Sebastian has calculated the acceleration needed to achieve the trick.

The shooter claims that the Glock is stock standard and that their have been no modifications to recoil spring.

How long till we see this in an over-the-top action movie?

Many thanks to Advocate for the links and slow-mo video.

From the press release:

The G19 and G23 are two of the most popular GLOCK models. The G19 9x19 compact is widely used all over the world. In addition, the G23 in .40 caliber is quite popular with both law enforcement and private individuals as a back up or concealed carry firearm. Adding the RTF2 finish to these compact models increases the options for law abiding

individuals and organizations. Along with the new RTF2 finish, each of these GLOCK pistols have the same time tested "Safe Action" system, durable exterior finish, cold hammer forged barrel, durability, reliability, and light weight that GLOCK is famous for.

Glock G22 .40 S&W with RTF2 frame. © Ken Lunde. Used with permission.

The first RTF2 pistol, the G22 RTF2, was unveiled in January after much speculation. This was followed a few months later by the G17 RTF2.

Gun Holsters and Gear has info on the Fourth Generation Glock.

We all thought that the RTF2 Glock that come out this year was the 4th gen glock.

UPDATE: Gun Holsters and Gear takes a look at probable features of the next gen glock.

Portuguese Police Glock 19. Photo from Portal das Curiosidades forum.

The police upper management then proceeded to tell the public how wonderful their new pistols were. The cops on the street must have been given a different gun because their pistols were having all sorts of problems. They had magazines randomly falling out of the guns, magazines refusing to drop out when the mag release was pressed, brass being ejected into the shooters face and just plain failing to cycle. The Portuguese IPSC community, where I believe Glocks are popular, were not at all surprised.

FORÇA DE SEGURANÇA translates to Security Force (Police force)

A few weeks ago the Portuguese media discovered that the police have signed a contract with Glock to retrofit all their pistols with normal, safety-less, Glock 19 frames. No doubt at a significant cost to the tax payer.

The government fears that the other pistol manufacturers such as HK, Beretta, Walther and Mannlicher, who were passed over in the search for the new pistol, will sue them for choosing a faulty pistol and for stipulating that a safety was a requirement, only to drop the requirement a few years later.

Many thanks to my anonymous Portuguese source for the links and translations he sent me.

Safety in the on position (the safety is the button above the magazine release)

This is not the first Glock designed with a manual safety. Glock has previously designed a Glock 17 for the Tasmanian Police force that featured a standard 1911-style thumb safety.

This safety works differently. In order to engage the safety, it is pushed through the frame with the thumb, much like the magazine release. Disengaging the safety is done with the trigger finger.

At first I thought what a ridiculous mechanism this was until it was explained to me that the SA-80, the British Army service rifle, has a very similar safety which is manipulated in the same way. Glock designed this safety so that it would be familiar to British troops. Very clever!

The SA-80

One problem I do see is an operator going for the magazine release and accidentally engaging the safety. At best it would make the magazine change take longer, at worst the operator could forget to disengage the safety and pull the trigger at a bad guy only to find nothing happens.

I do not know if the British Army are considering replacing their current service pistols or if Glock is just making sure they have a model ready if they do in the future.

Big thank you to Lusaka for the information and photos.

The .45 GAP (Glock Auto Pistol) was designed to duplicate the .45 ACP ballistics but in a shorter cartridge more suited to high capacity semi automatics. It is the last thing I would have thought of using in a revolver, but the owner of the wheelgun had some good reasons.

.40 S&W (left) and .45 GAP

On the afternoon of a meeting scheduled at Ewert's office near the tony Rue Royale in central Luxembourg, Glock was attacked in an underground garage. The hit man, a former professional wrestler and French Legionnaire named Jacques Pecheur, bashed the businessman on the head with a rubber mallet, a technique apparently aimed at making it look like the victim had fallen down and fatally injured himself. Glock, physically fit from daily swimming—often in the frigid lake abutting his home near Klagenfurt, Austria—fought back. When police arrived, they found Glock bleeding from gashes to his skull. Pecheur, 67, was unconscious.

