Glock or Block ?

The very plain looking, square, black and with nothing that stands out, Glock pistol. When it comes to craftsmanship it is very simple. It is not the detail specific and very beautiful, Wilson Combat 1911 or it doesn't have the blinding shine that comes off a perfectly machined stainless steel Sig Sauer P226. What the Glock lacks in looks, it more than makes up for in ease of field striping, cleaning, reliability and durability.

 The company's founder and chief engineer, Gaston Glock, had no previous firearms experience at all, whether it be in design or manufacturing of firearms. The first pistol that he designed was the prototype Glock 17. Mr.Glock was experienced in the advancements of synthetic polymers. Experience that was crucial in the design of the first ever successful pistol with a polymer frame.

 In the firearms market at the time, there was a huge resistance about the use and design of a so called plastic pistol. The funny thing is, the biggest gripes and concerns, were that a plastic framed pistol would not be durable or reliable. The exact things that Glock is famous for today and one of the main reasons I love them so much, reliability and durability. Glock has become one of the most prolific pistols in history and actually holds about 65% of total sale to L.E.O. agency's in the U.S..

 It was the Austrian military that wanted a new pistol to replace the WW2 era, Walther P38. They had created a list of 17 different criteria that the new pistol must meet or exceed. It had to be chambered in 9X19 Parabellum, self loading, minimum of 8 rounds and secure of accidental discharge from drops of more than 2 meters onto a steel plate. The field strip of the firearm must be able to be done with no tools and maintenance and cleaning also must be accomplished with no tools. The pistol must not exceed 58 different parts and all components must be fully interchangeable between pistols. The pistol could have no more than 20 malfunctions in 10,000 rounds. After 15,000 rounds, the pistol would be inspected for wear. After the inspection, the pistol must successfully fire an over pressured cartridge, that doubles the normal 2,520 Bar or 36,550 PSI. There are more requirements, like I said, a total of 17.

 Gaston Glock assembled a team of handgun experts from the military,police and sport shooting circles. He asked them to tell him the most desirable characteristics of what they thought a combat pistol should be. It took just 3 months for the first prototype to be ready. The new pistol using synthetic polymer and modern designs, made it very cost effective. The prototype was named, 9X19 Glock 17, because it was the 17th patent for the company. The new pistol was put on trials in 1982. After passing all 17 requirements, won the contract with the Austrian military, as the model 17.

 The pistol was adopted for use in late 1982, by the Austrian military and police. It was called the P80 or pistol 80. The Glock beat out 8 different pistols from 5 major players in the firearms industry. They were, Sig-Sauer, H & K, Beretta, FN Herstal and Steyr.

 The U.S. Defense Department in 1983, inquired about Glock and received 4 model 17 Glocks. The U.S. was looking into replacing the M1911. Glock was invited to participate in trials but, Glock turned them down because, it would require extensive retooling of their equipment and having to produce 35 test pistols was unrealistic in the time frame given. So, when I hear people say that Beretta beat out Glock in U.S. military trials and testing, it is not true because Glock did not participate.

 In the mean time, Glock was accepted by the Norwegian and Swedish military's. It also surpassed all prior NATO durability tests. Because of this, The Glock 17 became NATO's official sidearm.

 By the early 1990's, more than 350,000 Glocks had been sold to more than 45 different countries, including 45,000 in the U.S. The Glock pistol has been modified several times in it's short history.

 Many different calibers and checkering was added to the grip, serrations added on the back strap and they were labeled second generation Glocks. To meet ATF requirements in the U.S. A stamped serial # plate was added into the frame in front of the trigger gaurd. By the late 1990's, the third generation Glock was equipped with rails to mount lights, lasers and other tactical equipment. Thumb rests and finger grooves were added. There are late second and early third generation pistols that makes identifying them a little difficult. A third pin was added to the frame of all third generation pistols, although, some second generation pistols of bigger calibers already had the third pin, that fits through the locking block. Also, with the third generation Glocks came a new color, olive drab,aka., O.D. green.

 Now with the introduction of the forth generation Glocks, it comes as no surprise that the ugly plastic pistol, has a cult like following and as with any successful product, it has it's distractors and haters. The only gripe you really hear from these Glock haters are, that is one ugly pistol, it is shaped like a block.

 The Glock

 Whether or not you love them or hate them, you can not argue the impact they have had on modern pistols, especially those of use in military or LEO circles. Some 41 countries use Glocks either in military or in LE duties. You also can't argue about the reliability or the durability of the ugly little black and square looking, plain Jane Glock. If you can't tell, I love them and to me they are great and they are Glock.

 What do you think, Glock or Block ? Please, let me know in the comments and also let me know of what other make and models of firearms you would like to blog about. But, most if all, let me know your opinion, Glock or Block ???

                                

                                                             Thank You,

                                                                     ChromeFreak123

                                                                     Mike