Glock Model Info

Complete Chart of All Glock Production Models

Product Line	Models
Basic	17, 17L, 18, 19, 20, 21, 21SF, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39
Compensated	17C, 19C, 20C, 21C, 22C, 23C, 24C, 31C, 32C
Compensated Competition	17CC, 19CC, 20CC, 21CC, 22CC, 23CC, 31CC, 32CC
Practice (Red)	17P, 19P, 22P, 23P, 26P
Training (Blue)	17T 9mm FX, 17T 7.8X21 AC
Cutaway	All models

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Basic Glock Models

This chart provides a quick guide to the models in each caliber and size.

	Subcompact	Compact	Standard	Competition	Slimline	Short Frame
9x19mm	G26	G19	G17	G17L/G34
.40	G27	G23	G22	G24/G35
.45 ACP	G30		G21		G36	G21SF
.45 GAP	G39	G38	G37
10mm	G29		G20
.357 sig	G33	G32	G31
.380 ACP	G28	G25

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Detailed Model Info

This table shows some details of each model side by side.

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Glock 21 SF (Short Frame)

The Glock 21SF is based closely on the standard Glock model 21. It used to be that you could get a Glock in any color you wanted - as long as you wanted black. However, that all changed recently when Glock started producing green framed Glocks.


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Green Frame Glocks

It used to be that you could get a Glock in any color you wanted - as long as you wanted black. However, that all changed recently when Glock started producing green framed Glocks. Here are a few excellent examples provided by our friend Ken Lunde.


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Compensated

Despite their name, compensated models have a ported (not compensated) barrel. Two oblong cuts are made in the top of the barrel with matching cuts in the slide (except the 24C, which has 4 round holes in the barrel and a large oblong cut in the slide). When the gun is fired some of the gases escape out the top of the barrel instead of the front. This helps reduce recoil and provide faster follow up shots. C models are considered a poor choice for personal defense because you would be blinded by the escaping gases in any low-light situation. The following C models are available: 17C, 19C, 20C, 21C, 22C, 23C, 24C, 31C and 32C.
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Red Glock Practice Pistol

The Glock Practice Pistols work normally for loading, unloading and trigger operation but are made non-firing by a plugged barrel and solid breechface. They are identical to a standard pistol in size, shape and weight but have a bright red or blue frame to identify them as training pistols. The following models are available: G17P, G19P, G22P, G23P and G26P. Glock Practice Pistols are only available to law enforcement officers.

Red and Blue Glock pic from Butch Barton


For more info see the Glock website: http://www.glock.com/training.htm
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What models are restricted in the US?

G18
The Glock 18 is a select fire (full auto) version of the G17. Therefore it is only available to LE, military and dealers with Class III license.

G25 & G28
The G25 and G28 are .380 ACP versions of the G19 & G26. Because of their caliber they do not get enough import points for normal importation and are only available to LE and military.
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What's the difference between Gxx and Mxx designations?

There is no difference. Glock models are usually referred to as Gxx, which means "Glock xx" (i.e. G17 for Glock 17). However, they are sometimes called Mxx, which means "Model xx" (i.e. M17 for Model 17).
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Which Glock should I buy?

This is probably the most commonly asked and talked about Glock question yet it has one of the simplest answers: Get the Glock that fits your needs.

There are Glock models for every application: self-defense/CCW, LE, hunting, GSSF, IDPA, IPSC etc. You should consider what your needs are and buy the appropriate model. Everyone has an opinion about his or her favorite Glock but no matter who you are talking to it is just that: an opinion. The very best thing you can do is pick out a model or 2 then find a range or friend who will let you shoot those particular models. If that's not possible at least go to a gun store where you can handle and dry-fire the models you are considering.
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What is the BATF points system and how does it affect Glocks?
Many of the Glock's parts and sometimes the whole gun are dictated or limited by the BATF's system of "import points". To qualify for import a pistol must score 75 points based on the following system:

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Can I get a lefty Glock or convert my Glock to left-handed operation?
There are no left handed Glocks and there is no way to convert a Glock to left-handed operation. However, when shooting left handed it is fairly easy to operate the mag release and slide stop with your left index finger or middle finger.
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Did Glock ever make guns with a factory laser built in?

Glock has never made or sold any guns with a factory laser. Several distributors have, however, had lasers installed in Glocks before sending them on to dealers. This would lead some people, even some dealers, to believe that they have a Glock with a factory laser.
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What's the difference between recoil operated and blowback operated?
Below are photos of the G-26 and G-28. This shows the differences between these two Glock pistols and their operating systems.

The G-26, like most Glocks, operates on the modified Browning, locked-breach, delayed blowback system. In this system, the square top front of the chamber area mates to a cut in the top front of the ejection port in the slide. The two parts remain locked together as they move backwards in recoil, until the ramped lug on the bottom of the barrel, hits the locking block in the frame. At that point, the angle of the barrel lug engaging the locking block cams the barrel downwards, while the slide continues rearward in a staight line. The barrel soon stops, while the slide continues rearward, with the extractor, having engaged the rim of the cartridge, removing the spent case from the chamber.

In the G-28, much of this operation is the same, with one primary exception. Because the pressures of the 380ACP (9mm Kurz) are so low, there is only enough residual energy to function the action, so there can be no delay, or too much energy will be bled away to maintain reliability. In order to cancel the modified-Browning systems locking mechanism, you will see a substantial portion of the breech block on the front of the chamber-end of the barrel has been milled away. This means that the locking of the action is accomplished completely by the recoil spring and the inertia of the slide at rest. When a round is fired, the slide almost immediately starts to the rear, but there is nothing keeping the barrel locked to it, so although the barrel is also moving to the rear, it is not tied to the slide. You will also note a machined ramp on the inside rear of the slide, which mates with the ramp machined on the top front of the breech block of the barrel. This reduces resistance and allows the barrel and slide to move past each other more easily and freely, again reducing any locking force.

           
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