Paul Barrett’s: Glock, The Rise of America’s Gun

[Baba Louie]

The question of whether NRA best serves the interests of gun owners with its never-ending culture war is well worth discussing. I am not suggesting that everything NRA says is wrong. The organization's focus on criminals, rather than the tools criminals use, deserves respect. Crime is the main problem, not guns. But I am often struck that so many intelligent gun owners fail to ask whether NRA's perpetual state of panic may be more of a cynical fundraising technique than a serious assessment of political and social reality.

Would be a book or two unto itself truth be told. Depending on your slant it could be a good read or a vicious slanted political backstabbing expose... based on your POV. I recall Harlan Carter, Cincinnati and later Neal Knox, Mr Heston and all that fal-der-ral. Was not pretty. But it did set the tone for where we are today. Self preservation and power struggles are nasty things perhaps and Washington DC costs money no matter how you slice the pie.

(enough on that from moi, back to original thread direction)

Book is queued up but have a few in line ahead of it to read first.

 

[amd6547]

The story of the Glock is a perfect illustration of why gun owners and the NRA are always ready to push the panic button in defense of the 2nd amendment.
The mainstream media was filling column inches and broadcast minutes with scare pieces about the "plastic gun that could go through metal detectors"...which was obviously, patently false....the Glock was nearly banned because of this.
In my lifetime, I have seen many such media driven anti gun issues which were used to drive gun banning.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Actually, it's just their Force Recon guys that use the M45. That's few hundred M45s to the hundreds of thousands+ M9s that are issued to the rest of the regular US military. If you were trying to make a point about the popularity of the 1911 in the current US military, I think you missed it.

Actually You said that they haven't used it in over 20 years and I contradicted you. Doesn't matter how many there are in service. I wasn't making a point about popularity but the fact that some of what could be considered the Elite still use it.

 

[we are not amused]

Just bought the book yesterday, along with three others, may be a week or two before I get it read.
Thumbing through it, it looks like a good read, the lack of pictures is not a particular drawback as I can read, and if I want a picture of a Glock, I can find a lot of them.
Right now, I've got Mark Levin's Ameritopia, to read, then Larry Correia's Spellbound, and maybe Robert Conroy's Himmler's War, although I might bump Paul Barrett's book up in it's place. (The reason I have a specific order is if I didn't, I would be trying to read all four at once, I can be a very undisciplined reader.)If I was on vacation, I could rip through all four in about a week, being we are currently working 10 hour days and 6 day weeks, it may be a couple of weeks.

 

[rust collector]

I'm looking forward to reading this book

Because it looks to be well-researched and doesn't attempt to be politically correct. I respect integrity in a writer even if we don't agree on every position.

One bittersweet aspect of the publication business is that any writer that hopes to do well must cater to the 800 lb gorilla. Just as Glock changed the landscape and made good money, Mr Barrett's success in this market revolves around Amazon. That's not his fault, but I hope there is room in the future for the sweet little bookstores in out of the way places.

 

[SleazyRider]

I purchased the hardcover through Amazon last week. The author reveals his unenlightened bias toward disarming Americans. Also disappointing is his failure to include photos and diagrams, with the exception of a single drawing of a pistol--lazy writing.

Funny, I must have missed that point entirely. Could you enlighten me as to the page or passage?

 

[Paul Barrett]

I agree 100% about the neighborhood store. We had the launch event for GLOCK: The Rise of America's Gun in the indie store around the corner from where I live. It was a lovely event, filled with friends and even some genuine customers off the street. CSpan was there to tape it for their BookTV show (check their website for airings), and we lifted a glass to books and civil discourse. The store, btw, is Book Court, 163 Court Street in Brooklyn. If you stop by, you might see me there with my wife and dachsuhund.

 

[parsimonious_instead]

I can vouch - I was there at the Brooklyn premiere. Large crowd with some great questions... It really is a good store, the sort of bookstore that's all but disappeared in a lot of communities, unfortunately.

 

[NinjaFeint]

Because it looks to be well-researched and doesn't attempt to be politically correct. I respect integrity in a writer even if we don't agree on every position..

This

So far I've found it to be well written and I have enjoyed reading it. I don't live in a world where anyone agrees 100% with my views on almost anything, so I don't require it from the author to enjoy the book.

 

[reloader-1]

I am absolutely amazed at how many people are at odds with the subtitle, "The Rise of America's Gun"

The author is not stating that this is an American gun, or that it is from America. It is "America's Gun". For example, the most popular cars sold in the US are the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Toyota Corolla, and Honda Civic, in that order. What is "America's car"? It would probably be a 4-door Japanese-marque vehicle (whether made in the US or Japan).

