Glock Ges . m . b . H . Glock Ges . m . b . H . ( trademarked as GLOCK ) is a weapons manufacturer headquartered in Deutsch - Wagram , Austria , named after its founder , Gaston Glock . While the company is best known for its line of striker - fired polymer - framed pistol s , it also produces field knives , entrenching tool s and apparel . Glock handguns are used by armed forces and law enforcement organizations worldwide , including a majority of law enforcement agencies in the United States . Glock handguns are also very popular with regular citizens for personal protection and practical shooting , and the company sponsors a competitive shooting team which travels worldwide . As of 2007 , Glock produces more than two dozen models of handguns in three different calibers and seven different cartridges . Products . Handguns . Glock handguns are common sidearms among law enforcement agencies and military organizations around the world , and are also largely popular weapons amongst civilians for home defense , and concealed / open carry . The popularity of Glock pistols can be attributed to a number of factors . They are widely reputed as highly reliable , being able to function under extreme conditions and to fire a wide range of ammunition types ( 9mm , 10mm , . 40 S & W , . 45 ACP , . 45 GAP , . 357 SIG , . 380 ACP ; third - party conversion kits for . 22 LR and . 50 GI are also available ) . The simplicity of the Glock design as well as its simple operating method contributes to this reliability , as it contains a relatively small number of components ( nearly half as many as the typical handgun ) making maintenance and repair easier . The polymer frame makes them lighter than typical steel or aluminum - framed handguns , an attractive feature for police officers and regular citizens who carry firearms for extended periods of time . The trigger is the only operating element ; all three safeties are deactivated when the trigger is pulled , and automatically activated when it is released . Glock pistols have no other manual safeties ( as some other brands have a lever or button ) ; the only external controls aside from the trigger itself are the slide release and magazine release . This adds to the simplicity of use and removes a potential source of error while operating the handgun under stress . It also provides excellent balance when the pistol is holding a full magazine . Most of the steel components in a Glock pistol are treated with a nitriding process called " Tenifer " , which increases the surface hardness and makes the pistol resistant to corrosion and wear . Though the Heckler & Koch VP70 was the first polymer - framed pistol and predates the Glock 17 by 12 years , the popularity of Glock pistols inspired other manufacturers to begin production of similar polymer - framed firearms , including the Walther P99 , Smith & Wesson Sigma , HS2000 ( Springfield Armory XD ) , Steyr M , Taurus PT 24 / 7 , Caracal , FN Herstal FNP and Ruger SR9 pistols . Glocks tend to be in the middle of the price range for quality pistols : generally less expensive than similar SIG Sauer P226 and Heckler & Koch USP pistol models , but more expensive than Ruger or Taurus models . In addition to their semi - automatic handguns , Glock also produces a select - fire pistol , the Glock 18 , which is able to be fired in either semi - automatic or fully automatic mode . This model is generally available only to law enforcement or military organizations and the details of its production are seemingly classified . Conversion kits for other Glocks to be fired in fully automatic mode also exist , but they are third - party — and they are specifically marked as Class 3 weapons by the ATF Knives . Glock currently manufactures two models of knives , the " Feldmesser 78 " ( Field Knife 78 ) and the " Feldmesser 81 " ( Survival Knife 81 ) . The Field Knife 78 is a classic type knife , with a blade and overall length . The Survival Knife 81 has the same overall dimensions with an additional saw on the back of the blade . The Field Knife 78 weighs and the Survival Knife 81 weighs . The grips and sheaths are made of polymer and are available in three colors : olive drab , sand , and black . Entrenching tool . Glock also produces an entrenching tool , the " Feldspaten " ( field spade ) . The Feldspaten features a hardened metal spade blade that can be locked in 3 positions for digging , shoveling , and chopping , and a telescopic handle made out of fiberglass - reinforced nylon containing a long hardened metal sawblade . The entrenching tool weighs and fully extended is long . The spade and handle can be collapsed and shortened for easy transport and storage into a 260 mm × 150 mm × 60 mm ( 10 in × 6 in × in ) package . The entrenching tool is supplied with a nylon storage / transport pouch that can be attached to a belt or backpack . Subsidiaries . Glock current international subsidiaries are : Embezzlement . Glock has been the target of multiple embezzlement schemes involving high - ranking officers of the company or others closely related to the company . In 1999 , Charles Ewert attempted to murder Gaston Glock after Glock asked for a meeting regarding an accusation of embezzlement . Ewert was convicted of attempted murder along with an accomplice for his involvement . In April 2012 , Paul Jannuzzo , the former CEO of US subsidiary Glock Inc . , was convicted of racketeering regarding his involvement in an embezzlement scheme against the company .