Glock isnt just a gunits also a pop culture icon. Its not uncommon to see them used in movies or on television. There have even been efforts to ban them by name resulting in Congressional hearings and panic buying that significantly boosted sales1. Glock manufactures polymer-framed pistols at its plant in Deutsch-Wagram, Austria. The companys US subsidiary, founded in Smyrna, GA, follows the same production standards and procedures.
Its Simple Design
Glock pistols have a simple design. The original model, the Glock 17, had only 36 parts and could hold 17 cartridges in its magazine. It was lightweight, easy to use and could withstand extreme temperatures, drops, and submersion. It also didn’t need an external safety. It had three internal safeties—the trigger, firing pin and drop safety—to prevent accidental discharges.
That simplicity translates to excellent reliability. The Glock has been known to take extreme abuse and keep on working. It’s even able to fire after being submerged underwater.
Glock’s popularity has ensured that a cottage industry has popped up to support it, with options for holsters, sights, magazines, barrels and more. Its durability and simplicity have made it a go-to choice for police departments. And it’s become a cultural icon, appearing on Law and Order and other TV shows and even showing up in rap lyrics.
Its Durable
Glock pistols are designed with durability in mind. They are built with polymer frames and undergo rigorous testing to ensure reliability, functionality and the ability to withstand harsh conditions. Their striker-fired system provides a lighter and more consistent trigger pull than many other handguns, while the Safe Action System—comprising three passive safeties—prevents the firearm from discharging when it is dropped or subjected to impact.
Shooters appreciate that Glocks are easy to maintain and reload. They don’t require the frequent cleaning and disassembly required by blued steel weapons, and they are able to resist corrosion and moisture.
Glocks are available in a variety of calibers including 9mm,.357Sig,.40S&W, and even.45 GAP for those who prefer it. They also feature intuitive nomenclature that makes it easy to identify the frame size and caliber. There is no other handgun manufacturer that can match Glock’s track record of durability. This is especially true when the weapon is kept well maintained.
Its Easy to Maintain
The Glock design is so simple and robust that it can take on all sorts of abuse without breaking down. This reliability is why so many military and police forces choose Glocks, as well as civilians who use them for protection or sport shooting.
Glock’s specialized trigger system uses three separate passive safety mechanisms to prevent accidental jostling or drop discharge. These independent safety protocols work together to ensure the handgun will only fire when and where you intend it to.
Proper cleaning and lubrication will help you keep your pistol running properly. Always follow the owner’s manual for your particular model to find out where and how much lubrication to apply. Don’t over-lubricate, though; doing so can attract debris and cause malfunctions. Instead, lubricate the parts that move and touch each other (such as the firing pin channel and trigger mechanism). Glock applies an advanced surface treatment called Tenifer to major metal components, which hardens their outer surfaces to reduce wear and corrosion.
Its Easy to Upgrade
Glocks are one of the most easy handguns to upgrade. With a few simple tools you can improve your gun in seconds and make it better than it was out of the box.
Some upgrades are small, like extended magazine releases. These might seem trivial, but in a life or death situation — where you might be gripping the weapon with only one hand or the adrenaline might divert your brain’s processing power from fine motor skills to more important functions — being able to easily manipulate these little levers could save lives.
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Another upgrade is a trigger system. Drop-in trigger systems are easy to install and provide upgraded operation far beyond the factory system. You can replace the trigger shoe (where your finger makes contact) or the entire trigger system to reduce pull weight, travel and enhance overall trigger performance.
A compensator, like the Tyrant CNC version, is also easy to install and will give your gun a more aggressive look and reduce muzzle rise. This is an essential upgrade for shooters who are invested in competitive shooting.