Just today one of my friends told me that Glocks used to be (back when they first came out) made out of high-impact ceramics and plastics. Now, I suppose it is theoretically possible to make a gun out of those materials entirely, but I really doubt they ever did. Also, the only other time I ever heard about a ceramic gun was in one of the Lethal Weapon movies, which I really don't consider a reliable source. Now, someone has to tell me if this is the truth or just some dirty little rumor.
Were Glocks ever made out of ceramic?
- Thread starter Apeach
- Start date
Only to people who came into my gunshop the summer "DieHardII" came out.
Cledus: "Why come you gots no Glock 7s?"
Beloved poster: "No such animal, sir. Do you mean a Glock 17?"
Cledus: "No, a Glocks7. They're made out of ceramic and costs a lots of money."
Beloved poster: "Mmmmm, maybe you're thinking of a movie?"
Cledus: "Uh-uh, they gots 6 of `em at gunstore X. I sees them."
Glock7, the long-barrelled revolver like the Joker's, the shotgun with the boulder of death shot pattern, mags that never run out--people have asked for them all. And I was there to sell them.
Money first, they can always gain knowledge later.
Cledus: "Why come you gots no Glock 7s?"
Beloved poster: "No such animal, sir. Do you mean a Glock 17?"
Cledus: "No, a Glocks7. They're made out of ceramic and costs a lots of money."
Beloved poster: "Mmmmm, maybe you're thinking of a movie?"
Cledus: "Uh-uh, they gots 6 of `em at gunstore X. I sees them."
Glock7, the long-barrelled revolver like the Joker's, the shotgun with the boulder of death shot pattern, mags that never run out--people have asked for them all. And I was there to sell them.
Money first, they can always gain knowledge later.
While the Glock was never made of ceramic material, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Army did sponsor R&D on a totally ceramic firearm. It is possible that the work still continues although I have seen no reports on this in quite some time. Guns and Ammo magazine, in fact, ran a story on the company doing the research, whose name I have forgotten. I do seem to recall that the firm was in Alabama. If you have access to lots of G&A back issues, you may be able to find the full story.
Please do not so readily dismiss such reports as "urban myths", they do occasionally have a basis in fact.
I would suggest a search at DTIC; the Defense Tecnical Information Center. It may be that such US government data repositories are not any longer as readily accessible as prior to last September. If the specific developments did lead to continued research, the reports may have become restricted and also not accessible. But the G&A article, if you find it, will convince you that the notion is absolutely real
Please do not so readily dismiss such reports as "urban myths", they do occasionally have a basis in fact.
I would suggest a search at DTIC; the Defense Tecnical Information Center. It may be that such US government data repositories are not any longer as readily accessible as prior to last September. If the specific developments did lead to continued research, the reports may have become restricted and also not accessible. But the G&A article, if you find it, will convince you that the notion is absolutely real
Double Naught Spy
New member
While many urban and internet myths may have some basis in reality, many don't - at least not in terms of the specifics. Yes, somebody has made ceramic guns. No, it was not Glock. It was in the Diehard movie that it was pointed out that the ceramic Glocks could get through metal detectors at airports. That "fact" coming from Bruce Willis' character. Sure enough, had Glock made an all ceramic gun, it would have made it through the metal detectors.
Facts, such as ceramic guns having been made, and lore, such as Glock making them, often intermingle such that there is a basis for the lore, but that basis may have no bearing on reality. Die Hard provided at lot of gun ignorant folks with the facts that Glock made ceramic guns. More than a decade later, people still think Glock made ceramic guns such as those used in the movie.
Facts, such as ceramic guns having been made, and lore, such as Glock making them, often intermingle such that there is a basis for the lore, but that basis may have no bearing on reality. Die Hard provided at lot of gun ignorant folks with the facts that Glock made ceramic guns. More than a decade later, people still think Glock made ceramic guns such as those used in the movie.
Don't forget when a "plastic" Glock was smuggled through an airport metal detector. After the slide, barrel and recoil spring were removed it no longer set off the detector. It also couldn't be made ready to fire, but that has never stopped a politician from saying something stupid about it happening.
Erich, it's a quasi-free country and you can wear what you wish (maybe). Flower-shirted gun hacks are often photographed violating the 4 rules, writing about shooting .223s off in apartment buildings, writing about their militree service--"well, when I was pulling KP, I once saw a Green Beret walking by the mess hall, thus I know a lot about small arms", writing SIG v. Glock, part 79 articles, or extolling the virtues of the latest laser/phaser, neon/xeon gizmo to break and foul up a weapon.
Seriously, though...
There are no ceramic Glocks. Even if they did make a Glock slide out of ceramics, ceramic is a notoriously poor heat conductor. In fact, it's used as heat shielding material.
Add to the fact that ceramics, while they can be exceptionally hard, are invariably brittle, as none will have the flexibility of metal.
There are no ceramic Glocks. Even if they did make a Glock slide out of ceramics, ceramic is a notoriously poor heat conductor. In fact, it's used as heat shielding material.
Add to the fact that ceramics, while they can be exceptionally hard, are invariably brittle, as none will have the flexibility of metal.
I've read articles about ceramic engines so it might be possible to make a gun completely out of ceramics and polymers.
But if the idea is to make a gun that can pass through a metal detector it will have to use caseless ammo too because if my car keys will do it, a handfull of brass cartridges will still set the metal detector off.
Oh well, it makes for good movies at least.
But if the idea is to make a gun that can pass through a metal detector it will have to use caseless ammo too because if my car keys will do it, a handfull of brass cartridges will still set the metal detector off.
Oh well, it makes for good movies at least.
I see that some take umbrage at the use of "Urban Myth".
Glock making a ceramic pistol is urban myth.
Can one be made? Sure. Ceramic may not be as elastic as I prefer, but it will hold up for a short time.
A polymer/composite/ceramic combination makes even more sense. And really, if it will go through 1000 rounds guarenteed, it has more than enough service life. You aren't talking high volume fire for the types of missions intended for such a gun.
The only reason I see heat disapation being a concern is for the ammunition, the heat might set it off.
If you can make a ceramic I.C.E., then ceramic can be made to withstand high pressures, which is what we are concerned with in the chamber.
But being this polymer/composite/ceramic gun doesn't mean that there is no metal within those materials. And matter of sufficient density can be seen on an x-ray display, although the examiner may have to look closely.
Glock making a ceramic pistol is urban myth.
Can one be made? Sure. Ceramic may not be as elastic as I prefer, but it will hold up for a short time.
A polymer/composite/ceramic combination makes even more sense. And really, if it will go through 1000 rounds guarenteed, it has more than enough service life. You aren't talking high volume fire for the types of missions intended for such a gun.
The only reason I see heat disapation being a concern is for the ammunition, the heat might set it off.
If you can make a ceramic I.C.E., then ceramic can be made to withstand high pressures, which is what we are concerned with in the chamber.
But being this polymer/composite/ceramic gun doesn't mean that there is no metal within those materials. And matter of sufficient density can be seen on an x-ray display, although the examiner may have to look closely.