The assassination attempt on Mr. Glock is well documented, but it remains to be seen how much of the tax evasion, extreme right wing connection and money laundering is fact and what is fiction.

I was interested to learn the estimated profit margin on the manufacture of Glock pistols.

the Glock costs relatively little to make. In a 1994 patent lawsuit in the U.S., Glock estimated its profit margin per pistol at 68%. The guns typically sell for $450 to $600 in U.S. retail gun stores.

The Glock 17 RTF: The Latest in the Glock line.

Glock is like the Apple Computers of the gun world. They have a less is more philosophy towards their product design and yet maintain high profit margins and market share.

The author of the above article actually spent from time behind a Glock pistol, as part of his research, with blogger Massad Ayoob (Hat Tip: SayUncle). I wish more journalists would try that.

Many thanks to Daniel Watters and LeisureGuy for the link.

UPDATE:

Forbes wrote two articles about the Glock saga back in 2003:

• Top Gun
• Follow-Through

Thanks to Daniel Watters for the link.

Glock with Magpul UBR stock, 33 round magazine and sling.

The adapter can be easily attached and removed in about 30 seconds. The benefits of such a system are numerous. Even with the stock attached it is small enough to be carried concealed under a jacket – unlike a rifle or carbine. The stock improves accuracy by steadying the pistol against the shoulder. This also helps soak up recoil allowing faster followup shots.

The downside of such a system, for civilians, is that any pistol it is used with must first be registered as a Short Barreled Rifle (SBR) with the BATFE. I am no expert, so don’t quote me, but my understanding is that carrying an SBR concealed, even without the stock, would not be allowed with a CCW permit in many, or all, states.

Another downside is the total cost of the weapon system. If we assume a new Glock 17 costs $500, then add $200 for the ATF stamp, $154.99 for the ENDO stock adapter and $60 for a Magpul MOE Carbine Stock, we get a total cost of 914.99! This is a lot more than a 9mm carbine such as the $400 Kel-Tec SUB-2000.

Cost aside, I really like the system. I don’t think there will be a shortage of enthusiasts who will be willing to pay. I expect ENDO will be marketing this heavily to Law Enforcement Organizations who carry Glock pistols.

The system is compatible with the G17, G22, G24, G31, G34, G35 and G18 (including the L, C and RTF versions).

On a side note, I am surprised by the attachment mechanism. A steel detent pin must be manually pushed through the pistol backstrap. Compared to the system used by the FAB Defense (Israel) stock which clips in, it takes longer to install and is more of a fiddle. I wonder if the clip system is patented.

The FAB Defense stock

The ENDO stock

A big thanks to Kevin for links and information.

Before Mr. Bush left the White House in January, he made arrangements for the gun to be shipped to a national archives warehouse just 18 miles north of his new home in Dallas. His foundation said a final decision had not been made on including the gun in the presidential library. But his associates and visitors to the White House said Mr. Bush had told them of his intention to display it there.

I actually had no idea the pistol found on Saddam was a Glock 18C. In my mind I always pictured him clutching an old Makarov. The Glock 18C is a fully automatic machine pistol and is probably the best choice of weapon for someone hiding in a spider hole, although the pistol was ironically unloaded at the time he was captured.

Hat Tip: Conservative Scalawag

Glock 17 RTF2

Earlier this year at SHOT Show Glock introduced the RTF2 variant of the Glock 22. From the press release:

The G22 RTF2 has been received with excellent reviews and is one of the top 10 sellers for FY 2010. In addition to the G22 RTF2, GLOCK, Inc. is proud to announce that on May 1, 2009, they will offer the 9×19 G17 RTF2 pistol, as they continue their pursuit to expand their RTF2 series. The G17 RTF2 is the second pistol that GLOCK, Inc. has released with the new rough textured frame and slide serration pattern. The newly designed frame incorporates more than 4,000 raised pyramids on the front, rear and sides of the polymer receiver and has a newly designed crescent shaped serration pattern located at the rear of the slide.

Recently, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was the first local agency in the United States to convert to the G22 RTF2, while at the same time the Louisiana State Police and Louisiana Department of Public Safety purchased 1300 G22 RTF2 and G17 RTF2 pistols, which has made them the first state agency to convert to both RTF2 series of GLOCK pistols.

