THE GLOCK 28 – YAY OR YAWN?

The Glock Model 28 pistol is a newcomer to the US market, but it has been in production since 1997.  The initial market for this pistol and it’s mid-size companion the Model 25 was South American where 9mm is a restricted caliber.  Basically, this pistol is the same overall size as the 9mm Model 26 pistol or the .40SW caliber Model 27 but with a significant operational change.

The .380ACP cartridge would not have enough pop to cycle the heavy slide after unlocking the barrel so Glock modified the barrel hood by beveling the leading surface to allow the gun to operated as a blowback.  When the gun is fired, the slide moves rearward fractionally and encounters the bevel on the barrel hood, which then forces the barrel out of battery and the slide then continues to the rear to cycle the action.  This works, and for the user there is no perceptible change in method of operation between this model and its larger caliber siblings.  It fits in the same holster as the Model 26 or Model 27, used the same sights, trigger, etc.

Why wasn’t it in the US before now?  Neither the Glock 25 nor the Glock 28 can be imported into the United States because they do not score enough points on the importation checklist set in place with the Gun Control Act of 1968.  The Glock 26 9mm is just barely importable.  Apparently there has been enough demand for a double-stack .380 pistol that Glock is now producing the Model 28 at its Georgia factory.  

But here is where the wheels might just fall off.  A lot of manufacturers have already jumped into the double-stack .380 pistol market:  the SIG P365, the Tisas Fatih-380 and now Beretta has reintroduced the awesome Cheetah.  These are all ten rounds or more with a better grip and ergonomics thaN the Glock.   Even Bersa has had the Thunder Plus on the market for quite a few years now.

We have to go back to the complete indifference that Glock shows to the commercial market.  The Model 28 is simply not going to make any significant impact in this market.  When they introduce the 15 round Model 25 in .380 they may get some market share but that is still a very big pistol for the caliber.  You would think, if Glock were serious, they would have done a Model 42X instead.  THAT pistol would sell.