Types of Glocks

Glock pistols are renowned for their reliability, durability and popularity among law enforcement officers and concealed carriers alike. This article will delve into the various aspects of Glock firearms, including the types, sizes and models available.

Overview of Glock Guns

Glock has established itself as a leading manufacturer of pistols due to innovative designs, as well as the ease of use and consistent performance of its firearms. The early Glocks brought the beginning of the polymer-pistol revolution. Gaston Glock was a manufacturer of curtain rods who knew nothing about guns when the Austrian military started looking for a new duty pistol back in 1980. In fairness, by that time, Glock’s company was making knives and polymer sheaths, although still nothing that went “bang.” Seeing an opportunity to reduce costs by using advanced plastics, Glock recruited a pile of experts and designed a pistol. The Glock 17 was adopted by the Austrian warfighters as the P80.

Reliability and Simplicity

The Glock was designed from scratch to pass the abusive and exhaustive reliability and function tests dreamed up by the Austrian Armed Forces during its 1981 selection processes. The test pistol had to survive a 2-meter drop onto a steel plate without accidental discharge. It had to fire 15,000 rounds. After that, it had to survive firing a massively over-pressured cartridge with somewhere near double the pressure of a standard 9mm load. The pistol passed, which explains the Glock pistol family’s long-standing reputation for reliability and durability under adverse conditions.

Since that time, people have devised all sorts of torture tests to see if Glocks could survive. They’ve been dragged behind cars and dropped out of planes. Buried, submerged, frozen — you name it. One man abused a Glock 17 for 29 years and more than 300,000 rounds. During that time, the pistol spent months buried in the desert, a six-month span on the Pacific Ocean floor and survived a 750-round test in 40-degree-below-zero conditions. Oh, and he decided not to clean it — at all — until either 10,000 rounds or whenever it started to malfunction. The slide slowed down but still functioned just before the 10K mark, so he cleaned it.

Revolvers are well-known for their ease of operation — just pull the trigger and they go “bang.” Glocks aren’t much different, although the trigger is a lot easier to press with its lower-standard pull weight — at least compared to revolvers.

While the operating controls are simple and intuitive, they’re safe to carry and use. All those law enforcement users carry theirs with one loaded in the chamber because the Glock’s internal safety system does a great job of preventing a boom until you specifically ask for it.

Types of Glock Pistols

Glock pistols are divided into five generations. Each generation offers improvements and refinements over the previous ones. The company offers five frame sizes, seven different calibers, and still makes pistols from the last three design “generations,” typically called Gen3, Gen4 and Gen5. The Gen4 and Gen5 pistols offer the option of the MOS system, which allows for mounting a Miniature Optical Sight atop the slide.

Gen1: The original G17. Its distinguishing features are a pebble grain stippling covering the entire grip surface. The G17 also featured a rather delicate polymer adjustable rear sight that was replaced by a more rugged fixed rear sight.

Gen2: While the side panels of Gen2 pistols remained stippled, the frontstrap and backstrap were given a checkered surface.

Gen3: Molded-in finger grooves were added to the frontstrap — a feature that was very popular at the time. A molded-in accessory rail was added to the front of the frame on full- and compact-sized pistols. An additional locking block pin was added to the 9mm frames.

Gen4: Checkering replaced stippling on the side of the frame, and a system of replaceable backstraps was added to tailor-fit the gun to the user. An MOS system allowing easy addition of red-dot sights also became available. The magazine release button was enlarged and made reversible. A dual recoil spring system reduced recoil.

Gen5: Currently applied only to 9mm Glocks. The frontstrap finger grooves were removed, giving, in my opinion, a much better “like the original” feel. The locking block pin was removed. The magazine well was slightly flared to speed reloads. The slide stop lever was made ambidextrous. The rifling and crown of the barrel were modified for increased precision.

Glock Sizes

If you desire a thin Glock (a pistol with a single-stack magazine), you have three choices: the Glock 36, the Glock 42, and the Glock 43. Each of these is in the subcompact frame category, and each has a magazine that holds six rounds. The Glock 36 is chambered in .45 ACP and, at its widest point, is 1.18 inches wide. The Glock 42 is chambered in .380 ACP and is just 0.98 inches wide. The Glock 43 fires the 9mm round and is 1.06 inches wide. While the difference in width may seem minor between the three pistols, it can make a big difference in carry comfort. The real difference in what gun folks call “shootability” comes in with the distance from the front of the trigger to the back of the grip.

