34 Component Parts
The GLOCK pistol is manufactured with only 34 component parts, significantly less than our competitors' semi-automatic pistol designs. Having fewer parts reduces the potential for technical problems, making GLOCK pistols more reliable. Making those parts durable reduces your overall maintenance costs for the life of your GLOCK pistol.
Interchangeable Parts
The larger component parts of any GLOCK pistol - the frame, the stock and the slide - are interchangeable between different models. Most of the smaller, internal parts of GLOCK pistols are interchangeable as well. This is not only convenient for you, but it's also a testament to the simplicity of GLOCK's design and exacting quality control practices in the manufacturing process.
Field Stripping / Disassembly / Reassembly
The design of GLOCK modern firearms enables them to be field stripped into four main components without tools in seconds. This simple disassembly makes it easy for you to clean and inspect your pistol in any location.
NOTE: A qualified GLOCK armorer can completely disassemble and reassemble a GLOCK pistol in minutes with a simple pin punch, minimizing the time and costs required for armorers to maintain the pistol.
Ergonomics
Ergonomic Design
The GLOCK pistol is designed to make it easy to operate. The center of the barrel is known as the bore axis. Because GLOCK pistols have a lower bore axis, recoil and muzzle rise are less than in other brands of pistols, increasing the accuracy of the pistol. The natural grip design allows for instinctive pointing and faster acquisition of the sight picture, while the hammerless design minimizes the possibility of snagging clothes and other objects during concealed carry. The extractor on the GLOCK pistol acts as a Loaded Chamber Indicator (LCI), visually and physically indicating whether there is a cartridge in the chamber of the pistol.
Back Straps
The GLOCK Modular Back Strap System 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 back strap on the GLOCK pistol is fully integrated in the frame, keeping the pistol fully functional even when all optional back straps are removed.
Reversible Magazine Release
The magazine release on a GLOCK pistol is usually set for a right-handed shooter, but the release is reversible and can be set for a left-handed shooter.
ENGINEERING
Polymer
While there are many polymer-framed pistols on the market, GLOCK's highly resistant, non-fiberglass reinforced polymer frame is unique to the company. This proprietary polymer reduces total pistol weight and significantly increases durability. GLOCK polymer material is resistant to different climatic conditions, corrosion free, color-stable, resistant to lubricants, absorbs recoil and is easy to maintain.
Advanced Rifling
Rifling is a series of grooves inside the barrel of your pistol. These grooves give the bullet spin, which creates a straighter flight path, impacting your accuracy. GLOCK's polygonal barrel rifling reduces wear and tear on the barrel and creates a better bullet-to-barrel fit. This minimizes barrel residue and produces consistent and increased bullet velocity, resulting in enhanced accuracy.
Surface Treatment
GLOCK applies advanced surface treatments on major metal components, producing an outer hardness comparable to, though slightly less than, that of diamonds. This considerably reduces wear and tear on these metal components and makes them corrosion resistant, even when operating in saltwater conditions. The matte black surface minimizes light reflection—an advantage in tactical circumstances.
Durability
The strength of the polymer frame, combined with advanced engineering design, the highest level of manufacturing standards, and the diamond-like surface treatment have earned GLOCK pistols a reputation as one of the most durable pistols on the market. GLOCK pistols have been adopted by approximately 65% of U.S. law enforcement agencies, because of their durability and reliability. GLOCK pistols will do what you need them to do, when you need them, even in the most diverse and extreme environmental conditions.
Magazine Construction
GLOCK uses a unique polymer coating to create a durable and reliable pistol magazine. This proprietary polymer formula reduces the damage that might occur when a normal magazine is dropped and protects the internal metal frame of the magazine from corrosion. The unique construction of GLOCK pistols allows for high round capacity relative to the physical size of the magazine.
