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Austrian police officers typically carry firearms, including the Glock 17 pistol. The Glock 17 was adopted into service with the Austrian military and law enforcement in 1982 as the Pistole 80 (P80). The pistol was selected by the Federal Ministry of Defence of Austria, which established a list of 17 criteria for the new generation of service pistols. The Glock 17 outperformed pistols from five other established manufacturers, and its introduction sparked a wave of interest in Western Europe and overseas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pistol Model | Glock 17 |
| Firearm Manufacturer | Glock |
| Firearm Type | Pistol |
| Caliber | 9x19mm |
| Magazine Capacity | 17 |
| Adoption Year | 1982 |
| Adopting Authority | Austrian Military and Law Enforcement |
| Initial Order Quantity | 25,000 |
| Prototype Development Duration | 3 months |
| Endurance and Abuse Tests | Passed |
| Performance | Superior to competitors |
| Handling | Excellent |
| Charging Capacity | High |
| Price | Competitive |
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What You'll Learn
Austrian police use Glock pistols
Austrian police officers usually carry firearms, including Glock pistols. The Austrian Federal Police are commanded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior, which is the highest law enforcement authority in the country. The Federal Minister of the Interior monitors the use of firearms by the police.
Glock pistols were adopted for use by the Austrian military and law enforcement in 1982. The Glock 17 was selected after a series of trials, outperforming pistols from several other established manufacturers. The Austrian Armaments and Defence Technology Agency deemed the Glock superior in performance, handling, charging capacity, and price.
The Glock 17 became a cost-effective candidate due to its extensive use of synthetic materials and modern manufacturing technologies. It met the Austrian Army's list of 17 criteria for the new generation of service pistols, including self-loading capability, the ability to fire the NATO-standard 9x19mm Parabellum round, and safety features against accidental discharge.
The adoption of Glock pistols by the Austrian police has sparked interest in Western Europe and beyond. The United States Department of Defense inquired about the Glock pistol in 1983 and invited Glock to participate in the XM9 Personal Defense Pistol Trials. The Glock 17 is also used by the Jamaica Constabulary Force and New Zealand Police, demonstrating its reputation as a reliable and effective service pistol.
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Austrian gun laws
Austrian citizens, EU nationals with residence in Austria, or third-country nationals with permanent residence in Austria (with a special background check) over 18 can buy firearms from Category C without a permit after a three-day background check. A valid hunting permit or Category B license exempts buyers from the background check. The law requires buyers to provide a good reason for their purchase, which can include self-defence at home, hunting, sport shooting, or collecting. There is no limit to the number of Category C weapons that can be owned. Acquiring Category B weapons, however, requires a firearm license (Waffenbesitzkarte). Authorities will issue these licenses to any non-prohibited citizen of the European Economic Area over 21 who has a good reason, allowing the purchase of up to two handguns. Self-defence is a recognised reason to own firearms, and keeping firearms stored in a loaded condition at home is permitted. However, if someone has 20 or more firearms stored in a close area or a large quantity of ammunition (more than 5,000 rounds), they must inform the authorities of the measures they have taken to ensure safe storage and protection against unauthorized access.
Austria's gun laws have a long history, dating back to the Waffenpatent of 1853-1938, which allowed firearm ownership without a permit for any non-prohibited person. A carry permit was required and issued to respectable citizens. During the Nazi era from 1938 to 1945, restrictions were added, prohibiting certain groups like Jews from owning firearms. After World War II, the previous law was largely restored, and the right of Jews to bear arms was reinstated. In 1967, a new law regulating handguns came into effect, granting law-abiding citizens the right to own them. In 1994, pump-action shotguns were banned, and in 1996, the Weapons Act was passed in accordance with EU law.
Glocked and Loaded
While I could not find specific information on the standard-issue pistol for Austrian police officers, I did discover that the Austrian military and law enforcement adopted the Glock 17 as the Pistole 80 (P80) in 1982. The Glock 17 emerged as the winner in a series of trials conducted by the Austrian Armaments and Defence Technology Agency, outperforming pistols from manufacturers like Heckler & Koch, SIG Sauer, Beretta, and Steyr Mannlicher. The Glock 17's superior performance, handling, charging capacity, and competitive price led to an initial order of 25,000 guns. The pistol is self-loading, fires the NATO-standard 9x19mm Parabellum round, and has a magazine capacity of 17 rounds, as indicated by its name.
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Glock pistol features
The Austrian police use the Glock pistol. Glock pistols have been through several generations of design modifications, with the Gen5 pistols being the latest iteration. Here are some features of the Glock pistol:
Safety and Reliability: Glock pistols are renowned for their safety and reliability. They are designed to be secure against accidental discharge from shock, strike, or drop from a height of 2 meters (6 ft 7 in). The pistols are rigorously tested for endurance and abuse, and even after firing 15,000 rounds of standard ammunition, they are inspected for wear and tear.
