Damon Mcknight
Glock pistols are manufactured in both the United States and Austria. The country of origin can be identified by markings on the frame, slide, and barrel of the gun. On the frame of an American-made pistol, the right side will say MADE IN USA, GLOCK INC SMYRNA GA, while an Austrian-made pistol will say “Made in Austria” or feature the country name. The slide of an American-made pistol will have the Georgia proof mark (the shape of the state of Georgia with a P in the centre) on the right side, while an Austrian-made pistol will have “AUSTRIA” on the left side. The barrel of an American-made pistol will have a football-shaped proof mark with 3D in the centre and US on the barrel hood, while an Austrian-made pistol will have a 5-sided Austrian proof mark.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | "Made in Austria" or "Made in USA" on the frame |
| Serial number | Austrian Glocks have a 6-digit serial number, while USA Glocks have 7 digits |
| Slide | Austrian Glocks have AUSTRIA marked on the left side of the slide, while USA Glocks have US |
| Barrel | Austrian Glocks have a 5-sided proof mark, while USA Glocks have a football-shaped proof mark with "3D" in the centre |
What You'll Learn
Check the frame
To check if your Glock is made in Austria, you can look at the frame. On the right side of the frame of an American-made pistol, it will say "MADE IN USA, GLOCK INC SMYRNA GA". On the other hand, Austrian-made Glocks will have "Made in Austria" on the right side of the grip.
In addition to the frame, you can also check the slide and barrel for identifying marks. On the slide of an American-made pistol, you will find the Georgia proof mark (the shape of the state of Georgia with a "P" in the centre) behind the extractor on the right side. The left side of the slide will be marked "US" instead of "AUSTRIA". The barrel of an American-made Glock will have a football-shaped proof mark with "3D" in the centre, along with the Georgia proof mark and "US" on top of the barrel hood.
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Check the slide
To determine whether your Glock is made in Austria, you can check the slide. On the slide of an American-made pistol, you will find the Georgia proof mark on the right side, behind the extractor. On the left side, it will be marked as 'US' instead of 'Austria' or 'AU'.
The finish on the slide may also be indicative of the pistol's origin. Older Glocks, including those manufactured in Austria, feature a Tenifer finish that is more durable and slightly rough. Newer Glocks, regardless of where they are made, have a smoother finish that can make it harder to rack the slide if your hands are moist.
Additionally, the slide of a US-made Glock will have a different barrel marking. It will feature a football-shaped proof mark with '3D' in the centre, instead of the Austrian five-sided proof mark. On top of the barrel hood, you will find the Georgia proof mark and the letters 'US'.
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Check the barrel
Checking the barrel is a surefire way to determine whether your Glock was made in Austria or the USA.
On the barrel of an American-made Glock, you will find a football-shaped proof mark with '3D' in the centre, along with the Georgia proof mark—a circle with a 'P' in the middle—and the letters US on the barrel hood.
On the other hand, Austrian-made Glocks feature a distinctive 5-sided Austrian proof mark on the barrel.
It is important to note that Glock's manufacturing processes and quality standards are identical in both Austria and the USA. The machines, tooling, and production materials are the same across both facilities, ensuring that every Glock, regardless of its country of manufacture, adheres to the company's strict standards.
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Check the serial number
To determine whether your Glock is made in Austria, you can check the serial number. Glock serial numbers are typically six digits long, consisting of two letters followed by four numbers (e.g., AB1234). However, the format may vary depending on the model and generation of your Glock. For example, newer models may have serial numbers with four letters and three numbers (e.g., ABCD123).
The serial number can usually be found on the slide of the Glock, located on the right side, behind the extractor. Additionally, the serial number may also be stamped on other parts of the gun, such as the frame or barrel. It is important to check multiple locations as the serial number can be found in different places depending on the model and generation of your Glock.
If your Glock has a serial number that starts with "UA," it was made in Austria. This prefix indicates that the gun was manufactured in Glock's Austrian facility. However, it's worth noting that not all Austrian-made Glocks will have this prefix. Some Glocks made in Austria may have a different prefix or no prefix at all. Therefore, it's essential to look for other markings that indicate the country of manufacture.
In addition to the serial number, you can check for markings on the frame, slide, and barrel of your Glock. On an American-made Glock, the right side of the frame will typically say "MADE IN USA, GLOCK INC SMYRNA GA." In contrast, an Austrian-made Glock will usually have "Made in Austria" stamped on the frame, slide, or barrel. Additionally, the slide of an American-made Glock will have the Georgia proof mark (a shape of the state of Georgia with a "P" in the centre) located behind the extractor on the right side. On the left side, it will be marked "US" instead of "AUSTRIA."
It's worth noting that Glock has two different facilities in Austria, one dealing with metal components and the other with polymer components. All research and development for Glock pistols are conducted in Austria, and the company maintains strict quality control over every aspect of production. The manufacturing process and equipment are highly standardised across their facilities, ensuring that Glocks made in the USA and Austria are of the same quality.
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Check the finish
When checking the finish of your Glock to determine whether it was made in Austria, you should be aware that Glock has changed their finishes 2-3 times. However, they changed the finish at the same time at all locations. So, if you are comparing a newer Glock to an older one, the finish may be different, but if the Glocks are from the same era, the finish should be identical.
The finish on older Glocks is more like parkerizing and is slightly rough. The newer finish is smoother and can make it harder to rack the slide if your hands are moist. The angle I heard is that EPA regs made it impossible for Glock to use the old finish on guns made in their US factory, so they just standardized to the newer finish tech in both locations.
The Glock 45 has a better finish than the 19x.
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Frequently asked questions
On the frame of your Glock, it should say "Made in Austria" or "Made in USA".
Yes, you can also check the serial number. Austrian Glocks typically have 6-digit serial numbers, while USA Glocks have 7-digit serial numbers.
The manufacturing process and equipment are identical in both facilities, and all parts for US-made Glocks come from Austria. However, some users have reported minor differences in the finish and action of Austrian vs. USA Glocks.
Glock has a factory in the USA to cut down on import costs and to be able to bid for military contracts, which require manufacturing in the USA.
This is a matter of personal preference. Some users prefer Austrian-made Glocks due to their finish or action, while others choose USA-made Glocks to support American jobs. Ultimately, both types are made to the same standards and will function identically.
