Glock Safety 101: 5 Must-Know Tips for Responsible Handling

Make Glock safety a priority if you want to get the most out of your custom pistol and lower your risk of accidental discharge. Upgrading your gun with aftermarket parts can tailor it to your shooting needs, but a custom Glock can still be just as safe as a stock model fresh from their Georgia production line. Part of this is due to the passive safety features engineered into their guns, but the most important link in the chain is you, the gun owner. Before you start swapping Glock parts, breaking your gun in at the range, or carrying it for self-defense, you need to make sure you have the fundamentals down.

A Responsibility of Your Rights

Our Second Amendment right to “keep and bear arms” is a uniquely powerful protection of our American freedoms. One of the freedoms it’s your responsibility to protect is the Second Amendment by being a safe and responsible gun owner. When used properly, firearms are tools that can put food on the table, help you fine-tune the coordination between mind and body, or defend lives and property. When used carelessly, tragedy can result.

How to Safely Handle Your Glock Pistol

Learn and Follow Basic Gun Safety Rules

The fundamentals of gun safety are always a great place to start when handling your custom Glock. Clear, straightforward, and easy to follow, these four basics are simple enough to be taught to kids but important enough that adults should refresh themselves from time to time to ensure they’re keeping good habits.

1. Treat Every Gun Like It’s Loaded.
2. Never Point Your Gun at Anything You Don’t Intend to Kill or Destroy.
3. Keep Your Finger Off the Trigger Until Your Shot is Lined Up and You’re Ready to Fire.
4. Know Your Target, Its Surroundings, and What’s Beyond It.

These basic tenets are included in everything from gun-owner and hunter safety classes to Glock’s own S.A.F.E. program.

Familiarize Yourself With Your Gun’s Safety Components

OEM Glock pistols have several passive safety features built in. Depending on how much of your pistol is still stock or how closely your third-party Glock parts match up, you may or may not retain these features. These features operate both independently and sequentially, so even if one is removed, the other two should still be in place, improving your Glock safety.

• Trigger Safety – This feature blocks the trigger from accidentally moving rearward. The trigger finger must depress a small lever on the face of the trigger to disengage the safety and allow trigger movement.
• Firing Pin Safety – The firing pin safety blocks the firing pin from being driven forward and striking a round while engaged. When the trigger is pulled, the trigger bar lifts the firing pin safety to clear the way for the pin to strike a cartridge’s primer.
• Drop Safety – Another safety that arrests the movement of the firing pin is the drop safety, which disengages as the trigger travels, forcing the trigger bar back and down, releasing the safety so the firing pin can strike home.

When upgrading your weapon, make sure you understand how the new custom Glock components will work with your existing safety features. The last thing you want to do is rely on a safety component that has been deleted from your build. You also want to make sure you’re sourcing parts from a reliable parts supplier you can count on to work with reputable manufacturers who build parts you can depend on. 

Train With Your Weapon Safely

There’s no substitute for range time when it comes to learning to use your weapon efficiently, effectively, and safely. It’s the best place to put your Glock safety skills to work through shooting drills, loading, reloading, cleaning, and more. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the rules of your local gun range, and you should always follow the instructions of the range master. Their job is to keep the whole range safe, including both the facility and everyone in it.

The Shooting range is also the perfect place to meet fellow custom Glock owners and talk shop. This can go far beyond swapping Glock safety tips to talking about focused shooting drills, possible upgrades, and the Glock parts they’d recommend you try out for your build. Your shooting range is one of the hubs of your local Second Amendment community. Take advantage of it!

Carry Your Glock Safely

Whether you plan on carrying openly or concealed, make sure you know your state’s firearms rules. They provide a framework that not only protects your legal rights and liability but also helps inform your options for safe carry. Invest in a good holster that sits comfortably and secures your weapon. Remember that you may be carrying for hours at a time, so you want a rig that won’t lead to pinching, cramping, or pressure injuries as you carry out your day-to-day activities. 

Safe Gun Storage

Safe storage is part of mindful Glock safety. When not in use or being carried, your gun needs to be stored to keep it protected and out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have access to it. If you keep your custom Glock loaded for quick carry or as a home defense handgun, this may be a lockbox that allows for rapid access. Otherwise, unload your weapon, ensure it is clean, and store it in your gun safe. When traveling, a car lockbox that’s secured to the vehicle can be a great way to keep your gun safely stored separately from your ammunition when crossing state lines into a non-carry state or if you need to enter a business that’s posted a do not carry sign.

Order Custom Glock Parts Online

When you’re tailoring your weapon to meet your shooting needs, you can trust us to provide safe and reliable aftermarket parts and accessories for your gun. Sign up for our newsletter to get new product information and sales announcements delivered to your inbox. Order your Glock upgrades from JSD Supply today.