Glock sells 6.5 million worldwide, but in Turkey it is being ruined by ‘ghosts’.

Müslüm Erdoğan, General Manager of Mend Savunma, the Turkish representative of Glock pistols, which sell 6.5 million units worldwide each year, said, "Glock pistols, which sell 6.5 million units worldwide each year, are strangely referred to as ‘ghost guns’ in Turkey. If that were the case, they would be undetectable by X-ray, and 1,000 planes would be hijacked every day. This perception is damaging our brand."
 
Glock pistols, which previously made headlines in Turkey due to the Council of State attack and the murder of Father Santoro in Trabzon, and which were seized during searches of the homes of Bedrettin Dalan and İbrahim Şahin as part of the Ergenekon operations, account for 50% of the global market.

Müslüm Erdoğan, General Manager of Mend Defense, the Turkish representative of Glock-brand firearms, which are referred to as “ghost weapons” in Turkey, said, “These weapons are only associated with negative events in Turkey. If they were ‘ghost’ weapons, 1,000 planes would be hijacked every day. However, these weapons are detected by X-ray machines. These perceptions are damaging to the brand.”

 

Owns 50 percent
 
Müslüm Erdoğan, who said that Glock brand pistols account for 50 percent of the global pistol market, made the following assessment: "Just as Glock brand pistols were constantly discussed in connection with the Danıştay and Father Santdoro murders, they are now constantly discussed in connection with the Ergenekon operations. In the Ergenekon operations, dozens of weapons were seized, but only two Glock brand pistols were found. Additionally, these weapons are imported legally. The concept of ‘ghost weapons’ is only used in Turkey."

The price was $4,000

Explaining that the weapons began to be legally imported into Turkey in 2008, Müslüm Erdoğan assessed the situation of the pistols in the Turkish market as follows: "In 2007, more than 200 smuggled Glock brand pistols were brought into Turkey. The prices of these pistols reached up to 4,000 dollars. However, starting in 2008, these smuggling numbers dropped rapidly. Last year, a total of 90 smuggled Glock pistols were seized. The price drop had an effect on this decline. Glock brand pistols legally imported into Turkey began to be sold with licenses."

 

There are 6.5 million Glocks

Erdoğan said that 500,000 Glock brand guns are manufactured in Austria every year and provided the following information about the global market for handguns: "Glock has a 50% share of the global handgun market. It is estimated that there are currently more than 6.5 million Glock brand handguns in the world. These firearms, produced exclusively in Austria, are exported to over 100 countries worldwide."

Average price: $2,500

Müslüm Erdoğan explained that GLOCK pistols are sold in Turkey for an average price of $2,500, saying, "These pistols are cheaper in Europe and America. However, imported pistols are sold at a higher price in Turkey to protect local manufacturers. The average price of locally produced pistols is 1,500 TL. Despite these high prices, interest in Glock pistols is as strong in Turkey as it is worldwide."

 

Weighing in at 580 grams

Müslüm Erdoğan, who says that GLOCK pistols have revolutionized the global firearms market, described the pistol's features as follows: "Glock has made a significant breakthrough in the global pistol market. Its most notable feature is its lighter weight compared to other firearms. Pistols weighing between 580 and 630 grams are used in all conditions. These firearms, which can even be used in mud, have a warranty that differs from other pistols. These pistols, which come with a 40,000-round warranty, have barrels and firing pins made of steel."

The global Glock pistol market

Glock pistols are manufactured exclusively in Austria.
They are exported to many countries, primarily in Europe.
Five hundred thousand Glock pistols are manufactured annually.
Their weight ranges from 580 grams to 630 grams.
There are a total of 44 different models.
 

What is the situation in Turkey?

In 2007, nearly 200 illegal Glocks were seized in Turkey.
In 2008, they began to be imported by the Machine and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKEK).
The price of illegal Glocks reached up to $4,000.  
MKEK sells these weapons for an average of $2,500.  
In 2008, nearly 90 illegal Glocks were seized.  
It is estimated that MKEK imported 825 Glock-brand firearms.