The Glock 17 & Die Hard 2 with firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson

Published on December 24, 2025
Duration: 27:35

This video delves into the history and technical aspects of the Glock 17, featuring insights from firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries. It covers the evolution of Glock generations, the nuances of its 'Safe Action' system, and debunks myths surrounding its portrayal in media like Die Hard 2. The discussion also touches upon the development of manual safety variants and regulatory impacts.

Quick Summary

Firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson from the Royal Armouries discusses the Glock 17, detailing its 'Safe Action' system with three internal safeties and exploring manual safety variants produced for specific trials. He also debunks the fictional 'Glock 7' from Die Hard 2, clarifying that real Glocks are steel and detectable.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Glock 17 Gen 1
  2. 01:35Glock Safe Action System Explained
  3. 03:03UK Military Trials & Glock Adoption
  4. 04:35Glock Generations & Design Evolution
  5. 07:48Global Manual Safety Variants
  6. 10:00Debunking the Die Hard 2 'Glock 7' Myth
  7. 12:40Undetectable Firearms Act Impact
  8. 14:40Manual Safety Mechanism Demonstration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Glock 'Safe Action' system?

Glock's 'Safe Action' system consists of three internal safeties: a trigger safety, a firing pin safety, and a drop safety. These work together to prevent accidental discharge, ensuring the firearm only fires when the trigger is intentionally pulled.

Did Glocks have manual safeties in the 1980s?

While standard Glocks are known for their internal 'Safe Action' system, manual safety variants were produced, notably for UK Special Forces trials in 1989 and for the US Military's MHS trials, indicating Glock's adaptability to specific agency requirements.

What was the 'Glock 7' from Die Hard 2?

The 'Glock 7' from Die Hard 2 was a fictional weapon described as a porcelain gun invisible to X-rays. In reality, the firearm used was a standard Austrian Glock 17 (Gen 2), made primarily of steel and easily detectable by security scanners.

What is the Undetectable Firearms Act?

The Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 is a US law that requires firearms to contain a sufficient amount of metal to be detected by standard security screening equipment, addressing concerns about 'plastic guns'.

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