Glock

The Glock Pistol, sometimes referred to as the Glock "Safe Action" Pistol by the manufacturer, is a series of Semi-Automatic, striker fire pistols designed and produced by Glock Ges.m.b.H located in Deutsch-Wagram, Austria. Gaston Glock, the companies founder and lead engineer, had no experience with firearm design or manufactuer. However, he did have extensive experience in advanced synthetic polymers, knowledge of which was instrumental in the companies design of the first successful line of pistols with a polymer frame. Glock is also known for introducing ferritic nitrocarburizing into the firearms industry as an anti-corrosion surface treatment for metal gun parts.

Initially the Glock Pistol was subject of mass criticism due to it being a "plastic gun". Consumers were concerned with durability and reliability issues. There was also fear that a plastic weapon would be invisible to government building and airport metal detectors. However, today, Glock Pistols have become the companies most profitable product line and represent 65% market share of handguns for US Law Enforcement agencies as well as supplying numerous national armed forces and security agencies worldwide. On top of this, Glocks are one of the most popular handguns amongst civilians for home defense and concealed carry.

As a side note, Glock Pistols are used by both Black Flag Militia members, Kelly Crow and Ory Fuller. Ory prefers his full-sized 3rd Gen Glock 17 (9mm), while Kelly typically carries two Glocks for combat operations, a full-sized 3rd Gen Glock 22 (.40 S&W) for his sidearm and a compact 3rd Gen Glock 32 CCT Mod 1 (9mm) equipped with a Viridian Green Laser and LED Light combo, as a backup pistol.

Development
A "first generation" Glock 17 with the slide locked back displaying its vertical barrel tiltA "second generation" Glock 17, identified by the checkering on the front and rear straps of the pistol grip and trigger guardAn early "third generation" Glock 19, identified by the addition of thumb rests, an accessory rail, finger grooves on the front strap of the pistol grip and a single cross pin above the triggerA "third generation" Glock 17C, identified by the addition of an extra cross pin above the trigger and a reshaped extractor that serves as a loaded chamber indicatorIn 1980, the Austrian military announced that it would seek tenders for a new, modern duty pistol to replace their World War II-era Walther P38 handguns.[7] The Austrian Ministry of Defence formulated a list of 17 criteria for the new generation service pistol:[8] Glock became aware of the Austrian Army's planned procurement and in 1982 assembled a team of Europe's leading handgun experts from military, police and civilian sport shooting circles to define the most desirable characteristics in a combat pistol.[8] Within three months, Glock developed a working prototype.[10] The new weapon made extensive use of synthetic materials and modern manufacturing technologies in its design, making it a very cost-effective candidate. Several samples of the 9×19mm Glock 17 (so named because it was the 17th patent of the company) were submitted for assessment trials in early 1982, and after passing all of the exhaustive endurance and abuse tests, Glock emerged as the winner with the Model 17.[11] [12] [13]
 * 1) The design has to be self-loading.
 * 2) The pistol must fire the NATO-standard 9×19mm Parabellum round.Glock_17_9mmPara_1st.jpg
 * 3) The magazines would not require any means of assistance for loading.
 * 4) The magazines must have a minimum capacity of 8 rounds.
 * 5) All actions necessary to prepare the pistol for firing and any actions required after firing must be done single-handed, either right- or left-handed.
 * 6) The pistol must be absolutely secure against accidental discharge from shock, stroke and drops from a height of 2 meters onto a steel plate.
 * 7) Disassembly of the main parts for maintenance and reassembling must be possible without the use of any tools.
 * 8) Maintenance and cleaning of the pistol must be accomplished without the use of tools.
 * 9) The pistol's construction may not exceed 58 individual parts (equivalent of a P38).
 * 10) Gauges, measuring and precise testing devices must not be necessary for the long-term maintenance of the pistol.
 * 11) The manufacturer is required to provide the Ministry of Defence with a complete set of engineering drawings and exploded views. These must be supplied with all the relevant details for the production of the pistol.
 * 12) All components must be fully interchangeable between pistols.Glock_17_2nd_Gen.jpg
 * 13) No more than 20 malfunctions are permitted during the first 10,000 rounds fired, not even minor jams that can be cleared without the use of any tools.
 * 14) After firing 15,000 rounds of standard ammunition, the pistol will be inspected for wear. The pistol will then be used to fire an overpressure test cartridge generating 5,000 bar (500 MPa; 73,000 psi) (the normal maximum operating pressure Pmax for the 9 mm NATO is rated at 2,520 bar (252 MPa; 36,500 psi).[9] The critical components must continue to function properly and be up to specifications, otherwise the pistol will be disqualified.
 * 15) When handled properly, under no circumstances may the user be endangered by case ejection.
 * 16) The muzzle energy must be at least 441.5 J when firing a 9mm S-round/P-08 Hirtenberger AG.
 * 17) Pistols scoring less than 70% of the total available points will not be considered for military use.

