There are a lot of different types of bullets out there. There are also a lot of other handguns that shoot them. So, you must be wondering: What type of ammo does a Glock use? That's an excellent question, and fortunately, we know the answer. A Glock is a well-known firearm manufacturer, and in its early years, it created several types of ammunition for law enforcement and military personnel.
The company also decided to introduce these rounds to the civilian market, and they've become widely used ever since. The model type of your Glock can affect the size of the caliber you use. A caliber is simply a measurement of ammunition diameter used in a firearm. The 9mm is the most popular Glock Type of Ammo, and there are two others. Continue reading to know more about them:
Components of Ammunition
Before we discuss the various types of ammunition used by Glock, first, you need to know about the main components of any ammunition, which are:
The Primer
A primer is a small metal cup that contains a chemical compound. When the trigger is pulled and the firing pin hits the primer, the chemicals are ignited. These chemicals then create a small explosion that ignites the gunpowder. The gunpowder produces gases causing the bullet to be forced out of the cartridge and down the gun's barrel.
The Case
A case is what holds everything together. It's made out of brass or steel, and it has a neck and a base. The neck of the case holds the bullet, while the base contains the primer. The case also has an extractor groove that helps extract the spent casing from the gun once the shell has gets fired.
Powder
The powder is a solid propellant used to ignite the gunpowder made out of charcoal or another combustible material. When the primer stricks, it ignites the powder and creates a small explosion. This explosion then ignites the gunpowder, producing gases that cause the bullet to be forced out of the cartridge and down the gun's barrel.
The Cartridge
A cartridge is a self-contained unit that contains all of the components needed to fire a single shot. It includes the case, the primer, the bullet, and the gunpowder. Cartridges are typically made out of brass or steel or made out of other materials.
The Bullet
The bullet is the actual projectile that is fired from the gun. It's usually made out of the lead but can also be made from copper or other materials. The bullet seats are in the neck of the case and are held by a small amount of pressure. When the gunpowder ignites, it creates gases that cause the bullet to be forced out of the cartridge and down the gun's barrel.
What Ammo Does a Glock Use?
Now that we know the basics of ammunition let's look at what type of ammo a Glock uses. Glock currently offers three different types of 9mm ammunition:
- The Glock 17- The Glock 17 is a short recoil-operated pistol measuring 9mm introduced in 1982. It has a 17-round magazine and is chambered for the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge.
- The Glock 19- It is the most popular Glock handgun that available in 9mm and was available on the market in 1988. It has a 15-round magazine and chambers for the 9 x 19mm Parabellum cartridge.
- The Glock 20- The Glock 20 is a 10mm pistol introduced in 1991. It has a 15-round magazine and 10x25mm Auto cartridge chamber.
- The Glock 21: Glock 21 is a.45 ACP pistol first launched in 1990. It comes with a 13-round magazine and is chambered in.45 ACP.
- The Glock 22- It's a .40 S&W pistol from 1990. That comes with a 15-round magazine and is chambered for the .40 S&W cartridge.
- The Glock 23- In 1994, the Glock 23 was introduced as a.357 SIG pistol. It comes with a 13-round magazine and is chambered in.357 SIG.
- The Glock 26- The Glock 1994 release has a 9mm subcompact pistol with a 10-round magazine and is chambered for the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge.
- The Glock 31: It's a .357 SIG pistol introduced in 1997 with a 15-round magazine and a .357 SIG cartridge chamber.
- The Glock 32: The 1998.357 SIG pistol carries a 13-round magazine and a .357 SIG cartridge chamber.
- The Glock 33: The Glock 33 is a .357 SIG subcompact pistol introduced in 1999. It has a 9-round magazine and is chambered for the .357 SIG cartridge.
- The Glock 34: Glock 34 is a 9mm pistol first released in 1998. It is chambered for the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge and features a 17-round magazine.
An Overview of the Different Types of Ammunition
Now that we've looked at the different types of ammo that Glock offers, let's take a more general look at the different types of ammunition available for handguns and their history;
- .22 LR: The .22 LR is a rimfire cartridge introduced in 1887. It's one of the most popular cartridges globally used for plinking, target shooting, and small game hunting.
- 9mm: The 9mm is a pistol cartridge introduced in 1902. It's one of the most popular cartridges globally for self-defense, target shooting, and plinking.
- .357 Magnum: The .357 Magnum is a revolver cartridge introduced in 1935. It's a primarily potent sold for self-defense, hunting, and target shooting.
- .38 Special: The .38 Special is a revolver cartridge introduced in 1902. It's a popular cartridge commonly used for self-defense, target shooting, and plinking.
