work hard at it, but it is still possible to do.
5. The pistol can not be “press-checked”. You should be able to actually be able to move the slide back a bit and see if there is a round in there. None of this chamber loaded indicator garbage.
6. For female shooters (of which we now have in the military) the trigger is too far forward and once again the trigger pull is much too heavy.
7. “The safe operation of a weapon is a matter of the brain of the user - not of switches, gadgets and arrangements.”
8. Provides evidence that 9mm really isn’t a good cartridge to end the enemies fight right *now*.
In summery the 92F is a pistol that was designed by bureaucrats for fighters to use and it shows.
In summation, I’d rather have a sister in a whore house than have a brother carrying a Glock!
Just to provide my $20 (or two cents adjusted for inflation)…
***
I agree with you on many points. But I do want to express some concessions.
1. There are probably more Glocks in the hands of law enforcement and the common armed citizen than most any other handgun. And that in and of itself could account for the higher number.
That said, I do agree that:
1. A safety is a nice feature (a trigger safety is of near zero use - in reality, I think it’s just to keep the weight of the trigger itself from accidentally bouncing).
2. The disassembly method for Glocks is POOR!!!
3. The double-stacks are unwieldly for anyone without large hands.
***
All that said, I own a Glock 17. I consider it my high firepower combat gun. What do I mean by that? Well, I have two 30+ rnd magazines. That’s a lot of rounds for a pistol.
I’ll probably use my 45 or .357 for defense before using my Glock. But if it was a situation where I knew I was not going to have a lot of opportunity to reload. Having the option of the equivalent of four magazines of my .45 is nothing to sneeze at.
That said, it’s mostly relegated to my fun/occasional shoot gun.
All you old fuddy duddys need to go out and buy Glocks.
Send your clunky obsolete old 1911s and silly old antique wheelguns to me for proper disposal.
[…] Tot això bé a raó d’aquest post, on l’autor, arran d’un recent accident entre un jugador de futbol americà i una Glock, explica clarament que ell sempre ha considerat les glock com armes insegures. Segons ell, només ha sentit d’accidents amb armes amb glocks, mai amb la venerada -pels americans- Colt 1911 o la Beretta 92FS, o una Sig Sauer… […]
Hating on Glocks because they go “bang” when you pull the trigger (AKA “work”) is like hating on 1911’s because it is possible for them to double or go full-auto due to hammer follow-down (which is impossible for a Glock due to its design).
Just because morons sometimes pull the trigger when they shouldn’t–and indeed, because morons sometimes monkey with their sear when they shouldn’t–doesn’t make the platform itself defective.
I’ve got a Glock, I’ve ordered my first (but not last!) 1911, and I’ll take either one over a fancy 22-moving-parts wonder gun.
Oh, and the disassembly method for Glocks does suck.
each of us chose their favorite weapon according to different reasons…mostly with regards to ease of handling, safety features, etc…personally, i don’t really like the looks of glock…i think it lacks the element of viciousness that for me..a gun should possess…too much plastic! well, no offense meant, but all of us kinda used to the idea of plastic toy guns since kindergarten school! i myself owned two 1911’s…and still planning to buy a compact one for concealed carry…anyway, the bottom line is…glock or not, what matter is the dependability of it when the need arises!
safe shooting everyone…
I have fired a number of glocks at pistol classes and know people that swear by them.The nears large town,Santa Rosa Ca,no longer allows their officers to carry glocks due to the number of negligent discharges.I feel that this is more a matter of training than anything else,but will continue to rely on my 1911 and smith 442 both of which are completely reliable and more accurate than i need (neither is stock,but no frills).
I don’t own a Glock, nor have I ever practiced with one - I am a confirmed H&K and 1911 man, because I prefer the ergonomics AND the manual safeties on the models that I use. Because I have small children, I find the H&K hammer strut lockout safety to be pure genius.
I am commenting on this incident only because I think that Glock’s biggest problem may be firearm magazine test editors and Glock’s own marketing materials - both declare the pistol “safe for concealed carry” because of the trigger weight, trigger safety and length of pull. Of course, many experienced shooters will never buy into the concept of a loaded and cocked pistol (with a chambered round)as “intrinsically safe” for concealed carry - especially without an appropriate holster.
I would urge all novice and intermediate shooters who choose a Glock or any other type of pistol to READ THE OWNERS MANUAL and engage in safe carry practice as taught by a competent firearms instructor. Many gun stores offer training or know where training may be had… and this training is ESSENTIAL for those who carry AND others who happen to be nearby. It is NEVER TOO LATE to take a good pistol instruction course.
A good pistol training session will instruct the user on:
1) understanding how one’s weapon operates
2) how the safety mechanisms of one’s weapon operate
3) how to shoot safey
4) how to maximize accuracy
5) legal implications of concealed carry
6) staying current with applicable laws
7) how to carry safely
8) when NOT to carry
9) how to care for and safely store a firearm
Yes, Glocks are seen all over the movies and TV cop shows, but nobody looks “cool” when they needlessly shoot themselves or someone else because they were too “macho” to ask an expert for instruction.
Please protect yourself, those around you AND our right to keep and bear arms… by learning the “how-to’s” and exercising sound judgement EVERY TIME you carry. Our freedoms are not “free” - so sacrifice some time and learn proper firearm handling - or don’t carry at all.
NONE OF US CAN AFFORD TO BE CARELESS WITH A FIREARM.
I am a concerned parent AND an avid shooter, and I thank you for reading this comment.
