Gaston Glock, the inventive Austrian industrialist who designed and developed the Glock handgun, passed away on May 26, 2021, at the age of 94.
A World War II veteran and self-taught engineer, Glock designed the then-revolutionary polymer weapon in 1980. The groundbreaking handgun became a mainstay for military, law enforcement, and self-defense. Glock’s 9mm semi-automatic was lightweight and reliable, and it soon flooded the world.
Gaston Glock established the Glock company in 1981, and by 1983, his guns were being used by European law enforcement agencies. Glock’s growing popularity spread to the United States and by the late ’80s, the handgun had become the most used pistol by law enforcement personnel in the world.
Glock’s revolutionary new design changed the handgun industry and propelled him to the status of an international firearms manufacturer. His version of the handgun has sold well over five million copies worldwide. The Glock has been produced in several models, from small .22 pistols to high-powered .45 ACPs and the .357 SIG.
Gaston Glock’s success was not only due to his revolutionary handgun, but also his business acumen. He is credited for successfully expanding the company’s global presence through his smart marketing and PR strategies. Glock went on to produce an array of weapons, including carbines, submachine guns, and sniper rifles.
Gaston Glock’s passing marks the end of a remarkable career which had a lasting impact on the firearms industry. He was a pioneer in the industry and his creativity and innovation will be remembered for long to come. His legacy will live on through the Glock handgun, one of the most successful weapons of modern times.