GLOCK founder Gaston Glock expressed his gratitude to all of the shooters and dealers that motivate him and his staff every day by saying, “(…) We cannot thank you enough for your trust and your support. It is what drives us every day.” Situated just outside Vienna, Gaston Glock began his career back in 1963 with polymers and metals. The Austrian company GLOCK Ges.m.b.H. was founded in 1981. Glock established GLOCK, Inc. 23 years later in the USA, without knowing what a phenomenal success the decision would prove to be.
The Beginnings: GLOCK Anniversary in the USA
When the polymer pistol was invented, the Glock model was – quite naturally – the first polymer pistol seen on the American market. A unique material at the time, production required fewer stages than for steel or aluminum. But Americans were initially skeptical: A pistol made of plastic? Won’t they just slip through metal detectors? The polymer pistol inventor Gaston Glock, or “Mr. Glock” as he’s known, was able to calm American nerves: metal detectors would continue to sound the alarm, as each pistol is fitted with an indispensable steel element to guide the slide. So the factory started producing the soon-to-be top-selling Glock pistols in the USA at the unbeatable dealer price of just $360.00 and a recommended retail price of $560.00, which was significantly cheaper than comparable small caliber firearms. This and the cost-efficient manufacturing process ensured profit margins of up to 60% – three times higher than the usual industry returns, which at the time were already extremely high!
30 Years of GLOCK in the USA: The Milestones
| 1978 | GLOCK celebrates its first major success with the G18; the G19 and G17L models are released just a year later, followed shortly by their second generations |
| 1989 | Over 2,000 American police officers already carry a GLOCK service firearm |
| 1991 | The GLOCK Sport Shooting
Foundation is founded |
| 1995 | The first concealed carry models G26 and G27 take the American market by storm |
| 1998 | The third generation of GLOCK pistols is introduced; these pistols are equipped with an additional rail to enable mounting of various accessories |
| 1999 | GLOCK presents its two-millionth pistol at the SHOT Show in Atlanta |
| 2004 | GLOCK introduces the .45 G.A.P. caliber |
| 2007 | GLOCK breaks the record: over five million pistols sold worldwide |
| 2010 | The fourth generation (Gen4) of all familiar models is launched on the market |
| 2014 | The new models G42 and G41 conquer the market |
| 2015 | GLOCK develops the Modular Optic System (MOS) for the models G34 Gen4, G35 Gen4, G41 Gen4 and G40 Gen4 |
Now, anno 2016, 30 years after the American subsidiary was founded, Glock pistols are included in the basic gear assigned by government agencies to over 65% of all law enforcement officers. Gaston Glock and his quest for perfection in design, engineering and manufacturing has made these pistols the yardstick by which all others are measured.
30 Years of GLOCK in the USA: 30 Unique Pistols for Special Individuals
To mark the 30th anniversary, GLOCK commissioned five of the world’s best engravers to design 30 custom specimens of G17 pistols. GLOCK dedicated these exclusive pistols to exceptional individuals and organizations as a mark of its highest esteem. A certificate, signed personally by Gaston Glock, is enclosed with each of these G17 pistols. The 30 handguns will be presented, auctioned or included as prizes in competitions over the course of the year. GLOCK is using these unique firearms to express its thanks to loyal customers, employees and supporters in the USA.
Look our complete photo gallery with all anniversary pistols here below:
Click here for the GLOCK Inc. USA website.
GLOCK presented the Glock 17 M.O.S and Glock 19 M.O.S. for the European market at the IWA 2016.
