A unique aspect of all the new gun owners that have flowed in is an independent mind about gun selection. These new shooters are quick to explore a variety of options for their new guns. Gone are the days of people choosing the standard gun A, B, or C. While this is an excellent mindset, I believe some may dismiss long-time stalwarts simply because they are seen as clichéd. My new friends, I am here to tell you that many of these guns are considered cornerstones because they perform. A great example is Glock. Once the king of the hill in almost every corner of the handgun market, it is now, in many ways, dismissed because it has not added a new model in years. While I don’t fanboy any gun company, it is time for a Glock refresher.

It’s Considered a Cornerstone Gun For a Reason – A Glock Refresher

The secret behind Glock’s success lies in the unique design of their pistols. A design that has become a blueprint for their competition. While we could fill an encyclopedia with all the details, several items stand out above all others. First up is the utter simplicity of the Glock design. The Glock is manufactured with only 34 parts. This small number of parts increases reliability because there is just less that can go wrong! This also makes maintenance easier and, in turn, lowers the overall maintenance costs for the life of the pistol.

Only 34 Component Parts

One interesting point regarding the parts. With a very well-managed and designed manufacturing process, the parts of any specific model are 100% interchangeable. There is also a significant level of interchangeability among the internal parts of different pistol models. This is a difficult benefit for other companies to match.

Easy to Field Strip

Glocks are designed with the end user in mind. That is particularly evident in their ease of field stripping and maintenance. These guns can be field-stripped without tools in seconds. This makes them very easy to clean and maintain, even in the most austere environments. A qualified Glock armorer can completely disassemble and reassemble a Glock pistol in minutes with a simple pin punch. These simple disassembly and reassembly procedures minimize the time and costs required for armorers to maintain the pistol. This is one of the factors that make Glock so popular with the accounting side of most law enforcement agencies. They are quick and inexpensive to maintain, which helps the bottom line.

Built with Ergonomics in Mind

The Glock is a straightforward gun to run. This is not an accident but rather the result of intense work by designers. It features several specific design elements that prioritize ergonomics. The low bore axis of Glock pistols increases accuracy by reducing recoil and muzzle rise. The natural grip design enables instinctive pointing and faster acquisition of the sight picture, while the hammerless design minimizes the risk of snagging clothes and other objects. The extractor on the pistol acts as a Loaded Chamber Indicator (LCI). Its position may visually and physically indicate whether there is a cartridge in the chamber of the pistol. All of these mixed together make the Glock an easy and enjoyable gun to shoot.

Modularity

One feature that has made Glock a standout is its Modular Back Strap System. This enables the pistol to adapt to an individual shooter’s hand size. Installing and removing the back straps is a simple procedure, and adding or removing a back strap does not change the grip angle of the pistol. Unlike other pistol grip systems on the market, the smallest size backstrap on the pistol is fully integrated into the frame, keeping the pistol fully functional even when all optional backstraps are removed. Another adjustable item included in the design is the Reversible Magazine Catch. The magazine catch can be reversed to be operated from either the left or right side of the pistol. This is a significant benefit to left-handed shooters who previously had been consigned to a “right-handed” gun.

Advanced Polymers

This is the design feature that put Glock on the radar because it was so revolutionary. The actual process involves combining a highly resistant, non-fiberglass-reinforced polymer frame with a revolutionary pistol design, thereby reducing the total weight of the pistol and significantly increasing its durability. Glock polymer material is resistant to various climatic conditions, is corrosion-free, and is color-stable. They are also resistant to lubricants, absorb recoil extremely well, and are easy to maintain. Once again, these factors make the gun easy to maintain in places where the weather and environment can damage a lesser gun.

Unique Rifling

Glock barrels are unique in that they incorporate polygonal barrel rifling. This is a type of gun barrel rifling where the traditional lands and grooves are replaced by “hills and valleys” in a rounded polygonal pattern, usually taking the form of a hexagon or octagon. The design reduces wear and tear on the barrel, creating a better bullet-to-barrel fit. This minimizes barrel residue and produces consistent and increased bullet velocity, resulting in enhanced accuracy. The translation of this is simple. The design allows less gas to escape around the bullet, which improves velocity and accuracy. Another benefit is that they stay cleaner for more extended periods than traditional barrels.

Diamond Hard

Many of the features included in the design are well-known, but few are as legendary as their finish. Glock applies advanced surface treatments to major metal components, resulting in a hardness slightly less than that of diamond. This considerably reduces wear and tear on these metal components, making them corrosion-resistant, even in saltwater conditions. I have seen these guns run in a variety of classes for over two decades.

They have been in locations that have been in pouring rain, blowing dust and saltwater, and just plain dirty. Each time, the pistol just shook it off like it was nothing. It is this “bomb-proof” reputation that has helped Glock become so popular. This also applies to the overall durability of the guns. They are built well with high-quality materials by experienced professionals. The Glock pistol has been adopted by approximately 65% of U.S. law enforcement agencies, largely due to its durability, including its ability to function in diverse environmental conditions.

“Safe Action” System

Glock’s revolutionary “Safe Action” System has been a game changer in the firearms world. The design provides a consistent trigger pull from the first to the last round. The three automatic, independently operating mechanical safeties are built into the pistol’s fire control system. All three safeties disengage sequentially as the trigger is pulled and automatically reengage when the trigger is released.

This safe, simple, and fast system enables the user to focus entirely on tactical tasks, particularly when under stress. The reset on this trigger is very short. After a round is fired, it is only necessary to release the trigger until it “resets,” which can be heard and felt. This “reset” feature of the “Safe Action” System enables subsequent shots to be fired quickly and accurately. The distance your finger needs to travel in order to run the trigger is shortened with this design. All three pistol safeties automatically reengage when the user releases the trigger to its forward position. 

Where’s the Safety?

Unlike older firearms with a mechanical safety lever on the frame, this design incorporates safety into the trigger. When the trigger safety is in the forward position, it blocks the trigger from moving rearward. The trigger safety and the trigger must be fully depressed simultaneously to fire the pistol. If the trigger safety is not depressed, the trigger will not move rearward, preventing the gun from firing. The trigger safety is designed to protect against firing if the pistol is dropped or the trigger is subjected to lateral pressure. This makes the gun very fast to bring into the fight. 

Another aspect of safety is the firing pin safety. Glocks firing pin safety mechanically blocks the firing pin from moving forward in the ready-to-fire condition. As the trigger is pulled rearward, the trigger bar pushes the firing pin safety up, freeing the firing pin channel. If the user decides not to fire and releases the trigger, the firing pin safety automatically reengages. This makes the gun very safe to carry in a “cocked and locked” fashion. The gun even includes a drop safety. To keep shooters safe in the event the gun spills out or they end up taking a fall.

A Glock Refresher

Little did the world know that when Glock appeared on the scene four decades ago, it would revolutionize the gun industry. Before that time, nobody knew what “striker-fired” pistols were, and today, the market is full of them. While imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, that is all it is. Glock has carved out a path and built a reputation for performance and professionalism. These cornerstones are sure to take them far in the future.

For more information, visit:https://us.glock.com/en