Glocks have sold an huge amount of firearms over the last 30 years, and have penetrated the American market thoroughly. In a lot of areas, the word Glock is synonymous with "handgun", and the mere fact that the Springfield XD or the S&W M&P or a myriad other guns are sold is due in large part to the success of the polymer-frame Glock.

Now, on to the author's second point, about the RKBA and the NRA. I am a diehard 2nd Amendment advocate, with NO restrictions or laws regarding firearms being my ultimate goal. That being the case, I am completely in agreement with Mr. Barrett regarding the NRA's constant panic mode. It is a very common fundraising tactic, one used by dozens of agencies ("little Paul will starve within the next two weeks if you don't send $20 RIGHT NOW", or "the salmon will not return to spawn if you don't send $50 IMMEDIATELY to build fish ladders", or "these ungodless heathens will perish eternally if you do not contribute $100 AT ONCE to send them missionaries" etc, etc.)

I, for one, am sick of it. Announce your accomplishments, itemize your expenses, treat me like an adult, and I will send money. Otherwise, I'll consider other venues for my hard earned dollar (or euro, ruble, kronor, etc).

Paul, full disclosure - I have not read your book, but I will do so in the near future.

My first firearm was a Glock.

 

[bergmen]

^^^ +2. I think you will enjoy the book.

Dan

 

[NinjaFeint]

I thought the title fit the book. I am intrigued by fish ladders now...where do I send my money?

 

[hnk45acp]

Hello and Welcome Paul from a fellow NYC dweller.
You should realize that writing anything on guns is political and while I admire your attempt to keep politics out of the story, I think that it's just not possible.

Does the NRA use scare tactics? Yes but as most folks in the gun community knows it's not quite unfounded just look at Fast & Furious' use of straw purchasers to justify compliance letters. The whole "dey took ur guns!" refrain does get tiresome and most members tend to block out these "cry wolf" alerts but the NRA has almost 4 million grassroots members that vote with a pretty singular voice and that's why the NRA is to be respected if not feared.

I also find it ironic that you are for limiting capacity when that was one of the main features that the Glock had that caused it's rise in popularity. It's like writing about drag racing and bemoaning the gobs of horsepower involved.

and finally: "-- I would own a Glock if it were not so arduous to obtain a pistol permit in New York City, where I live. It's just not worth the trouble, as far as I'm concerned."

If the hurdles were for voting, praying, painting, writing, etc. would you be quite so indifferent? Get your permit and we'll go shooting sometime. I'll even let you shoot my 1911 even though she's very insulted by your book title.

 

[flatlander937]

I thought the title fit the book. I am intrigued by fish ladders now...where do I send my money?

x2... I had to google that just to see if it was a real thing... I had a quite humorous picture in my head



Back on topic... the book sounds interesting... I do not like Glocks as they don't fit my hand well at all(admittedly I haven't shot one yet to know for sure if I'm OK with it or not though)... but I am interested in the history of any kind of firearm and it sounds like a very well written book.

 

[Paul Barrett]

I, too, live in a world where reasonable people disagree and, occasionally, benefit from hearing other opinions. Sometimes, I even change one of my opinions when I'm presented with compelling facts I had not considered previously. It's a fun experience.

Thanks to all who are reading my book - GLOCK: The Rise of America's Gun - with clear eyes and an open mind. Very much appreciated. -- Paul Barrett

 

[GCMkc]

I, too, live in a world where reasonable people disagree and, occasionally, benefit from hearing other opinions. Sometimes, I even change one of my opinions when I'm presented with compelling facts I had not considered previously. It's a fun experience.

Thanks to all who are reading my book - GLOCK: The Rise of America's Gun - with clear eyes and an open mind. Very much appreciated. -- Paul Barrett

Just listening to your segment on NPR's Fresh Air. I really enjoyed it and hopefully will get a chance to pick up the book.

 

[BamaBarrister]

I read the book and enjoyed it very much. To the author's credit, I did not perceive the book as overly biased or political. It is primarily the story of a product and the company that produced the product. Of course, since the product is firearms it was all the more interesting to me (a Glock owner myself). Even if you are gun owner not partial to Glocks, you would likely enjoy this book. Obviously, you cannot write a book about guns without wading into the area of Second Amendment and gun control politics. In my opinion, Barrett does a commendable job of addressing both sides. Yes, he offers criticism of the NRA (but so do many regular loyal posters of THR), but he also points out examples where the anti-gun groups and press have been downright misleading or wrong. While I disagree with some of his positions (e.g. limiting magazine capacity), I rarely read a book where agree 100% with the author. This book does not come close to promoting total disarmament as some have suggested. If anything, he acknowledges that firearms are in ingrained in American history and culture and that this would never work in the U.S. All in all, a good read.

 

[Shear_stress]

Just listening to your segment on NPR's Fresh Air. I really enjoyed it and hopefully will get a chance to pick up the book.