Click to expand the photos.

SD model. Photo ⓒ Remigiusz Wilk (REMOV). Used with permission

Standard Model.

Other Glock carbine kits include the CAA Glock Carbine kit and the Stellar Rigs Carbine Kit.

Hat Tip: Say Uncle

They have started to import Glock 19 pistols from Austria to meet the demand. These pistols can be identified by the Austrian proof mark which is an eagle next to the letters NPv (”Nitro Powder proofed”). Austrian guns are proofed with loads that are 30% more powerful that regular loads.

These photos are from a Glock 19 offered for sale at the GlockTalk forum:

Very cool. Chocolate Weapons are selling it for $29.99.

The guns on the allowed list are the Beretta 92, CZ 75 and Glock 17. These are all chambered in 9mm Luger/Parabellum.

Previously they had been limited to the Makarov PM which fires the 9×18mm Makarov cartridge that is more than 30% less powerful than the 9mm Luger/Parabellum.

The Makarov pistol. Photo from AdamsGuns (used with permission)

I suspect this is the first time in the history of the Russian Empire since the Russian Tsar imported the S&W Schofield Revolver in 1880 that officials will be carrying foreign made pistols. Russian ended up canceling a large quantity of their order from S&W and produced clones themselves. Thanks to Brno223 for the correction.

UPDATE: Supernaut let me know in the comments that the internal security police have been using Glocks and other European firearms in a limited capacity for a while now.

A pretty interesting device. It appears to need to be cocked first and then triggered when it hits the glass, unlike emergency window breakers which come cocked from the factory and need a significant amount of force, usually 12 lbs, applied to release the spring.

It is selling for $124 at this website which ships internationally.

Hat Tip: Blue Gun Blog and GunPundit

UPDATE: Manufacturer name and website provided by DoubleTapper. Thanks DT.

The device is called a “Univeral Tactical Attachment For Glock 19” and is manufactured by Israeli company FAB Defense.

It mounts a Glock 17 or 19 onto a standard standard picatinny rail and includes a side charging handle for the Glock that somehow attaches to the slide.

Pretty pointless, unlikely to be legally used in the US (because it adds a stock to the pistol), and costs $425!

On sale at Israeli Weapons.
UPDATE: Manufacturer name and website provided by DoubleTapper. Thanks DT.

Click to expand.

The G22 with the new frame that was at SHOT is the RTF2 model. I do not know if Glock ever plan on actually producing pistols with the RTF3 frame.

It fits all Glocks and will work with all level 1 and 2 holsters. The MRSP is $199.

More info here (PDF link).

Hat Tip: Tell Me Why

Photos Copyright Remigiusz Wilk (REMOV). Used with permission.

It is not quite the carbine glock fanboys have been waiting for

The SF designation is often mistakenly said to stand for “Slim Frame” or “Small Frame”. It actually stands for “Short Frame”. The SF frames provide a small diameter grip. This makes it easier for people with smaller hands (or in this case normal hands ) to reach the trigger and is more comfortable to hold.

The G20 SF and G29 SF apparently feel a lot more like the G17 in the hand than their standard frame contempories. From the press release:

Team GLOCK Shooting Squad Captain and Champion shooter Dave Sevigny adds, “I really like the SF design since it approaches the ‘feel’ of the G34, G35 and G17 I have been so fortunate with while competing. GLOCK has another winner here. These pistols will appeal to those who want a powerful cartridge for Law Enforcement, self defense and hunting. Best of all, they have the other GLOCK qualities of reliability, tough Tenifer finish and the controllable GLOCK ‘Safe Action’ fire control system that is successful around the world.” .

Glock G22. Photo Copyright Ken Lunde. Used with permission.

I think 3rd gen glocks will be considered the “classic” and having an older one will be “cool”.

UPDATE: From the press release:

The G22 RTF2 (Rough Textured Frame version #2) has more than 4,000 raised pyramids on the front, rear and sides of the polymer receiver. The raised pyramids are also located on the thumb rests for increased grip traction. In addition, the slide on the G22 RTF2 has a new, modern look with crescent-shaped serrations located at the rear of the slide.

