From: hes@unity.ncsu.edu (Henry E. Schaffer)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: "GLOCK" - A Book Review
Date: 8 Apr 92 20:27:32 GMT
Organization: Computing Center, North Carolina State University


GLOCK
The New Wave in Combat Handguns
Peter Alan Kasler
Paladin Press, Boulder  1992
ISBN 0-87364-649-5  5 1/2" x 8 3/4" 296 + viii pp hardbound


  Peter Kasler has written a book overflowing with passion, and
in doing so has not only informed us about the Glock pistols, but
has told us a lot about himself.  The book is, above all, informative.
It gives historical and technical details, with many photos and
diagrams.  We also see a person so passionate about knowledge that
he has not only sought out the newspaper stories (true and false)
about the Glock, but also became a factory trained Glock Armourer.
He burns with an enthusiasm to communicate all of this to the
reader, trying to give all the factual material needed for the
reader to learn all about the Glocks.  While he clearly prefers the
Glock to other brands, he uses the facts to convince, rather than
disparaging the other brands.  (Well, he does get in a few digs - 
but they are obvious and don't interfere with the factual material -
I particularly laughed at the paragraph on how many ways one can
remove the slide from the Beretta 92. :-)

Chapter [my comments, as usual, are in square brackets]

Acknowledgments [The net's Brian Ehrmantraut is mentioned.]

 1 Genesis and History of the Glock Dynasty [includes the details of the
    specs used by the Austrian Ministry of Defense in their search for a
    new pistol for the army, a discussion of Glock's response, the
    comparison between the competing companies, and the adoption of
    the Glock pistol]

 2 The Media Fiasco [more than you ever wanted to know about how the
    media and politics can get hysterical when the public furor suits
    them]  the sections headings : The Libyan Allegations; "Terrorist
    Pistol" Allegations; Media-Fueled Legislative Hysteria; Anderson
    Undeterred by Truth; Varied Reaction to Media Campaing; Composite
    Materials in Firearms.

 3 The Law Enforcement Phenomenon [details, including photos of the
    parts and diagrams about the 5 and 8 pound triggers, the New York 
    trigger and the 3.5 pound targer trigger.  safety issues and an
    analysis of alleged accidents.  discussion of adoption rate]

 4 The CHP and Scottsdale Reports [details of the Calif. Highway 
    Patrol test, and discussion of how it was an unfair test of the
    Glock.  Discussion of the Scottsdale test and how it contradicted
    the CHP test and lead to Glock adoption by the Scottsdale PD.]

 5 Can 3,500 Departments Be Wrong? [discussion of adoption, with a 
    partial list (spanning 4 printed pages) of adoptions]

 6 9mm Glock Pistols: The Ones That Started It All [history and
    details of the Models 17, 17L and 19.  pictures and specs,
    including a discussion of the rare Model 17's in 9x21]

 7 Model 18: The Invisible Glock [a production model select-fire
    automatic pistol with a cyclic rate of 1100-1200 rpm which
    closely resembles a Model 17, but with a firing mode selector
    on the left rear of the slide.  specs, description of firing,
    and pictures]

 8 Models 22 and 23: The Fabulous Forties [discussion of why the 
    model numbers were chosen, history of the .40 S&W]

 9 Glock's Big 10mm and .45 ACP Pistols [the FBI story, description
    of size differences, and how they handle]

10 Glock Pistols from the Inside Out [details, details - with an
    exploded drawing and photographs of disassembled component
    assemblies.  discussion of the polymer and metal components,
    the safeties (note plural), the firing mechanism (with photos
    of a cut-away model) and sights and their installation.]

11 How Glock Pistols Function [more details on the firing cycle,
    contrasting it to other semi-autos, discussion of the trigger
    action and safeties, with a step by step discussion of the entire
    firing cycle - with illustrations]

12 Glock Maintenance [covers all the information in the Glock 
    Armorer Training course, field stripping, cleaning (the author
    has very strong preferences regarding how cleaning should be
    done), lubrication, complete disassembly/reassembly.  I really
    think that working through chapters 10-12 with a Glock in hand
    would allow one to become quite competent in the operation and
    maintenance of this pistol.]

13 Design Features [discussion of the advantages designed into the
    Glock, with emphasis on what the author really loves about the
    Glock.  Here's one of the places where the author's passion
    shows through, but he does give reasons for his preferences so
    the reader can evaluate these preferences.]

14 Operational Advantages [a somewhat misnamed chapter - it really is
    a chapter on how to use the Glock properly and to take advantage
    of the Design Features discussed in the previous chapter.  every-
    thing from how to double tap to how to clear stoppages.  How to
    reload, and how to hold/handle to minimize jams.]

15 Accessories and Special Stuff [factory and third party items,
    including the much discussed "Amphibious Firing-Pin Spring Cups"
    which allow the Model 17 (only) to be fired underwater.  The
    author calls them the "least-known" Glock option, but net
    denizens have been discussing them for quite some time.  A 
    number of other Glock produced options including holsters,
    training aids, an entrenching tool and knives are discussed,
    along with third party magazines, and competition modifications.]

Afterword  Future Glock [a short discussion about how good the outlook
    is for additional products and some mention of probable ones]

Appendix Resource List [sources for aftermarket holsters, magazines,
    modifications and training]

  This appears to be a book that every technically minded Glock owner
will need to buy, and that everyone interested in the history and
technology of firearms will want to read.  It's hard for me to find
anything negative about the book other than its lack of an Index.
  
--henry schaffer  n c state univ

P.S.  Please note that I'm saying something nice about the book.
Don't read anything into this review which isn't here - in particular
I'm not saying anything against revolvers!  :-)