Why Are Glocks So Popular Everywhere?: What do Law Enforcement Officers, military Special Operations Forces, civilian enthusiasts, and criminals all have in common? They all love Glock pistols. The world is in love with Glocks, and they are not showing any signs of slowing down.
In his book Glock: The Rise of America’s Gun, Paul Barrett traces how the sleek, high-capacity Austrian weapon found its way into every corner of the world and two-thirds of all US police departments.
Believe it or not, the Glock was created in 1982 by curtain-rod manufacturer Gaston Glock. Glock didn’t like the handguns available on the market and decided to manufacture a new gun from scratch. Before starting, he asked gun experts in his native Austria what could be done to improve a handgun for the modern era.
“They said, ‘A gun with much larger ammunition capacity, a gun that is much more durable and reliable … [and] the gun should be easy to fire [and] easy to learn how to use,'” Barrett said. “He integrated all of those elements into the Glock, and that’s how he won his original contract with the Austrian army.”
The Original Glock and Coming to America
The Austrian Army adopted the original Glock 17. It had only 36 parts and could hold seventeen 9mm rounds in its magazine. It didn’t have an external safety like other semiautomatic handguns, and it also didn’t have a decocking mechanism. But he built a lightweight, interchangeable model that could withstand being dropped, submerged, and subjected to temperature extremes—and still accurately fire.
Glock arrived in the United States in 1988 and has never looked back. One of the factors that set up the company so well was Hollywood. The actors playing cops in the TV series Law and Order began carrying Glock 19s, and in the film “Die Hard 2” with Bruce Willis, his character John McClane not only carries a Glock but delivers a long dissertation on the qualities of the Glock pistol. Unfortunately, he called it a Glock 7 (which didn’t exist) and said it was made of porcelain. But what the heck? Seven or seventeen, Bruce is still the man.
What Made the Glock So Popular?
The Glock is easily one of the most recognizable pistols in the world. Its boxy, simplistic design means less overall maintenance and issues, making it easy to handle and conceal. Some of the features of the Glock that keep it so popular include:
Reliability
Glock’s reputation for reliability has been earned many times over. Its pistols are known for their simplicity and durability, with many users reporting that their Glocks have fired thousands of rounds without a single malfunction. Glock pistols are designed to function under the most adverse conditions, making them a favorite among law enforcement and military Special Operations Forces personnel.
Magazine Capacity
Magazine capacity is paramount when selecting a handgun for everyday carry (EDC). Glock pistols are known for their larger magazine capacities compared to similar-sized handguns. The Glock 19, one of the most commonly carried Glock models, holds 15 rounds +1 in its standard magazine. This higher capacity gives carriers an added sense of security in a defensive situation where more rounds may be necessary.
Moreover, weapon’s modularity allows for compatibility with magazines of a larger capacity. For instance, one can use a 17-round magazine designed for the Glock 17 in the Glock 19. Glock even produces 33-round or high-capacity drum magazines for those wanting maximum firepower (though a drum mag may not fit in your spare mag carrier). This flexibility makes Glocks highly adaptable to different EDC preferences.
The Glock is Very User Friendly
Glocks are famous for their simplicity. One of the standout features is the absence of a manual safety lever, which can be critical in high-stress situations.
Glock’s “Safe Action” system allows the gun to be ready to fire immediately when the trigger is pulled (there is a trigger safety) without the need for disengaging any safety mechanisms. The consistent trigger pull allows for faster reaction times, which is ideal for self-defense.
They Are Easily Customized
An enormous aftermarket for Glock parts and accessories allows users to tailor their pistols to their individual needs and preferences. Whether you want to change the trigger, add night sights, or install a custom slide, there are a variety of options available.
This customizability also extends to easily swapping out barrels and magazines, allowing users to convert the Glock from one caliber to another or use extended magazines for added capacity.
Maintenance
The pistols are relatively easy to maintain; most users report that they can quickly and efficiently perform routine maintenance independently. This reduces the cost of ownership and makes Glock pistols an attractive option for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on gunsmithing.
Affordability
A pistol of this quality would be very expensive, but this isn’t true. Glock pistols are priced very competitively with other handguns in their class, making them accessible to many shooters.
Most Glocks are priced in the $500-$600 price range, which is very reasonable.
About the Author:
Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