The handgun was adopted into service with the Austrian military and police forces in 1982 as the P80 (Pistole 80),[14] with an initial order for 25,000 guns.[10] The Glock 17 outperformed 8 different pistols from five other established manufacturers (Heckler & Koch of Germany offered their P7M8, P7M13 and P9S, SIG Sauer of Germany bid with their P220 and P226 models, Beretta of Italy submitted their model 92SB-F, FN Herstal proposed an updated variant of the Browning Hi-Power and the home-grown Steyr entered the competition with the GB).[15]

The results of the Austrian trials sparked a wave of interest in Western Europe and overseas, particularly in the United States, where a similar effort to select a service-wide replacement for the M1911 had been ongoing since the late 1970s (known as the Joint Service Small Arms Program). In late 1983, the United States Department of Defense inquired about the Glock pistol and received four samples of the Glock 17 for unofficial evaluation.[16] Glock was then invited to participate in the XM9 Personal Defense Pistol Trials, but declined because the DOD specifications would require extensive retooling of production equipment and providing 35 test samples in an unrealistic time frame.[16]

Shortly thereafter, the Glock 17 was accepted into service with the Norwegian, and Swedish Armed Forces, surpassing all prior NATO durability standards.[16] As a result, the Glock 17 became a standard NATO-classified sidearm and was granted a NATO Stock Number (1005-25-133-6775).[16]

By 1992, some 350,000 pistols had been sold in more than 45 countries, including 250,000 in the United States alone.[14]

Product evolution
Glock has updated its basic design several times throughout its production history. Commentators had long separated the large changes into generations. Glock eventually accepted this nomenclature with their "Gen4" models.

In 1991, an integrated recoil spring assembly replaced the original two-piece recoil spring and tube design. The magazine was slightly modified, changing the floorplate and fitting the follower spring with a resistance insert at its base.

Second generation models
A mid-life upgrade to the Glock pistols involved the addition of checkering on the front strap and serrations to the back strap. These versions were introduced in 1988 and were informally referred to as "second generation" models. To meet American ATF regulations, a steel plate with a stamped serial number was embedded into the receiver in front of the trigger guard.

Third generation models
In the late 1990s, the frame was further modified with an accessory rail (called the "Universal Glock rail") to allow the mounting of laser sights, tactical lights, and other accessories. Thumb rests on both sides of the frame and finger grooves on the front strap were added. Glock pistols with these upgrades are informally referred to as (early) "third generation" models.

Later third generation models additionally featured a modified extractor that serves as a Loaded chamber indicator, and the locking block was enlarged, along with the addition of an extra cross pin to aid the distribution of forces exerted by the locking block. This cross pin is known as the locking block pin and located above the trigger pin.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-wo.C5.BAniak_17-0">[17]

The polymer frames of third generation models can be black or olive drab. Besides that, non-firing dummy pistols ("R" models) have a bright red frame and Simunition-adapted practice pistols ("T" models) – a bright blue frame for easy identification.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-18">[18]

In 2009, the Glock 22 RTF2 (Rough Texture Frame 2) (chambered in .40 S&W) was introduced. This pistol featured a new checkering texture around the grip and new scalloped (fish gill shaped) serrations at the rear of the sides of the slide.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-19">[19] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-20">[20]

Fourth generation models
Comparison of "third" (left) and "fourth" generation (right) Glock 19 grip framesAt the 2010 SHOT Show, Glock presented the "fourth generation", now dubbed "Gen4" by Glock itself. Updates centered on ergonomics and the recoil spring assembly. The fourth generation models do not have total parts modularity with its predecessors, meaning not all parts can be mixed and matched with previous Glock generations. The initial two fourth generation models announced were the full-size Glock 17 and Glock 22, chambered for the 9×19mm Parabellum and .40 S&W cartridges, respectively. The pistols were displayed with a modified rough texture frame, grip checkering, and [[File:Gen4grip.jpg|thumb|286px|Left: 3rd Generation Glock Right: 4th Gen Glock

Notice that texturing on grips is different as the Gen 4's utilize an advanced RTF (Rough Texture Frame) as well as the addition of interchangeable backstraps to aid in fitting the grip to different sizes of hands.]]interchangeable backstraps of different sizes. "Gen4" is rollmarked on the slide next to the model number to identify the fourth generation pistols.

