The Glock series of handguns represents one of the greatest steps forward in pistol design since the introduction of Colt M1911. Inspired by the Austrian Army's 1980 request for a new sidearm, the Glock Ges.m.b.H. company set to work designing and developing a revolutionary new weapon that combined reliability, firepower and the latest in material technology. Within two years it had been adopted by the Austrian Army, but such were its qualities that within a decade the handgun was a dominant presence in global military, law enforcement and civilian markets. More than 2.5 million have been sold to date, in use with more than 50 nations. In the United States alone, the gun has taken 65 per cent of the law enforcement market. Collector's Guide: Glock follows the evolution of the Glock handgun from concept to market leader, and explains each of the many variants and calibres, starting with the original Glock 17 and working through to the latest fourth-generation models. Looking at the Glock's practical use, the story is both dramatic and, at times, controversial. Glocks have been fired in earnest in the most varied of contexts; users include the Bangladesh Army, French naval commandos, German GSG 9 police, Malaysian customs officials, Singaporean prison guards, the FBI and dozens of US state police forces. Add its pervasive appeal in civilian handgun markets, and the Glock currently stands as one of the most influential sidearms of the last 50 years. Illustrated with more than 200 color and black-and-white artworks and photographs, Collector's Guide: Glock is an expertly written account of one of the most influential handguns in the world today.