I would expect it to become very much the norm, Glock is building some big buildings in Smyrna.

 

They will increase in numbers quite a bit over time.

 

I'm sure we'll start seeing more US made Glocks, but I don't know about having them with the proof marks. Out of all the US made Glocks I've seen, only 2 or 3 had the proof marks.

 

I just picked up a G19 Gen 4 that is marked USA on the slide and has the Georgia proof mark on the opposite side of the slide, on the barrel and on the frame. It also says made in USA on the frame too.

 

What exactly do the Georgia ''proof marks'' prove? Is there an independent testing facility that uses that particular mark, or is just something GLOCK rollmarks into the slide?

Actual proof marks have a very specific meaning. I'm not convinved these qualify.

 

One of the major sports retailers here, has had only had 3 or 4 Glocks on display over the last couple of months. Tonight, the display was full. Among them, was a USA Glock 19 of recent enough vintage that it had the tab on the back of the frame for the beaver tail. I was surprised to find that it had the older type finish on the slide instead of the newer flat black of most of the others in the case.

 

One of the major sports retailers here, has had only had 3 or 4 Glocks on display over the last couple of months. Tonight, the display was full. Among them, was a USA Glock 19 of recent enough vintage that it had the tab on the back of the frame for the beaver tail. I was surprised to find that it had the older type finish on the slide instead of the newer flat black of most of the others in the case.

That's how mine is. It has a 6/2013 test fire date and has the "textured" finish on it. But my 4/2013 "Austria" marked g19 gen 4 has the flat black finish. I'm sure why that is though.

 

What exactly do the Georgia ''proof marks'' prove? Is there an independent testing facility that uses that particular mark, or is just something GLOCK rollmarks into the slide?

Actual proof marks have a very specific meaning. I'm not convinved these qualify.

Made in USA. It's printed on the side of the frame. An image of the state of Georgia with a "P" in the center is stamped or cast into the barrel, the frame and the slide.

 

I would expect it to become very much the norm, Glock is building some big buildings in Smyrna.

Butch have you received a tour through the Glock factory?

 

Not all USA Glocks have the GA "proof" stamp...what is its significance?

 

I just picked up a G19 Gen 4 that is marked USA on the slide and has the Georgia proof mark on the opposite side of the slide, on the barrel and on the frame. It also says made in USA on the frame too.

...this is how my USA marked G26 is...three proof marks...

...interesting to hear that not all USA marked pistols have the proof marks...I wonder why???

Bill

 

Here's an additional thought on the difference on US vs European proof marks.

A number of the European countries have Government-run, or at least Government-regulated proof "houses". The Germans have had one since circa 1890. Other countries may be even earlier - I do not know.

Here in the US, we have never had a Government-run proof house - all the manufacturers came up with their own proofing methods and limits. Then along came SAAMI and their standards. That at least got all the manufacturers testing, say 45 Colt, at the same pressure IF you wanted to be in compliance with SAAMI standards. Eventually, all? all major? US manufactures recognized SAAMI standards and manufacture and test to them. But it is still the individual manufacturer doing it - not the Government.

As far as I know, there is no USA requirement to have an "official" proof mark on a gun. That is not the case in Europe. Guns SOLD in Europe MUST have proof marks. That's why we had the Glocks destined for sale in the US being sold without European proof marks. And when the US market supply ran low, Glock sent over guns that had been manufactured for European sale to help ease the non-supply of Glocks here. Hence, the appearance of Austrian proof marks on some of the Glocks sold here.

 

Butch have you received a tour through the Glock factory?

I have!

But it was in 1994 when I was there for the advanced armorer's school....I think it's changed since then.

Actually, I know it's changed. I drove by to take a look last year when I was leaving Georgia on a Sunday, and saw all kinds of construction was in progress.

Here's a picture I took of an aerial picture on Bing Maps. Circled in yellow are the early/original Glock buildings. The one in red is a more recent build, in white is a building apparently under construction, and in black is Glock property as I know it to the limit of the picture....there's more. And, this aerial photo is probably a year old.

 

My new Gen4 19 USA has GA Proofmarks.

Mike

 

My G19 Gen 3 is USA-made...but no proof mark. Is there a difference between guns with and without a proof mark? Extra testing?

 

I bet this is going to evolve in to the..."I have a West German made Sig, and your U.S. made Sig sucks".

I think it is already starting, there will come a time, when Glocks that state "Made in Austria", are thought of as better than U.S. made. I will admit, there is something attractive about having a Glock that was born in the country from where it was conceived. :thumbsup:

 

..... Is there a difference between guns with and without a proof mark? Extra testing?

There was a thread here around Dec 2012 / Jan 2013 (Are all Glocks proof tested?) that had lots of opinions and guesses about what Glock does and does not do. There were no real facts presented, only questions and opinions.

For sure if a gun (Glock or otherwise) has a proof mark, it HAS been proof tested with a overload. That extra step of testing does add extra cost to to cost of production.

Proof marks in Europe and the US are an interesting subject that goes back to several centuries ago. Google it for some good history reading.

 

Is there a difference between guns with and without a proof mark? Extra testing?

The first question to ask is, how many barrel production lines does Glock have? Glock probably make their barrels in batches (ie: this week we make 9mm barrels, next week .40 cal etc...). And if they need 20-percent of their 9mm barrels to be proof-tested for sale in Europe (or wherever), they probably just randomly take 20-percent of 9mm barrels from the batch and ship them out for proof testing.

So (in theory) all barrels from that batch should be of the same quality. Of course, any barrel(s) selected from the batch that failed the proof testing, we'll never know about...:whistling:

 

My G19 Gen 3 is USA-made...but no proof mark. Is there a difference between guns with and without a proof mark? Extra testing?

I would expect that guns made in the US that have the Georgia proof marks (can someone post a picture of the proofs again?), were intended to be EXPORTED from the US instead of sold here, and for whatever reason, were simply sold here instead.

 

My photo skills leave much to be desired but here's a couple from my camera phone:

 

Here are some pics of the proof marks on mine.

 

I would expect that guns made in the US that have the Georgia proof marks (can someone post a picture of the proofs again?), were intended to be EXPORTED from the US instead of sold here, and for whatever reason, were simply sold here instead.

This was my first thought as well!

 

I would expect that guns made in the US that have the Georgia proof marks (can someone post a picture of the proofs again?), were intended to be EXPORTED from the US instead of sold here, and for whatever reason, were simply sold here instead.

I'm throwing in with Butch, here. This agrees with the history, here on GT. USA made guns don't require a proof mark, that I'm aware of. I think it's law, if sold, in Europe. Some US makers have been putting their own "proof mark" on the guns they make, over the years.

 

I wonder if that house closest to the facility is for sale. Glock being your neighbor would be awesome in a zombie apocalypse.

 

There is just something about the Austrian proof marks and Austrian grip imprints instead of Smyrna, GA that makes them special to me!