Glock made the polymer, striker-fired pistol mainstream. An Austrian company that started out making metal, wood and plastic products and later military knives, Glock won its first army contract in 1982 and went on to arm police departments around the world.
Company at a glance
| Founded | 1963, Deutsch-Wagram, Austria |
|---|---|
| Founder | Gaston Glock |
| Headquarters | Deutsch-Wagram, Austria; U.S.: Smyrna, Georgia |
| Ownership | Private, owned by Kathrin Glock and the Glock family foundation |
| Status | In operation |
Locations and moves
Glock builds pistols in two Austrian plants, Deutsch-Wagram and Ferlach. Glock, Inc. was founded in Smyrna, Georgia in 1985 and began full production there in 2013.
- Deutsch-Wagram, Austria: original home and main plant
- Ferlach, Austria: second plant, opened 1987
- Smyrna, Georgia: Glock, Inc., U.S. production since 2013
Timeline
- 1963 Gaston Glock founds the company.
- 1982 The Glock 17 wins the Austrian army pistol trials.
- 1985 Glock, Inc. founded in Smyrna, Georgia.
- 1987 Ferlach plant opens.
- 1988 New models arrive as U.S. police switch from revolvers to pistols.
- 2013 Smyrna begins full production.
- 2016 Wins an FBI contract for 9mm pistols.
- 2019 G44, Glock’s first .22 pistol.
- 2023 Gaston Glock dies at 94.
- 2025 Most of the commercial lineup is discontinued and replaced by new “V” models.
- 2026 Gen6 pistols go on sale on January 20.
Major pistols
| Model | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| G17 | Full size 9mm | The original Glock |
| G19 | Compact 9mm | One of the most popular pistols ever made |
| G26 | Subcompact 9mm | The “baby Glock” |
| G45 | Compact 9mm | G19 slide on a full-size grip |
| G20, G21 | 10mm, .45 ACP | Large frame |
| G43, G43X, G48 | Slimline 9mm | Single-stack and slim carry pistols |
| G42 | Slimline .380 | Pocket size |
| G44 | Rimfire .22 | Training pistol |
| Gen6 and V models | Striker-fired | Current lineup from 2025 and 2026 |
Also makes: field knives and entrenching tools.
Important people
- Gaston Glock: founder and designer, 1929 to 2023
- Kathrin Glock: shareholder and chair of the supervisory board
Notable events
- The Glock 17 (army designation P80) was adopted by the Austrian army in 1982.
- The FBI has carried Glocks since 1997 and picked a 9mm Glock in 2016.
- Glock pistols are standard issue for many U.S. police departments.
- In late 2025 Glock discontinued most existing models and introduced redesigned V models, followed by the Gen6 line in January 2026.
Videos
Glock gallery
Glock pistols from the Gun Websites collection.
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Company details change. Information current as of October 2026.