Why can't I get a Glock 25 or 28?

[Deuce]

Aside from the fact that there are much smaller .380's to be had, I'm surprised there's not ANY kind of outcry on this. It's so ridiculous.

By my read, the specs on the 25/28 are exactly the same as the 19/26, except, of course, for caliber.

So, I'd like to know a couple of things:

1. Why is it that it is legal for me to purchase the EXACT same gun in a more powerful caliber?

2. Why is it that it is NOT legal for me to purchase the EXACT same gun in a less powerful caliber?

I'm guessing this has something to do with some BATF specs where a gun of a certain size and certain caliber is deemed a "Saturday Night Special" and, therefore, cannot be imported.

But it seems to me that I recently saw a bran new Taurus .380 (I forget the model) on a shelf just the other day and I seriously doubt it was any bigger than the Glock 25, AND, as I understand it, all Tauri are imported.

Anyone know exactly what the deal is here? I'd like to send a letter to my Senator to get to work on fixing this, but, at this point, I don't honestly know what to tell him the problem is. I'd seriously doubt it, but, what if Glock just doesn't feel like selling .380's in the U.S.?

Thanks.

 

[Mike Irwin]

ATF's "point" system for the importation of semi-automatic handguns.

Not enough points, no imports.

 

[Deuce]

Wow! That was quick!

Anyhow, like I said, that's what I presumed the deal was.

Are you SURE that's the reason?

Any ideas on how the Tauri manage to pass? I've gotta believe grip height and bbl length have a great deal to do with those points.

I didn't ask before but I just thought of it ... any current organized efforts to get his fixed?

Thanks.

 

[Mike Irwin]

I don't have a copy of the specs on the Glock 380s in front of me, nor do I have a copy of the ATF regs in front of me, but I do know that the glocks lose points for the polymer composition, the fact that they don't have "target" grips (assnine thumb shelf was the only way FN Brownings and Bersas could get in for a number of years), overall size, caliber, fixed sights, weight, and possibly a few other things.

The end result is an unimportable gun.

I think if Glock were to make these here they would sell VERY well.

 

[cratz2]

I've been told that with Glocks, a certain percentage have to have the smooth trigger and a certain percent have to have the serrated trigger. Same with adjustable vs fixed sights as Mike indicated.

Plus, in the US where you can own guns chambered for military cartridges, I'm not sure there would be much of a demand for a gun the exact same size as the full 9mm from the exact same company. I mean, granted, Beretta makes some large 380s, but most of their 9s are bigger. With Glock, they're the exact same size but one is bound to be less effective and harder to buy ammo for and the ammo will be more expansive etc... etc...

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Check out this website

It lists the BATF point system. You'll notice that 9mm and up gets 10 points while .380 and down only gets 3. Since the minimum score is 75 that 7 points is pretty significant.

The Glock 25 and 28 in .380 were designed for countries where civilians are prohibited from owning handguns chambered for 9mm or larger. Brazil comes to mind. Other than that they are identical to the Glock 23 and 26. I agree with cratz2 that since people can get 9mm in the exact same frame size the Glock 25 & 28 probably wouldn't be a huge hit.

 

[Majic]

Doesn't Taurus have a factory in Fla? If they made the pistol there it wouldn't fall under the importation laws.

 

[ajacobs]

I believe it is also a marketing decision by Glock as police can only get the 28 and not the 25. Also it lists the points break down on www.glockfaq.com as pertiains to atleast one of the .380 models. I think with the new loaded chamber indictor atleast the 25 would be legal for civilians now. Of course like you said who would want one.

 

[Tamara]

Mike Irwin,

Glocks do have target grips and target triggers. (At least according to the ATF. )

I know the 28 wouldn't make points because of its blowback operation. I think the 25 not being here is purely a marketing thing (it's also blowback, but picks up an extra three points for length).

 

[Deuce]

Thanks for the website Phantom Warrior ... ever shoot at Oakdale?

Everyone else,

Thanks for the info and insight.

I believe I am going to send a letter to my U.S. Senator ... for whatever good that would do. That points breakdown is simply idiotic. AND, the fact that it only applies to imports simply means that there is less competition for U.S. companies which defies one of the most fundamental ideals of capitalism.

As for the .380 being available mainly to other countries where civilians are banned from owning "NATO" cailbers, this is not about something like the .45glock (although, as I understand it, Glock did develop the .380's for that purpose). The .380 existed in the U.S. long before any of this BS started up. AND, there is already a healthy market in the U.S. for .380's. Certainly, anyone considering the 25 or 28 for CCW should seriously consider the 19 or 26 as a superior alternative, however, not everyone buys guns ... even "small" ones ... for CCW. Personally, and I may be way off on this one, I view the Glock 25 an an excellent "stepping stone" towards a 9mm. In any event, certainly, I can get by without a Glock .380. But, America isn't a country about simply "getting by". And, most certainly not a country about "this one's OK for you civilians, but, this, less effective, one is not".

The anti's are always coming after us. And, initially, for the easy stuff (ie. full-auto). I see this as an opportunity, particularly in this political climate, to strike back after something that should be pretty easy for us.

I'm not trying to rally a crusade of common sense here ... this sort of thing just really p!sses me off and I get fired up pretty easy.

Thanks again for the info and take care.