The basic grip size of the fourth generation Glock pistols is slightly smaller compared to the previous design. A punch is provided to remove the standard trigger housing pin and replace it for the longer cross pin needed to mount the medium or large backstrap. With the medium backstrap installed, the grip size is comparable to the third generation pistols. The magazine release catches are enlarged and reversible for left-handed use. To utilize the exchangeable magazine release feature, fourth generation Glock magazines have two notches cut on both sides of the magazine body.

Mechanically, fourth generation Glock pistols are fitted with a dual recoil spring assembly to help reduce perceived recoil and increase service life expectancy. Earlier subcompact Glock models such as the Glock 26 and Glock 30 have already used a dual recoil spring assembly which was carried over to the fourth generation versions of those models. The slide and barrel shelf have been resized, and the front portion of the polymer frame has been widened and internally enlarged, in order to accommodate the dual recoil spring assembly. The trigger mechanism housing has also been modified to fit into the smaller sized grip space.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-21">[21] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22">[22] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-23">[23] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-24">[24] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-25">[25]

The introduction of fourth generation Glock pistols continued in July 2010 when the Glock 19 and Glock 23, the reduced size "compact" versions of the Glock 17 and Glock 22, became available for retail.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-26">[26] In late 2010 Glock continued the introduction of fourth generation models with the Glock 26 and Glock 27 "subcompact" variants.

In January 2013 more fourth generation Glock pistols were introduced commercially during the annual SHOT Show including the Glock 20 Gen4 along with other fourth generation Glock models.

2011 recoil spring assembly exchange program
In September 2011 Glock announced a recoil spring exchange program in which the manufacturer voluntarily offers to exchange the recoil spring assemblies of its fourth generation pistols (with the exception of the "subcompact" Glock 26 and Glock 27 models) sold before 22 July 2011 at no cost “in order to ensure our products perform up to GLOCK’s stringent standards,” according the company.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-27">[27]

Operating mechanism
The Glock 17 is a 9mm short recoil-operated locked breech semi-automatic pistol that uses a modified Browning cam-lock system adapted from the Hi-Power pistol.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-28">[28] The firearm's locking mechanism utilizes a linkless, vertically tilting barrel with a rectangular breech that locks into the ejection port cut-out in the slide. During the recoil stroke, the barrel moves rearward initially locked together with the slide approximately 3 mm (0.12 in) until the bullet leaves the barrel and chamber pressure drops to a safe level. A ramped lug extension at the base of the barrel then interacts with a tapered locking block integrated into the frame, forcing the barrel down and unlocking it from the slide. This camming action terminates the barrel's movement while the slide continues back under recoil, extracting and ejecting the spent cartridge casing. The slide's uninterrupted rearward movement and counter-recoil cycle are characteristic of the Browning system.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kokalis_29-0">[29]

Features
A subcompact Glock 30 field stripped to its main parts with a .45 ACP roundThe slide features a spring-loaded claw extractor and the stamped sheet metal ejector is pinned to the subframe.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Wo.C5.BAniak_14-2">[14] Post 2002 pistols have a reshaped extractor that serves as a loaded chamber indicator. When a cartridge is present in the chamber, a tactile metal edge protrudes slightly out immediately behind the ejection port on the right side of the slide.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-30">[30]

The striker firing mechanism has a spring-loaded firing pin that is cocked in two stages, powered by the firing pin spring. When the pistol is charged, the firing pin is in the half-cock position. As the trigger is pulled, the striker is then fully cocked. At the end of its travel, the trigger bar is tilted downward by the disconnector, releasing the striker to fire the cartridge. The disconnector resets the trigger bar so that the striker will be captured in half-cock at the end of the firing cycle. This is known as a pre-set trigger mechanism, referred to as the "Safe Action" trigger by the manufacturer. The disconnector ensures the pistol can only fire semi-automatically.

The factory-standard two-stage trigger has a trigger travel of 12.5 mm (0.49 in) and is rated at 25 N (5.6 lbf), but by using a modified connector it can be increased to 35 N (7.9 lbf) or lowered to 20 N (4.5 lbf). In response to a request made by American law enforcement agencies for a two-stage trigger with increased trigger pull, Glock introduced the NY1 (New York) trigger module, which features a flat spring in a plastic housing that replaces the trigger bar's standard coil spring. This trigger modification is available in two versions: NY1 and NY2 that are rated at 25 N (5.6 lbf) to 40 N (9.0 lbf) and 32 N (7.2 lbf) to 50 N (11.2 lbf) respectively, which require approximately 20 N (4.5 lbf) to 30 N (6.7 lbf) of force to disengage the safeties and another 10 N (2.2 lbf) to 20 N (4.5 lbf) in the second stage to fire a shot.

