Glock

The Rise of America's Gun

By: Paul M. Barrett

Narrated by: Kiff VandenHeuvel

Based on fifteen years of research, Glock is the riveting story of the weapon that has become known as American’s gun. Today the Glock pistol has been embraced by two-thirds of all U.S. police departments, glamorized in countless Hollywood movies, and featured as a ubiquitous presence on prime-time TV. It has been rhapsodized by hip-hop artists, and coveted by cops and crooks alike.

Created in 1982 by Gaston Glock, an obscure Austrian curtain-rod manufacturer, and swiftly adopted by the Austrian army, the Glock pistol, with its lightweight plastic frame and large-capacity spring-action magazine, arrived in America at a fortuitous time. Law enforcement agencies had concluded that their agents and officers, armed with standard six-round revolvers, were getting "outgunned" by drug dealers with semi-automatic pistols. They needed a new gun.

When Karl Water, a firearm salesman based in the U.S. first saw a Glock in 1984, his reaction was, “Jeez, that’s ugly.” But the advantages of the pistol soon became apparent. The standard semi-automatic Glock could fire as many as 17 bullets from its magazine without reloading (one equipped with an extended thirty-three cartridge magazine was used in Tucson to shoot Gabrielle Giffords and 19 others). It was built with only 36 parts that were interchangeable with those of other models. You could drop it underwater, toss it from a helicopter, or leave it out in the snow, and it would still fire. It was reliable, accurate, lightweight, and cheaper to produce than Smith and Wesson’s revolver. Made in part of hardened plastic, it was even rumored (incorrectly) to be invisible to airport security screening.

Filled with corporate intrigue, political maneuvering, Hollywood glitz, bloody shoot-outs—and an attempt on Gaston Glock’s life by a former lieutenant—Glock is at once the inside account of how Glock the company went about marketing its pistol to police agencies and later the public, as well as a compelling chronicle of the evolution of gun culture in America.

Very informative & intriguing!

Where does Glock rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I give this audible book an excellent rating as the narrator was clear and kept the interest and intrigue of the listener.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Glock?

The synergy of his company that set the pace for the flood of sales targeted to police departments in the US along with his brilliance in engineering such a phenomenal weapon that made GLOCK a recognized name in America

Which scene was your favorite?

There were many and not one in particular

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Story behind the world of GLOCK

A great book on guns!

This book is essential for understanding the gun culture in America!
It is the best book I have purchased so far.
R H

Nice Job realistic view..

Great performance as far as the read I agreed with 90% of the authors views pretty good in my world...

Glock Rocks

Great book enjoyed it, Very interesting on how the Glock became America's gun. Can't wait to buy another one

Great Background Knowledge

Really gives you a inside look at the transition from revolver to semi automatic handguns. Informative and revealing. Makes you think about the industry and insider deals. Worth the listen for sure.