Glock 18
Glock Ges.m.b.H. · Pistol · In Production · 1986
Also known as: G18, Glock 18 machine pistol
Overview
The Glock 18 is an Austrian select-fire machine pistol chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, developed by Glock in 1986 at the request of the Austrian counter-terrorism unit EKO Cobra. Based on the Glock 17 frame, it adds a fire-selector switch on the rear left of the slide that toggles between semi-automatic and fully automatic fire at a cyclic rate of roughly 1,200 rounds per minute. It commonly accepts extended 33-round magazines and can mount a shoulder stock to help control the fierce muzzle climb. Sales are restricted to military, law enforcement, and government agencies.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 636 g (22.4 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 875 g (30.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 186 mm (7.32") |
| Barrel Length | 114 mm (4.49") |
| Height | 138 mm (5.43") |
| Width | 32 mm (1.26") |
| Sight Radius | 165 mm (6.50") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Safe Action |
| Trigger Pull | 25 N (5.6 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 17 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 375 m/s (1230 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 519 J (383 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1800 m (1968 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 1200 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 250 mm (9.84") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Polymer |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Tenifer |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Trigger Safety, Firing Pin Safety, Drop Safety
- Features: Select Fire, Fire Selector Switch, Extended Slide Stop, Accepts Extended Magazines, Detachable Shoulder Stock Compatible
Variants
- Glock 18C - Compensated
Base model
Glock-17
Service history
Operators
- EKO Cobra · adopted 1986
- Israel Defense Forces
- Malaysian Armed Forces
Production
Production years: 1986-present
Restricted to military, law enforcement, and government sales; not offered to civilians
Origin
Country of origin: Austria
Designer: Gaston Glock
Notes
The compensated Glock 18C variant adds ported cuts in the slide and barrel to vent gas upward and reduce muzzle rise during automatic fire. At around 1,200 rpm a 33-round magazine empties in under two seconds.
Background
Because it is one of very few factory select-fire pistols and is legally almost impossible for civilians to own, the Glock 18 has become a fixture of action cinema and video games, where its cinematic full-auto muzzle blast far outstrips its practical field use.