The Glock's frame, magazine body and several other components are made from a high-strength nylon-based polymer invented by Gaston Glock and called Polymer 2.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kasler_136_31-0">[31] This plastic was specially formulated to provide increased durability and is more resilient than carbon steel and most steel alloys. Polymer 2 is resistant to shock, caustic liquids and temperature extremes where traditional steel/alloy frames would warp and become brittle.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kasler_136_31-1">[31] The injection molded frame contains four hardened steel guide rails for the slide: two at the rear of the frame, and the remaining pair above and in front of the trigger guard. The trigger guard itself is squared off at the front and checkered. The grip has a non-slip, stippled surface on the sides and both the front and rear straps. The frame houses the locking block, which is an investment casting that engages a 45° camming surface on the barrel's lower camming lug. It is retained in the frame by a steel axis pin that holds the trigger and slide catch. The trigger housing is held to the frame by means of a plastic pin. A spring-loaded sheet metal pressing serves as the slide catch, which is secured from unintentional manipulation by a raised guard molded into the frame.

The Glock pistol has a relatively low slide profile, which holds the barrel axis close to the shooter's hand and makes the pistol more comfortable to shoot by reducing muzzle rise and allows for faster aim recovery in rapid shooting sequence. The rectangular slide is milled from a single block of ordnance-grade steel using CNC machinery.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kokalis_321_32-0">[32] The barrel and slide undergo two hardening processes prior to treatment with a proprietary nitriding process called Tenifer. The Tenifer treatment is applied in a 500 °C nitrate bath.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kasler_136_31-2">[31] The Tenifer finish is between 0.04 mm (0.0016 in) and 0.05 mm (0.0020 in) in thickness, and is characterized by extreme resistance to wear and corrosion; it penetrates the metal, and treated parts have similar properties even below the surface to a certain depth.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kasler_137_33-0">[33]

The Tenifer process produces a matte gray-colored, non-glare surface with a 64 Rockwell C hardness rating and a 99% resistance to salt water corrosion (which meets or exceeds stainless steel specifications),<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kokalis_321_32-1">[32] making the Glock particularly suitable for individuals carrying the pistol concealed as the highly chloride-resistant finish allows the pistol to better endure the effects of perspiration.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kasler_137_33-1">[33] Glock steel parts having the Tenifer treatment are more corrosion-resistant than analogous gun parts having other finishes or treatments, including Teflon, bluing, hard chrome plating, or phosphates.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kasler_137_33-2">[33] After applying the Tenifer process, a black Parkerized decorative surface finish is applied. The underlaying Tenifer treatment will remain protecting these parts even if the decorative surface finish were to wear off.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-MetalTreatments_5-1">[5]

A current production Glock 17 consists of 34 parts. For maintenance, the pistol disassembles into five main groups: the barrel, slide, frame, magazine, and recoil-spring assembly. The firearm is designed for the NATO-standard 9×19mm Parabellum pistol cartridge, but can use high-power (increased pressure) +P and +P+ ammunition with either full-metal-jacket or jacketed hollow-point projectiles.

Barrel
Standard sighting arrangement of a "first generation" Glock 17The hammer-forged barrel has a female type polygonal rifling with a right-hand twist. The stabilization of the round is not by conventional rifling, using lands and grooves, but rather through a polygonal profile consisting of a series of six or eight interconnected non-circular segments (only the .45ACP and .45GAP have octagonal polygonal rifling). Each depressed segment within the interior of the barrel is the equivalent of a groove in a conventional barrel. Thus the interior of the barrel consists of smooth arcs of steel rather than sharply defined slots.