Glock offers five frame sizes, three of which are most suitable for concealed carry. Standard, Compact and Subcompact frames each offer pros and cons when it comes to personal defense. Typically the smaller frame sizes also have a shorter barrel.

The frame is what makes a pistol concealable. Barrel length really doesn’t matter when it comes to concealment because, with the exception of in a vertical shoulder holster, the barrel is more often than not inserted in the holster running parallel to the leg or torso. As a result, a gun with a smaller, shorter frame is easier to conceal. At the same time, that frame is more difficult to grip. Most shooters with average-sized hands can’t get all three fingers on the grip frame. Remember, the index finger goes to the trigger, leaving the middle, ring and pinky fingers to grip the frame. On a Glock subcompact frame, the pinky really has no place to go and typically rests under the baseplate of the magazine.

Full-Size Glocks: The Standard frame size is the frame size of the original Glock: the 9mm 17. These models, like the Glock 17, are favored for home defense, outdoor guns and law enforcement due to their accuracy and larger grip. They can be carried concealed, although their size makes them less ideal for concealed carry. The LOADED weight differential between the Standard and Subcompact frame 9mm Glock 17 and Glock 26 is only six ounces, but the overall size differential is much greater.

Compact Glocks: The mid-size Compact frame Glock, such as the Glock 19, is considered an ideal “one size does-it-all pistol.” The Glock 19 loses almost an inch in overall length and a half-inch in overall height compared to the Standard, yet gives up only two rounds of magazine capacity. This model is suitable for both home defense and concealed carry.

Subcompact Glocks: Subcompact and Subcompact Slimlines are known as mini-Glocks, designed for deep concealment. Models like the Glock 26 are harder to handle due to increased recoil and muzzle blast but offer a compact solution with a slightly reduced magazine capacity.

Slimline Glocks: The Slimline Glock, such as the Glock 43, is a tad larger than the standard Subcompact and chambers the .45 ACP in a single stack magazine. With a six-round magazine capacity, it is not the most popular Glock but is highly accurate and easy to shoot.

Glock Caliber Options

The basic caliber choices, chambered in most pistol frame sizes, are 9mm, .40, .357 SIG, 10mm and .45 ACP. The .40 is a high-pressure round with palpable recoil. The .357 SIG has ample power, with less recoil but more blast than the .40. The .45 pistols are larger guns with less capacity in any given frame size. So, for most concealed carry, home defense, or new shooters 9mm is the best caliber option. It costs less, recoils and blasts less, yet is still effective.

Number of Glock Models Available by Caliber and Frame Style:

Notable 9mm Glock models include:

• Glock 17: Standard size with a 17-round capacity, favored for home defense and law enforcement.
• Glock 19: Compact size with a 15-round capacity, offering versatility for both concealed carry and home defense.
• Glock 26: Subcompact with a 10-round capacity, designed for deep concealment.
• Glock 34: Designed for competition shooting with an extended barrel for greater accuracy.

Magazine Capacity

The beauty of the Glock line is that guns of the same caliber can use magazines of that caliber interchangeably. Let’s use 9mm as an example. A Glock 26 carries a magazine that fits flush to the frame and holds 10 rounds. If you choose, you may use a Glock 19 magazine that holds 15 rounds or a Glock 17 magazine that holds 17 rounds. These magazines will stick out the bottom of the Glock 26 grip frame, but they will function perfectly. This means you could carry the Glock 26 in your holster, easily concealed, with 10 rounds in the magazine, but have a spare magazine of either 15 or 17 rounds if you need it.

Popular Glock Models and Choosing the Right Glock for You

When selecting a Glock pistol, you have 55 different handguns from which to choose. The Glock 19 stands out for its versatility, the Glock 17 for its reliability in law enforcement and the Glock 43 for its ease of concealment. These models are highly regarded for their performance, durability and user-friendly design. The Glock 19 is often recommended as a versatile option for both new and experienced users due to its balance of size, capacity and ease of use.

Glock pistols offer a range of models to suit various needs, making them a top choice for a self-defense gun. When selecting a Glock, consider the intended use, size preferences and caliber. It’s essential to handle and, if possible, test-fire different models to find the best fit. Factors such as grip comfort, recoil management and ease of operation should be considered. Whether for home defense, concealed carry or competition shooting, there’s a Glock model that fits the bill.

 

This article is a compilation of previous blog posts authored by Scott W. Wagner, Kevin Michalowski and Tom McHale.