Glock 19

The Glock is a series of polymer–framed, short recoil-operated, locked-breech semi-automatic pistols designed and produced by Austrian manufacturer Glock Ges.m.b.H. The firearm entered Austrian military and police service by 1982 after it was the top performer in reliability and safety tests.^[5]

Despite initial resistance from the market to accept a perceived “plastic gun” due to concerns regarding durability and reliability which proved unfounded, as well as fears that its use of a polymer frame might bypass the detection of the metal detectors in airports, also unfounded, Glock pistols have become the company’s most profitable line of products as well as supplying national armed forces, security agencies, and police forces in at least 48 countries.^[6] Glocks are also popular firearms among civilians for recreational and competition shooting, home- and self-defense, and concealed or open carry.^[7]