
In the 1980s they were joined by a foreign upstart, Glock, which soon overtook them all. (ret.) "Paul Barrett's Glock is a fascinating and bizarre tale of an entrepreneur, a weapon, and a nation's love affair with guns." -Jeffrey Toobin, staff writer, The New Yorker author of The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court "Colt, Smith & Wesson, Winchester, Remington: These were the American firearms industry's major players for 150 years. DiNuzzo, chief firearms instructor, New York State Police (ret.) chief instructor, Glock, Inc. Very informative from both a technical and historical standpoint-warts and all." -Frank A. This book is for anyone concerned about the level of gun violence in America, and that should be all of us." -Richard Aborn, president, Citizens Crime Commission of New York City former president, Handgun Control, Inc. Glock is not at all just for the gun enthusiast. It's a must-read for anyone with an interest in handguns or the firearm industry or even American pop culture." -Cameron Hopkins, editor in chief, Combat Tactics magazine American Rifleman's Industry Insider blog "With his customary insight and crystal-clear style, Paul Barrett has told the story of how a simple toolmaker from Austria came to be the dominant force in the manufacture and sale of pistols in the United States. Paul Barrett knows his subject intimately, and it shows. It's fascinating, even-handed, and packs considerable punch!" -Bill McKibben, bestselling author of The End of Nature, Deep Economy, and The Age of Missing Information "Glock is a riveting tale with masterful pacing and meticulous research. "This book-from a top-notch reporter-will enlighten you about both gun culture and business culture. Filled with corporate intrigue, political maneuvering, Hollywood glitz, bloody shoot-outs-and an attempt on Gaston Glock's life by a former lieutenant- Glock is not only the inside account of how Glock the company went about marketing its pistol to police agencies and later the public, but also a compelling chronicle of the evolution of gun culture in America.

It was reliable, accurate, lightweight, and cheaper to produce than Smith and Wesson's revolver. You could drop it underwater, toss it from a helicopter, or leave it out in the snow, and it would still fire. With its lightweight plastic frame and large-capacity spring-action magazine, the Glock was the gun of the future.

Law enforcement agencies had concluded that their agents and officers, armed with standard six-round revolvers, were getting "outgunned" by drug dealers with semi-automatic pistols they needed a new gun. Created in 1982 by Gaston Glock, the pistol arrived in America at a fortuitous time. It has been rhapsodized by hip-hop artists and coveted by cops and crooks alike.