The method by which Glock barrels are rifled is somewhat unusual; instead of using a traditional broaching machine to cut the rifling into the bore, the Glock process involves beating a slowly rotating mandrel through the bore to obtain the hexagonal or polygonal shape.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kasler_138_34-0">[34] As a result, the barrel's thickness in the area of each groove is not compromised as with conventional square-cut barrels. This has the advantage of providing a better gas seal around the projectile as the bore has a slightly smaller diameter, which translates into more efficient use of the combustion gases trapped behind the bullet,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kasler_138_34-1">[34] slightly greater (consistency in) muzzle velocities, increased accuracy and ease of maintenance.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Barrel_History_35-0">[35]

Safety
Glock pistols are designed with three independent safety mechanisms to prevent accidental discharge. The system, designated "Safe Action" by Glock, consists of an external integrated trigger safety<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-36">[36] and two automatic internal safeties: a firing pin safety<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-37">[37] and a drop safety.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-38">[38] The external safety is a small inner lever contained in the trigger. Pressing the lever activates the trigger bar and sheet metal connector. The firing pin safety is a solid hardened steel pin that, in the secured state, blocks the firing pin channel (disabling the firing pin in its longitudinal axis). It is pushed upward to release the firing pin for firing only when the trigger is actuated and the safety is pushed up through the backward movement of the trigger bar. The drop safety guides the trigger bar in a ramp that is released only when direct rearward pressure is applied to the trigger. The three safety mechanisms are automatically disengaged one after the other when the trigger is squeezed, and are automatically reactivated when the trigger is released.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Wo.C5.BAniak_14-3">[14] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-39">[39] This passive safety system omits the manipulation of traditional on-off levers, hammers or other external safeties as found in many other handgun designs.

In 2003, Glock announced the Internal Locking System (ILS) safety feature. The ILS is a manually activated lock that is located in the back of the pistol's grip. It is cylindrical in design and, according to Glock, each key is unique. When activated, the lock causes a tab to protrude from the rear of the grip giving both a visual and tactile indication as to whether the lock is engaged or not. When activated, the ILS renders the Glock unfireable as well as making it impossible to disassemble. When disengaged, the ILS adds no further safety mechanisms to the Glock pistol. The ILS is available as an option on most Glock pistols. Glock pistols cannot be retrofitted to accommodate the ILS. The lock must be factory built in Austria and shipped as a special order.

Feeding
The Glock 17 feeds from staggered-column or double stack magazines that have a 17-round capacity (which can be extended to 19 with an optional floor plate) or optional 33-round high capacity magazines.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-40">[40] For jurisdictions which restrict magazine capacity to 10 rounds, Glock offers single stack 10-round magazines. The magazines are made of steel and are overmolded with plastic. A steel spring drives a plastic follower. After the last cartridge has been fired, the slide remains open on the slide stop. The slide stop release lever is located on the left side of the frame directly beneath the slide and can be manipulated by the thumb of the shooting hand.

Glock magazines are "one-way" interchangeable between models, meaning that a compact or subcompact pistol will accept magazines designed for the larger pistols chambered for the same round. However, magazines designed for compact and subcompact models will not function in larger pistols because they are not tall enough to reach the slide and magazine release. For example, the subcompact Glock 26 will accept magazines from both the full-size Glock 17 and the compact Glock 19, but the Glock 17 will not accept magazines from the smaller Glock 19 or the Glock 26.

Sights
The Glock 17 has a fixed polymer combat-type sighting arrangement that consists of a ramped front sight and a notched rear sight with white contrast elements painted on for increased acquisition speed – a white dot on the front post and a rectangular border on the rear notch. The rear sight can be adjusted for windage as it has a degree of lateral movement in the dovetail it is mounted in. Three other factory rear sight configurations are available in addition to the standard 6.5 mm (0.26 in) height sight: a lower impact 6.1 mm (0.24 in) sight and two higher impact versions – 6.9 mm (0.27 in) and 7.3 mm (0.29 in).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kokalis_322_41-0">[41]

Accessories
Glock 34 with a GTL 22 attachment featuring a dimmable xenon white light and a red laserPolymer holster for Glock pistolsThe Glock pistol accessories available from the factory include several devices for tactical illumination, such as a series of front rail mounted "Glock tactical lights" featuring a white tactical light and an optional visible laser sight. An alternate version of the tactical light utilizing an invisible infrared light and laser sight is available, designed to be used with an infrared night vision device. Another lighting accessory is an adapter to mount a flashlight onto the bottom of a magazine.

Polymer holsters in various configurations and matching magazine pouches are available. In addition, Glock produces optional triggers, recoil springs, slide stops, magazine release levers, and underwater spring cups.

Magazine floor plates (or "+2 baseplates"), which expand the capacity of the standard magazines by 2 rounds are available for models chambered for the 9×19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, and .380 ACP cartridges. In addition to the standard non-adjustable polymer sight line, three alternative sight lines are offered by Glock. These consist of steel, adjustable and self-illuminating tritium night rear sights and factory steel and self-illuminating tritium contrast pointer steel front sights.