Those who are looking for a high-quality handgun have probably heard about the Glock pistols. Today, Glock is known as America’s handgun. They have been on the market for decades in the United States and are used by police forces and militaries all over the world. They have a reputation for being reliable, lightweight, and accurate. At the same time, even within the world of Glock handguns, there are lots of models from which to choose. Some people might be looking at the names and numbers wondering how this scheme even came into existence. There are a few defining features of the naming system that will help everyone keep the various models straight.

The Naming System of the Numbers

As a whole, the Glock pistols are given numbers that are based on the patent numbers issued to Gaston Glock. The first Glock to receive a patent and reach the firearm market is the 9 x 19 mm Parabellum model, which is the Glock 17. There is a common misconception that the Glock 17 is named because the magazine holds 17 rounds. This is simply not the case and is a pleasant coincidence. The Glock 17 is given this number because it was Gaston Glock’s 17th patent. It was introduced in 1982 and several modifications have been made since that time.

The next model issued was the Glock 18. Again, this pistol is named for the patent number. While this may not be the most popular Glock, it is useful under very specific circumstances. This pistol was actually developed specifically for Austrian counter-terrorism forces. It is a selective-fire variant of the original Glock 17.

Along with the Glock 17, the most popular Glock is the Glock 19. Basically, this is a compact version of the Glock 17. It has even been labeled as “compact” by the manufacturer itself. The barrel and pistol grip are slightly shorter than the Glock 17 and the magazine has been reduced to 15 rounds.

In the end, all of the numbers of the Glocks got their name from their patent number.

The Letters After the Numbers

Some people might have noticed that some of the Glocks feature letters that come after the numbers. The letters mean different things in different situations. Some of the most common letters people might notice include:

L: This is most common with the Glock 17L. The main difference with this Glock is that it has a longer slide along with an extended barrel. This version was manufactured in very limited quantities but generally means “longer.”

C: The Glock 17C reached the market back in 1996. The “C” stands for “cut.” There are slots cut in the barrel itself along with a slide that is used to compensate for any recoil. This is one of the most popular variants.

MB: There is a Glock 17MB which has an ambidextrous catch for the magazine. Now, the magazine catch is reversible, making this design obsolete.

X: The “X” stands for different modifications depending on the Glock. For example, the Glock 19X is a civilian version of the Glock 19 that is commonly used by the US Military. The Glock 43X has a longer and thicker grip along with an increased magazine. Depending on the pistol, “X” can stand for different things.

P: If there is a P after the Glock, this simply stands for practice. The gun has been modified for use as a practice pistol. This Glock has a red frame.

T: T stands for trainer. Again, this is a Glock that is meant to be used under training conditions. It has a blue frame.

RTF: RTF stands for a frame that has a rough texture (rough texture frame). Usually, this means that the gun will not slip and is easier to hold.

This is a brief overview of some of the common letters that follow the Glocks. There are lots of variations because Glocks are relatively easy to modify. There are maritime spring cups, trigger extenders, and even springs that can be added using aftermarket parts, making Glocks popular among gun enthusiasts everywhere.

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Glock is known as America’s handgun because of how reliable they are. If you are looking for accessories and parts for your Glock, then check out everything we have at Ghost Inc. We maintain connections with some of the leading names in the industry. We would be happy to help you with all of your Glock handgun needs. Contact us today!

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