Why the Glock Is One of the Most Popular Concealed Carry Handguns

When it comes to concealed carry handguns, Glocks are among the most popular and beloved brands. Known for their consistent and dependable performance under most circumstances and conditions, the Glock is trusted by law enforcement professionals all over the world. A Glock concealed carry handgun is one of the best choices you can make for your personal protection.

America’s Handgun

The Glock made its debut in the 1980s, and it quickly gained traction among gun enthusiasts. Austrian engineer Gaston Glock originally designed his firearm for the Austrian Army, not patenting his handgun model until 1981. His first model was the Glock 17, and it was meant to replace the ancient p38 pistols used by the Austrian Army since the World War II era.

After passing a rigorous series of stringent criteria set up by the Austrian Army, the Glock 17 was accepted as the new standard sidearm for Austrian soldiers. Its proven consistent reliability, lightweight polymer frame and light trigger pull allowed for more accurate aim and effective stopping power. The standard magazine of a Glock 17 holds 17 rounds, which set it apart from other pistols which were limited to six to 10 rounds and were traditionally very heavy to carry. The Glock concealed carry pistol was far more comfortable.

The Glock also did not feature a manual safety, which was essential for military personnel who needed to fire quickly in a deadly situation. Instead, it employed a two-step trigger system which required a small, inner trigger to be activated before it would fire. This required direct pressure on the outer trigger and prevented misfiring from when holstering and unholstering.

The Glock's features quickly became an international sensation, especially among law enforcement agencies. The Glock's popularity in America grew throughout the 1980s. It soon became the weapon of choice for concealed carry–not only for law enforcement but also for the American public.

Next Generations

As the Glock 9mm evolved, it incorporated new features into each generation of development. The second-generation models featured better grips on the front and back straps, while the third- generation models added an accessory rail. Added finger grooves and thumb rests made the gun more comfortable to fire.

In 2010, the Gen4 Glock 17 and Glock 22s featured interchangeable backstraps and smaller grips. The dual recoil assembly of the spring lowered recoil even more. In July 2010, the Glock 19 and the Glock 23 debuted as the "smaller" and more compact versions of the 17 and 22. Subcompact Glocks 26 and 27 soon followed later that year.

In 2017, the Gen5 models began to roll out from the company, allowing for interchangeable parts between generations and improving the Glock 17 and 19. The Glock 45 was improved for law enforcement use. Among the most notable changes in performance was the magazine floor plate redesign which allowed for a better grip for manual magazine extraction and an ambidextrous slide stop lever. This made the gun more accessible and comfortable for all shooters.

Variations in Size and Ammunition

Glock has gone on to develop different handguns for different purposes, including variations in size and ammunition. They now manufacture full-size, compact and subcompact handguns which can be customized according to comfort for concealed carry.

The Glocks 21, 30, 36 and 41 have all been fitted for .45 ACP ammunition. The Glocks 22, 23, 24, 27 and 35 come designed and ready for .40 S&W cartridges. The Glock 27 holds nine rounds, but all the other models hold a standard of 10 rounds or more. Glock also developed models to be used with .380 ACP, .357 SIG and .45 GAP ammunition.

Glock Laws

Because of Glock handguns' lack of a manual safety and some models' lack of a chambered round indicator, it has been outlawed in some states. In other states, the 33-round magazine that can be fitted to many models has been outlawed, which is one of the reasons why the Glock is so popular. Their interchangeable, large-capacity magazines, while still remaining fairly lightweight, are one of the reasons why they make the best choice for personal protection firearms.

Final Thoughts

The more restrictions that are placed on Glocks and magazine capacities, the more enticing they seem to become to the public. However, the most compelling reason why Glocks are the most popular handgun for your concealed carry holster is that they are reliable, accurate and easy to shoot. If you're just starting out with a Glock concealed carry handgun, you'll likely find it to be a solid shooting experience every time.