- .40 S&W: The .40 S&W is a pistol cartridge introduced in 1990. It's a popular cartridge commonly used for self-defense, target shooting, and plinking.
- .44 Magnum: The .44 Magnum is a revolver cartridge introduced in 1955. It's a potent cartridge commonly used for hunting, self-defense, and target shooting.
- .380 ACP: The .380 ACP is a pistol cartridge introduced in 1908. It's a popular cartridge commonly used for self-defense, target shooting, and plinking.
- .40: A .40 is a pistol cartridge from 1990 popularly used for self-defense, target shooting, and plinking.
- .45 ACP: The .45 ACP is a pistol cartridge introduced in 1905. It's a trendy cartridge commonly used for self-defense, target shooting, and plinking.
- .45 GAP: The .45 GAP is a pistol cartridge introduced in 2002. It's a popular cartridge commonly used for self-defense, target shooting, and plinking.
- .45 Auto: The .45 Auto is a pistol cartridge introduced in 1904. It's a popular cartridge commonly used for self-defense, target shooting, and plinking.
Use the Right Ammunition for Your Glock
Glock pistols are designed to fire a variety of different types of ammunition. The most popular cartridges that Glocks are chambered for include the 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. However, Glocks also offer chambered pistols for the .357 SIG, .380 ACP. 45 GAP. When choosing ammunition for your Glock, selecting the correct ammo type for the intended purpose is essential. For example, if you're using your Glock for self-defense, you'll want to choose self-defense ammo designed to expand upon impact and penetrate deeply.
You can choose less expensive ammo for target shooting or plinking that doesn't expand or penetrate as deeply.
No matter what type of ammunition you choose for your Glock, be sure to practice with it to be familiar with how it performs. It will help you be more accurate with your shots and make better decisions in a home defense or a self-defense situation.
How to Measure Ammunition?
Ammunition is typically measured in two ways: by caliber and by gauge. Caliber is a measure of the bullet's diameter, while gauge is a measure of the weight of the shell.
For example, a 9mm bullet has a diameter of 9mm, while 12-gauge shotgun shell weighs 12 grams. The most common calibers for handguns are .22 caliber, .38, 9mm, and .45. The most common gauges for shotguns are 10, 12, 16, 20, and 28.
Tips For Choosing the Right Ammo for Your Glock:
- Choose the right ammo for the intended purpose. For example, if you're using your Glock for self-defense, you'll want to choose self-defense ammo designed to expand upon impact and penetrate deeply.
- You can choose less expensive ammo for target shooting or plinking that doesn't expand or penetrate as deeply.
- No matter what type of ammunition you choose for your Glock, be sure to practice with it to be familiar with how it performs. You will be more accurate with your shots and make better decisions in self-defense.
- When choosing ammunition for your Glock, it's crucial to select the correct ammo type for the intended purpose.
- Be sure to practice with your chosen ammo so that you're familiar with how most compact handguns performs. It will help you be more accurate with your shots and make better decisions in a self-defense situation.
FAQs
What Ammo Does a Glock Use?
The Glock is a magazine-fed, semi-automatic pistol that holds the 9mm, the.40 S&W, the .357 SIG, the .45 GAP, and the .380 ACP cartridges.
What Is the Best Ammo for A Glock?
The best ammo for a Glock depends on the intended purpose. For self-defense, you'll want to choose to expand ammunition that will penetrate deeply. You can choose less expensive ammo for target shooting or plinking that doesn't expand or penetrate as deeply.
How Much Does a Glock Cost?
Glock pistols start at around $500 and can cost up to $1000 or more depending on the model, features, and accessories.
What Is the Best Ammo for A Glock?
The best ammo for a Glock depends on the intended purpose. For self-defense, you'll want to choose to expand ammunition that will penetrate deeply. You can choose less expensive ammo for target shooting or plinking that doesn't expand or penetrate as deeply.
What Is an Ambidextrous Slide Lock?
An ambidextrous slide lock is a feature on some pistols that allows users to release the slide using either hand. It can be helpful for left-handed people or those who want to be able to operate their pistol with either hand.
What Ammo Does a Glock 9 Take?
The Glock 9 is a semi-automatic pistol chambered for the 9mm cartridge.
Do All Glocks Shoot 9mm?
No, not all Glocks are chambered for same caliber ammunition measuring 9mm cartridge. A Glock also offers pistols for the .357 SIG, .40 S&W, .45 GAP, and .380 ACP.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know what type of ammo a Glock uses, be sure to select the correct ammunition for your needs. Remember to practice with your chosen ammo to familiarize yourself with how it performs. It will help you be more accurate with your shots and make better decisions in a self-defense situation. If you wish to learn more about the Glocks and various types of ammunitions browse our Sharpshooter Society for more insights.