Profeshunal revisted

[AZRedhawk44]

http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2013/09/02/lodi-police-officer-shot-when-child-pulled-trigger-on-his-gun-at-reading-event/

Add 1 SWAT cop, a Glock model 35 (long-barreled, long-slide .40 caliber), and a ninja-operator holster that sounds like it's incompetently designed.  Put in school, allow random 6-8 year old children to sneak up behind ninja SWAT officer and put their boogerhooks on the bangswitch.

I'd LOVE to see a picture of the holster in question.

Nooz is angling the story as "zomg defective gun with no safety!" and the officer interviewed kinda creeped me out with insinuations that the child meant to start his own little mass murder spree (we don't know if it was accidental or intentional).

However, I'd lay more likelihood on the actual fault being the equipment selection process (along with lack of tacti-tude and awareness on the SWAT officer who failed to slice the pie and watch his six).  I have a CHEAP thigh holster, a "Tornado" model, that has a series of velcro wraps and folds to allow the holster to adjust to almost any pistol, with or without light.  It does not expose the trigger at all, even on my XD9 "tactical" long slide model.

There are far more expensive options out there with higher retention capability.  Mine cost $25, IIRC.  For about $125, you can get an awesome kydex moulded multiple-layer retention thigh holster from Blade Tech, designed for your gun.  There's no way that a Blade Tech holster designed for a G35 with flashlight is going to allow for a 7 year old boogerhook to find the trigger while the gun is holstered.

I'm wondering if the officer had a non-approved configuration on his hip.  Non-approved holster, non-approved light (causing a non-approved holster, or a failure to fully seat in a department issue holster), or even non-approved gun.  Glock doesn't market the G35 to SWAT units.  They market the G35 to IPSC competitive shooters.  Does Lodi SWAT use G35's for SWAT issue?  

[Brad Johnson]

I would think a full trigger coverage, positive retention holster would be department required, if for no other reason than the pure liability of something exactly like this happening.

Brad

[vaskidmark]

I would think a full trigger coverage, positive retention holster would be department required, if for no other reason than the pure liability of something exactly like this happening.

Brad

Many of the holsters that permit use of a weapon-mounted light are by that fact made with a gap between the triggerguard covering and the actual trigger.  Most folks are guessing that regardless of the motivation little Johnny stuck his finger in that gap.

stay safe.

[Levant]

Only the police are smart enough to carry guns in schools.

[TechMan]

Only the police are smart enough to carry guns in schools.

Yes they are.    Considering that this incident didn't take place at a school.

[Jamisjockey]

I'm also betting money on it having a lightened trigger.  Just a hunch.

[lee n. field]

I'm also betting money on it having a lightened trigger.  Just a hunch.

Glock lists 4.5lb trigger for the 35.   Service, compact and subcompact .40s list at 5.5 lb.  So, out of the box with a lighter competition trigger.

Somebody getting their ninja on?

[Boomhauer]

Kydex holsters for light equipped handguns almost always have a gap at the triggerguard to allow the weapon to actually, you know, be holstered. I don't think I've seen one that doesn't and I own a couple or three different designs. I'm not pleased that holsters have a gap to accomodate a WML but ya can't do anything about it an IMHO a WML is such a huge advantage it's worth the disadvantange of this unwanted characteristic. By and large, it doesn't cause a problem until you get something like this happening. Some do offer more coverage than others.

I seriously doubt a 5.5lb trigger is going to do much good in this situation. Kids finger got in there and pulled trigger. one more pound ain't gonna make a difference. Also you don't know if the gun is equipped with the factory G35 trigger or an agency specified heavier one. But like I said, 1lb no difference really.

Also the Glock 35 is noted as being more reliable than the standard and compact size Glocks in that caliber. Yes, Virginia, Glock 35s are issued police weapons for some agencies due to that fact and also that if you're gonna be carrying open then having a bit longer barrel and sight radius ain't a bad thing at all. BFD as to the choice of pistol.


And the holster is probably exactly dictated by uniform policy. Agencies issue poor choices of equipment all the damn time, such as Serpa holsters (the agencies in my state, including my own, LOVE them for some reason. Despite being well known as shitty holsters). It's a well known fact that the crappier a piece of equipment, the cheaper it is, the more mall ninjaish it is, the less suited it is, the more the administrators who dictate policy and budget will absolutely love it. 

ETA: And do hire somebody competent to handle your PR stuff. Do not ever designate an idiot administrator who says *expletive deleted* like:

“It doesn’t have an external safety or anything like that,” said Lt. Sierra Brucia with the department. “The gun functioned how it was supposed to. When the trigger was pulled, the gun went off.”

Jesus Christ...

[Cliffh]

Nooz is angling the story as "zomg defective gun with no safety!" and the officer interviewed kinda creeped me out with insinuations that the child meant to start his own little mass murder spree (we don't know if it was accidental or intentional).

Maybe he's making implications like that to try a little misdirection?  "Look at the shiny thing over there"!

[HankB]

Glock lists 4.5lb trigger for the 35.   Service, compact and subcompact .40s list at 5.5 lb.  So, out of the box with a lighter competition trigger.

Somebody getting their ninja on?

With no other modifications, installing the OEM Glock "3.5 lb" connector in a typical pistol will still produce a trigger pull that is closer to 5 lbs than 3.5 lbs - I see nothing wrong with that for duty or defense.

[AZRedhawk44]

With no other modifications, installing the OEM Glock "3.5 lb" connector in a typical pistol will still produce a trigger pull that is closer to 5 lbs than 3.5 lbs - I see nothing wrong with that for duty or defense.

I think the latest fad with Glock triggers is a 3.5lb connector with a heavier return spring for a total pull around 5.5 or 6 pounds.  The heavier return spring encourages the trigger finger to allow a clean and rapid trigger reset under stress.

[French G.]

Glock 35 would make a fine cop gun, I loved and occasionally carried my 34. Retention Holster? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? WTF, can't keep a 6 year old off your gun, that's tactical level +eleventy. 

My 34 at one point was about a 1.75 trigger which is plenty exciting. Decent Bladetech holster and I never shot myself.

[lee n. field]

I think the latest fad with Glock triggers is a 3.5lb connector with a heavier return spring for a total pull around 5.5 or 6 pounds.  The heavier return spring encourages the trigger finger to allow a clean and rapid trigger reset under stress.

I tried that (Scherer 3.5/glock NY1 combo).  Didn't care for it at all, and swapped the parts back at the range.

[gunsmith]

I'm always amazed to see 600 dollar guns in 10 dollar holsters...