"Glock - 17"

   The "Glock-17" Self-loading Pistol was developed by Austrian designer Gaston Glock. In the year 1980 "Glock's" prototype won the Austrian Armed Forces held combat pistol competition to equip Austrian Army and was adopted by Austrian Army and Police. Pistol mass production began in 1980 by "Glock" Gmbh. The "Glock-17" and it's modifications are in service with 30 - 50 countries and are used by the special forces, police and security services and for self-defense.

   There are a number of "Glock-17" modifications (Glock-18, 19, 20, 22 and others) which have only some differences from the basic modification. Currently "Glocks" are chambered in all major pistol calibers. Pistol is available in standard, compact, subcompact, competition and other models.

   "Glock" pistol family distinguishes small weight and simple design features. For example "Glock-17" consists from only 33 parts including magazine. Pistol can be dismantled in a minute using just pin or nail. Barrel box is fully made from polymer materials what makes more fluent and less powerful frame recoil. More than 80% of pistol are made from polymer materials the only metal parts are barrel and trigger mechanism. Such plastic serves well in temperatures among - 40 to + 200°C.

   "Glock-17" automatic works on barrel short recoil principle. Trigger mechanism is "safe action" (or usual "double-action" as trigger is always reclined). Trigger is hidden in the lock's frame what prevents it's damage or failure if pistol falls down on the ground. Trigger push power can be adjusted from 2 to 5.5 kgs.

   Weapon has automatic safety-lock placed on the trigger preventing self-action or incidental shots. It blocks trigger as well. Fire can be executed only with a properly pushed trigger. After every shot safety-lock automatically turns on and blocks trigger until it is push once more. This mechanism was patented by the "Glock" Gmbh. Pistol has no automatic safety-lock as a separate part. Pistol is safe enough to carry loaded cartridge in the barrels channel.

   It is supposed that a good modern pistol's barrel and mechanisms must serve not less than 40 000 shots. The "Glock" Gmbh specialists claim that the "Glock-17" and other models serve approximately 360 000 shots what is a really impressive number.

   "Glock-17" has quiet high muzzle energy (485 - 490 Joules) and provides good penetration effect fed by standard 9 x 19 mm (Para) cartridges.

   It's advantages are reliability, ease of maintenance and use, small weight, high magazine capacity, long range of effective fire and a number of other features. "Glock-17" has a very similar dimensions to Soviet/Russian PM Self-loading Pistol but has 10% less weight, is 25% more powerful and has more than twice increased magazine capacity. Amount of separate safety-lock and "double-action" type  mechanism makes it always prepared to execute fire making it ideal for self-defense. Blocked trigger, turning on only correctly pushing it provides safe behavior with weapon and prevents accidental self-fire. 

     It' polymer body cannot be affected by corrosion. Metal parts are covered with a rustproof coating which has even better rust resistance comparing with a stainless steel.  Pistol is easy dismantled to clean metal parts: it is enough to turn back in 4 mm lock's frame and to push fixation release button. Weapon is easy to hold and to fire from the each hand.

   Pistol has an opened fixed sight. The latest models instead of the earlier ones feature an underbarrel accessory rail, more ergonomic handle intended to fire from the each hand.

   In conclusion Austrian designer Gaston Glock created a really modern attack and defense weapon surpassing a great number of analogues in it's ease and effectivity.

   Since it's appearance pistol became very popular among military and law enforcement firearms. In the USA every second sold pistol is "Glock" or one of it's modifications.

   The "Glock 17" became the base model for a full family of handguns. The main difference between them are size and caliber. These are:

   - The "Glock 17L" is a target model intended for a sport shooting. It has a longer barrel and adjustable sight. Pistol is chambered for 9 x 19 mm (Para) cartridges.
   - The "Glock 18" is an automatic pistol chambered for 9 x 19 mm (Para) cartridges. It has the same dimensions and weight, but additionally allows to execute three shot burst fire and can be fitted with a 31 round magazine and folding stock.
   - The "Glock 19" is a compact model of the "Glock 17" chambered for 9 x 19 mm (Para) cartridges. This pistol has a smaller dimensions and magazine capacity in 15 rounds instead of the 17. It has a sighting range in 50 meters.
   - The "Glock 20" is a version of the "Glock 17" chambered for 10 mm Auto cartridges.
   - The "Glock 21" is a version of the "Glock 17" chambered for .45 ACP.
   - The "Glock 22" is a version of the "Glock 17" chambered for .40 Auto (.40 S&W).
   - The "Glock 23" is a version of the "Glock 19" chambered for .40 Auto (.40 S&W).
   - The "Glock 24" is a target model intended for a sport shooting. It has a longer barrel and adjustable sight. Pistol is chambered for .40 Auto (.40 S&W).
   - The "Glock 25" is a version of the "Glock 19" chambered for 9 x 17 mm (Short / .380 ACP). This model features one more difference. It's automatic is based on a free lock recoil principle unlike the other "Glocks" based on a locking barrel. This pistol is intended for civilian market for self-defense.
   - The "Glock 26" is a subcompact version of the "Glock 17" chambered for 9 x 19 mm (Para) cartridges. It's mass production began in 1995. It has a sighting range in 25 meters and 10 round magazine capacity. It is hard to imagine something better than this pistol intended for stealth carrying and effective use.
   - The "Glock 27" is a version of the "Glock 26" chambered for .40 Auto (.40 S&W). It has a 9 round magazine capacity.
   - The "Glock 28" is a version of the "Glock 26" chambered for 9 x 17 mm (Short / .380 ACP). It's automatic is based on a free lock recoil principle unlike the other "Glocks" based on a locking barrel and similar to the "Glock 25". This pistol is intended for civilian market for self-defense.
   - The "Glock 29" is a version of the "Glock 26" chambered for 10 mm Auto cartridges.
   - The "Glock 30" is a version of the "Glock 26" chambered for .45 ACP cartridges.
   - The "Glock 31" is a version of the "Glock 17" chambered for .357 SIG cartridges.
   - The "Glock 32" is a version of the "Glock 19" chambered for .357 SIG.
   - The "Glock 33" is a version of the "Glock 26" chambered for .357 SIG.
   - The "Glock 34" and "Glock 35" are tactical versions of the "Glock 17" chambered for 9 x 19 mm (Para) and .40 Auto (.40 S&W) cartridges accordingly.

   Such pistol popularity raised a number of it's copy's and clones. One of them is a "Smith & Wesson" "Sigma" Self-loading Pistol.

Advantages

   Comfortable handling and aiming. Can be dismantled without special. Ease of maintenance. There are only automatic safety-locks. Rustproof. Rear failures. Light weight and large magazine capacity. Ability to make first shot without any preparation. Good weapons balance.

Disadvantages

    Double-action only type trigger group. Not enough plastic body tightness as after a long pistol maintenance there appears microscopic fractures. Dirty conditions or lack of cleaning lead to mechanism failures.