Durability and Performance: Glock pistols are made with extensive use of synthetic materials and modern manufacturing technologies, making them highly durable and cost-effective. The latest Gen5 pistols feature over 20 design modifications from their Gen4 predecessors, delivering improved accuracy, durability, performance, control, and flexibility.
Ergonomics: Glock has paid significant attention to the ergonomics of its pistols, especially in the third, fourth, and fifth generations. These generations introduced modifications such as interchangeable backstraps to accommodate different hand sizes, reversible magazine releases for left-handed users, and improved grip textures. The basic grip size of the fourth-generation Glock pistols is slightly smaller compared to the previous design.
Accessories: Glock pistols feature an accessory rail, known as the "Universal Glock Rail," which allows the mounting of laser sights, tactical lights, and other accessories. This enhances the versatility of the pistol and improves target acquisition.
Ambidextrous Design: The fifth-generation Glock pistols introduced ambidextrous slide stop levers, catering to both left- and right-handed users. Additionally, some models, like the Glock 21 SF, feature an ambidextrous magazine release.
Chambering: Glock pistols are chambered in various calibers, including 9x19mm Parabellum, ..40 S&W, and 10mm. The Glock 18 (G18) is a select-fire machine pistol that can use either Glock 17 magazines or 33-round magazines. The Glock 20 and 21 are also available in SF (Short Frame) variants for shooters with smaller hands.
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Glock vs other pistols
The Austrian Federal Police is commanded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior, which is the country's highest law enforcement authority. While I couldn't find specific information on the pistols used by the Austrian police, Glock pistols are manufactured in Austria and are used by law enforcement in the country.
Glock pistols have become popular worldwide, including with law enforcement agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ontario Provincial Police. The pistols are known for their durability, with their nylon-based polymer construction making them more resilient than carbon steel and many steel alloys. This polymer also makes the pistols resistant to extreme temperatures and caustic liquids. Glock pistols are also cost-effective, with their extensive use of synthetic materials and modern manufacturing technologies keeping costs down.
When compared to other pistols, Glocks have their pros and cons. For example, when compared to a Sig Sauer, a Glock is lighter due to its polymer construction, but the SIG handles recoil better when using a higher caliber. The Glock also has standard U-shaped target sights, while the Sig Sauer has well-regarded night sights. Ultimately, the decision between a Glock and another pistol like a Sig Sauer may come down to personal preference and the intended use of the weapon.
Glocks have been modified and upgraded by users over the years, with some opting for trigger, spring, and sight modifications. There are also a variety of holsters and other accessories available for Glocks, making them customizable to an owner's preferences and needs.
Some alternative pistols to Glocks include the Beretta PX4 Storm Compact, the S&W M&P Shield, the Canik TP9 Elite, and the Sig Sauer P229. These pistols offer different features and benefits that may appeal to different users. For example, the Beretta PX4 Storm Compact is known for its outstanding performance, while the Canik TP9 Elite is a popular choice for those seeking a cost-effective option. Ultimately, the choice between a Glock and another pistol will depend on factors such as comfort, intended use, and personal preference.
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The Austrian Federal Police
The Glock pistol was developed in 1982 when the Federal Ministry of Defence of Austria formulated a list of 17 criteria for the new generation of service pistols. The requirements included that the pistol be self-loading, fire the NATO-standard 9x19mm Parabellum round, have magazines that do not require assistance for loading, and be secure against accidental discharge from shock, strike, and drop. The Glock 17 emerged as the winner of the exhaustive trials, outperforming pistols from other established manufacturers. It was then adopted into service with the Austrian military and law enforcement, with an initial order of 25,000 guns.
The Glock 17 is also used by the Jamaica Constabulary Force as its regular service pistol. In addition, the New Zealand Police, while not carrying firearms under normal circumstances, have the Glock 17 in all frontline police vehicles.
Austria allows firearm possession on a shall-issue basis, with certain classes of shotguns and rifles available without a permit. Austrian law divides firearms into three categories: Category C includes rifles, shotguns, and electroshock weapons; Category B includes handguns, repeating shotguns, and semi-automatic rifles; and restricted weapons include those that can be disassembled quickly and shotguns with a barrel length shorter than 45 cm, among others.
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Frequently asked questions
The Austrian police use the Glock 17 pistol.
The Glock 17 is a cost-effective pistol that combines proven mechanisms and traits from previous pistol designs. It is self-loading, uses 9x19mm Parabellum rounds, and has a magazine capacity of 17 rounds.
The Austrian police and military adopted the Glock 17, also known as the Pistole 80 (P80), into service in 1982.
The Glock 17 has been praised for its superior performance, handling, charging capacity, and price compared to other handguns. In Austrian trials, it outperformed pistols from manufacturers such as Heckler & Koch, SIG Sauer, Beretta, and FN Herstal.