The glock vs 1911 is an old arguement. But there are some factors to this. for better or for worse, the 1911 is the least popular gun in police use, largely due to ignorance of the public. the 1911 is THE most gunsmithed pistol around. Check with all the shooting schools like gunsite, midsouth shooting school, thunder ranch etc and they have on site gunsmiths just for the 1911’s. Glocks on the other hand function flawlessly out of the box and don’t require the $150.00 worth of gunsmithing that my $1300 springfield 1911 required before it would work 100 percent. I also know many, many, many , many so called”experts” who have fired thousands of rounds thru the 1911’s, and still, occasionally , leave the safety on. that doesn’t happen with the glock. and those accidental discharges were no accident. the glock only goes off when a finger pulls the trigger. It is made to do that. those are the facts.
I agree with Ben about the berreta 92f. It has failed dismally in combat. tha has been proven in two iraq wars. Also for the no law enforcement folks on here, I carry a gun for a living. You can make all the arguerments about how 8 is enough or this or that. a glock 22 with 15 rounds is a very very effective package. and the glock gives a consistent trigger pull, unlike the sigs, rugers or berrettas. I can come up with just as many reasons to carry the glock as others detract. and the glock 20 in 10 mm is hard to beat. It has mag capacity and knockdown power in a reliable concealable package. 15 rounds of 10 mm is a good package.
Bret,
Thanks for your comments, but I must say that you have managed to regurgitate the Glock sales pitch that I have been listening to for the past 25 years, and I’m not buying it. Glocks, like any other gun, break and malfunction from time to time. Most 1911’s are reliable out of the box. I’m not a huge fan of the 92F, but it will do its job if you do yours. The observations of my original post concern the safety of the design, and the fact is that had Plaxico been packing a 1911 or a 92F he would not have suffered the particular negligent discharge that he did.
the fact is that had Plaxico been packing a 1911 or a 92F he would not have suffered the particular negligent discharge that he did.
Yes, assuming he had enough sense to use the safety, and assuming his stupid holster-free carry and/or random grabbing when it fell didn’t disengage it at some point.
Used properly, any quality gun is safe to carry. If you’re an idiot, no gun is safe. Plaxico seems to fall into the latter category.
What good is a gun that won’t shoot if you press the trigger? Is it better to put a round in the chamber after you pull the trigger? Should one twirl semi automatics with a round chambered?
Some idiots like their weapons to fire when not held properly. Darwinism prevails and idiots are protected except when handling glock.
I would love a 1911 if it cost $680 or less and weighed less than 40 oz.
Up front, I own a G23. It does what it’s designed to do and rather than the slide being a rather plain looking rectangle of metal I find it’s looks pleasing and it does as it was designed to do, every time I pull the trigger.
Is it the perfect gun? No more than the 30.30 was the perfect rifle. But it is a good compromise.
I like 1911’s, I like Sigs, I like quite a few designs and if I were to make the perfect pistol it would be a pick and choose of the features “I like best”.
I wish they made something ultra-lightweight between a Sig and a 1911’s good looks and shootability. It would be (using glock terms) somewhere between a 19 and a 26, 1911 thin, at least 10 rounds of .40 or .45, have a quality trigger, thumb safety, yada, yadda, yadda. Oh Yeah, it would have to be affordable, forgiving of dirty environments, reliable and durable.
To be honest, shooting the full size 1911 is hard to beat (for me at least) in the accuracy dept. I think it has to do with the slide shape and clean trigger. As I look down the slide I can just feel (zen like) where the bullet is going to go.
That’s just me. Nobody makes the pistol I want to own. At least I haven’t found it yet. And yeah I want a little one and a medium size using as many of the same components as possible for pocket carry and IWB. I like alloy better than plastic but weight is important.
I currently own just two handguns. A 1911 Charles Daly 1911 clone (a CNC Phillipines EFS) and an S&W revolver. I was never taken in by the Glock hype. I mistrust a pistol that can be so easily mishandled and fired accidently.
I’m now looking for a 9mm pistol (because .45 ACP is expensive & hard to find in the People’s Republic of Kalifornia) but will only llok at Sigs, Berettas CZ’s (with hammer drop) and maybe the Ruger SR 9 (it DOES have a real safety). Or maybe, the Kimber 1911 in 9MM. But not a Glock. I just see too many potential problems.
Just my own humble opinion. I like this site.
Harvey Berger
Syd, thanks for making sense about the Glock issue. I have never liked Glocks and the more people try to make me like them, the more I realize that the devil this world operates such that he makes the wrong things seem right and the right things seem wrong to most people.
People rave about the reliability of the Glock handgun and yet I have had trouble out of them twice at the range while using other people’s guns. They are prone to jam in rapid fire mode and as you pointed out, they are not very fault tolerant.
I would have no problem with neophyte CPL holders or any other people carrying the Glock if I could guarantee that no innocent bystanders would ever be injured by the accidental discharges. Plaxico was actually very lucky that his errant bullet only perforated his leg instead of ventilating the skull of another bar patron. He would then be facing a possible murder charge instead of a two-year felony firearm charge.
Personally, I won’t allow other CPL holders to come near me, my family or my home if I know that they are carrying a Glock. It’s just not worth the risk to my family. Regrettably, it seems to be the least experienced pistol packers who want to carry a Glock. Perhaps it is the popularity of the weapon or maybe they just want to be like others who carry a Glock. I would urge anyone to take the time to research many types of weapons and make an informed decision about what handgun is best for them to carry. Don’t just buy something because your friend has one or because the gun shop clerk recommended it and not just because your local police officers carry Glocks. There are many news stories about police officers and other armed officials having accidental discharges with Glocks.
If our government can force a recall of baby strollers that pinch infants, if they can force Smith & Wesson to design key locks into each gun they sell, why can’t they force Glock to design a pistol that is not so prone to accidental discharge? I don’t particularly like government intrusion, but I would feel a lot safer if people carry better pistols.