If You Were Glock CEO....

[Freudianfloyd]

It is obvious the influence the Glock handguns have had on the pistol market. They are timeless, plain, work every dang time designs.

Well with their success came a lot of competitors. S&W, Springfield, Sig, HK, and countless others all have polymer pistols that are as simple, as reliable, etc. In several cases, for even less money. And competition like this has to be eating into their market share.

So let's put you in the CEO seat. What would you do to get Glock back on top? I know there were rumors of a Glock AR pattern rifle back in the day, but maybe that was just wishful thinking.

So what should Glock do? A complete redesign? Expand their company into making long guns, revolvers, ray guns? I would say make a line of "retro" guns, but they really haven't changed in their lifetime besides size and grip shape. Focus on commercial sales, the market they once had with most police and federal agents carrying them?

Or should they just get used to being the Model T of polymer guns?

Thoughts?

 

[WrongHanded]

I would make a pistol caliber carbine. And I would try to use as many existing parts from the pistol design as possible. I would consider trying to use a modified slide as the bolt, in a blow back style action similar to the Ruger PCC. A modular design that could work in both restrictive and non-restrictive States alike, by changing a minimum of parts.

 

[HPJeep]

I'd introduce normal angled grip frames such as the Hi Power, 1911, M&P series, 509 series and many others. And make the grip frame more thin and a bit rounded on the front strap and back strap. While we're at it improving it I'd add a manual thumb safety option for CCW and make the trigger more crisp and refined. May as well add Trijicon night sights to replace the plastic sights.

And since Glock is a fudd company unwilling innovate I'd introduce a blued steel and walnut lever action carbine in 45 Colt!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

PCC and a polymer-framed .223 thats NOT based on an AR but takes AR mags, something kinda similiar to the old Steryr ACR prototypes perhaps.

 

[ericuda]

I'd be setting on my deck drinking best whiskey money could buy with a nice cigar. Doesn't glock have a couple in top 10 sales.

All seriousness I'd narrow up and reshape trigger guard so more comfortable for my knuckle.

 

[Blue Jays]

If magically made CEO…focus would be placed on making the smaller models more convenient for CCW.
For example, address fear of "Glock Leg" with comprehensive study on avoiding unwanted trigger activation.
We can see that striker pistols can be made incredibly safe by observing the H&K P7 as a great example.

 

[TacticalJanitor]

I'd buy a P7 clone with a polymer frame.

Sounds like they did some work on a rotary locking barrel system or something? Non-browning design. They should work on lowering the bore axis, reducing muzzle flip, and having a grip/slide thickness somewhere between G19 and G48.

An OEM equivalent to an SCD would be a HUGE seller in their current guns.

I'd buy that too (or about 18 of them).

 

[BreechFace]

Continue to focus on putting high quality parts into the firearms produced.

Work on expanding on the idea of the Glock 46 rotating barrel design.

I think efforts into a high-quality PCC that’s NOT blowback operated. Essentially, attempt to create the improved MP5 of the era.

Stay far away from the AR scene, too much competition and entering that would be a waste of resources and take Glock away from what they focus on which is pistol calibers.

Delve into the suppressor arena, maybe a integrally suppressed option for the PCC.

 

[Pat Riot]

I wouldn’t change a thing in the Glock internal designs of Gen 5. I would offer “competition ready” pistols like they used to with the G34.
I would offer different sight options including Glock red dot sights for the MOS pistols. I would offer lights and lasers. Essentially, I would offer all the stuff that people change, add or modify in factory gun packages for performance, competition or defense. Also, I would provide more texture to the grip of the guns.
Last, but not least I would change the motto that so many live to hate. “Glock Perfection” would go away. “Glock Performance” would replace it. They already have their “Performance” trigger system. I would expand the “Performance” name and slogan to cover all our offerings.

 

[Buzznrose]

I’d have the engineers work on a more ergonomic grip, especially with the 10/.45 frame

I’d look at a PCC but NOT an AR.

I’d tell them to design a metal mag for slimline pistols.

I’d make all factory sights metal.

I’d bring back Gen 4 coatings

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

If I was CEO? There'd be a line of practical but finely made revolvers on the product line. No purpose other than to troll the customer base.

