[Anna's Dad]

I've read many posts regarding the simplicity of the Glock design. Specifically that it has fewer parts than most guns and that accordingly there are 10 billion Glock armorers out there who can do for a Glock what the factory must do for most other guns.

That leads me to my questions.

1) Is the Glock design the simplest (read: fewest parts, easy to maintain) modern auto-loader design?

2) If so, does anything else come close (other than near copies like the S&W Simga)?

3) It seems to me that a lot of the added complexity comes from multiple safeties and internal locks (thank you California). How do ealier (30+ years ago) designs compare in simplicity?

Opinions appreciated!

[Whirlwind06]

don't own a glock so I can't comment on em.
But to me the stock 1911 with out firing pin blocks and other things added is pretty simple. Ingenious design but very simple in function.

[Black Majik]

Yup, I'd say the Glock platform is the easiest to shoot, take apart and maintain. The platform is very easy to detail strip, and will pretty much run without fail. I'm thinking the XD is the most similar to the Glock, since that is what's always compared to.. There are other polymer platforms out there that can be reliable and "mimics" the Glock DA, except with an external hammer such as the HK P2000/USP LEM.

Differences now between then are the internal safeties. S&W has the lock on the side of their revolvers. 1911s have the Series 80 or Schwartz firing pin safety. Springfield Armory has the ILS safety. Many guns now come with magazine disconnects (all new guns tested 2007 and later for California will require a magazine disconnect and a LCI).

[Chipperman]

A Makarov is far simpler design, but not really comparable as it is an older gun.

Glocks are pretty simple, but I would not use only that to determine your choice in pistols.

[ugaarguy]

1) Is the Glock design the simplest (read: fewest parts, easy to maintain) modern auto-loader design?
Before owning a 1911 I would have said yes. However, within a few days of owning a 1911 I was detail stripping it. The beautiful thing is, you can detail strip a 1911 (provided it has plain slotted grip screws) with nothing more than a 45 ACP case, and a GI magazine. http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/tech/toolbox.htm . Even with the internal lock and firing pin block safety it was very easy. Further Springfield's ILS is easily removed - you buy a new main spring housing and put it on the pistol yourself.

There are also tons of 1911 armorers and gunsmiths out there. 1911's with their plunger type trigger (as opposed to hinged on most other firearms), and single action opeeration are also the easiest pistols for me to shoot. Of course, what's easiest to shoot involves a good bit of personal personal preference.

Now, my 1911 preference aside, yes Glocks are very simple, and very easy to maintain.
2) If so, does anything else come close (other than near copies like the S&W Simga)? Most modern autoloaders truly are pretty simple. They're designed as fighting guns. Consequently they're generally made to be pretty easy to field strip for basic maintenance, and not much harder for an armor to learn to detail strip and do more involved work.
3) It seems to me that a lot of the added complexity comes from multiple safeties and internal locks (thank you California). How do ealier (30+ years ago) designs compare in simplicity? The basic semi auto layout hasn't changed much since the early 1900s. Strikers are available instead of hammers & firing pins, newer more wear restinant finsihes have been introduced, and frames are now made out of stainless steel, aluminium, plastic, and even scandium & titanium in addition to the old carbon steel. The layout, of a detachable magazine in the grip, push botton magazine release, slide stop lever, and Browning style tilt breech locking system remains the same.

As for internal safeties, locks, etc, the Browning Hi-Power, introduced in 1935 has a magazine disconnect safety feature. The internal firing pin blocks have been around since before the 80s. Manual safety levers were the order of the day in the early 1900s on autoloaders. The internal locks certainly add more parts, but many, like Springfields ILS in their 1911s' main spring housings, are a relatively simple workaround. Some aspects have gotten more complex, but some have gotten less complex.

[Geronimo45]

3) It seems to me that a lot of the added complexity comes from multiple safeties and internal locks (thank you California). How do ealier (30+ years ago) designs compare in simplicity?
I'm guessing that many blowback-operated handguns - Walther's PP/PPK/PPKs, for example - are simpler. Pull out the trigger guard and rip to pieces for the Walther.

[VA27]

1. Yes

2. 1911

3. See 2. above.

[Michael Zeleny]

The simplicity of the Glock stems from its striker firing system. From the standpoint of its parts count, it has no equals. Aside from its hammer assembly, the M1911 design adds complexity in the bushing, barrel link, and plunger tube. The linkless and bushingless layout of the SIG P210 (http://larvatus.livejournal.com/33732.html) is much simpler in this regard.

[Onmilo]

One must also add the Tokarev TT-33 and the French P35A to this list.

[markmc753]

I am not aware of any auto loader simplier than a Makarov. Reliability is also outstanding

[Ilovemyglock]

Iknow quite a few Police officers carry glocks......every one i meet i ask em what they are carrying, 90% are glocks....
Either you love em or hate them.... thats the consencous on Glocks.