I heard the interview as well. Mr. Barrett did a real service to gunowners by:

1.) Debunking any lingering paranoia that the Glock can somehow "pass through metal detectors"

2.) Not taking the bait about the tragic shooting of Gabrielle Giffords and explaining that her own gun ownership is representative of the growing acceptance of guns in the US

3.) Calmly and rationally deflating the main argument of gun control advocates by stating that the US violent crime rate continues to decline despite the sunset of the "assault weapons ban" and the steadily increasing numbers of guns in lawful hands

4.) Referring to the byzantine process of legally getting a handgun in NYC as "too difficult". Remember, this a reporter from Bloomberg

5.) Depicting gun ownership in a positive way by sharing his own experience with learning how to shoot in which he had to unlearn bad habits picked up from TV and movies

 

[Sgt_R]

Just finished reading this thread and the Washington post review. Plan to listen to the NPR interview when I get off work. I expect I'll be ordering my copy of GLOCK later this evening.

R

 

[Fish Miner]

I just heard the NPR interview the other day on my lunch break. Actually stayed in the car so I could hear the whole thing. Great interview- not what I expected from NPR. I thought it would have a very liberal slant or agenda to it, but the interview was great. I don't have a Glock, but I do have a bit more knowledge now. Good job to the author

 

[Cosmoline]

Mr. Barrett got Terry Gross to talk about shooting a .22 when she was a girl. I never thought I'd hear that.

He's not an advocate for a political position, but I think the balanced presentation of well-researched facts tends to favor our side of the debate.

Beyond that, it's a textbook example of how to break into a new and reluctant market. I'd be interested to compare Glock with H&K in this respect. Both are European pistol makers, but while Glock has been incredibly responsive to consumer needs stateside, H&K acts like you should be lucky to be able to buy anything they make.

But then again Glock hasn't done as well penetrating US military and federal agency contracts.

Should be an interesting book.

 

[Hacker15E]

I am absolutely amazed at how many people are at odds with the subtitle, "The Rise of America's Gun"

The author is not stating that this is an American gun, or that it is from America. It is "America's Gun". For example, the most popular cars sold in the US are the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Toyota Corolla, and Honda Civic, in that order. What is "America's car"? It would probably be a 4-door Japanese-marque vehicle (whether made in the US or Japan).

So, you are stating that Glock is the "most popular" firearm maker in the United States, and that is what warrants it being called "America's Gun"?

I think you'd have a hard time proving that, first of all, and second, there are other firearms that are much better suited for the title of "America's Gun".

Despite Mr Barrett's explanation earlier in the thread (and completely separate from the merits of the book itself), I still think it's a ridiculously poor choice for a title.

 

[Cheytac]

RoyRogers, What book were you reading. He in no way leans towards disarming Americans.

 

[Sgt_R]

I enjoyed the NPR interview. Honestly, that was some of the most even-handed firearms related reporting I've ever heard on that network (unlike some here I usually like NPR, even though I don't necessarily agree with their typical bias on many issues).

Well done, Paul. You've sold me a book.

R

 

[gfanikf]

I agree 100% about the neighborhood store. We had the launch event for GLOCK: The Rise of America's Gun in the indie store around the corner from where I live. It was a lovely event, filled with friends and even some genuine customers off the street. CSpan was there to tape it for their BookTV show (check their website for airings), and we lifted a glass to books and civil discourse. The store, btw, is Book Court, 163 Court Street in Brooklyn. If you stop by, you might see me there with my wife and dachsuhund.

Mr. Barrett,

I had a chance to listen to your interview on NPR and I really look forward to reading the Kindle Edition on my commute home. I would have loved to get a physical copy, but nature of the commute.

Funny enough your event was right near where my wife and I used to live. I still work in NYC, but alas we wanted a little more room for our new daughter. Ironically if I hadn't moved back to PA, I'd most likely never be on this board. I had looked into trying to fire a handgun at a range in NYC, let alone own one, I think it's easy to win the lottery.

I really want to thank you for writing this as I've often wondered how did Glock just take over the US LE market, I mean it's almost unheard of how they captured the market. The problem is until this book, no one seemed to talk about it in detail beyond a forum post. This book was exactly what I wanted to exist(like the book on Doom and the founding of ID Software), but never figured it would. I'm not even someone who likes Glocks (but I respect them for what they over and achieved). Detailed and well researched.

Oh quick question did you use to work for BW, before the sale to Bloomberg? If so I'll explain in a PM (even if you didn't I will)

Regarding the title I think it's actually pretty apt, especially when I saw the Glock SoL gun, R. Lee Emery spokemen, the widespread ownership, it makes a lot of sense. I mean just like citizens of foreign countries can become quintessential Americans, so can a gun.