A PCC/Carbine of some sort would really be the biggest thing they can introduce at this point. Since almost all of their lineup are designed with police use in mind, imagine if you were a cop, what kind of carbine would you want in your car? Something of that flavor would be ideal. Then they can reoptimize the design for the sports crowd.

 

[bannockburn]

1) Work on developing a ground breaking PCC in 9mm., 10mm. , and .45 ACP.
2) Redesign the grip angle and the width of the G17 and similar sized models.
3) Make the slide and frame more streamlined like the G43X and the G48.
4) Offer as an option an ambi frame mounted thumb safety.
5) Have metal sights on all handguns.
6) Discontinue all of the .45 GAP pistol line-up.

 

[Old Dog]

So let's put you in the CEO seat

I'd retire and accept the "golden parachute." Or be looking for a comparable job in an industry with more growth potential, i.e., EVs, Internet of Things, biotech, AI, cannabis, healthcare, anything but firearms (which as an industry will soon be legislated/regulated out of practical business, at least in the U.S. and EU).

Seriously.

On topic, Glock is toast, yesterday's news. It will never be back on top. Other manufacturers have figured out how to out-Glock Glock with superior products (better ergonomics, triggers, sights, accuracy, with equivalent reliability) at more consumer-friendly price points. SIG, S&W, CZ, HK, Walther, Springfield Armory, SCCY, SAR, Canik, Taurus and a few others are delivering pistols that all do what Glock's pistols did and do, with improvements and some, at far lower prices.

While Glock was an industry leader for years, as the saying goes, you can't go home again.

 

[jstert]

i would offer a glock 42 sized pistol in 32acp and 22lr.

 

[LeftyRed]

i would offer a glock 42 sized pistol in 32acp and 22lr.

Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner!

With the advancement of technology and polymer blends, I’m sure a few mm’s can be taken and the every pistol and magazine made smaller and thinner. But then you lose backward compatibility and force your fan base to buy new. Some of those might feel rejected and move to another platform. Like the ever present thread “what would you do differently if you lost all of your pistols today,” I would just buy whatever and move on. It wouldn’t have to be a Glock.

As far as getting into revolvers, I doubt it. Look at Kimber, they are an exception rather than the rule. Their K6 line is pretty awesome, but not hurting SW or Ruger at all. Revolvers are expensive to design and make. Semis can be hammered out in a cave somewhere.

Best we will see from Glock is maybe a more modular backstrap system or reshaped grip, but the slide and magazines will remain the same.

 

[RON in PA]

I would learn what the word 'ergonomics" means.

 

[Buzznrose]

I'd retire and accept the "golden parachute." Or be looking for a comparable job in an industry with more growth potential, i.e., EVs, Internet of Things, biotech, AI, cannabis, healthcare, anything but firearms (which as an industry will soon be legislated/regulated out of practical business, at least in the U.S. and EU).

Seriously.

On topic, Glock is toast, yesterday's news. It will never be back on top. Other manufacturers have figured out how to out-Glock Glock with superior products (better ergonomics, triggers, sights, accuracy, with equivalent reliability) at more consumer-friendly price points. SIG, S&W, CZ, HK, Walther, Springfield Armory, SCCY, SAR, Canik, Taurus and a few others are delivering pistols that all do what Glock's pistols did and do, with improvements and some, at far lower prices.

While Glock was an industry leader for years, as the saying goes, you can't go home again.

I think you have too narrow of a view of Glock’s reality. You only look at the US consumer market. And even then you are way too negative. Glocks still sell pretty much every gun they build, and while the clones and other companies are taking consumer market share, they are still one of the most prevalent duty guns worldwide.

Glock isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Departments will continue to buy Sig, S&W, and Glock far more than they buy Taurus, PSA, or even Walther or FN.

I’m not saying they will remain at/near the top forever, but just as folks are still buying Colt AR’s, I don’t see them stop buying Glocks.

 

[unclenunzie]

I keep thinking about long-term phases of any business. Cash-consuming startup with radically new ideas, market acceptance, flipping to cash flow positive, growth phase, maturity, and eventual irrelevance. Glock I think is in the maturity phase, where they are generating far more cash than they can possibly ever invest toward more (profitable) growth. They have to protect what they have and not tarnish the brand.

