What Glock Do Police Use: Complete Guide to Law Enforcement Pistols

Police departments across America trust Glock pistols as their standard duty weapons. The simple, reliable design and proven track record make Glock a top choice for law enforcement agencies. From city police to federal agents, Glock pistols protect officers daily.

Evolution of Police Glocks

The switch to Glock pistols marked a major change in police firearms. Before Glock, officers mainly carried revolvers from Colt and Smith & Wesson. These revolvers served well through most of the 20th century. But in the 1980s, law enforcement needed more modern firearms.

From Revolvers to Glock Adoption

Police revolvers like the Colt Police Positive and Smith & Wesson Model 10 dominated until the late 1970s. These six-shot revolvers featured basic sights and proved reliable in daily use. Some departments kept revolvers into the 1990s.

Early semi-auto police pistols appeared first in urban departments. The Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless gained favor with some agencies like the Boston Police Department. The real revolution came when Glock entered the American police market.

Rise of Glock in American Law Enforcement

Glock’s polymer-framed pistols changed everything in the early 1990s. The Glock 17 and other models offered key benefits over revolvers:

• Higher ammunition capacity
• Faster reloading
• Lighter weight
• Simple maintenance
• Excellent reliability

The .40 S&W caliber Glock models became extremely popular after the FBI adopted the cartridge. Many departments switched to .40 caliber Glocks as their standard sidearm.

Most Common Glock Models in Police Service

Glock 17: The Full-Size Standard

The Glock 17 serves as the standard full-size duty pistol for many departments. The NYPD issues the Glock 17 Gen 4 to all officers. While the standard magazine holds 17 rounds, NYPD requested 15-round magazines.

Key features of the police Glock 17:

• 9mm caliber
• Full-size frame
• Night sights
• Rail for weapon lights
• Simple controls

Glock 19: Compact Powerhouse

The Glock 19 remains popular with plainclothes and off-duty officers. Its smaller size makes it easier to conceal while keeping the reliability of larger models. The FBI and many federal agencies issue the Glock 19.

Glock designed the Model 19 as a compact version of the Glock 17:

• 4 inches shorter barrel
• 7 inches shorter overall
• 15-round magazine
• 30 ounces loaded weight

Glock 22 and 23: The .40 Caliber Options

Many departments still carry .40 caliber Glock pistols. The Glock 22 full-size and Glock 23 compact dominated police service in the 1990s and 2000s. These models offered more power than 9mm versions.

Advantages of police .40 Glock models:

• Greater stopping power
• Can convert to 9mm
• Similar size to 9mm models
• Proven track record

Glock 21: The .45 ACP Choice

Some departments choose the .45 ACP Glock 21. This full-size pistol delivers maximum stopping power. While less common today, the Glock 21 served many agencies well.

Department-Specific Glock Models

NYPD’s Glock Selection

America’s largest police force carries the Glock 17 Gen 4. The NYPD made specific requests:

• 15-round magazines
• Night sights standard
• Department-specific triggers
• Full-size duty holsters

Federal Agency Preferences

Federal law enforcement agencies often choose compact Glock models:

• FBI: Glock 19M
• Border Patrol: Glock 47
• Special Forces: Glock 19
• CIA: Glock 19

State Police Choices

State police departments typically carry full-size duty Glocks. Many started with .40 caliber models but now trend toward 9mm versions:

• Glock 17 Gen 5
• Glock 45
• Glock 34
• Glock 47

Glock Generations in Police Service

Gen 3 vs Gen 4 vs Gen 5 Features

Each Glock generation brought improvements for police use:

Gen 3:

• Accessory rail
• Updated grip texture
• More durable finish

Gen 4:

• Interchangeable backstraps
• Larger magazine release
• Improved recoil system
• Rough texture frame

Gen 5:

• Better barrel
• No finger grooves
• Ambidextrous controls
• Enhanced accuracy

Why Some Departments Stick with Older Generations

Many departments keep using Gen 3 and Gen 4 Glocks:

• Officer familiarity
• Existing holsters fit
• Proven reliability
• Training standardization
• Parts compatibility

Law Enforcement Only Models

Glock restricts certain Gen 4 models to law enforcement:

• Glock 17
• Glock 19
• Glock 22
• Glock 23
• Glock 26
• Glock 27
• Glock 34
• Glock 35

This helps support agencies still using Gen 4 pistols while Glock focuses on Gen 5 models for civilian sales.

Police Glock Modifications and Accessories

Standard Police Modifications

Most police Glocks include these modifications:

• Night sights
• Department-specified trigger
• Red dot sight mounting
• Weapon light rail
• Modified magazine release

Department-Approved Accessories

Common police Glock accessories:

• Streamlight TLR-1 light
• SureFire X300 light
• Modlite PL350 light
• Red dot sights
• Spare magazines
• Duty holsters

Duty Weapon Requirements

Police Glocks must meet department standards:

• Regular inspection
• Certified armorer maintenance
• Approved modifications only
• Department ammunition only
• Qualification requirements

Training and Qualification with Police Glocks

Department Armorer Programs

Police departments maintain Glock armorer programs:

• Factory-certified training
• Regular maintenance schedules
• Parts replacement tracking
• Modification standards
• Documentation requirements

Qualification Standards

Officers must qualify regularly with duty Glocks:

• Accuracy standards
• Course of fire
• Time requirements
• Different lighting conditions
• Multiple distances

Maintenance Requirements

Departments set strict Glock maintenance rules:

• Cleaning schedules
• Parts inspection
• Spring replacement
• Documented service
• Function testing

Future of Police Glocks

New Models and Updates

Glock continues developing police pistols:

• Enhanced Gen 5 models
• Red dot ready slides
• Improved barrels
• Better triggers
• Modular designs

Changing Caliber Preferences

Police departments trend toward 9mm Glocks:

• Better ammunition
• Lower recoil
• Higher capacity
• Faster follow-up shots
• Lower cost

Modern Features and Improvements

New police Glock features include:

• Optics mounting
• Enhanced sights
• Better ergonomics
• Improved reliability
• Easier maintenance

Glock remains the dominant police sidearm through constant improvement. Their simple, reliable design serves officers well. From full-size duty pistols to compact backup guns, Glock offers proven options for every police role.

Whether carrying the full-size Glock 17 or compact Glock 19, officers trust these pistols daily. The polymer frame, striker-fired design changed police firearms forever. As departments upgrade to newer generations, Glock continues supporting law enforcement needs.