Glock Ges.m.b.H.

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. 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. As of 2007, Glock produces more than two dozen models of handguns in three different calibers and seven different cartridges.

Handguns


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", 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 Ruger or 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

Knives


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 blade and 290 mm 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 and the Survival Knife 81 weighs 202 g.

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

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 long hardened metal sawblade.

The entrenching tool weighs 650 g and fully extended is 630 mm 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.

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 murder Gaston 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.

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.

Gallery
 File:Glock_19_(9mm),_Generation_3.jpg|Glock 19 (3rd Generation) File:Glock 17.JPG|Glock 17 (3rd Generation). File:Evers Glock 18C.PNG|Outline of the Glock automatic pistol 18C File:MarineCorpsGlock18.jpg|Photo of Glock 18C in use by Marine Corps File:Glock 19 01.jpg|Glock 19 on a showcase stand File:Glock19-5.jpg|Glock 19 field stripped for cleaning or inspection File:Glock19-4.jpg|Front view of the Glock 19 File:Glock 20.jpg|Third generation Glock 20 10mm Auto File:Glock 21 01.jpg|Glock 17 shown on a showcase stand. The stand incorrectly indicates Glock model number 21. File:Glock 22 .40cal.JPG| Glock G22 .40 cal with a M6 tactical laser-light combo. Shown with additional 28 round magazines File:Glock Model 23 with tactical light and laser sight..jpg|Glock Model 23 with tactical light and laser sight File:Glock23.jpg|Glock 23 with magazine shown File:PB140009.JPG|Glock 26 field stripped File:Glock 30-JH01.jpg|Glock 30 with fiber optic sights, magazine extension and handle plug File:Glock 30 (.45 ACP) Muzzle Flash.jpg|Night firing to catch muzzle flash File:Glock34 with gtl22.jpg|Glock 34 with a GTL 22 attachment 

Literature

 * Boatman, Robert H. Living With Glocks : The Complete Guide to the New Standard in Combat Handguns . Paladin Press, Boulder. 2002. ISBN 1-58160-340-1.
 * Kasler, Peter Alan. Glock : The New Wave In Combat Handguns. Paladin Press, Boulder. 1992. ISBN 0-87364-649-5.
 * Sweeney, Patrick. The Gun Digest Book of the Glock: A Comprehensive Review : Design, History, Use. Krause Publications, Iola. 2003. ISBN 0-87349-558-6.
 * Sweeney, Patrick. The Gun Digest Book of the Glock, 2nd edition Gun Digest Books, Iola. 2008.  ISBN 0-89689-642-0.
 * Taylor, Robin. The Glock In Competition, 2nd edition. Taylor Press, Bellingham. 2005. ISBN 0-9662517-4-1.