It’s estimated that about 65% of law enforcement agencies in the U.S. equip officers with Glock pistols.
But the Winter Haven police department dumped nearly $40,000 worth of Glock pistols after two incidents.
The department initially gave officers the .45-caliber Glock Model 37.
But soon after getting the new guns, two of the ninety pistols owned by the department exploded.
Both explosions with the Glocks occurred during training, not (thankfully) in the line of duty.
The explosions went from the barrel down through the bottom of the gun and ended up blowing off the triggers.
A 32-year-old officer and a 20-year police cadet were injured in separate incidents, both suffering bruised fingers and hands.
At first, the department believed that bad ammunition could have been the problem. But, they weren’t going to take any chances.
So, after the incidents, the police department announced they would be switching to all metal guns to replace the Glocks.
A Glock spokesman said, “Without looking at the pistol, there’s no way for us to decide.”
Personally, Glocks are not my favorite, but I do think they are well-built and dependable, which is why so many police departments carry them.
There are many variables that could have caused the issues with Winter Haven’s Glocks.
Maybe it was the ammo, or maybe the officers had made custom changes to the pistol.
Speaking of customization, one gun part that some people like to upgrade is the barrel.
Particularly threaded barrels, which have gained popularity in the past few years.
So, if you have ever considered a threaded barrel, here are some things to keep in mind.
What is a threaded barrel?:
A threaded barrel is a gun barrel that has external threads at the muzzle end of the barrel which allow for various attachments.
For instance, you could attach a suppressor, compensator, or muzzle device.
It’s relatively simple to add the devices if the barrel is threaded.
One thing to know is that these barrels come in different thread sizes.
The most common thread pitch is 1/2×28, mostly seen in threaded barrels for 9mm and .22 caliber firearms.
For larger calibers like .308 and .300, the most common thread size is 5/8×24.
It’s important to make sure the thread pattern on your barrel matches the devices you plan to attach.
Benefits of a threaded barrel:
The biggest reason most people add a threaded barrel to their firearm is to add a variety of devices.
Using a threaded barrel provides a way to switch between different muzzle devices depending on the need.
For example, you could switch the muzzle device for competition shooting and change it to something different for tactical training.
A threaded barrel gives the shooter versatility to what sort of upgrades they want to make to the firearm.
Drawbacks to a threaded barrel:
A basic threaded barrel for a 9mm handgun can cost $100 and up depending on the specific manufacturer of the barrel.
Then, there will be the cost for the devices to attach to the barrel.
So, you can see how things could quickly get expensive.
Another concern is that the threaded barrel will usually be longer than the stock barrel.
This can affect the balance and handling, so you’ll need to spend time at the range getting used to the new feel of your gun.
Additionally, like any other part, threads can wear out over time.
So, if you routinely change the devices, be sure to inspect the barrel regularly.
I don’t use suppressors and I think the money might be better spent on a different upgrade.
But that’s a personal choice, and there is nothing wrong with using a threaded barrel if you want to customize your weapon.
If you’re going to get a threaded barrel, make sure to get a quality part and regularly inspect it to ensure it stays in proper working condition.
