Why on earth is the Glock .380's banned in the US???

Status
Not open for further replies.
Has do with some kind of import specifications.

Truth be told most Glocks would not fit into the criteria either if not for them being imported with adjustable sights and then modified to fixed sights at Smyrna.

There is some kind of point system in place and because the 380 just barely does not get enough points is is kayboshed. Fixed sights get less points then adjustable and 380 gets less points then 9mm, 40, or 45 so it just does not make the cut.

No big deal really though since you can get the 26 in 9mm which is the same size as the 25 in 380 and anyone with an IQ over room temerature would know the 9mm in a similar sized handgun trumps the 380 any time and any place.

The only real reason I see to the Glock 380 being imported here for the sheep who think that just because it says 380 on it means that it is the greatest thing since the 1911.
 
I hate you import specifications, I've always wanted to shoot a Glock .380, so you're telling me there isn't a single glock 25 or glock 28 in the US of A?
 
There are some.

Maybe something like less than 10.

I think I remember a loophole about law enforcement being able to buy them and then they could sell them to the public legally. Or something like that.
 
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 - just enough to get in.


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)
- due to their caliber, .380 autos (G25 & G28) do not score enough points to be imported

They could make them in the US and sell them, just not import them.
 
The Gun Control Act of 1968 limited importation of small, inexpensive handguns known as "Saturday Night Specials". To differentiate between what was a cheap, small handgun and an expensive, small handgun, ATF devised a point system. Basically a handgun with target grips, target trigger, adjustable sights would accrue more points than a handgun without those features. Additional point were given as barrel length increased and caliber increased.

Here's the ATF Form 4590 that outlines the factoring criteria for imported handguns:http://www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-5330-5.pdf

There is nothing magical about the Glock .380. The G28 is the same size as the G26 9x19 and the G25 is the same size as the G19 9x19. The .380 Glocks don't recoil less, but actually more than a 9x19 Glock (.380 Glocks are blowback operated).

Even Glock recognises that a .380 the same size & weight as a G19 or G26 isn't that great of an idea in the USA. It IS a great idea for those living in countries where civilian possession of firearms in "military" calibers are prohibited.
 
since you can get the 26 in 9mm which is the same size as the 25 in 380 and anyone with an IQ over room temerature would know the 9mm in a similar sized handgun trumps the 380 any time and any place.
You'd think..........but some posters here would take an equally sized .380 over a 9mm or .40 everytime....
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Some glock .380's have actually popped up here and there mainly in the southwest regions of the U.S. Because of people getting them across the mexican border. I think I found this info from google when I typed in Glock .380 wikipedia
 
Even without the "points system" preventing their importation, I doubt if such a gun would sell, when the same size gun is available in 9mm or .40. Every time there is a clamor for oddball "niche" guns and the manufacturers produce them in response, no one actually goes out and buys them and they are discontinued for lack of sales, the chief example of this being 9mm revolvers.
 
And thus you have the irony of two laws (the Gun Control Act of 1968 and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1993) having the unintentional effect of prompting handgun manufacturers to make smaller weapons in larger calibers. Think about it: if a manufacturer cannot import a weapon in a smaller caliber, why not make it in a larger caliber? If the weapon is magazine-limited to 10 rounds, why not make a smaller weapon? These two aspects all but guaranteed that big-bore pocket pistols would be created.

Before politicians pass laws they may want to read up on the law of unintended consequences.
 
Even without the "points system" preventing their importation, I doubt if such a gun would sell, when the same size gun is available in 9mm or .40. Every time there is a clamor for oddball "niche" guns and the manufacturers produce them in response, no one actually goes out and buys them and they are discontinued for lack of sales, the chief example of this being 9mm revolvers.
Click to expand...

As much as common sense would seem to indicate this, I am in the camp that believes they would sell at least enough to make it worthwhile.

America is suffering from a epidemic that the 380 cartridge is the solution to all things CCW. With the pocket 380 rage in full tilt average go CCW likes the convenience and price of them. They then start associating the caliber of their favorite gun (380) with the fact that they also like it. Then when they hear about another 380 they think that since it is a 380 then they will also like that one. They immediately associate the caliber with something that is small and unobtrusive. I have shown people Beretta 84s, one of the best 380 pistols ever made, and they cannot believe something that big would chamber a 380 round and they instantly discount it as no good because it does not nestle in a pocket as well as their LCP.

I think the Glock 380 interest is along these same lines but since Glock has a nice name behind them and the G26 and G27 are so good then a G28 would have to better only because it is a 380. Kind of reverse logic but then again I think many 380s are reverse logic.
 
Banned or prohibited or not, my understanding is that Glock only makes the .380 version so they can sell in countries where "military" calibers and not legal...which rules out 9x19 right off the bat. Given the size, I believe that the .380 chambering is a compromize to get around gun control laws in other countries. It is ironic that in making a gun that is legal in let's say Brazil, they've made one that can't be importer here. I don't feel like we are missing much.
 
Saturday Night Special was the 1960s equivalent of the 1980s Plastic Hijacker Special: a stupid cheesy and ultimately pointless scare slogan cooked up by gun haters to try to frighten the gun ignorant into supporting a gun ban.

The definition of SNS included the Walther PPK, leading to the PPKS mid-size between the PP and PPK but enough points to squeeze in under the 68GCA rules.
 
David E said:
since you can get the 26 in 9mm which is the same size as the 25 in 380 and anyone with an IQ over room temerature would know the 9mm in a similar sized handgun trumps the 380 any time and any place.
You'd think..........but some posters here would take an equally sized .380 over a 9mm or .40 everytime....
Click to expand...

My Bersa muzzle flip is comparable to my full size 1911 muzzle flip.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
They could make them in the US and sell them, just not import them.
Click to expand...

Yep; Let's BOYCOTT them until they employ American Workers! Glock's are Anti-American!

Some glock .380's have actually popped up here and there mainly in the southwest regions of the U.S. Because of people getting them across the mexican border.
Click to expand...

Oh NO! Better notify Obama, Pelosi, and the BATFE; those darned Mexicans are illegally transporting semi-automatic weapons into the US!:evil:

Now that would be irony!:D
 
I plan on carrying the Glock 26 anyways, it would just be cool to shoot, range toy, I'm thinking it would be nice for recoild sensitive people. I'm not worshiping .380, it has it's place, I would prefer and choose a Glock 9mm over a Glock .380, although I might carry a smaller .380 (if needbe)
 
And thus you have the irony of two laws (the Gun Control Act of 1968 and...
Click to expand...


The further irony is that the law was in direct response to Robert Kennedy's assasination. With Martin Luther King getting killed in April and RFK in June, the government felt it had to do something.

Yet neither man was killed by an imported gun and neither gun used would have been affected by the law.
 
For someone who doesn't know (like me for example) is the Glock in .380 any smaller than the smallest 9mm model?
 
For someone who doesn't know (like me for example) is the Glock in .380 any smaller than the smallest 9mm model?
Click to expand...
They are the same size and weight as the other compacts and sub-compacts
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

W
  • Locked
.380 Glock 25 illegal for US market
2
Replies
26
Views
10K
BluesBear
B
B
  • Locked
Banned Glock pistols
Replies
14
Views
1K
Mark54g
M
N
  • Locked
Why are .380s always blowback?
Replies
23
Views
3K
BigG
B
V
  • Locked
Why not? Glock .380 in the USA
Replies
21
Views
1K
Walt Sherrill
W
J
  • Locked
Glock 380's
Replies
7
Views
848
Quiet
Q
Back
Top