“We have already had several major agencies commit to the G22 RTF2 and have had an outpouring of interest from our Commercial and Law Enforcement distributors about our new product,” said Director of Sales Craig Dutton.

4th Gen G22 .40 S&W. Click to expand.

Hat Tip: JeremyFerg @ SigForum. Thanks to Jay for the link

This image was posted at the DownRange.tv forum:

I think this slide design is much more likely than the fish gill design.

Below is the results of the poll I was running on the "fish gill" design:

Hat Tip: SaysUncle

We will have to wait and see.

Thanks Ed!

I saw this ad, purportedly for the next generation Glock, over at Xavier's blog:

Click to expand.

I think, and hope, it is a fake. The "fish gill" slide serrations look too "pretty", not at all "glock-like".

Fish gills. Sorry, I had to make my point

If you look closely at the rear slide serrations and compare them to the zoomed in version you can see that the spacing does not match up. But, as someone at GlockTalk pointed out, it is not uncommon for gun companies to photoshop advertisements, sometimes displaying another gun all together.

GlockTalk has a long discussion about the so called 4th gen Glock.

Real or fake? What do you think?

4th gen Glock. Real or Fake?

UPDATE:

I have been analyzing the image. In my opinion it is defiantly photoshopped.

*** I do realize this is an advertisement, the fact that it has been photoshopped does not mean it is a fake. ***

Consider the Glock logo on the grip and on the flashlight. Look how perfect they are. This is a low resolution image. The logo borders are pretty much 1 pixel wide if you ignore the apparent anti-aliasing around the edge.

The image is very low resolution, and is a compressed JPEG, and has very bright lighting. This is far too much detail.

Compare it to the zoomed in image of the Glock photo in the Glock Catalog:

The lines are also too perfect. Everything appears parallel, exactly, when zoomed in (I rotated the image). The lines should not be so distinct on a low resolution, highly lit up, zoomed in photo.

No rear sight, at this angle we should be able to see it.

The Glock catalog photo was taken at a lower angle and the rear sight is visible.

Click to expand

This "fish gills" are also much too perfect and apart from some "anti-aliasing" are nearly identical. Again, a low resolution, zoomed in, highly lit (think shadows),compressed JPEG photo should not have this kind of detail.

Part 1

Part 2:

Thanks to Jay for emailing me this video.

There is a discussion about this video at AR-15.com.

Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team members storm a bus during a demonstration drill held during a handover ceremony in Diwaniyah, 181 kms south of Baghdad, on July 16, 2008. Iraq took control of security in the Shiite province of Diwaniyah today and said it hoped to regain control of the entire country from US-led forces by end of the year.

H/T: MP.net

Click to expand or click here to download PDF.

According to Tom, who posted a comment on the SR9 blog entry, Ruger has said that they will be servicing 1000 pistols a week:

Just received an email from Ruger that the boxes are being shipped. They plan to service 1000 SR9? per week. They are sending out boxes in the order we registered with Ruger.

Hat Tip: John Snow and commenters Tom and David.

Click to expand the image

The .50 GI round should not be compared to the Desert Eagle’s .50 Action Express or the .500 S&W. It is slightly more powerful than the .45 ACP.

Wikipedia information on the .50 GI:

.50 GI
Type	Handgun
Place of origin	 United States
Production history
Designer	Vic Tibbets / Alex Zimmermann
Designed	2004
Manufacturer	Guncrafter Industries
Specifications
Case type	Rebated, straight
Bullet diameter	.515 in (13.1 mm)
Neck diameter	.526 in (13.4 mm)
Base diameter	.526 in (13.4 mm)
Rim diameter	.480 in (12.2 mm)
Case length	.899 in (22.8 mm)
Overall length	1.221 in (31.0 mm)
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type	Velocity	Energy
275 gr (17.8 g) JHP	900 ft/s (270 m/s)	492 ft·lbf (667 J)
300 gr (19 g) JHP	860 ft/s (260 m/s)	493 ft·lbf (668 J)

The kit will retail for $595.

