Land of the Free ????????? Glock

[Mountaineer]

Just doesn't seem like it. I want to buy a Glock 28 and it seems they are illegal in the U.S. I mean what the ....... ???? Why ??? .. other than more control...

[Adaminak]

I can't see anything that says they're illegal in the US, but I don't think they're actually imported. I've never seen one anywhere either. I'll do some digging and see if I can't find an importer though.

I'm curious: Why would you want a medium-size .380 when you can buy the same exact size gun in 9mm or 40 S&W?

[Mountaineer]

I can't see anything that says they're illegal in the US, but I don't think they're actually imported. I've never seen one anywhere either. I'll do some digging and see if I can't find an importer though.

Ok, so your telling me all glock importers will import every other model of glocks but this one? :confused: I'm just not buying it.
I mean, don't you think just one guy has tried to bring them in so he would have the whole U.S market cornered ?
From what I have been told it's just not legal to do so.


I'm curious: Why would you want a medium-size .380 when you can buy the same exact size gun in 9mm or 40 S&W?

I have other full size Glocks. My wife likes her .380 she has, so I thought I might get her one and see how she likes it. If for some reason she doesn't I'll just send it down the road or carry it in addition to my daily carry 21 as a backup.

Thanks,
Eric

[Adaminak]

The legality issue has to be an error from your source. If Beretta, Walther, Sig, etc can import a .380, so can Glock. But like Ford not sending over the EU version Focus with a diesel engine, they just don't offer it for sale in the US. I don't know if it's an importer issue (Glock USA is the only authorized importer), or a corporate decision. There are a few other Glocks not available for new purchase from a dealer in the states, but they're select-fire models. I'll try to do a little more digging and see what I can find.

[Adaminak]

Okay...I'm working on getting the taste of bootleather out of my mouth. I was wrong about the G28. Turns out BATF has a points system for importation of firearms. Here's a breakdown:

What is the BATF points system and how does it affect Glocks?
Many of the Glock's parts and sometimes the whole gun are dictated or limited by the BATF's system of "import points". To qualify for import a pistol must score 75 points based on the following system:

Characteristic.............................Points
Length: for each 1/4" over 6"............1
Forged steel frame.........................15
Forged HTS alloy frame...................20
Unloaded weight w/mag (per oz.).......1
.22 short and .25 auto.....................0
.22 LR and 7.65mm to .380 auto........3
9mm parabellum and over.................10
Locked breech mechanism................5
Loaded chamber indicator.................5
Grip safety.....................................3
Magazine safety.............................5
Firing pin block or lock.....................10
External hammer.............................2
Double action................................10
Drift adjustable target sight..............5
Click adjustable target sight.............10
Target grips...................................5
Target trigger.................................2

For example, here is how the G17 scores:
Length (7.28") 5
Weight (24.79oz) 25
Caliber (9mm) 10
Locked breech 5
Firing pin block 10
Double action 10
Target sight 10
Target grips 5
Total 80

Here is how the Glock 26 scores:
Length (6.29") 1
Weight (21.87oz) 22
Caliber (9mm) 10
Locked breech 5
Firing pin block 10
Double action 10
Target sight 10
Target grips 5
Target trigger 2
Total 75

The G28 would score 61 points: -7 for caliber, -5 for blowback, -2 for weight in comparison to the G26.

Changes and features made to Glocks to comply with the BATF rules:
- all models are imported with a cheap click-adjustable rear sight that is replaced at the factory with the stock sight
- target (grooved) trigger added to compacts & subcompacts
- target grips added to all models (required for the subcompacts)