In Memoriam: Gaston Glock—1929-2023

by
posted on December 27, 2023
Gaston Glock Memoriam

Gaston Glock, designer of the Glock Pistol and noted Austrian industrial engineer, died Dec. 27, 2023. He was 94. Born in Vienna, Austria, in July 1929, Glock served in the German Wehrmacht at the end of World War II. Following the war, he was educated as an engineer. In the 1960s, Glock began his own manufacturing firm, using then-novel polymers as his fabrication material.

Having started out with curtain rods, Glock eventually obtained a contract making knives for the Austrian military. In 1980, the Austrian military announced that it was seeking a new handgun to replace its fleet of aging, World War II-era Walther P38s. In 1982, Glock assembled a team to design a prototype that would meet the 17 criteria Austria demanded in its new handgun.

Within three months, the team had developed a working model, which made use of synthetic materials and then-modern manufacturing techniques. Glock filed a patent for the design, his 17th such application, and thus, the Glock 17 was born. By the end of 1982, the Austrian military had adopted it as the Pistole 80 with an order for 25,000 guns. Today, Glock’s designs are used by law-enforcement or military units in more than 60 countries, and the company offers more than 50 different models in various sizes and chamberings.

Latest

Man author christopher olsen holding in hands outdoors benelli nova 3 tactical pump-action shotgun black gun
Man author christopher olsen holding in hands outdoors benelli nova 3 tactical pump-action shotgun black gun

New For 2025: Benelli USA Nova 3 Tactical

This latest update to Benelli’s pump-action shotgun gives users a few upgrades over previous generations, making the new NOVA 3 the most exciting pump-gun yet to come from the Italian maker.

Mauser: The Rifle That Made Good

Combining inventive genius with shrewd sales ability, the Mauser brothers, Paul and Wilhelm launched one of the world’s most famous small arms dynasties.

Preview: Hornady Backcountry Defense

The company’s new Backcountry Defense line is designed specifically for personal protection in the backcountry.

Military Armament Corporation Introduces New MAC 9 DS Models

Military Armament Corporation expanded its line of M1911-style, double-stack handguns with its new Double-Stack Duty, D-Comp and Comp designs.

Preview: MTM Case-Gard Ruger 10/22 Extended Mag Can

Made in the U.S.A., the O-ring-sealed Mag Can from MTM Case-Gard stows one of the most important parts of the semi-automatic carbine—the magazine—twelve BX-25-pattern extended magazines, to be exact.

Gun Of The Week: EAA Witness2311 Brat

Built on M1911 principles and imported by European American Armory Corp., the EAA Girsan Witnesss2311 Brat is a unique take on the double-stack, 2011-style pistol.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.