Hat Tip: Foodpounds

A couple of video demostrations:

Some photos from GlockTalk.com:

It looks very cool!

Compare with other FMG type firearms

The original Ares FMG which was designed by Eugene Stoner:

the PP-90, designed by the KBP design bureau in Tula:

the Ukrainian Goblin

And although very different the Kel-Tec SUB-2000 (this folds for storage, not rapid deployment).

I will update this page as more information becomes available.

UDPATE:

According to this thread, it is called the FMG9 and Magpul do not have plans to put it into production, at this point it is just a prototype… although I am sure James Bond will get his hands on one for his next movie!

UPDATE

Another video demo

UPDATE: From ar15.com:

The advantage to the FMG9 over previous versions are…

1. One button, spring loaded action.
2. Light weight, color coded plastic (can be molded as a non gun color)
3. Closed bolt, safe action (others were open bolt SMGs, ours can be carried with a round in the chamber).
4. Proven Glock action with stock Glock factory magazines and laser systems.

Hat Tip for the update: Cryptic

From the press release

SIDERLOCK® from American Tactical Imports is a security trigger designed for GLOCK® pistols which replaces the original trigger to offer a safer and more secure blockade of the firing action.

The concept is simple; with a push on the safety pin a sliding pin acts to block or release the movement of the central pivot of the trigger whereby avoiding an accidental discharge of the weapon. SIDERLOCK® behaves exactly as the original GLOCK® trigger when it is in the fire position all the while maintaining the original manufacturer specifications and its immediate availability of shot.

Having not seen one I cannot comment on how useful it would be. I just hope no one will draw a Glock in self defense only to have the trigger jam!
American Tactical Imports will be displaying it at SHOT Show this year.

Yet another groundbreaking firearm from Glock. The new Glock 30SF (slim frame) .45ACP Sub Compact pistol uses the same advances as its predecessor, the Glock 21SF. A slimmed down backstrap, ambidextrous mag-release and mil-spec picatinny accessories rail are sure to make the Glock 30SF an instant classic. Pre-Order yours today!

The Glock.com website is not showing the Glock 30SF yet.

Hat Tip: Foot Pounds

UPDATE:

Photo from TopGlock.com:

The pistol is out. The press release:

After releasing the highly popular G21 SF at the 2007 SHOT Show in Orlando, Florida, the Austrian Handgun manufacturer announced today the release of the compact version of the .45 AUTO short frame pistol, the model 30 SF. The newly released pistol includes new features to the GLOCK pistol that have been desired for the last couple of years by military, law enforcement and civilian markets. These features were fulfilled with the G21 SF pistol and the GLOCK 30 SF offers all the accuracy and power of the model G21 SF in a more-compact, highly concealable, faster- handling .45 AUTO companion pistol. These features include the GLOCK tactical rail for modular mounting of GLOCK Tactical Lights and weapon accessories. The 30 SF also features a hammer forged octagonal rifled barrel with a 1 in 15.75 inch rate of twist designed for increased durability, low maintenance and precision of accuracy when firing.

With the “SF” designation, the G30 receiver has been reengineered to provide a smaller diameter grip, resulting in a trigger reach that is more comfortable for individuals with smaller hands. This reduction in the grip does not affect the pistol’s reliability and accuracy.

In order to utilize older magazines with the G30 SF, the ambidextrous magazine catch will not be offered as an option as it was with the G21 SF. With a magazine extending slightly below the receiver, the G30 SF offers a 10 round magazine capacity. The compact form of the G30 SF makes the pistol a perfect backup weapon for law enforcement to attach to their protective vests or comfortably carry in a concealed rig.

The G30 SF will be available with the GLOCK Standard Rail design that will allow the use of all GLOCK Tactical lights (GTL 10, GTL 21, GTL 22, GTL 51 and GTL 52). This standard feature on the G30 and G30 SF continues the tradition of excellent reliability and dependability of GLOCK lighting products designed for the GLOCK family of pistols.

