Glocks: Usa Vs Austrian-Made, Any Difference?

There is much debate on the topic of whether USA-made Glocks are as good as Austrian-made Glocks. Some people believe that the Austrian-made Glocks are of higher quality due to the country being the birthplace of Glocks and having stricter standards. Others argue that there is no difference in quality between the two, as Glock has identical manufacturing processes and standards in both countries. Some minor differences that have been pointed out include the format of the serial numbers, the stamp of where the Glock is made, and the finish of the slide. Ultimately, it is up to the consumer to decide which Glock they prefer, but it is important to recognize that both USA-made and Austrian-made Glocks are widely used and trusted by law enforcement and military personnel.

Finish and coating differences

The finish and coating of a Glock refer to the final aesthetic procedure that the gun undergoes, and not the metal treatment that the gun's steel undergoes. The finish does not affect the performance of the gun but can change the way the gun looks.

The original finish on the first generation of Glock 19s, introduced in 1988, was a rough, non-glare, grey finish. The second generation, also introduced in 1988, had the same finish. The third generation, released in 1998, had a finish reminiscent of black Teflon, which was a lot shinier and slicker than the previous models. Some users claim that because of this, it was harder to get a good grip on the gun. The fourth generation reverted to a finish that closely resembled the older, non-glare, Parker-like finish.

In 2011, Glock USA converted from using Tenifer to Melonite as an alternative heat treatment. This was done after the EPA voiced concern over the chemicals used in the Tenifer process. Tenifer and Melonite are essentially the same thing, but some users state that there is a noticeable difference.

The barrel and slide finishes are the most noticeable differences between the Glock 19s. The barrel's finish is always an aesthetic one and wears off with time and usage. No additional refinishing is necessary. The slide may be refinished, but it would be best to avoid doing so to a barrel.

Serial number formats

Glock serial numbers can be used to identify the origin and age of a Glock pistol. The serial number format differs between Austrian-made and USA-made Glocks, with the former following the format of ABC123, and the latter ABCD123. Additionally, the right side of the frame on American-made Glocks will be marked "MADE IN USA, GLOCK INC SMYRNA GA", while the slide will be marked with the Georgia proof mark (the shape of the state of Georgia with a "P" in the centre) and "US" on the left side.

The serial number on the barrel of a Glock pistol does not indicate its date of manufacture. Instead, Glock used to include a separate three-letter date code on the barrel, which identified the production date. However, this practice was discontinued in November 1989 for Glocks delivered to the US. The date code was located on the side of the barrel, after the serial number and proof marks, and followed the format of SN (serial number)... proof marks... date codes. The first letter of the date code indicated the month of production, and the last two letters indicated the year. For example, "AOH" and "ATY" would translate to December 2000 and December 2008, respectively.

Stamp of origin

The stamp of origin on a Glock pistol indicates whether it was made in the USA or Austria. The stamp can be found on the right side of the frame, which will read either "Made in USA, GLOCK INC SMYRNA GA" for American-made pistols or simply "Made in Austria" for Austrian-made pistols. Additionally, the slide of the pistol will be marked with "US" or "AUSTRIA" on the left side.

While some consumers express a preference for Glocks made in their country of origin, there is no significant difference in quality between USA-made and Austrian-made Glocks. Glock ensures that the manufacturing process and materials used are identical across both facilities. All CNC machines, moulds, and other equipment are imported from Austria and set up by Austrian engineers. Even the concrete floors in the US facility are identical to those in Austria. Glock also manufactures every single component of the pistol in-house, allowing them to maintain 100% quality control over their products. As a result, both USA-made and Austrian-made Glocks exhibit the same high standards of build quality and performance that the brand is known for.

The primary reason for the existence of two manufacturing facilities is to meet demand and comply with import regulations. Glock's Austrian facility has double the production capacity of the US plant and handles the manufacturing of components for both facilities. Meanwhile, the US facility assembles and test-fires the Austrian-made guns, in addition to producing certain models exclusively, such as the G42, due to ATF import regulations.

Parts origin

The parts of a Glock pistol are sourced from both Austria and the USA. The frame, slide, and barrel are manufactured in the USA, while the rest of the components are made in Austria. Glock manufactures every single component of the pistol in-house, from springs to pins. All tooling, moulds, fixtures, and gauging are manufactured in Austria. The company has complete control over the production process, with identical CNC machines, floor plans, and testing procedures in both countries.

The only differences between a USA-made and Austrian-made Glock are the format of the serial number and the stamp of the country of origin. The USA-made Glocks have a seven-digit serial number, while the Austrian-made Glocks have a six-digit serial number. The USA-made Glocks are marked with "MADE IN USA, GLOCK INC SMYRNA GA" on the right side of the frame, while the Austrian-made Glocks have "AUSTRIA" marked on the left side of the slide. The USA-made Glocks also have a unique Georgia proof mark, which is the shape of the state with a "P" in the centre.

Some users have noted that the finish on Austrian-made Glocks is different, with a more durable Tenifer finish compared to the Melonite finish on USA-made Glocks. However, Glock has since standardised the finish across both locations.

Testing and quality control

Testing Procedures:

• Glock USA conducts comprehensive testing procedures to ensure the reliability and performance of their pistols. Each pistol is tested with two proof cartridges and five standard cartridges.
• The pistols are inspected before and after test firing. The testing fixture is fully automated, ensuring consistency and precision.
• During the test firing process, the pistol with a loaded magazine and an open slide is secured in the fixture. The tester pulls the slide back to chamber a round, and a bulletproof clear door closes for protection. The tester then pushes a button, and the pistol fires all the ammunition until it locks back.
• In addition to the standard testing, Glock USA also performs torture testing to assess the durability and reliability of the pistols under extreme conditions.
• Pistols are tested for accuracy and sight alignment during the test firing process, with a range of 25 meters used for evaluation.

Quality Control Measures:

• Glock Austria maintains 100% quality control over every aspect of production, ensuring that the same stringent standards are applied in both the USA and Austrian facilities.
• All tooling, molds, fixtures, gauging, and other components are manufactured in-house in Austria, allowing for consistent quality across all Glock pistols, regardless of their manufacturing location.
• Glock manufactures every single component of the pistol in-house, including springs and pins, ensuring that there are no variations in quality between USA-made and Austrian-made Glocks.
• The USA-made Glocks use American-made frames, slides, and barrels, while all other components are sourced from Austria. Glock Austria supplies the materials and components for the US facility, maintaining consistency in the manufacturing process.
• The manufacturing process in the US facility is identical to that of the Austrian plant. The CNC machines, hammer forge barrel machines, and mold machines are all sourced from Austria and programmed by the same engineers, ensuring uniformity in the production of Glock pistols.
• Glock USA maintains a one-year supply of production materials from Austria to ensure uninterrupted production and further standardize quality across both facilities.
• Glock's attention to detail extends even to the concrete floors of the US facility, which are identical to those in the Austrian plant, demonstrating their commitment to consistency and quality control.

In conclusion, Glock's rigorous testing and quality control measures ensure that there is no significant difference in quality between USA-made and Austrian-made Glocks. The company's commitment to standardization and in-house manufacturing ensures that their pistols meet their exacting standards, regardless of the manufacturing location.

Frequently asked questions