Is Glock Limiting Themselves?

[Win52C]

IMO Glock hasnt really done any overhaul since it they hit our shores...a few cosmetic changes like finger grooves and a rail (oooooo ahhhhh) but overall the same. Like others have said, if it aint broke, dont fix it....and I agree to some part however, i dont think the home office in Austria realizes just how fickle the gun buying public is here in the states...a lot of people always want the newest, latest and greatest...even if it isnt any "better" its still the new thing.. Why do you think all the big guys come out with a new "miracle" cartridge every 3 years??? It isnt because the old ones stopped working....its to make sales ..period. With that being siad, I think a :new" Glock would sell like hotcakes, even if it isnt any "better" it would just be the New Glock...course then the Old ones would crash in value and be stacked up like plastic cordwood and we cant have that! LOL Just my 2 cents

 

[NWIeng]

Doesn't the importation rules prohibit their expanding into other types of pistols?

I'm not a pro on the 'points' system at all, but I do know that that is why the .380 glocks can't be imported since they don't pass enough points.

So for instance, with Ruger being an entirely US operation, they can get by with producing the LCP. I'm really not sure how this allows Taurus to market the TCP, since I believe they are technically Brazilian.

Maybe someone can chime in on this aspect of things....

 

[Joe Williams]

Doesn't the importation rules prohibit their expanding into other types of pistols?

I'm not a pro on the 'points' system at all, but I do know that that is why the .380 glocks can't be imported since they don't pass enough points.

So for instance, with Ruger being an entirely US operation, they can get by with producing the LCP. I'm really not sure how this allows Taurus to market the TCP, since I believe they are technically Brazilian.

Maybe someone can chime in on this aspect of things....

I understand some of Taurus' guns are now made in the US. Could that perhaps be the case with the TCP?

 

[rimfire_crazed]

Doesn't the importation rules prohibit their expanding into other types of pistols?

I'm not a pro on the 'points' system at all, but I do know that that is why the .380 glocks can't be imported since they don't pass enough points.

So for instance, with Ruger being an entirely US operation, they can get by with producing the LCP. I'm really not sure how this allows Taurus to market the TCP, since I believe they are technically Brazilian.

Maybe someone can chime in on this aspect of things....

Glock can bring over anything it wants as long as it has sufficient import points. I think that being greater than .380 gains 10 import points.

The TCP in .380 is US made and not subject to any import restrictions.

Taurus USA imports pistols from Taurus' Brazil factories and those pistols are subject to import restrictions like any other.

What is the BATF points system and how does it affect Glocks?
Many of the Glock's parts and sometimes the whole gun are dictated or limited by the BATF's system of "import points". To qualify for import a pistol must score 75 points based on the following system:

Characteristic Points
Length: for each 1/4" over 6" 1
Forged steel frame 15
Forged HTS alloy frame 20
Unloaded weight w/mag (per oz.) 1
.22 short and .25 auto 0
.22 LR and 7.65mm to .380 auto 3
9mm parabellum and over 10
Locked breech mechanism 5
Loaded chamber indicator 5
Grip safety 3
Magazine safety 5
Firing pin block or lock 10
External hammer 2
Double action 10
Drift adjustable target sight 5
Click adjustable target sight 10
Target grips 5
Target trigger 2

For example, here is how the G17 scores:
Length (7.28") 5
Weight (24.79oz) 25
Caliber (9mm) 10
Locked breech 5
Firing pin block 10
Double action 10
Target sight 10
Target grips 5
Total 80

Here is how the Glock 26 scores:
Length (6.29") 1
Weight (21.87oz) 22
Caliber (9mm) 10
Locked breech 5
Firing pin block 10
Double action 10
Target sight 10
Target grips 5
Target trigger 2
Total 75

Changes and features made to Glocks to comply with the BATF rules:
- all models are imported with a cheap click-adjustable rear sight that is replaced at the factory with the stock sight
- target (grooved) trigger added to compacts & subcompacts
- target grips added to all models (required for the subcompacts)
- due to their caliber, .380 autos (G25 & G28) do not score enough points to be imported

 

[shooter521]

Glock can bring over anything it wants as long as it has sufficient import points. I think that being greater than .380 gains 10 import points.

With the development of the LCI extractor a few years ago, I believe the G25 (G19-sized .380) has enough points to be importable. The G28 (G26-sized .380) appears to still by shy a few points. Or, Glock could assemble them on frames made here like they do the G17/22 (and perhaps the G19/23 by now) and render the whole issue moot. They choose not to, assuming that there would be a very limited market for a .380 pistol the same size as their 9mm/.40 counterparts. I believe they are correct; aside from an initial rush of Glock collectors and possibly a small number of sales to women, older/smaller statured folks and as LE backup guns, they'd have a hard time moving the G25 and 28 here in the US.

