Here are fascinating facts, unique details, and insights many Glock owners and enthusiasts might not be aware of.
Photo of Gasden Glock From Wikipedia
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Glocks Were Designed by Someone Who Had Never Built a Gun
Glock pistols were designed by Gaston Glock, an Austrian engineer and businessman who had no prior experience in firearm design. Before creating the Glock 17, Gaston Glock specialized in making knives and toold for the Austrian military. His fresh perspective allowed him to innovate in ways traditional firearm manufacturers hadn’t considered.
Glock 17 with a 17 round mag
- The Glock 17 Isn’t Named After Its Magazine Capacity
Many people assume the "17" in Glock 17 refers to its standard 17-round magazine, but it actually represents the 17th patent filed by Gaston Glock. Each Glock model is named after its patent number, which is why they aren’t sequential by design or features.
Glock with a bunch of polymar mags
- Glock Pistols Are Made From 86% Polymer
Glock revolutionized the firearm industry by using a high-strength polymer frame instead of traditional steel or aluminum. This innovative approach led to rumors in the 1980s that Glocks were "plastic guns" capable of bypassing airport metal detectors, which is entirely false. The slide, barrel, and internal components are still made of steel, making them detectable like any other firearm.
For the movie nerds: The "Glock 7" mentioned in "Die Hard 2" is a fictional creation and does not exist in reality. In the film, Bruce Willis' character, John McClane, describes it as a porcelain gun that is undetectable by metal detectors.
- Glocks Can Be Submerged in Water and Still Function
Glock pistols are incredibly durable and have undergone extreme testing to prove it. They can function after being submerged in water, frozen in ice, covered in mud, or buried in sand. Glock even designed maritime spring cups for some models, allowing them to reliably fire after being fully submerged, which is useful for military and tactical applications.
- Glocks Cost Less Than $100 to Make
Glocks are famously inexpensive to manufacture, costing approximately $75 to $100 per unit. In the book mentioned above the author says this low cost is due to their simple design, use of polymer frames, and efficient manufacturing processes. Despite their affordability to produce, Glocks maintain high reliability and durability, making them one of the most profitable firearms on the market.
Bonus Facts (Optional Add-Ons)
- Glock Pistols Are Not "Safe Queens": Every Glock is designed to withstand over 100,000 rounds of continuous firing.
- Customization King: Glock pistols are among the most customizable handguns in the world, with thousands of aftermarket parts available for upgrading triggers, sights, and even slides.
- The Glock "Tupperware" Case: Early Glock pistols were shipped in distinctive black plastic boxes that resembled Tupperware containers, earning them the nickname "Tupperware guns."
