Glock: America's Gun

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BearFL

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I'm not a Glock fanboy but I recently finished this book.
Despite covering a lot of ground, it was well written so it didn't feel like a chore.
I highly recommend it!

Anyone here read it?
Your thoughts?
 
I thought he did a pretty good job. I could have done without some of the light politicizing, but as a history of the company, it's pretty well done.

And Glock does have a colorful history, so it's a fun read.
 
I read it four or five years ago and thought it was pretty good. What struck me, if I remember correctly, was how much Gaston Glock disliked Americans. Seemed odd since Americans helped make him quite wealthy.
 
As a resident of Georgia who did some course work in graduate studies at Tech, and whose sister did her doctoral work at Emory, the shenanigans concerning the Glock sales rep in and around Atlanta adult establishments was most fun to read in print.
 
"is that a gun in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?" says the cocktail waitress to the Glock rep. :D
 
I like Glocks, I have several and carry one.
But Americas gun?
If it doesn't have 1911 in its name its BS.;)
That's no mark on the book, I haven't read it, but if I find it I will.
 
Like I said it's a very good book. You learn a good deal about the firearms industry. The relationship between the manufacturers, gun magazines, distributors, firearms trainers, sales to law enforcement and more.

tipoc
 
the shenanigans concerning the Glock sales rep in and around Atlanta adult establishments was most fun to read in print.
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Oh, I remember the Gold Club and Steve Kaplan. The "Glock nights" were legendary. I had a few friends who attended. It was basically a microcosm of the "Wolf of Wall Street" mindset.
 
The name of the book, and the concept, of the Glock being "America's Gun" comes from the very simple fact that the Glock quickly became the best selling handgun in the United States. Its rapid acceptance by general shooters and police/security agencies in the US was stunning.

When the book first came out a few years ago there were a number of discussions here with people screeching like howler monkeys about how DARE the author call anything other than a 1911 America's gun!

Pretty funny until you realize that their butthurt was not only monumental, it was real.
 
Being not a glock fan, I don't like or agree with the title. To me, just one man's (the author) opinion.

There are approximately 325 million American citizens and at least that many opinions.
 
"There are approximately 325 million American citizens and at least that many opinions."

And, judging by the Glocks sales over the years, a lot of them have the opinion that yes, the Glock is the handgun to get.
 
"There are approximately 325 million American citizens and at least that many opinions."

And, judging by the Glocks sales over the years, a lot of them have the opinion that yes, the Glock is the handgun to get.
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It doesn't show anything more than the power of advertising and public perception. Harley dominates large motorcycle sales but they fall short of many others in performance and reliability but advertising and perception drives sales.
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osbornk ...... Harley dominates large motorcycle sales but they fall short of many others in performance and reliability but advertising and perception drives sales.
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Huh? While Glock may have great advertising and public perception, it most certainly doesn't suffer the same reliability issues that plague 1911's. In fact, Glocks enjoy a reputation for reliability that is second to none.

I can count the Glocks I returned to Glock Inc for repair on one hand with fingers left over. 1911's number around two dozen.
 
I can count the Glocks I returned to Glock Inc for repair on one hand with fingers left over. 1911's number around two dozen.
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I'll just point out that 1911s are not Glock's main competition. This is especially true in the military and law enforcement markets. It's also true in the commercial market. Production figures confirm that.

Glock's main competition has been other polymer framed striker fired guns and Sigs and the M9.

Glock brought about a revolution in the production of firearms the effects of which hasn't ended.

They produced a strong, reliable handgun at a price that no one else could meet. A gun that is simple and inexpensive to maintain and repair. To compete all others had to follow suit or retreat into a niche.

In a few short years, due to Glocks, embedded doctrines in law enforcement on tactical training and safe gun handling fell apart. Tactical training "experts" and specialists who wrote and taught that da/sa pistols, or dao pistols were the best for law enforcement spoke against Glocks and the "safe action" trigger. Then were then hired by Glock to be trainers for them, spokespersons and sent from law enforcement agency to agency as salespersons for them.

We can quibble on the title of the book but it's pretty much unquestionable that Glock changed the face of handgunning in the U.S.

Read Barrett's book.

tipoc
 
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