AmmoLand.com

GLOCK, Inc. About Us

Gaston Glock circa 1988 demonstrating the operation of a Model 17 to Pete Dickey of American Rifleman Magazine. From Peter Alan Kasler's GLOCK: The New Wave in Combat Handguns.

Glock Pistols

SMYRNA, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Gaston Glock, an Austrian engineer, successful businessman and manufacturer of injection molding parts and components, founded GLOCK Ges.m.b.H in 1963.

Based in Deutsch-Wagram, GLOCK manufactured metal and injection-molding commercial products for the Austrian consumer market.

In 1970, the company took its first foray into the weapons and firearms market with the development of a line of knives and grenade casings for Military and Law Enforcement professionals in Austria.

The company’s fortunes changed in 1980, when during a conversation with two Austrian colonels, Mr. Glock engaged them regarding the Army’s requirements for the development of a new pistol. The officers were criticizing the current gun manufacturers for being unsuccessful in designing an updated pistol that complied with the Army’s strict demands. At the time, Mr. Glock supplied the army with combined trench tools, non-moldering machine gun belts and casings for hand grenades.

Mr. Glock Begins Designing the “Perfect” Firearm
With no experience in firearms design and manufacturing, Mr. Glock went to work to create the “perfect” firearm. To Mr. Glock, “perfection” is the endless pursuit of design, engineering and manufacturing excellence to meet the demanding specifications of today’s Military, Law Enforcement and law-abiding consumers worldwide. This standard has resulted in GLOCK’s undisputed reputation as a high quality and reliable firearm known for its durability and performance, allowing Law Enforcement, Military and consumers to live their lives and perform their duty with confidence.

Mr. Glock began by investigating the construction and function of the leading pistols of the era, stripping them down and re-assembling them over and over. Using modern manufacturing methods and non-traditional materials such as polymer, which he had perfected in his consumer-market business, Mr. Glock developed a cost-effective 9×19 semi-automatic pistol.

Safe. Simple. Fast.
Since Mr. Glock was building the pistol for the Austrian Military and Law Enforcement, he knew the gun had to be ready to fire at a moment’s notice in life-threatening situations. To address this critical need, Mr. Glock designed his pistol with three internal safeties – trigger, firing pin and drop safeties – to provide assurance that the pistol would consistently perform when called upon, while providing best-in-class protection against accidental discharge of the handgun.

During the initial development, Mr. Glock tested all the guns by himself in his cellar; holding the pistol in his left hand, he wanted to shield his right hand in case of any potential accidents.

Additional requirements that Mr. Glock met to satisfy the demands of the Austrian Government included creating a firearm with a high-capacity magazine, utilizing lightweight materials, a trigger pull that is consistent from the first shot through the last and constructed with a hammer-forged barrel.

Mr. Glock understood reliability resided in simplicity, and therefore, he designed his pistol with as few parts as possible, minimizing its complexity. Today, the GLOCK pistol is made from only 34 parts, which is significantly fewer than any other pistol made. With fewer parts, GLOCK SAFE ACTION Pistols are more durable, reliable and easier to maintain.

GLOCK Named Service Pistol for Austrian Army
Mr. Glock’s innovative design successfully passed a series of stringent testing procedures against domestic and international competitors. In 1983, the GLOCK pistol was accepted by the Austrian Army as their new service pistol and was on its way to becoming an icon in the industry.

Shortly thereafter in 1984, the GLOCK 17 soundly passed the NATO durability test. As a result, the pistol was selected by the Norwegian Army as their standard sidearm, putting GLOCK on the road to becoming the preferred international sidearm.

GLOCK, Inc. Opens in U.S.
In November 1986, the company opened its U.S. headquarters, GLOCK, Inc., in Smyrna, Ga. Shortly thereafter, the semi-automatic GLOCK 17 pistol revolutionized the law enforcement industry with the redefining of the modern pistol.

The GLOCK pistol would become available in multiple model sizes and accept different caliber ammunition, offering a versatility to fit every situation. This combination continues to make GLOCK pistols the first choice among Law Enforcement, with approximately 65% of Federal, state and local agencies in the United States choosing GLOCK pistols.

Training and Accessories Part of Rich Tradition
The company also provides training, sales, support and service to their loyal customers. GLOCK’s training courses have received the highest recognition by Law Enforcement agencies both internationally and domestically on federal, state and local levels. The company strives to set the industry standard by highlighting firearm safety rules to all its customers.

