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What Happened to the Glock 25 & Glock 28?

We take a look at what happened to the Glock 25 and 28 to see why these models have largely been lost in obscurity...
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    Did you know that Glock has several models of pistol they’ve never introduced to the commercial market?

    It’s not just guns like the Glock 18 that are machine guns, but basic Glock handguns as well. Two Glocks we seemingly can’t get are the Glock 28 and Glock 25.

    Both pistols are .380 ACP Glocks not available on the general American market.

    The Glock 25 is roughly a Glock 19-sized firearm, and the Glock 28 is Glock 26-sized. Not only are these guns the same sizes as the G19 and G26, respectively, but they mimic the same capacities.

    The Glock 25 packs 15 rounds of .380 ACP, and the Glock 28 holds 10 rounds of .380 ACP.

    9mm Vs. .380 ACP
    9mm Luger (Left) vs. .380 ACP (Right)

    Believe it or not, these pistols predate the Glock 42 by quite a few years, but unlike the 42, finding a 25 or a 28 is a matter of luck.

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    But Why Can’t I Own One?

    Well, you can own one — they aren’t regulated NFA items or anything. However, Glock isn’t allowed to import them for commercial sales.

    The Gun Control Act of 1968 aimed to eliminate the importation of what people anti-gun politicians called “Saturday night specials.”

    President Lyndon B. Jonhson signed the Gun Control Act on October 22, 1968 (Photo: Associated Press)

    These supposed Saturday night specials were cheap guns, often imported from overseas. They banned these weapons from import and implemented a point system.

    A gun needed at least 75 points to be imported, and points were awarded for barrel length, caliber, weight, frame design, and whatever safeties the weapon may have.

    Neither the Glock 25 nor the Glock 28 could score enough points to be imported in their current production state. Glock also didn’t see much reason to modify them for import when they could sell the more popular 9mm models to American consumers.

    Why Doesn’t Glock Make Them Domestically?

    If the Glock 25 and Glock 28 can’t be imported, how do they sell the Glock 42?

    Well, that’s because the Glock 42 is produced in the United States. So, if Glock can make the 42 here, why not the 25 and 28?

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    Well, there likely isn’t much of a market for them. Who wants a chunky .380 ACP when you could have the gun in 9mm? 9mm is more powerful, cheaper, and more common.

    Some may argue that the .380 ACP variants would offer lower recoil than the 9mm. That’s true in most cases, but the Glock 25 and 28 don’t use the standard short recoil system; they use a straight blowback design.

    Glock Delayed Blowback Gif
    A standard Glock uses a Browning style short recoil system with a tilting barrel. This helps reduce the weight of the recoil spring and slows the slide down, making the gun easier to rack and also softer recoiling than its straight blowback counterpart.

    Straight blowback is a popular option for .380 ACP guns, and while it’s reliable and functional, it also ensures recoil is harsher than your typical Browning short recoil 9mm.

    With the wide availability of 9mm and the production of the Glock 42, there is no real benefit for Glock to bring the 25 or 28 to the United States.

    9mm Vs. .380 ACP
    9mm vs .380 ACP

    Where Do They Sell?

    The Glock 25 and Glock 28 are sold in locations and countries that ban specific calibers like the 9mm.

    In South America, calibers used by military forces are banned outright, meaning 9mm often makes this list. This makes .380 ACP guns popular for civilian ownership.

    The Glock 25. From a distance, it looks like just like Glock 19. (Photo: Glocktalk)

    The same goes for European laws and regulations, which sometimes ban specific calibers.

    As a result, .380 ACP tends to be more popular across the pond than in the States, and that’s where the double-stack .380 ACP Glocks shine.

    How Do I Get One?

    For some time, Glock would sell these firearms to individual law enforcement officers, although nowadays, it seems like Glock requires a department order to import the guns.

    If you want one, they exist on the used open market, with most of the guns coming from police officers who individually purchased the weapons and sold them at some point.

    The Glock 25 and 28 aren’t the last guns Glock has released to only law enforcement in the States. Glock recently released the 47, which is exclusive to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. (Photo: Militarytimes)

    Unfortunately, they command a premium due to their rarity and are far from cheap. The high price makes them serious collector’s items only.

    Final Thoughts

    Glock’s naming scheme can be confusing, but in the sea of numbers, we get to see some wild designs like the fully automatic Glock 18 and even some rare birds like the rotating barrel Glock 46.

    Set of Glocks
    No one is going to blame you for not memorizing every Glock model; everyone knows there are way too many.

    But guns like the Glock 25 and 28 are easily lost in the mix, with people often assuming the missing numbers are just some different size or common caliber of your run-of-the-mill Glock.

    Nevertheless, it is interesting to dive into some of these obscure models and the reasons why we don’t often see them.

    Does anyone in the crowd have experience with the Glock 25 or Glock 28 guns? If so, let us know below! Interested in learning more about Glock? Take a look at our article, A History of Glock: A Deep Dive into “Perfection.”

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    4 Leave a Reply

    • Zane Konkel

      I bought a model 28 because I have always loved the 26! It isn't the softest recoiling .380 that I have had, but it is by far the most accurate. I love it and am now shopping sights, larger mag release, and probably a tungsten guide rod. You won't be disappointed if you purchase one. I have owned twenty or more Glocks in various calibers and models.Haven't had a bad one yet!

      January 27, 2024 4:39 pm
    • L. A. Garcia

      Just purchased a Glock Model 25 in 380 ACP which is available as of December 2023. They should have called it the Sweet 16 cause that's what it is. Waugh!

      December 23, 2023 6:54 pm
    • Steve

      The only place where they're popular is Mexico, where the maximum permitted calibres are .380 and .38 Special. Theoretically they would also be popular in Brazil, which had a ME limit of 300 ft/lb until Bolisario raised it, but the import restrictions are really tough so they're quite rare. They've never been popular in Europe. Italy bans 9x19 but Glock just chambers the guns they sell there in 9x21. There are a couple of Caribbean countries where they have a policy of only allowing up to .380 for personal protection. A Venezuelan told me awhile back they were made for Venezuela and Glock had an office there, but then guns were essentially banned.

      December 6, 2023 1:26 pm
    • silverlining

      Good read. I’m still a bit confused about what exactly the G47 actually is and what it does better or different than if they had just gone with the G17. Reminds me of Spinal Tap’s amp that goes to 11.

      September 7, 2022 6:42 am
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