
The GLOCK Story

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1963
Perfection Begins
In 1963, Gaston Glock founds GLOCK KG in the Austrian town of Deutsch-Wagram, where he produces a wide variety of products made from wood, polymer, and metal.
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1970s
First Military Products
Production begins for the first machine gun belts and the FM78 Field Knife for the Austrian Armed Forces.
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1980s
Founding of GLOCK GmbH
In 1980s, GLOCK GmbH is founded, and the revolutionary, semi-automatic GLOCK P80 with SAFE ACTION® System is born.
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1982
Austrian Army Contract Awarded
After a comprehensive range of technical tests, Gaston Glock's prototypes achieve the highest point score, and the GLOCK P80 emerges as the clear winner for the Austrian Armed Forces.
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1984
The G17
First NATO member country, Norway, adopts the GLOCK 17 pistol.
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1986
GLOCK Opens in the U.S.
February 1986 marks the start of business in the United States at GLOCK, Inc., when the first shipment of GLOCK pistols is received and sold in the U.S.
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1987
A First in Law Enforcement
Miami Police Department becomes the first U.S. law enforcement agency to adopt GLOCK pistols.
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1987
GLOCK Grows
Addition of the GLOCK plant in Ferlach, Austria.
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1988
A Second Generation
In 1988, Gaston Glock introduced the second generation GLOCK 19, a compact version of his Safe ActionⓇ pistol with improved grip texture.
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1989
GLOCK Exports Globally
The demand for GLOCK products increases exponentially and results in exports to more than 45 countries worldwide (special forces, police, and military). More than 350,000 pistols have been sold since 1982, including sales to approximately 2,000 U.S. police departments.
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1990s
The G20 & G21
Production begins on the G20 10mm Auto pistol, and the G21 .45 Auto pistol comes into series production mid-year.
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1991
GSSF Founded
GLOCK Sport Shooting Foundation is established to hold shooting competitions and armorer’s courses for its members.
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1991
The G24 & G24C
Production begins on the G24 and the G24C chambered in .40.
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1995
The G25, G26 & G27
Production begins on the G25 .380 Auto. In addition, production begins on subcompact models: the G26 9x19 and the G27 .40.
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1996
The G28 & G17T
Production begins on the G28 .380 Auto. Also, the GLOCK 17T is introduced—designed by engineers to allow law enforcement the opportunity to train force-on-force.
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1997
FBI Goes GLOCK
GLOCK pistols expand into federal agencies with the adoption of the .40 caliber G22 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
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1997
The G29 & G30
Production begins on the G29 chambered in 10mm Auto and the G30 chambered in .45 Auto.
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1998
Gen3 Models Introduced
The 3rd Gen pistols get an accessory rail—called the "Universal GLOCK Rail”—to allow the mounting of lasers, tactical lights, and other accessories. Finger grooves and thumb rests are added to deliver better grip.
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1999
The G36 & 2M Pistol Mark
Production begins on the Slimline® model G36 chambered in .45 Auto. With the new slim design, the grip ergonomics fit into the hands of any user.
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2000s
New Headquarters
Construction work for the Millenium factory in Deutsch-Wagram is completed, providing more space to serve the ongoing demand for GLOCK products.
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2004
Complete Pistol Line
GLOCK introduces a complete pistol line—standard, compact, and subcompact—in .45 G.A.P., delivering decisive firepower.
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2006
GLOCK Professional
GLOCK Professional, Inc. is founded, offering professional firearms education and training for both professional experts and amateurs.
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2006
5M Pistol Mark
GLOCK reaches a significant milestone by selling a total of 5 million pistols worldwide.
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2009
Gen4 Pistols
The fourth generation of GLOCK pistols is successfully launched. Among its innovations are "back straps," allowing individual adjustment for enhanced grip, a new grip texture, and a dual recoil spring.
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2011
25 Years of Perfection
GLOCK celebrates its Silver Anniversary: twenty-five years of perfection in the USA.
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2013
10M Pistol Mark
GLOCK achieves a significant milestone with more than 10 million pistols sold worldwide.
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2014
Follow the Four
GLOCK launches the Follow the Four Safety Initiative.
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2015
GLOCK Slimline Pistols
GLOCK Slimline pistols are introduced with the G42 chambered in .380 Auto and the G43 chambered in 9x19—the smallest GLOCK pistols to date.
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2016
The Modular Optic System
GLOCK introduces the Modular Optic System (MOS) pistols available in the fourth generation, which simplifies the mounting of red dot sights.
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2017
Gen5 Pistols
GLOCK introduces the fifth generation of pistols. The G17 Gen5 and G19 Gen5 combine the technology of the future with improved precision, versatility, speed, and the familiar reliability.
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2018
The First Crossover Pistol
The first-ever "Crossover" pistol is introduced. The GLOCK 19X combines the best features of two of its most popular and most trusted field-tested platforms.
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2019
Slimline Series Expansion
The G48 and G43X are released.
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2019
The G45 MOS Pistol
The G45 MOS Crossover pistol is released.
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2020
20M Pistol Mark
In just seven short years, GLOCK doubles its global pistol sales to 20 MILLION sold.
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2020
G44
GLOCK releases its first .22 caliber pistol—the G44.
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2022
35th Anniversary
GLOCK, Inc., celebrates thirty-five years of innovation.
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2023
Team GLOCK
Team GLOCK and Team Captain Shane Coley welcome three new outstanding shooters: Callerina Woodard, Morgan Leonhardt, and Thy Ngo, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in the sports shooting community.
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2023
GLOCK+
GLOCK+ launches with the GLOCK Performance Trigger.
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2024
27M Pistol Mark
GLOCK supplies customers in over 150 countries and overseas territories.
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2025
GLOCK Launches New Products at SHOT Show 2025
GLOCK launches collaboration with Aimpoint and releases the GLOCK Tactical Light, GTL II as part of the GLOCK+ series of accessories.
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Perfection Continues