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

Published on December 24, 2025
Duration: 27:35

This entry details the Glock 17, focusing on its design evolution, the 'Safe Action' system, and variants with manual safeties. It debunks the 'Glock 7' myth from Die Hard 2 and touches upon the Undetectable Firearms Act. Expert Jonathan Ferguson from the Royal Armouries provides insights.

Quick Summary

The Glock 'Safe Action' system uses three internal safeties (trigger, firing pin, drop safety) to prevent accidental discharge. The 'Glock 7' from Die Hard 2 was fictional; the real firearm was a detectable Glock 17. The Undetectable Firearms Act requires firearms to contain sufficient metal for detection.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Rare Gen 1 Glock 17
  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. 12:40The Undetectable Firearms Act
  8. 14:40Manual Safety Mechanism Demo

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Glock 'Safe Action' system?

The Glock 'Safe Action' system consists of three internal safeties: a trigger safety (the dingus), a firing pin safety, and a drop safety. These work together to ensure the pistol only fires when the trigger is intentionally pulled, eliminating the need for a manual external safety.

Was the 'Glock 7' from Die Hard 2 real?

No, the 'Glock 7' mentioned in Die Hard 2 was fictional. The movie depicted it as a German-made, porcelain gun invisible to X-rays. In reality, the firearm used was a standard Austrian Glock 17, largely made of steel and easily detectable.

Did Glocks ever have manual safeties?

While standard Glocks rely on internal safeties, some rare variants were produced with manual thumb safeties, often for specific trials or agency requests, such as those considered for UK Special Forces or for international police departments.

What is the Undetectable Firearms Act?

The US Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 was a legislative response to fears about 'plastic guns.' It mandates that firearms must contain a specific amount of metal to ensure they can be detected by standard security screening equipment like metal detectors and X-ray machines.

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