A few months ago I was in a pistol class where there were 2 new shooters as students. They both were using Glock 19 Gen 5s. I noticed that they both were continually having limp wrist-related stoppages, though they were quickly corrected. I didn't think anything of it at the time; they were new shooters who were still learning the ropes. Fast forward to this weekend. An LEO I am personally familiar with was unfortunate enough to be in an OiS incident. Fortunately, it was very cut and dry and he was cleared for duty a few days later. He was uninjured during the incident, but he remarked that he did encounter a malfunction with his Glock 17. Last night I was able to watch the footage, and it looked like he had to pull himself back behind a wall's corner as he was firing an aimed shot off. It looked like the motion of his strong hand moving backward (he was firing one handed) as the gun was cycling caused the type of stoppage that limpwristing also causes. This officer was no doubt extremely experienced; the stoppage wasn't caused by something he did wrong so much as just the chaotic nature of the incident and having to move his hand back at an inopportune time. He immediately cleared it and safely resolved the incident.
There's no question that polymer-framed pistols with very low-mass, lightweight frames are more susceptible to limp wrist-type jams than their heavier-framed counterparts. It seems that by and large we all look at it as a training issue, purely the shooter's fault. It got me thinking, though, that I could see instances in an OiS or DGU where such a shot might take place, regardless of the skill level of the shooter. Injured hand(s), shots taken from less-than-ideal positions, shots taken on the move, etc. It can and does happen. It makes me wonder whether the Glock's susceptibility to limpwristing is more of a reliability concern than most recognize it as. Should this be acceptable in a duty or self defense pistol? If so, why? I know all pistols can jam, but there's no doubt a pistol that is less likely to jam is more desirable than one more likely to. I carry a Glock every single day and have for years. I've never encountered a limpwrist-related stoppage. But I can't help but wonder if, should I ever have to actually use my pistol to defend myself, I might be in an unlucky enough situation where a limpwrist-type jam is likely enough to be a danger. Thoughts?