You love to hate on Glocks, but do you know WHY you hate them?

Let me start off by saying that this isn't intended to be some sort of "definitive history of Glock", nor is it meant to be some sort of "defense of Glocks in the face of criticism", but rather an exploration of why Glocks are so divisive, seemingly being loved or hated by shooters with very little "in between".<br><br>---<br><br>**The Glock Revolution**<br><br>Glock firearms were the first commercially successful pistols with a frame made of polymer.<br>This was a massive divergence from the norms of the day, when pistol frames were made from steel and aluminum alloys. The use of polymers, like those used in modern " wonder plastics" allowed for a number of design and engineering advantages which simply were not possible with traditional metals. <br><br>The Glock 17, the first commercially produced Glock, was released in 1982. It featured a number of innovative designs, most notably:<br><br>* A safe-action system, which eliminated the need for a manual safety switch. This design was less prone to negligent discharge, in the hands of properly trained shooters, as the pistol could only be discharged by depressing the trigger switch. <br>* A striker-fired mechanism, which eliminated the need for a hammer. This allowed for a sleeker, more streamlined design.<br>* A lack of external levers or switches, outside of the slide lock and trigger. This lack of protrusions made the Glock more comfortable to shoot, especially for smaller handed shooters, as the absence of a manual safety switch eliminated the need for shooters to "decock" the weapon, either while holstering, or immediately after discharge.<br>* A frame made from polymer, which was more durable and resistant to corrosion than traditional metal frames.<br>* A much simpler design, featuring fewer components than competing pistols.<br><br>It's this last element, a simpler design, that provides the greatest insight into the mindset of a Glock owner.<br><br>**The Glock Mindset**<br><br>When Austrian billionaire Elisabeth Johannes Glock purchased a controlling stake in the firm, Glock's company was producing a number of garden tools, such as hoe handles, curtain rods, and knife handles. <br>When the Austrian military announced that they would be accepting bids for the production of a new pistol, Glock saw an opportunity and threw his hat into the ring. Despite never having designed a firearm, Glock assembled a team of engineers from his various business ventures, and together they developed a truly revolutionary design.<br><br>This inexperience, and the fact that Glock was not beholden to any one material, design, or methodology, allowed him to create a firearm that was truly novel in its design. This attitude of "tabula rasa" thinking, where every element of a design is considered, and nothing is accepted as an unshakeable truth, is at the very core of the Glock mindset. <br><br>This same thought process is what has contributed to the modern Glock Owner's mindset.<br><br>Your typical Glock owner does not fetishize their firearms, and does not slaver over the finishes, engravings, and aesthetics of their pistols. Those things are largely irrelevant to Glock owners, who are most concerned with the function and reliability of their firearms. <br><br>As long as it "goes bang" and hits the intended target, a Glock owner is generally unfamiliar with anything else. Glock owners do not obsess over the details, they obsess over the results. <br><br>This focus on functionality, combined with an ignorance of the "finer things in life" sets Glock owners apart from much of the pistol shooting community, which often focuses on the beauty and craftsmanship of their firearms. This dichotomy comes to a head when Glock owners encounter shooters from more traditional backgrounds, who fetishize their firearms, or obsess over their historical significance.<br><br>This dichotomy of thought leads us to the inevitable conclusion:<br><br>**You Don't Hate Glocks, You Hate Glock Owners**<br><br>The Glock mindset of prioritizing function over form is antithetical to shooters who fetishize and obsess over firearms. <br><br>They see the Glock owner's apathy towards the historical significance of firearms as a personal insult. When a Glock owner shows no reverence or respect towards their fellow shooter's prized possessions, it is perceived as a slight. <br><br>Further, the Glock owner's prioritization of function and reliability, over aesthetics and craftsmanship, is seen as a personal attack on those who value these elements. <br><br>Even further, the Glock owner's general apathy towards things they see as irrelevant, or outside of their immediate scope of interest, is often seen as arrogant or dismissive, as though Glock owners are somehow "better" than other shooters. <br><br>This is the crux of the issue with Glocks. It is not Glocks themselves that are problematic, but rather the mindset of those who carry them. <br><br>**Conclusion**<br><br>In conclusion, the majority of shooters who "hate" Glocks, do not actually "hate" Glocks, but rather the mentality that they represent.<br><br>While the Glock mindset can be off-putting to those who value firearms as collector's items, or as symbols of status or sophistication, it is not necessarily "wrong". <br><br>The Glock mindset is antithetical to much of the shooting community, and thus those who subscribe to it can be divisive figures, with strong feelings on either side. However, at the end of the day, a Glock is still just a pistol.<br><br>---<br><br>EDIT:<br><br>Wow, this blew up. Thank you all for the discussion, awards, and feedback. I'll be replying to your comments over the next few days, as time allows.<br><br>To clarify a few points:<br><br>1: This piece was intended for readers who may not be as familiar with firearms, and thus may not fully understand the mindset of a Glock owner. Many in the comments have rightly pointed out that many of the points made here will be very obvious to seasoned shooters. Apologies for that.<br>2: This was not intended to be an attack on other types of shooters. I shoot Glocks, but I also appreciate fine firearms, and enjoy shooting historical replicas. This was intended as an exploration of the different types of shooters, and their mindsets, not as an attack.<br>3: This was in no way intended as an apology for Glock owners. Everyone has different preferences, and everyone has different reasons for owning firearms. Whether you shoot for sport, collect, or carry for personal protection, there is a place for you in the shooting community. My intention was to explore the different mindsets, not excuse or justify any particular type of shooter.