Glock question - USA or Austria?

hittman77

hittman77

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My Glock 19x has marked on the slide USA while others say AUSTRIA. I thought is was maybe just a trait on this model but today I spied another 19x with AUSTRIA roll marked on the slide.

I'm not familiar with many Glocks .... do you Glock guys know if it's common now that they may be marked with either country name?
 
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This is from the Glock USA website. Hope this helps.

GLOCK Pistols

GLOCK, Inc. began full production operations in 2013. All pistols manufactured in the United States include "U.S.A." and a small outline of the state of Georgia stamped on the slide.

The GLOCK 42 is only manufactured in the United States.

A total of six colors are manufactured from the factory in addition to black: Olive Drab, Flat Dark Earth, Battle Field Green, and Grey, as well as two additional colors that are used for the manufacturing of training pistols, blue and red.

The GLOCK 42 is the first single stack pistol produced by GLOCK. LEARN ABOUT G42.

The GLOCK 17 was named after the number patent filed by Mr. Glock during the development of the pistol. LEARN ABOUT G17.

Although they are rugged and resistant, GLOCK pistols still need to be properly maintained and lubricated. LEARN MORE ABOUT MAINTENANCE.

GLOCKs actually have three independent safeties in the SAFE ACTION® System. LEARN MORE.
Click to expand...

Facts About GLOCK
 
My 19x is marked Austria and it was made in 2018. So, regardless of the 2013 comment, they must be manufacturing in both places.

Seems odd that they would import a product already made here.
 
Just a thought wasn't the 19x submitted to the Army trials? It would have to be made here for consideration, right? When the Sig won the contract maybe production shifted back to Austria.
 
They make them in both places. Most websites like Buds list which country they were produced in. No difference between the two other than the roll marks, I've had both.
 
And there are design considerations, like while the G17 has a smooth trigger, the G19 trigger is grooved, because that makes it a "target pistol" and thus garners enough points to be imported even tho it is smaller.

Sometimes it is more economic to change a design so it can be imported, and sometimes you are ahead to make it here.
 
About ten or so years ago, for some reason, Glocks were imported to the USA by Glock, that were destined for other countries. I don't remember what the reasons were, but those particular Glocks, had all sorts of Austrian proof marks an other marks that USA destined Glocks don't have.

I've, personally, seen G17s and G19s - there may have be other models...
 
I have two G45's and two G43X's(black slide and silver slide).All four are Austrian.I believe the G43 w/silver slide was only made in Austria.They make both of these models in both countries.There is no difference in the pistols except the country stamp.
 
My guess is that Glock (like other multinational companies) has the capacity to surge production and import/export of specific models based on demand. So if 19x lines are at full capacity in GA Austria revs up and makes more.

With current handgun sales here at peak levels, I would not be surprised to see more Austrian made examples in stores...if you can find one.
 
Personally, I prefer my firearms be mfg’d in their place of origin. US made Glocks are just fine, but given the choice I’d opt for an Austrian one. Lately though most new 19Xs I’ve seen are US made.
 
I get a hoot out of folks who say X made in XX is better then a X made in YY. as a Ex-Metrology Tech working at NOS Indian Head MD I can assure you if the item is made to Specs it just is not a issue. I owned several "Made in USA" Cars in the 1980's 90's that were built with Out of Spec parts from Mexico and America. QA...the heart of a well built thing.
 
<<I get a hoot out of folks who say X made in XX is better then a X made in YY.>>

It's really interesting comparing old Lambretta scooters made in Italy, Spain, and India.
 
Before Glock started producing in the U.S., they had to obtain a certain number on the U.S. import score card. Points were awarded for weight, Barrel length, caliber, trigger style, sights and more.
At that time, the smallest Glock that received the 'passing' score was the G26. In order to pass, they even (originally) had adjustable rear sights, which got swapped out when they reached the U.S. The 43, G48 and more would not have received enough points to be imported. I've included a snapshot of the form. Do the math yourself and see.


When Glock started assembling/manufacturing in the U.S., they no longer needed to worry about passing the import score.

I believe Glock started by producing the models already being sold in the U.S., then later spread out into the smaller compacts being sold now.

This is why there are two different markings.
 

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I don't see how it matters whether it was made in Austria or Atlanta; it's still a Glock. Interpret that however you want.
 
Mrnurse said:
I get a hoot out of folks who say X made in XX is better then a X made in YY. as a Ex-Metrology Tech working at NOS Indian Head MD I can assure you if the item is made to Specs it just is not a issue. I owned several "Made in USA" Cars in the 1980's 90's that were built with Out of Spec parts from Mexico and America. QA...the heart of a well built thing.
Click to expand...




Kinda like the Italy vs USA Beretta 92's. If people did not see the country they wouldn't know the difference, which then brings up the Taurus version!:D
 
To me it doesn't matter where my 19x was made; just ever noticed one stamped USA until I bought it ..... then as other locals bought them and theirs were stamped AUSTRIA I found it curious. I didn't think it made the gun odd or rare or collectable ..... just satisfying my curiosity.

I appreciate all the input.
 
Mrnurse said:
I get a hoot out of folks who say X made in XX is better then a X made in YY. as a Ex-Metrology Tech working at NOS Indian Head MD I can assure you if the item is made to Specs it just is not a issue. I owned several "Made in USA" Cars in the 1980's 90's that were built with Out of Spec parts from Mexico and America. QA...the heart of a well built thing.
Click to expand...

As a milsurp collector I know more about that than I ever wanted.
 
Could be wrong, but I have heard the US versions are made on state of the art CNC machines, polymer injected molds, laser / computer gauged, and assembled by robots.

The Austrian ones have their poly frames lovingly hand molded by fat, old Austrian men smoking pipes, wearing monocle's and leather aprons. All metal parts are hand filed and fit at old style wood work benches that usually have a collection of beer steins on them.

I could be wrong though....

Larry
 
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