Today, GLOCK, Inc. offers several models of pistols; however, the company has not forgotten its roots. GLOCK continues to manufacture other products that include pistol parts and accessories, magazines, holsters, field knives, entrenching tools, magazine pouches, magazine loaders, night sights, tactical lights and laser sights.

Sport Shooting
Team GLOCK Shooting Squad, the company-sponsored competitive shooting team, travels and competes in world-class competitions across the country and has won numerous championships at all levels of competition. Current team members include Randi Rogers and Tori Nonaka.

The company started the GLOCK Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF), an organization that stages shooting competitions for GLOCK owners. GSSF hosts major indoor and outdoor matches each year, where competitors have an opportunity to win GLOCK pistols, cash prizes and merchandise.

GLOCK Today
In 2011, GLOCK, Inc. celebrated its 25th Anniversary in the United States by opening a new 25,000 sq. ft. facility and two new state-of-the-art shooting ranges at its North American headquarters in Smyrna, Ga. Also in 2011, GLOCK broke ground on a 75,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility on its Smyrna campus.

Other GLOCK subsidiaries include GLOCK Asia Pacific Ltd. (Hong Kong), GLOCK America S.A. (Montevideo, Uruguay) and GLOCK, Dubai. Visit: www.us.glock.com

Filed under: Shooting Industry News by Ammoland No Comments »

GLOCK, Inc. Connects with Youth

Glock Pistols

SMYRNA, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Gaston Glock’s belief in giving back was woven into the ethos of GLOCK, Inc. when the United States division of the company opened 25 years ago.

Ever since, the company has maintained its founder’s commitment to philanthropy and education; particularly in the youth arena.

“GLOCK’s focus is to assist those who put themselves in harm’s way to defend the freedoms that we all currently enjoy,” said Josh Dorsey, GLOCK vice-president. “It’s with great pleasure that GLOCK is able to make a difference by contributing to organizations that develop the characteristics of our nation’s future leaders.”

Most recently, Team GLOCK member Randi Rogers, participated as an instructor at the MGM Junior Shooter Camp held at the Parma Rod & Gun Club, in Boise, ID from July 22-24. This is the third year that GLOCK has participated as a sponsor to the camp, whose main purpose is to enhance the skills of the junior shooters and help prepare them for competition. The shooters participated in daily clinics to learn advanced shooting skills. Team GLOCK member, Tori Nonaka, is an alumnus to the camp, where she credits much of her advancement in shooting.

“I firmly believe that organizations such as the MGM Junior Shooters Camp help to teach the young shooters responsibility and achievements of setting goals,” stated Rogers. “I began shooting at a young age, and really feel that my experience in the shooting arena has helped me to not only be a better competitor, but a more accomplished adult.”

Other youth organizations GLOCK has partnered with include:

• Scholastic Steele Challenge: The SSC provides the opportunity for young adults aged 12 thru 20 to participate in the exciting and challenging family sport of “speed steel” in a supportive environment taught by trained and supportive adult coaches focusing on the safe handling and use of handguns.
• Yaarab Shriner’s Circus: Over the past 87 years, the 18 Shriners Hospitals in the United States, Canada and Mexico have provided medical care to more than 865,000 children with congenital deformities and conditions, orthopedic injuries and diseases of the neuromusculoskeletal system at no charge.
• Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF): Provides college educations to the surviving children of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations personnel killed in combat or training.
• Young Marines: Positively impacts America’s future by providing programs for youth that promote their mental, moral and physical health through teamwork, self-discipline and a drug-free lifestyle. The program strives to instill core values of “Honor, Courage and Commitment” adopted by the Marine Corps to each of their members.
• NRA Whittington Center’s Adventure Camp –The Camp is a unique place where young men and women have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of pistol, rifle and shotgun shooting in a positive environment.

About GLOCK, Inc.
GLOCK, Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of pistols and accessories. GLOCK’s superior engineering has produced a pistol with only 34 parts and a rugged polymer-frame, providing industry-leading reliability shot after shot. GLOCK is renowned for its pistols which are safe, featuring three safeties; simple, offering a low number of components to provide reliability; and fast, with no encumbering parts to slow the speed to fire. This combination makes GLOCK pistols the first choice among consumers and law enforcement, with 65% of agencies nationwide choosing to carry GLOCK. Austrian-engineered, the company has manufacturing facilities in the United States and Austria. Based in Smyrna, Ga., GLOCK, Inc. is an advocate for our nation’s law enforcement and military personnel, as well as all citizens’ Second Amendment right to bear arms. For more information, please visit www.teamglock.com.

Filed under: Competitive Shooting News, Gun Rights News, Shooting Industry News by Ammoland 1 Comment »