All GLOCK pistols, including the new G30 SF are backed by the GLOCK Limited Lifetime Warranty. With exceptional world-class customer service and support provided from the GLOCK, Inc. plant in Smyrna, GA, GLOCK customers have learned the importance of rock solid reliability backed up with support and service that is unmatched in the industry. “With our superior engineered pistols and accessories, our incomparable service staff, and our employee’s single minded desire to satisfy each and every GLOCK customer, the lifetime experience of owning a GLOCK is second to none,” states GLOCK, Inc. Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Gary Fletcher. “Adding the G30 SF to the GLOCK family of pistols is a natural progression of our product line as the G30 SF meets the need for a concealable and reliable backup pistol for Law Enforcement and civilian concealed carry requirements harnessing the powerful .45 AUTO cartridge in a shorter frame.”

Another photo:

Referring to the SR9:

It is the worst of the worst! With the magazine removed, the trigger functions normally, dropping the hammer, but the gun is prevented from firing. (…) It simply blocks the firing pin! Upon hearing a “click,” instead of a “bang,” the shooter knows little, because the pistol has told him little. Chamber might be empty. Might be a dud round. Magazine may be unlocked.

Being a Glock fan, I personally think the less external safeties the better. As mentioned in the article, a magazine safety should not be the only thing that separates your kid from firing your pistols.

More here.

This graph shows the last three months of Ruger (RGR) trading. Click on the graph to expand it.

Their CEO, Michael O. Fifer, wrote a letter to Ruger shareholders. He had this to say:

For decades, Ruger introduced innovative designs on a regular basis, stimulating consumer demand. That strength has waned in the past few years with the passing of Bill Ruger, Sr. and a weakening of the product development resources at Ruger.

Nothing new here. It has taken them 20 years to clone the Glock pistol and produce the recently released SR9 striker fired pistol.

He goes on to say:

Ruger has not participated in some of the fastest growing segments of the consumer firearms market. These segments, which include AR-15 style rifles, compact carry pistols and revolvers, and striker-fired, auto-loading pistols, have recently been the engines of growth in the consumer firearms market.

Several of our top distributors have experienced growth rates in one or more of these categories in excess of 40% for the first nine months of the year. We plan to develop products for several of these markets. We recently had a very successful launch of our new striker-fired, auto-loading pistol, the Ruger SR9.

They have already launched a striker fired pistol so that leaves compact carry pistols and revolvers and AR-15 rifles.

Remington, one of their major competitors in the rifle market, have just announced their first line of AR-15 hunting rifles, the R-15.

The Remington R-15

I think Ruger will announce an AR-15 hunting rifle this time next year.

(The above photo is a photoshop I made… obviously. Not to mention the ‘evil’ 30 round magazine that Ruger will never sell.)

It makes perfect sense. The black, or more politically correct, camo rifles are what is selling.

And it still works like a Glock!

Read about it here.

What we are going to do here is to polish (not alter) some parts to make the trigger pull (which admittingly is a bit different) smoother. I’ve also included the extra steps to completely disassemble the gun and get it back together again

Read it here.

The website is out of date and I do not know if the kits are still sold. I do know that in most Western countries converting a pistol into a rifle is not allowed. UPDATE: I was wrong. See comments below.

UPDATE:

Some more photos from gunbroker

If the Glock firing pin is partially retracted and the Springfield XD is fully retracted we could draw the conclusion that the Glock is half-cocked while the XD is cocked and locked. Both will fire if there is an accident. Both have safeties in place to prevent this from happening. If the only unique safety on the XD’s is the grip safety, how does it work? It looks like the grip safety on the 1911, but it definitely does not quack like the same duck.

More here.

mechanisms to ensure the pistol does not fire a round unless the trigger is pulled, ie. not when dropped, knocked etc.
Rob has written a interesting blog entry explaining how the internal Glock safeties works.

Understanding how your weapons safeties work is also of critical importance. Glock, even though it has no external safeties is no exception.

So that out of the way we can begin discussing how Glock is looking out for you. As you may know the firing pin is under 2/3rds pressure when the slide is charged. As soon as you place a round in the chamber there is pressure, and therby a possibility, however remote, that the round may go off.

More here.

UPDATE: Famous Guns has more information here.

Below is just a screenshot. Click here to view the animation.