WEAPONS

Glock Ges.m.b.H. (trademarked as GLOCK) is a weapons manufacturer headquartered in Deutsch-Wagram, Austria, named after its founder, Gaston Glock. While the company is best known for its line of striker-fired polymer-framed pistols, it also produces field knives, entrenching tools and apparel.

Glock handguns are used by armed forces and law enforcement organizations worldwide, including a majority of law enforcement agencies in the United States.^[2] Glock handguns are also very popular with regular citizens for personal protection and practical shooting, and the company sponsors a competitive shooting team which travels worldwide.^[3] As of 2007, Glock produces more than two dozen models of handguns in three different calibers and seven different cartridges.^[4][5]

Contents

  [hide] 

• 1 Products

  • 1.1 Handguns

  • 1.2 Knives

  • 1.3 Entrenching tool

• 2 Subsidiaries

• 3 Embezzlement

• 4 Gallery

• 5 References

• 6 Literature

• 7 External links

 

Products

Handguns

 

Glock model 22 (.40 S&W) in the new olive drab frame (with magazine)

Glock handguns are common sidearms among law enforcement agencies and military organizations around the world, and are also largely popular weapons amongst civilians for home defense, and concealed/open carry. The popularity of Glock pistols can be attributed to a number of factors. They are widely reputed as highly reliable, being able to function under extreme conditions and to fire a wide range of ammunition types (9mm,10mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .45 GAP, .357 SIG, .380 ACP; third-party conversion kits for .22 LR and .50 GI are also available). The simplicity of the Glock design as well as its simple operating method contributes to this reliability, as it contains a relatively small number of components (nearly half as many as the typical handgun) making maintenance and repair easier.

The polymer frame makes them lighter than typical steel or aluminum-framed handguns, an attractive feature for police officers and regular citizens who carry firearms for extended periods of time. The trigger is the only operating element; all three safeties are deactivated when the trigger is pulled, and automatically activated when it is released. Glock pistols have no other manual safeties (as some other brands have a lever or button); the only external controls aside from the trigger itself are the slide release and magazine release. This adds to the simplicity of use and removes a potential source of error while operating the handgun under stress. It also provides excellent balance when the pistol is holding a full magazine. Most of the steel components in a Glock pistol are treated with a nitriding process called "Tenifer",^[6] which increases the surface hardness and makes the pistol resistant to corrosion and wear.

Though the Heckler & Koch VP70 was the first polymer-framed pistol and predates the Glock 17 by 12 years, the popularity of Glock pistols inspired other manufacturers to begin production of similar polymer-framed firearms, including the Walther P99, Smith & Wesson Sigma, HS2000 (Springfield Armory XD), Steyr M, Taurus PT 24/7, Caracal, FN Herstal FNP and Ruger SR9 pistols. Glocks tend to be in the middle of the price range for quality pistols: generally less expensive than similar SIG Sauer P226 and Heckler & Koch USP pistol models, but more expensive than Rugeror Taurus models.

In addition to their semi-automatic handguns, Glock also produces a select-fire pistol, the Glock 18, which is able to be fired in either semi-automatic or fully automatic mode. This model is generally available only to law enforcement or military organizations and the details of its production are seemingly classified. Conversion kits for other Glocks to be fired in fully automatic mode also exist, but they are third-party -- and they are specifically marked as Class 3 weapons by the ATF ^[7]

Knives

 

Glock Feldmesser FM 78 and its sheath.

Glock currently manufactures two models of knives, the Feldmesser 78 (Field Knife 78) and the Feldmesser 81 (Survival Knife 81).

The Field Knife 78 is a classic type knife, with a 165 mm (6.5 in) blade and 290 mm (11 in) overall length. The Survival Knife 81 has the same overall dimensions with an additional saw on the back of the blade. The Field Knife 78 weighs 206 g (7.3 oz) and the Survival Knife 81 weighs 202 g (7.1 oz).

The grips and sheaths are made of polymer and are available in three colors: olive drab, sand, and black.^[8]

Entrenching tool

Glock Feldspaten entrenching tool

Glock also produces an entrenching tool, the Feldspaten (field spade).

The Feldspaten features a hardened metal spade blade that can be locked in 3 positions for digging, shoveling, and chopping, and a telescopic handle made out of fiberglass-reinforced nylon containing a 175 mm (6.9 in) long hardened metal sawblade.

The entrenching tool weighs 650 g (23 oz) and fully extended is 630 mm (25 in) long. The spade and handle can be collapsed and shortened for easy transport and storage into a 260 mm × 150 mm × 60 mm (10 in × 6 in × 2 ¹⁄₂ in) package.^[9]

The entrenching tool is supplied with a nylon storage/transport pouch that can be attached to a belt or backpack.

Subsidiaries

Glock current international subsidiaries are:

• Glock America N.V. (Uruguay)

• Glock, Inc. (U.S.A.)

• Glock (H.K.) Ltd. (Hong Kong)

• Glock Middle East FZE (United Arab Emirates)

Embezzlement

Glock has been the target of multiple embezzlement schemes involving high-ranking officers of the company or others closely related to the company. In 1999, Charles Ewert attempted to murderGaston Glock after Glock asked for a meeting regarding an accusation of embezzlement. Ewert was convicted of attempted murder along with an accomplice for his involvement. ^[10]

In April 2012, Paul Jannuzzo, the former CEO of US subsidiary Glock Inc., was convicted of racketeering regarding his involvement in an embezzlement scheme against the company.^[11]