The History of the Glock
Founded in 1982, Glock is a relative newcomer to the handgun scene. The brand is much younger than manufacturers like Smith and Wesson (founded in 1852), or Beretta, the oldest active gun manufacturer which goes back to 1526.
Despite being the new kid on the block, Glock has captured the hearts and minds of firearms lovers both in the United States and around the world. Did you know that roughly two-thirds of police departments use Glocks? They’re also a favorite of the US Military.
Where Are Glocks Made?
Despite being well known across America, you may be surprised to find out that Glock was found in Austria by a curtain-rod maker named Gaston Glock. Glock wasn’t impressed by the state of the handgun market and set out to make something he liked better.
Before he began development, he spent a considerable amount of time on market research. Having sat down with various Austrian gun experts, he aimed to find out what they would love to see in an ideal gun.
Once he understood what gun owners truly wanted in a semi-automatic handgun, he produced the first Glock model, the original Glock 17.
This Glock model holds 17 rounds, contained a mere 36 parts, and was easy for even a beginner to learn to use. You could drop it, submerge it in liquid, or drastically change the temperature around it and it would still fire accurately and reliably. This unparalleled durability and reliability play a huge part in the Glock’s continued popularity.
The Glock 17 was an instant hit and was immediately adopted by the Austrian military. When it came to America in 1988, police officers also fell in love with its advantages over other guns — high capacity, yet lightweight, easy to use, and incredibly accurate.
The immediate attention from law enforcement agencies, combined with its appearance in Hollywood movies in the early ‘90s spurred a lot of interest in the Glock in the lucrative civilian market. Since then, the Glock has enjoyed plenty of public interest that doesn’t show signs of slowing down.
Popular Glock Models
The Glock 17 was only the first of many popular Glock models. Glock’s incredible Safe Action pistols with their consistent trigger pull, the ability to take abuse, and still be accurate, and their simplicity of use have made Glocks a favorite among many gun owners.
Ever a favorite caliber, 9mm Glocks are quite common but Glocks come in a variety of calibers including .40 S&W, 10mm, .380 Auto, .45 Auto, .45 GAP, .22 LR, and .357 SIG.
Glock guns are now on their 5th generation and the most recent lines add extra accuracy and usability while providing the reliability gun owners love from Glock. New features include removing finger grooves, Glock marksman barrels, a flared magazine well, and ambidextrous slide lever, and a reversible magazine catch.
Of course, every person is different and different firearm characteristics will appeal to them. For this reason, there is not necessarily a “perfect” Glock model. However, with over 50 amazing models to choose from, nearly anyone can find the perfect Glock model for them.
Let’s look at some of our favorite Glock models.
Glock 17
Of all the Glock models, the Glock 17 is still one of the most popular among hobbyists and law enforcement agencies alike. As a high-capacity 9 mm pistol, this lightweight polymer-framed beauty gives users a lot to love. For a full-size gun (8.03” long, 5.47” high), it’s still remarkably easy to conceal and handle — even for smaller hands.
Glock 19
The Glock 19 is basically a smaller, more compact version of the Glock 17. It was created as an answer to LEOs asking for a smaller model that still packed the same fire power. The Glock 19 isn’t a whole lot smaller (only about .75” shorter lengthwise and .43” shorter heightwise, same 1” width) but it makes a big difference when it comes to concealment.
This Glock model is also a favorite among females shooters as it’s a bit smaller and fits a little better in their hands. This model can also be easily concealed in a bag, purse, or right on your person if needed.
Glock 19x
The Glock 19x is a crossover pistol that is a civilian version of an MHS handgun made for the U.S. Military. It has the full-size polymer frame of the G17, but the smaller G19 slide. It also comes equipped with the new Glock Marksman Barrel, which improves upon the Glock pistol’s already impressive accuracy.
Glock 26
Dubbed the “Baby Glock”, the G26 subcompact is great for concealed carry. Due to its smaller size, this model only holds 10 rounds, but rest assured it still packs a powerful punch. People with large hands may find shooting this Glock uncomfortable, but as a compact 9mm model, it’s hard to beat.
Glock 34
The G34 was designed with a longer barrel (0.71” longer than the G17) to improve upon the G17’s already precise accuracy for competitive shooting. It’s a little big for concealed carry, but for those who want a precise gun, this is the one to get. This gun is not ambidextrous, but the improved extended slide release and magazine release buttons make it easier to handle, a nice advantage during a competition.
Glock 43
The queen of concealed carry among 9mm Glocks, this little beauty is even tinier than the G26 “Baby Glock”. At only 6.25” long it can fit just about anywhere. The big disadvantage, however, is that it can only hold 6 rounds. An updated model, the G43x can hold 10 rounds and its redesigned frame and grip makes it only minimally different in size.
Picking The Right Glock Gun
As mentioned, there is no one “perfect” Glock gun. However, there is an array of incredible models to choose from, giving consumers the chance to pick the perfect one — or ones — for their needs. After all, whoever said you could only own one handgun?
Thinking about buying a Glock for yourself or a loved one? Typically the best place to start is with a 9mm, so the Glock 17 and Glock 19 make for great options. Want to learn a bit more about Glock 17 vs Glock 19?
Read our helpful article Important Things To Consider When Buying A Glock Conversion Kit here.
