How Heavy is a Glock and Other Cool Stuff?
By DiAnn MillsEver wonder how much extra weight a Glock adds to an FBI agent? I’m kind of a lightweight, so that thought has cross my mind. I pictured myself as a special agent running after a bad guy. Imagine the drag of a weapon? What was the weight difference between a loaded and unloaded Glock. What about a Kevlar vest? Whoa, I’d need to be in shape to manage my equipment while doing the best job possible.
I posed those questions to an FBI special agent. After all, my stories need credibility. I was intrigued with what I learned, especially the accuracy, and I wanted to pass it on to you!
Glock Unloaded Loaded
Model 22 1.4325 lbs. 2.15125 lbs.
Model 23 1.3225 lbs. 1.94125 lbs.
Model 27 1.234375 lbs. 1.6875 lbs.
I quickly realized a baby Glock would be for me.
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| Oh, yeah, I'm packing. |
On to my next question about the weight of a Kevlar vest, which I now see is called “body armor.” Wow ... take a look at my findings. The weight of the body armor is based on “Areal Density of Pounds (lbs) per square foot.” Per the FBI, “Our current version of body armor has an areal density of 1.1 lbs/sq ft. The conversion of total weight would be based on each individual agent's body measurements.” In my opinion the lighter the special agent, the lighter the equipment. Makes sense to me.
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| This one will need to be trimmed a bit for me. |
Here’s another cool fact. For the short agent, the Kevlar vest or body armor might need to be altered. That also means some of the special little pockets could be eliminated. Bummer. So I guess I’d have to slip my baby Glock into my back waistband.
Think about a female agent’s handbag. Gotta be leather to hold the weight and look good too.
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| Got my Baby Glock in the bottom, but I can pull it out fast! |
Now I’m ready to dive into my next FBI story. Got my gun, my body armor (shortened), and my purse.
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists and have won placements through the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Carol Awards and Inspirational Reader’s Choice awards. DiAnn won the Christy Award in 2010 and 2011.
DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Romance Writers of America, Faith, Hope & Love, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
Website: www.diannmills.com
www.facebook.com/diannmills
twitter.com/diannmills
Good research! I was amazed when I read "House" by Dekker and Peretti. I cringed when they said that they cracked open a single barrel shotgun and saw two shells. And I nearly through the book across the room when the cop loaded another clip into his revolver. Simple things like that kill a story. And so easy to just ask someone who owns guns. By the way, check on the purse thing. In my conceal carry class, we were told that a woman should never carry her gun in her purse. It should be on her person.
ReplyDeleteI'm fortunate to have those in the know to help me with this. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteTHAT is interesting about having the gun on you vs in your purse, Ron. Thanks for that heads-up.
DeleteThere are specially designed concealed carry purses. However a female agent would not carry her weapon in her purse. (In most cases.) She would wear a holster, like a male agent.
ReplyDeleteI believe some agents do carry their weapons in a specially designed purse - I know my FBI friend does. Of course not in an agent capacity but in everyday activities.
DeleteCool, cool, cool, DiAnn. I thought Kevlar vests would be heavy until a detective told me they were not. One detective told me they rarely saw shoulder holsters anymore. Most of them wore their guns on their belts. And the Glocks they carry aren't small in caliber or weight for sure. As much as I don't like going below the sub-compact size, the smaller guns are great for smaller purses.
ReplyDeleteI just researched a newer material that is more protective than Kevlar. However it's expensive. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteI've had my concealed carry permit for over 10 years now, and it was quite amazing how heavy my HK USP Compact got to be after carrying it for an hour. LOL This past year at the ACFW conference, I wore a tactical vest with some gear, but no armored plating and no weapon--AND I was inside with A/C. That gave me a renewed, deeper respect about its weight and the heat that comes with it for our men and women in combat. Phew!
ReplyDeleteYa'll are so funny. You're sharing all this info and comparing weights and materials ... all I'm doing is giggling at teeny tiny DiAnn packing a Baby Glock.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this, Diane! I know when I have gun questions, I ask my FB friends and they are always willing to chime in. But a little on-the-spot shooting alley research can REALLY help you see what you're getting wrong. It's our favorite date night. Thanks for this helpful info!
ReplyDeleteI carried my .38 in my purse years ago when I was active and my body armor
ReplyDeletewas a lot heavier. Glad to see that things have gotten better.