The TCP in .380 is US made and not subject to any import restrictions.

Taurus also makes the PT-22 and -25 here, for the same reason.

 

[rimfire_crazed]

I agree. There would be a demand spike and then they'd be sitting on distributor shelves gathering dust. Not worth the bother IMO.

 

[sprshggy07]

I had never heard of this points system till now, what a joke. Looks like they put on a blindfold and threw some dice then called it good.

 

[rimfire_crazed]

It was specifically designed to block the importation of "junk guns"

 

[kludge]

Glock is perfection.
If you change perfection, it is no longer perfect.
Glock will not change.

I think Glock customers (not me) like it exactly the way it is (I think it's a fine gun, but yes, I see room for improvement), and that is the feedback they are getting, so they see no reason to innovate. In their customer's minds (the ones who drink the kool-aid and own 7 glocks in each caliber) the competition has not yet caught up, so what motivation does Glock have to change?

I see two, make that three things that could be improved.

1. polygonal rifling
2. grip angle (love it or hate it)
3. unsupported chambers

 

[OneBadV8]

1. polygonal rifling
2. grip angle (love it or hate it)
3. unsupported chambers

These are always the only complaints you ever hear.

 

[HICKMAN]

Most people buy Glock because they are inexpensive and leave it to the owner to do what they want with them. I am glad they came out with the G34 and G35 to compete with... but most of us still modify those the way we want them.

as someone else said, the 1911 hasn't changed much... why should the Glock?

I thought long and hard about moving to the S&W M&P platform, both for carry and competition, and the fact that it's made in the USA. The gun looks awesome, feels great in the hand. Then I got to looking at prices of the guns... then prices of the mags... then availability of replacements parts and springs and mag-wells and asked myself why would I spend so much more for not much return? Especially when I know the G34 will eat any and everything I feed it and run reliably all the time. And you don't have to have a gunsmith to work on them.

Figured if I was gonna blow a wad of money... why not just get a new 1911?

Glocks best asset is they keep it simple. Those who don't want simple will chose to get an XDm, HK, M&P, Sig and so forth, which are all awesome guns. Those who like Glock and want to upgrade components... have literally hundreds of parts to chose from, to make the gun "perfect" for them... just like many 1911 owners do to their base guns.

The market is big enough for everyone, just my

 

[IndyGunworks]

but i really want a glock smg

 

[OneBadV8]

but i really want a glock smg

Maybe when you get your Gunsmith Shop running full bore, you can fabricate one

 

[HICKMAN]

but i really want a glock smg

oooohhh..... I see what you are saying.

ME TO!

 

[Sureshot129]

I'm with you on being a Glock fan, I have shot the M&P and that is a awsome weapon. Last night at work a friend of mine has been back and forth on what his new carry gun will be from J-frames to 1911's said he spent all day doing research and kept coming back to glock

 

[LotsofGlocks]

Glock is perfection.
If you change perfection, it is no longer perfect.
Glock will not change.

And I dont want them to change a thing

 

[redneckmedic]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it! I

If it's not broke don't fix it.

I think they make the greatest combat pistol out there. Why change it?

You know toilet paper hasn't change much in the last 200 years, if it gets the job done, why change.

After all, hope and change has proven that isn't not all its cracked up to be.

 

[1032JBT]

I think they make the greatest combat pistol out there. Why change it?

You know toilet paper hasn't change much in the last 200 years, if it gets the job done, why change.

After all, hope and change has proven that isn't not all its cracked up to be.

I see what you did there...................

 

[ar15junkie]

Glock Perfection is or was their sales pitch. My guess is they don't see a need to further develop their product because it is already perfect.

Besides looking at the price of a SCAR, I can't really afford any radical new designs.

 

[trnsplntfrmohio]

Could be Arrogance, could be they don't think anyone has caught up yet.

I think the "If it's not broke, don't fix it" is a good way to let the competition fly right by when they catch up and improve. And being in catch up mode doesn't usually work very well (see Chrysler & GM).

Bingo.

It's that germanish mindset. German cars today are utter crap. They thought, oh hey we're the best, so we don't need to put r/d in our cars, just slap the newest greatest things on them and look 3 or 4 years ago the american's surpassed germany in reliability of cars.

They think they're the best and it will come back and get them.