What is the purpose of magazine disconnect safeties? (prevents firing pistol when magazine is missing)?

Question

I don't understand why these otherwise excellent handguns come with magazine disconnect safeties. For me it makes me not want to purchase the firearm because you can't fire a round in the chamber if you have to when doing a tactical reload.

Examples: the Walter P99 & FN Five-seveN

The argument that the gun will not function if it is taken away from you does not make any sense to me at all.
If I wanted the gun not to fire without the magazine, I would fire one shot to empty the round in the chamber. If someone is attempting to take the firearm away from me at that moment, they would either get shot, the slide would bite their hand, or I might get shot myself.

But that wouldn't really matter, because if someone is capable of overpowering you and taking your firearm away, they will either pick up the magazine or they will be able to hit you on the head with the gun and then take away the magazine anyways.

Also, is it possible to disable these magazine disconnect safeties? And

.... and is it legal to modify a handgun's safety mechanism this way? Or would special paper work have to be filed with ATF if you wish to modify your firearm like this?

Answer 1

I think it's a solution to a non-existant problem...probably a do-gooder law.

Answer 2

The function is an officer safety issue. If an individual goes for your weapon you can drop a mag. Inturn let the person take your weapon and pull your back up/ taser/ spray/ baton... I think it is a good idea for some people to have this. As a tactical officer I understand what you are getting at with shooting a round in the mag. However, with training an individual should already be bringing a new mag up to the mag well before dropping the old for a tac load or a speed load. It would also be better to know when you are coming close to empty and tac load anyway, thus giving continual firepower. I do know there may be a time that it is not easy to do...But will keep more rounds in the weapon. Alos, I would not change the function. I would get a different weapon altogether. Someone out there thinks that this is a good idea...Rumor has it an officer in LA was struggling a banger for his S&W. he dropped the mag the banger stepped back in an attempt to kill the officer. The officer pulled his back up...Now the government is saving money. No banger in custody.

Answer 3

I don't like them. A pistol should be able to fire whether it has a magazine inserted, or not. A magazine disconnect safety only prevents "stupid" discharges. (I'm too dumb to make sure my gun is unloaded before I pull the trigger.) Unlike a thumb safety it does not prevent "accidental" discharges. (I slipped on a banana and my finger contacted the trigger.) The first is completely preventable, truth of the matter is that the second is not. A magazine safety is not a good safety solution, neither is a product safety warning on the side of a pistol. The only safe solution is not to point the gun at yourself or someone else. A gun is dangerous, and should be, this must be accepted.

Answer 4

Magazine Disconnect

Answer 5

It´s pretty simple.

If someone is able to take your gun he is noch able to shoot you right away. You still have the chance on overwhelming him in man2man combat. It´s just a chance but that´s the best you can do if something like that happens.

And yes, I guess you can probably disable it mechanicly by blocking it or something. But I don´t think you can find that function built in...

To your Details: I´m not from the states so I don´t know but I guess the regulations are very strict becauseof the great risk of hurting your self and others when you change something on your handgun.