There has been a lot of news taking place in the firearm industry. For example, some gun enthusiasts have noted that Sig Sauer, Inc., the famed German firearm manufacturer, is going to start making their pistols in the United States. Some are now wondering if Glock is going to head in the same direction in the near future. While there are some Glock models that are already made in the United States, the vast majority of Glock’s models are still made in Austria only, where Gaston Glock first unveiled his revolutionary design for the Austrian army. There are a few points that everyone should keep in mind when it comes to where Glocks are made.

A History of Glock Distribution in the United States

Like Sig Sauer, Glock started as the only distributor of Glock pistols in the United States. Then, a few years ago, Glock was interested in breaking into the market for .380 compact automatic compact pistols. Glock had made the .380 pistols for the European market for a long time; however, there is a point system implemented by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearm Enforcement (BAFTE) that meant the .380 Glock pistols could not be imported into the United States.

On the other hand, pistols that are made here in the United States are not subjected to the same restrictions as those that are imported. Therefore, Glock decided to start making pistols in the United States. In 2014, their efforts were realized. Finally, the Glock 42 (which is a 6-round, subcompact, .380 Glock) was released onto the United States Market.

Five years later, the facility expanded from producing only the Glock 42 to including other models that are commonly found throughout the United States. In general, Glock handguns that are not popular in the United States are still only made in Austria. Then, they are imported into the United States for sale.

The Difference Between the Pistols

Because only some of the popular Glock pistols are made here in the United States, many people are wondering if there is a difference between the two models. The Glock models that are made here in the United States still contain the same parts as their Austrian counterparts. The slide, barrel, and frames used in these models are made in the United States; however, the machines that are used to make those parts are identical to the ones that are used to make the same guns in Austria.

The only notable difference is the finish that is applied to some of the metal parts. This is due to EPA regulations that prevent Glock from using the Tenefer coating that it uses in Austria. Newer Glocks nearly always have a novel nDLC coating anyways. Therefore, newer Glocks have the nDLC coating regardless of whether they are made in the United States or in Austria.

Are More Glocks Going to Be Made in the United States?

Since 2014, Glock has expanded the number of guns that they make here in the United States. Many people hope that if more Glocks are made in the United States that the purchase point is going to start to drop. This has led many people to ask whether or not more Glocks might be made in the United States in the future.

The good news is that the answer is likely yes. The current administration is looking to reduce the regulations on gun exporting and importing. If this trend continues, then it should be easier for Glock to get their guns made in the United States. While there will still be some legwork that needs to happen to get the manufacturing out of Austria (based on EU law) the reality is that it is going to be easier to shift the manufacturing process over to the United States. Therefore, expect to see more Glocks on the shelves that say “Made in the USA” in the future.

Superior Glock Products from Ghost Inc.

The reality is that Glock is still one of the most popular brands on the market, particularly for handguns. It has been the leader in the United States for decades. Now, with numerous Glock models being made right here at home, it is easier than ever to find one. At Ghost Inc., we take great pride in being one of the leaders of Glock products in the country. If you are looking for a firearm, then come and visit us today! We would be happy to help you with your firearm needs!

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