Below you will find pages that utilize the taxonomy term “Glock”
The Meaning of Glock Model Numbers
The “model numbers” of Glock pistols (such as Glock 17, 19, 18, 26, etc.) do not actually represent caliber or magazine capacity, but rather correspond to the sequential patent numbers obtained by Glock during development.
Complete Introduction to Glock Pistols
Origin and Naming System of Glock
Glock is a pistol series developed by Austrian engineer Gaston Glock in the 1980s, renowned worldwide for its innovative polymer frame design and reliability. For those new to Glock, you might be curious about its naming convention. Why does Glock have G17, G18, G19 numbering? is a common question many people have.
Glock Caliber Comparison: 9mm vs .45 ACP vs 10mm
Main Caliber Specifications Comparison
Below is a detailed comparison table of Glock’s three main calibers:
| Item | 9×19mm (9mm) | .45 ACP | 10mm Auto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet Diameter (approx.) | 9.01 mm | 11.43 mm | 10.16 mm |
| Common Case Length (approx.) | 19.0 mm | 23.0 mm | 25.0 mm |
| Typical Bullet Weight (gr) | 115–147 gr | 185–230 gr | 155–200 gr |
| Typical Muzzle Velocity (fps / m/s) | Approx. 1150–1300 fps (351–396 m/s) | Approx. 800–900 fps (244–274 m/s) | Approx. 1200–1400 fps (366–427 m/s) |
| Typical Muzzle Energy (ft·lb / J) | Approx. 340–550 ft·lb (460–748 J) | Approx. 260–414 ft·lb (356–561 J) | Approx. 495–870 ft·lb (672–1180 J) |
| Typical Applications | Defense, law enforcement, competition, civilian | Traditional close-range stopping, defense (large caliber) | High energy, hunting, defense, better penetration/long-range energy |
| Advantages (Summary) | Lower recoil, high capacity, easy ammunition availability, strong versatility | High impact (wider bullet), excellent close-range stopping | High energy, flat trajectory, retains energy at longer distances |
| Disadvantages (Summary) | Penetration/stopping power in some situations depends on well-designed bullets | Capacity and recoil not conducive to rapid fire | Recoil, gun wear, and shooter control difficulty; ammunition cost/availability less than 9mm |
| Common Glock Representative Models (Original/Common) | G17 / G19 / G26 / G34 / G43X / G48 | G21 / G30 / G36 / G41 | G20 / G29 |
How to Choose the Right Caliber?
- 9mm: Best suited for beginners and daily training, cheap and readily available ammunition
- .45 ACP: Suitable for users seeking large caliber stopping power
- 10mm Auto: Suitable for situations requiring higher energy, such as hunting or wilderness self-defense
Why Does Glock Have G17, G18, G19 Numbering?
The Truth Behind Glock Numbering
The “numeric designation” of Glock pistols (such as Glock 17, 19, 18, 26, etc.) does not represent caliber or magazine capacity, but rather the sequential numbering of patents during Glock’s development.
Glock Gen 1-5 Overview: From Prototype to Modern Evolution
🔹 Glock Generation 1 (Gen 1)
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Era: 1982
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Features: Original version, simple appearance, no finger grooves, smooth grip.
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Purpose: Established the classic polymer frame + striker-fired design.
🔹 Glock Generation 2 (Gen 2)
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Era: Around 1988
Glock Gen 1-5 Representative Models
Overview of Representative Models by Generation
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Gen 1 (approx. 1982–1987)
- Representative: Glock 17 (the first model released, prototype of the Glock series).
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Gen 2 (approx. 1988–1997)
- Common/models introduced or improved to Gen2 style during this period: G17 (Gen2), G18 (select-fire/auto model, released around 1987/1988), G19 (first mass-produced and popularized during this period), etc.
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Gen 3 (approx. 1998–2009)