Gaston Glock, the Austrian engineer and inventor known for revolutionizing the firearms industry with his innovative Glock pistols, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2023, at the age of 94. Glock’s journey to becoming an icon in the firearms world was unconventional. Initially working in polymer manufacturing, he designed his first firearm, the Glock 17, in 1981 at the age of 52. This pistol, featuring a lightweight polymer frame and a high-capacity magazine, became a groundbreaking success, widely adopted by military and law enforcement agencies globally, including two-thirds of U.S. police forces.
Glock’s personal life included a long marriage and later legal disputes with his ex-wife, but he maintained a private and reclusive lifestyle. Beyond firearms, he supported Austrian charities and political causes. His contributions reshaped the industry, setting new standards for reliability and simplicity in firearm design.
