Glock

Glock is an Austrian firearms manufacturer that makes polymer-framed, striker-fired pistols. Founded in 1963 by Gaston Glock in Deutsch-Wagram, Austria, the company hit it big in the 1980s with the Glock 17 -- a pistol that changed everything about handgun design. Glock runs U.S. operations out of Smyrna, Georgia and is a SAAMI member.

When 65% of American law enforcement agencies carry the same gun, and the Glock 19 is the most-recommended first handgun in America, you're looking at something that flat-out works.

Here's the wild part -- Gaston Glock had zero firearms experience when he designed the Glock 17. He was an engineer who made curtain rods, knives, and entrenching tools. In 1980, the Austrian military needed a new service pistol. Glock, an outsider with expertise in synthetic materials, created a polymer-framed pistol with only 34 parts. It beat every established manufacturer.

• •1963 -- Gaston Glock founds company in Austria (knives, tools, curtain rods)
• •1980 -- Austrian military tenders new pistol contract; Glock enters firearms
• •1982 -- Glock 17 adopted by Austrian military (17-round capacity, polymer frame, 34 parts)
• •1984 -- Norway becomes first foreign military adopter
• •1985 -- Glock Inc. established in Smyrna, Georgia
• •1986-1990s -- American law enforcement adoption accelerates (Miami-Dade, NYPD, FBI)
• •2000s -- Civilian market dominance; subcompact models introduced
• •2017 -- Gen 5 introduced with Marksman Barrel and ambidextrous controls
• •2019 -- Glock 43X and 48 (slim-line 10-round capacity)

Glock's lineup follows a simple size/caliber matrix. Every model uses the same Safe Action operating system -- learn one, know them all.

• •Key milestones in Glock's development from Austrian toolmaker to global firearms leader

The Glock 19 is the most popular handgun in America for good reason. It's small enough to conceal, large enough to fight with, holds 15+1 rounds, and works.

The Glock 19 is to handguns what the Toyota Camry is to cars -- boring, reliable, and everywhere because it does the job.

What Glock did in 1982 seems obvious now, but every one of these innovations changed the industry:

Glock's Safe Action trigger system uses three independent safeties that all disengage automatically when you press the trigger correctly. There's a trigger safety (that little lever in the trigger face), a firing pin safety that physically blocks the firing pin, and a drop safety that prevents firing pin release if the gun gets dropped. No manual safety to forget, fumble, or train around.

• •Glock Safe Action System - Three independent safeties work automatically

Why this matters -- you can field strip any Glock without tools in seconds.

Only 34 parts total means easy maintenance and fewer things to break. The manual of arms is identical across every model.

Your training transfers perfectly between sizes and calibers.

• •Reliability is legendary -- runs dirty, wet, sandy, frozen
• •Simplicity means less training time and fewer malfunctions
• •Aftermarket ecosystem is the largest of any handgun (holsters, sights, triggers, slides)
• •Resale value holds well
• •Parts commonality across models

• •Grip angle (22 degrees) feels unnatural to some shooters
• •Trigger is functional but not refined (compared to 1911s, CZs)
• •Stock sights are mediocre (most owners replace them)
• •"Perfection" marketing annoys people who see room for improvement
• •Grip texture on Gen 3/Gen 4 is too smooth; Gen 5 improved but still debated
• •Aesthetics are polarizing -- "ugly" is common feedback

The Glock aftermarket is its own industry. Companies like Trijicon, Ameriglo, Overwatch Precision, Agency Arms, and dozens more exist primarily to improve Glock pistols. Whatever you don't like about a stock Glock -- sights, trigger, slide, stippling -- someone makes an upgrade for it. No other handgun platform has this depth of aftermarket support.

Which Glock should you actually buy?

Glock pistols aren't exciting. They aren't pretty. The trigger isn't crisp and the sights aren't great. But they work -- every time, in every condition, with minimal maintenance.

When your life depends on it working, boring and reliable beats fancy and finicky every single time.

There's a reason 65% of American cops carry one and a reason the Glock 19 is the most recommended first handgun in the world.

If you're buying your first handgun, get a Glock 19. If you want something slimmer for carry, get a 43X. If you need maximum capacity, get a 17. Add decent sights, a weapon light if it's for home defense, and spend your money on training instead of more guns.

The aftermarket support means you can improve anything you don't like about a stock Glock. But honestly? Most people would be better served learning to shoot the gun they have rather than modifying it. A stock Glock with good sights and a competent shooter behind it will handle 99% of what you'll ever ask it to do.

• •Concealed Carry Fundamentals
• •Home Defense Setup
• •Red Dot Sights for Pistols
• •USPSA Competition Guide

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