Glock Ges.m.b.H.

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For other uses, see Glock (disambiguation).
Glock Ges.m.b.H.
Type Ges.m.b.H. (Private)
Industry Arms industry
Founded 1963[1]
Headquarters Deutsch-Wagram, Austria
Key people Gaston Glock, Founder & Executive Chairman
Products Firearms
Knives
entrenching tools
apparel
Employees ~ 300
Website www.glock.com

Glock Ges.m.b.H. (trademarked as GLOCK) is a weapons manufacturer headquartered in Deutsch-Wagram, Austria, named after its founder, Gaston Glock. While the company is best known for its line of striker-fired polymer-framed pistols, it also produces field knives, entrenching tools and apparel.

Glock handguns are used by armed forces and law enforcement organizations worldwide, including a majority of US law enforcement agencies.[2] Glock handguns are also very popular with civilians for personal protection and practical shooting, and the company sponsors a competitive shooting team which travels worldwide.[3] As of 2007, Glock produces more than two dozen models of handguns in seven different calibers.[4][5]

Contents

[edit] Products

[edit] Handguns

Main article: Glock pistol
Glock model 22 (.40 S&W) in the new olive drab frame (with magazine)

Glock handguns are common sidearms among law enforcement agencies and military organizations around the world. The popularity of Glock pistols can be attributed to a number of factors. They are very reliable, being able to function under extreme conditions and to fire a wide range of ammunition types (9mm, 10mm, .40 S&W, .45ACP, .45GAP, .357 Sig, .380 ACP). The simplicity of the Glock design contributes to this reliability, as it contains a relatively small number of components (nearly half as many as the typical handgun) making maintenance and repair easier.

The polymer frame makes them lighter than typical steel or aluminum-framed handguns, an attractive feature for police officers and civilians who carry firearms for extended periods of time. The trigger is the only operating element; all three pistol safeties are deactivated when the unique trigger is pulled, and automatically activated when it is released. Glock pistols have no manual safeties; the only external controls aside from the trigger itself are the slide release and magazine release. This adds to the simplicity of use and removes a potential source of error while operating the handgun under stress. It also provides excellent balance when the weapon is holding a full magazine. Most of the steel components in a Glock pistol are treated with a nitriding process called "Tenifer",[6] which increases the surface hardness and makes the weapon resistant to corrosion and wear.

Though the Heckler & Koch VP70 was the first polymer-framed pistol and predates the Glock 17 by 12 years, the popularity of Glock pistols inspired other manufacturers to begin production of similar polymer-framed firearms, including the Walther P99, Smith & Wesson Sigma, HS2000 (Springfield Armory XD), Steyr M, Taurus PT 24/7, Caracal, FN Herstal FNP and Ruger SR9 pistols. Glocks tend to be in the middle of the price range for quality pistols: generally less expensive than similar SIG Sauer P226 and Heckler & Koch USP pistol models, but more expensive than Ruger or Taurus models.

In addition to their semi-automatic handguns, Glock also produces a select-fire pistol, the Glock 18, which is able to be fired in either semi-automatic or fully automatic mode. This model is generally available only to law enforcement or military organizations.

[edit] Knives

Main article: Glock knife
Glock Feldmesser FM 78 and its sheath.

Glock currently manufactures two models of knives, the Feldmesser 78 (Field Knife 78) and the Feldmesser 81 (Survival Knife 81).

The Field Knife 78 is a classic type knife, 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 an additional 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.[7]

[edit] Entrenching tool

Glock Feldspaten entrenching tool

Glock also produces an entrenching tool, the Feldspaten (field spade).

The Feldspaten features a hardened metal spade blade that can be locked in 3 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.[8]

The entrenching tool is supplied with a nylon storage/transport pouch that can be attached to a belt or backpack.

[edit] Subsidiaries

Glock current international subsidiaries are:

[edit] Gallery

  • Glock 17 (3rd Generation).

  • Outline of the Glock automatic pistol 18C

  • Photo of Glock 18C in use by Marine Corps

  • Glock 19 on a showcase stand

  • Glock 19 field stripped for cleaning or inspection

  • Front view of the Glock 19

  • Third generation Glock 20 10mm Auto

  • Glock 21 shown on a showcase stand

  • Glock G22 .40 cal with a M6 tactical laser-light combo. Shown with additional 28 round magazines

  • Glock Model 23 with tactical light and laser sight

  • Glock 23 with magazine shown

  • Glock 26 field stripped

  • Glock 30 with fiber optic sights, magazine extension and handle plug

  • Night firing to catch muzzle flash

  • Glock 34 with a GTL 22 attachment

[edit] References

  1. ^ www.businessweek.com. "Glock Company Timeline". http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_38/b4147038110231.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-21. 
  2. ^ Ayoob, Massad (May 2004), "The Glock. Tips for selling more of this hot seller", Shooting Industry, http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3197/is_5_49/ai_n6054266/, retrieved 2 December 2009 
  3. ^ "Team GLOCK Shooting Squad preserves their winning streak with multiple victories" (Press release). TEAM GLOCK. 10 August 2007. http://www.teamglock.com/PDF-Files/DaveNewEnglandRegional.pdf. Retrieved 02 December 2009. 
  4. ^ Dockery, Kevin (2007). Future Weapons. Berkeley Trade. pp. 158–159. ISBN 978-0425217504. http://books.google.com/books?id=8RxJxY7wQn0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=future+weapons&cd=1#v=onepage&q=glock%20dozen&f=false. 
  5. ^ Hartink, A.E. (2002). The Complete Encyclopedia of Pistols and Revolvers. Edison, New Jersey: Chartwell Books, Inc. pp. 149–156. ISBN 9780785815198. 
  6. ^ "GLOCK". Glock.com. http://www.glock.com/english/pistols_adv06.htm. Retrieved 2008-11-27. 
  7. ^ Glock. "Outdoor knives product page". http://www.glock.com/english/outdoor_knives.htm. Retrieved 2007-09-26. 
  8. ^ Glock entrenching tool

[edit] Literature

  • Boatman, Robert H. Living With Glocks : The Complete Guide to the New Standard in Combat Handguns . Paladin Press, Boulder. 2002. ISBN 1-58160-340-1.
  • Kasler, Peter Alan. Glock : The New Wave In Combat Handguns. Paladin Press, Boulder. 1992. ISBN 0-87364-649-5.
  • Sweeney, Patrick. The Gun Digest Book of the Glock: A Comprehensive Review : Design, History, Use. Krause Publications, Iola. 2003. ISBN 0-87349-558-6.
  • Sweeney, Patrick. The Gun Digest Book of the Glock, 2nd edition Gun Digest Books, Iola. 2008. ISBN 0-89689-642-0.
  • Taylor, Robin. The Glock In Competition, 2nd edition. Taylor Press, Bellingham. 2005. ISBN 0-9662517-4-1.

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Glock
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