Glock Model 50. What might it be?
For those not familiar, Glock is a manufacturer of a wide variety of polymer-framed semi-automatic pistols. They are among the most popular and most reliable brands of handgun anywhere in the world. They revolutionized this space with the Model 17 9mm pistol in 1982. Since then, Glock has released more than 30 other models, all numbered sequentially based on when their design began. While this has occasionally led to confusion, (caused by models being released to the public out of order, or "missing" model numbers), Glock fans have come to know these very similar pistols by model number and generation.
With the Glock 49 now available for purchase, can the Model 50 be far behind? In fact, I'm sure the designers and engineers are well into the process. While 50 is just the next numeral in the sequence, 50 has always conveyed a sense of importance and gravitas far in excess of reality. As such, I truly suspect that Glock is planning something "distinctive" for the Glock 50.
I have absolutely no insider information or secret access to the powers that be at Glock. If anything, I'm less connected than many others in the firearms community. Despite this handicap, here are my thoughts on what the Glock Model 50 may consist of.
1. Please not another 9mm pistol
While 9mm is the most popular pistol caliber in the world, there are far more Glocks in this chambering than any other. I would argue that if you want a 9mm Glock, they've got you covered. So, let's think of something else.
2. Make the Glock more Super than it already is.
.30 Super Carry was interested in January of 2022. At the time of release, there were 4 different handguns available in this caliber from two manufacturers. Glock was not one of them. Almost two years later, we still only have these same two manufacturers of .30 Super Carry pistols. And one carbine manufacturer. Glock still offers several models in less popular calibers. There is plenty of space for .30 SC in the Glock line-up. And plenty of space for another manufacturer of .30 SC pistols in the market. This could be done in a couple different formats.
3. Long slide, high capacity.
A full size, polymer framed .30 SC could be a superb field pistol. With a capacity of 20 or more rounds, with penetration averaging deeper than 9mm, and the possibility of increased energy and accuracy on target with the long barrel; a Field Pistol competitor or small game hunter afield could do far worse.
4. 50 is the new 42
When introduced, the Glock 42 was designed to be the smallest, lightest Glock possible in a reasonable self-defense caliber. This was achieved in the subcompact, single stack .380 ACP. While new advances in magazine construction have taken much of the wind out of the sales of this type of pistol. The demand for small, thin, and effective still exist. According to the designers, the raison d"etre of the .30 Super Carry is discrete concealed carry for the legally armed civilian. The firearm manufacturers have not kept up with this smaller cartridge. Every .30 SC handgun on the market is also available in the somewhat more effective 9mm caliber. The only difference being an extra 1-3 rounds in the magazine for the .30 SC guns. For many this is not enough reason to branch out into a new caliber. But now we're talking about making a firearm with even smaller dimensions but with the same or even slightly increased capacity. Increasing magazine capacity from six to seven or eight is more significant than increasing from eleven to thirteen. Build a slim line gun from the frame up sized for the smaller caliber, instead of simply rechambering 9mm sized guns into .30SC.
But what else could they do?
5. 42 + .22 = 50
Currently Glock only has one .22lr firearm in their lineup. The Glock 44 is a compact sized handgun chambered in .22lr and comes with a 10-round magazine. Great for plinking and training, but not the most convenient way to carry a .22lr pistol. Chambering the Model 42 in .22lr would create a very soft recoiling, easy to handle, lightweight concealed carry pistol with a capacity approaching that of its much bigger brother, the Glock 44. While most may scoff at the idea of a .22lr self-defense pistol, they are trusted and carried by many people. Yearly sales don't lie.
6. Glock 50. Have it your way, direct from the factory.
Glock could further promote their in-house custom work by allowing customers to order the Glock they want, directly from the Glock factory with the options they want. Would you like your Glock to have come with both a red dot and a white light, installed, tested, and delivered straight from the manufacturer? Order the Glock 50. Maybe you like the size factor of the compact family of Glocks but want yours in .380 ACP. Neither the hard-to-find Model 28 or the 42 feel right in your hand? Let them send you a custom Glock 50. But they would probably just call that one a 42X. I'm sure you can come up with many other options.
7. Heavy metal.
Since the moment it was released, detractors of the polymer framed pistols in general and Glocks in particular have called them "tactical Tupperware" or other derogatory names. What if Glock decided to listen to their detractors and issue an all-steel Model 50.
8. When a long slide isn't long enough.
Yes, I'm talking about the mythical Glock carbine. Not a braced pistol. Just picture a stocked G17 frame with a 16" barrel and fore end. There is even built in expansion because fans of the other calibers are all going to demand a carbine of their own to pair with their G20, G21, G23, or G32. No, I didn't forget you GAP guys.
9. 50/.50
For over a decade now, you could own a .50 caliber Glock. All it took was ordering a custom conversion and sourcing proprietary ammo or rolling your own. Of course, I'm talking about the .50GI round. For when .45 just isn't enough. Mr. Zimmerman of Guncrafter Industries gave us the .50GI. Probably so named because it was originally designed to pair with a 1911 style pistol. The same gun that the G.I. of yesteryear carried. It wasn't long before his shop was also offering conversion barrels and slides for the large frame Glock pistols. But Zimmerman is far from the only one who can try and create a unique cartridge. Glock took a shot with a cartridge of their own once before. Remember the .45 GAP. It wasn't a bad idea. It just wasn't executed well when other solutions exist. If Glock were to "legitimize" the .50GI or engineer a similar .50GAP it would sell. Not many and at a premium. But enough to turn a profit and produce a small run on the assembly line every year. .45 GAP is on its deathbed. Long live the .50 GAP..
10. So those are my suggestions for the soon to be famous Golden Glock 50.
What do YOU think Glock should give us next?
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