So, whatever *I* decide to do, I'm going to maintain GLOCK in the minds of the consumer as the most reliable pistol out of the box. And bring in fresh, young engineering minds from other manufacturing industries with radically new ideas. And let them develop somethings that have a chance of shaking up the market, again.

And maybe a ceramic 9mm

 

[jmr40]

'd introduce normal angled grip frames such as the Hi Power, 1911,

The grip angle on a Glock is the same as a 1911 with an arched mainspring housing. After WW-1 soldiers complained that the original 1911 with the flat MSH shot low. During the 1920's the arched MSH was added to improve how the pistol shot.

Glocks were 1st introduced while the 1911 was still being used by the US military (with an arched MSH). Gaston just copied the military 1911 with his grip angle. The grip angle that had proven to point best for combat shooting.

Since WW-1 the role of the 1911 changed from a combat pistol to a target pistol. Most guys today prefer a flat MSH. Partly for aesthetics, and partly because it works better for target shooting.

The Glock grip angle was designed for a reason and that is why most inexperienced shooters shoot a Glock better than guns with other grip angles. It only causes problems for guys who are experienced with other guns. And it isn't hard to adapt to. That is the last thing I'd change on a Glock.

I wouldn't mind seeing a 1911 style manual safety as an option the way it is on a Smith M&P. Without a safety a Glocks 5-6 lb trigger pull is as light as I'd want. But with a safety a 4 lb trigger would be an option.

 

[jmorris]

If You Were Glock CEO....

I would offer a Glock 1911, just to see the reaction’s, on both sides. Not to mention seems like everyone has to copy them too…

 

[Hartkopf]

The first thing I would do is not screw anything up. Then I would give all gen6s a more aggressive grip texture.

As far as future breakthroughs, I would have my engineers looking into new materials and tech never successfully used in firearms. Not much can improve until there is a breakthrough in materials technology. (Like electric cars will always be a steaming pile of crap until there is a true battery breakthrough)

 

[JTQ]

The reason why Glock is good is because they only really build one gun, just in different calibers and different sizes. They aren't confusing themselves by trying to create something else. Just keep doing what you're doing and make those products the best you can.

 

[zdc1775]

If I were magically the Glock CEO, I think I would focus on paying my engineers to develop a more modular pistol with a chassis system (similar to the p320 or p365 but a single size for everything from micro compacts to full sized duty guns), giving it a better trigger from the factory, and developing factory metal magazines.

I would also enter into strategic partnerships with some of the aftermarket companies to offer their accessories as Glock branded factory options like competition triggers, red dot sights, and weapon lights. And develop a consumer facing website where you could spec out your own gun and have that shipped direct to your FFL

Just think you could order a gen six G19 with a GPS (Glock Pistol Sight but really it's a Trijicon RMR), a GWL (Streamlight TLR series), and spare G26 and G45 grip frames from from the factory direct to your LGS

 

[buck460XVR]

So what should Glock do? A complete redesign? Expand their company into making long guns, revolvers, ray guns? I would say make a line of "retro" guns, but they really haven't changed in their lifetime besides size and grip shape. Focus on commercial sales, the market they once had with most police and federal agents carrying them?

Or should they just get used to being the Model T of polymer guns?

Thoughts?

Since they originally manufactured curtain rods for two decades before they introduced their first firearm, I'm thinking they have some good business sense along with some luck on their side already.

I hafta agree with ericuda.....

I'd be setting on my deck drinking best whiskey money could buy with a nice cigar.

 

[kidneyboy]

1) Work on developing a ground breaking PCC in 9mm., 10mm. , and .45 ACP.
2) Redesign the grip angle and the width of the G17 and similar sized models.
3) Make the slide and frame more streamlined like the G43X and the G48.
4) Offer as an option an ambi frame mounted thumb safety.
5) Have metal sights on all handguns.
6) Discontinue all of the .45 GAP pistol line-up.

This ^^^^^

I'd retire and accept the "golden parachute." Or be looking for a comparable job in an industry with more growth potential, i.e., EVs, Internet of Things, biotech, AI, cannabis, healthcare, anything but firearms (which as an industry will soon be legislated/regulated out of practical business, at least in the U.S. and EU).

Then this ^^^^^^

The grip angle on a Glock is the same as a 1911 with an arched mainspring housing.

1911 grip angle 18 degrees.
Glock grip angle 22 degrees.
Something for everyone.