Glock handguns are used by armed forces and law enforcement organizations worldwide, including most law enforcement agencies in the United States.[3] Glock handguns are popular in some countries for personal protection and practical shooting. The company sponsors a competitive shooting team that travels worldwide.[4] As of 2014, Glock produced over two dozen models of handguns in three sizes and seven calibers.[5][6][7]
Original Glock 17 issued by the Norwegian military
Glock handguns are common sidearms among law enforcement agencies and military organizations around the world, and are also popular weapons for home defense, and concealed/open carry. They are reputed to be highly reliable, able to function under extreme conditions and available in a wide range of ammunition types (9mm, 10mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .45 GAP, .357 SIG, .380 ACP, and .22 LR). Third-party conversion kits for .400 Corbon, .40 Super, and .50 GI are also available. The simplicity of the Glock design as well as its simple operation contributes to its reliability, as it contains a relatively small number of components (nearly half as many as the typical handgun, each one interchangeable requiring no hand-fitting) making maintenance and repair easier and less costly. In December 2019, Glock introduced their first production-model .22-caliber pistol, the Glock 44.[7]
The polymer frame makes them lighter than typical steel or aluminum-framed handguns, an attractive feature for police officers and citizens who carry firearms for extended periods of time. The trigger is the only operating element; all three safeties are deactivated when the trigger is pulled, and automatically activated when it is released. Glock pistols have no manual safeties like other brands' external safety, often in the form of a lever or button. The only external controls aside from the trigger are the slide stop lever, the magazine catch, and the slide lock for disassembly.[8] This adds to the simplicity of use and removes a potential source of error while operating the handgun under stress. Most of the steel components in a Glock pistol are treated with a nitriding process called Tenifer,[9] which hardens the surface and makes the pistol resistant to corrosion and wear.
In addition to their semi-automatic handguns, Glock also produces a select-fire pistol, the Glock 18, which has both semi-automatic and fully automatic mode. This model is generally available only to law enforcement or military organizations and the details of its production are obscure. Conversion kits for other Glocks to be fired in fully automatic mode exist, but they are third-party, and they are specifically marked as Title 2 devices by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives – restricting their purchase and possession to ATF 3 licensed dealers in the US.[10]
Glock manufactures two knife models, the Feldmesser 78 (Field Knife 78) and the Feldmesser 81 (Survival Knife 81).
The Field Knife 78 is a classic type with a 165 mm (6.5 in) blade and 290 mm (11 in) overall length. The Survival Knife 81 has the same overall dimensions with a saw on the back of the blade. The Field Knife 78 weighs 206 g (7.3 oz) and the Survival Knife 81 weighs 202 g (7.1 oz).
The grips and sheaths are made of polymer and are available in three colors: olive drab, sand, and black.[11] In 2016 Glock introduced a grey-colored Field Knife 81 and planned to discontinue Field Knife 78 in colors other than black.[12]
Entrenching tool
Glock Feldspaten entrenching tool
Glock also produces an entrenching tool, the Feldspaten (field spade).
The Feldspaten has a hardened metal spade blade that can be locked in three positions for digging, shoveling, and chopping, and a telescopic handle made out of fiberglass-reinforced nylon containing a 175 mm (6.9 in) long hardened metal sawblade.
The entrenching tool weighs 650 g (23 oz) and fully extended is 630 mm (25 in) long. The spade and handle can be collapsed and shortened for easy transport and storage into a 260 mm × 150 mm × 60 mm (10 in × 6 in × 2+1⁄2 in) package.[13]
The entrenching tool is supplied with a nylon storage/transport pouch that can be attached to a belt or backpack.
Glock has been the target of multiple embezzlement schemes involving high-ranking officers of the company or others closely related to the company. In 1999, Charles Ewert attempted to murder Gaston Glock after Glock asked for a meeting regarding an accusation of embezzlement. Ewert was convicted of attempted murder along with an accomplice for his involvement.[14]
In April 2012, Paul Jannuzzo, the former CEO of US subsidiary Glock, Inc., was convicted of racketeering regarding his involvement in an embezzlement scheme against the company.[15]
Investigation of embezzlement cases exposed questionable financial dealings and a complicated ownership structure hidden behind a string of shell companies in favourable tax locations around the world.[16][17]
^Hartink, A.E. (2002). The Complete Encyclopedia of Pistols and Revolvers. Edison, New Jersey: Chartwell Books, Inc. pp. 149–156. ISBN978-0-7858-1519-8.
Boatman, Robert H. Living With Glocks: The Complete Guide to the New Standard in Combat Handguns. Paladin Press, Boulder. 2002. ISBN1-58160-340-1.
Kasler, Peter Alan. Glock : The New Wave in Combat Handguns. Paladin Press, Boulder. 1992. ISBN0-87364-649-5.
Sweeney, Patrick. The Gun Digest Book of the Glock: A Comprehensive Review: Design, History, Use. Krause Publications, Iola, Wis. 2003. ISBN0-87349-558-6.
Sweeney, Patrick. The Gun Digest Book of the Glock, 2nd Edition. Gun Digest Books, Iola, Wis. 2008. ISBN0-89689-642-0.
Taylor, Robin. The Glock in Competition, 2nd Edition. Taylor Press, Bellingham. 2005. ISBN0-9662517-4-1.
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