GLOCK G40 GEN4 MOS 10MM AUTO

FROM THE HIP

- Brian Pearce

In 1980, the Austrian Armed Forces announced it was searching for a new sidearm for military use and outlined a rather lengthy criteria list. Gaston Glock had no experience at designing firearms; however, he did have extensive experience with synthetic polymers and engineering. He assembled a team of European handgun experts to help in working out design features and details of the new pistol. His first gun was the Glock 17, which was the first commercially successful handgun to feature a polymer frame.

In spite of great skepticism from many sources to the effect that a pistol with a synthetic frame “could not possibly withstand the stresses necessary for endurance,” the Glock 17 proved durable and reliable. After extensive testing, the Glock 17 was adopted in 1982 by the Austrian Army and police. In the decades since, Glock has introduced more than 170 variations of the original design, chambered from .22 Long Rifle to .45 ACP. Glock pistols have gained huge worldwide popularity with countless military and police organizations, but also civilians that use them for recreation, competition, personal protection, etc. To date, around 10 million guns have been sold.