This report provides an in-depth analysis of GLOCK, Inc.’s Q4 2025 product portfolio overhaul, specifically the discontinuation of legacy models and the introduction of the new “V Series.” The analysis concludes this is not a standard, market-driven generational launch but a large-scale, reactive liability mitigation strategy. The primary driver is the mounting legal and legislative pressure in the United States targeting the compatibility of legacy GLOCK pistols with illegal full-auto “Glock switch” conversion devices.

The product line transition is comprehensive. While core high-volume models—including the G17, G19, G26, G45, and the large-frame G20 (10mm Auto) and G21 (.45 Auto)—will transition to the “V” platform, a significant number of variants will not be part of the initial December 2025 rollout. These non-transitioning models, which are now officially listed as discontinued, include the subcompact large-frame pistols (G29 10mm, G30.45 ACP) and the longslide competition models (G40 10mm, G41.45 ACP).

The “V Series” is assessed to be an interim “Gen 5.5” stopgap. Its design is intended to immediately engineer-out the “switch” vulnerability by redesigning internal components. This is not the anticipated “Generation 6,” which market intelligence and patent filings suggest is a separate, long-term project involving fundamental design changes, such as a modular frame/Fire Control Unit (FCU) and a no-trigger-pull takedown mechanism. GLOCK’s official “product simplification” narrative is a public relations strategy to obscure the non-negotiable, legally-driven nature of this redesign.

Finally, the discontinuation of models like the G29 and G40 is likely not permanent. It represents a strategic, cost-based prioritization. These lower-volume SKUs have been indefinitely shelved while GLOCK focuses mandatory re-tooling efforts on its high-volume “cash cow” models. Their re-introduction as “V” models is probable, but dependent on market demand and the completion of this core transition.

2.0 Analysis of the “V Series” Introduction and Portfolio Rationalization

2.1 Deconstructing the Official Narrative: “Simplification” vs. Liability

GLOCK’s official statements regarding the October 2025 product shift have been deliberately vague and framed in standard corporate language. The company states the “V Series is here to establish a baseline of products while simplifying our processes”. Other communications cite a “commitment to future innovations” and a “strategic decision to reduce our current commercial portfolio” to “focus on the products that will drive future innovation and growth”.

This language is a classic corporate communications strategy to control a volatile narrative. While the move does, in fact, simplify the product catalog by culling dozens of Gen 3, Gen 4, and even Gen 5 SKUs, this simplification is a consequence of the underlying driver, not the driver itself. The official “product rationalization” narrative obfuscates the non-negotiable, external-force driver that is compelling this shift.

2.2 The “Glock Switch” Factor: A Forced Evolution

The true context, widely identified by social media, legal analysts, and retailer leaks, is the existential threat posed by the “Glock switch”. This illegal, aftermarket device allows a user to convert a standard semi-automatic GLOCK pistol into a fully-automatic machine gun, and its proliferation has become a key focus of gun-control groups and law enforcement.

The causal link between this device and the “V Series” is direct and supported by three key data points:

1. Legal Pressure: GLOCK is facing a “sea of liability” from multiple lawsuits (including those from Chicago and Baltimore) and intense pressure campaigns from groups like Everytown. These suits seek to hold the company liable for the ease with which its pistols can be converted.
2. Legislative Pressure: States are enacting legislation that effectively targets GLOCK’s market access. California’s AB 1127, for example, is specifically designed to address this vulnerability, and other states like New York have passed related bills.
3. The “Slimline” Exemption: The most significant data point is the list of models exempted from the discontinuation. Retailer leaks and analyst reports consistently note that the Slimline series—the G43, G43X, and G48—will not be discontinued. These models are, by design, not compatible with the common “Glock switch.”

This exemption proves that the entire portfolio overhaul is targeted at a specific design feature present in all discontinued models but absent in the models being kept. The “V Series” is a direct technical response, expected to feature redesigned trigger bars and rear plates that physically prevent a “Glock switch” from being installed.

2.3 Social Media and Market Sentiment Analysis

GLOCK’s reactive communications strategy confirms it lost control of the narrative. The news was not broken by an official GLOCK press release, but by leaks from major retailers, notably the Glock Store, on social media. This forced GLOCK to issue a statement after the market was already rife with speculation.

Market sentiment is divided into three distinct camps:

• Consumer Confusion: A large segment of the market reacted with simple confusion and anger over the sudden “discontinuation” of nearly all GLOCK pistols, sparking panic-buying.
• Political Backlash: A significant portion of the core pro-2A customer base views this move as “caving” to gun-control activists and legal pressure. This risks a severe backlash, with analysts drawing parallels to the near-fatal consumer boycott of Smith & Wesson following its 2000 agreement with the Clinton administration.
• Analytical Assessment: A more analytical segment of the market, including industry insiders, correctly identified the legal drivers and the “Glock switch” as the root cause.

GLOCK is in an impossible strategic position. Taking action (the “V Series”) risks alienating its base, who see it as capitulation. Not taking action risks catastrophic legal liability and market-access denial that could be financially ruinous. The “V Series,” bundled with the “simplification” public relations narrative, is the chosen path of least damage. It allows GLOCK to publicly frame a non-negotiable legal fix as a proactive, innovative business decision.

3.0 US Market Product Line Transition: Analysis of V-Series Gaps

3.1 Summary Table: GLOCK US Commercial Product Line Transition (Q4 2025)

The following table synthesizes the current (pre-discontinuation) US commercial product line, the official list of discontinued models, and the announced list of new “V Series” models. This provides a clear, model-by-model verdict on which pistols are not transitioning at this time.

Model	Caliber	Size	Current Gen 5 Status (Pre-V)	Announced “V Series” Model (Dec 2025)	Transition Status (Analysis)
G17	9x19mm	Standard	G17 Gen5	G17 V	TRANSITIONING
G19	9x19mm	Compact	G19 Gen5 / MOS	G19 V	TRANSITIONING
G26	9x19mm	Subcompact	G26 Gen5 / MOS	G26 V	TRANSITIONING
G34	9x19mm	Competition	G34 Gen5 MOS	Not Listed	NOT TRANSITIONING (Discontinued)
G19X	9x19mm	Crossover	G19X	G19X V	TRANSITIONING
G45	9x19mm	Crossover	G45 / MOS	G45 V	TRANSITIONING
G47	9x19mm	Crossover	G47 MOS	Not Listed	NOT TRANSITIONING (Discontinued)
G43	9x19mm	Slimline	G43	Exempt	EXEMPT (Legacy Model Remains)
G43X	9x19mm	Slimline	G43X / MOS	Exempt	EXEMPT (Legacy Model Remains)
G48	9x19mm	Slimline	G48 / MOS	Exempt	EXEMPT (Legacy Model Remains)
G20	10mm Auto	Standard	G20 Gen5 MOS	G20 V MOS	TRANSITIONING
G29	10mm Auto	Subcompact	G29 Gen5	Not Listed	NOT TRANSITIONING (Discontinued)
G40	10mm Auto	Competition	G40 Gen4 MOS	Not Listed	NOT TRANSITIONING (Discontinued)
G21	.45 Auto	Standard	G21 Gen5 MOS	G21 V MOS	TRANSITIONING
G30	.45 Auto	Subcompact	G30 SF	Not Listed	NOT TRANSITIONING (Discontinued)
G41	.45 Auto	Competition	G41 Gen4 MOS	Not Listed	NOT TRANSITIONING (Discontinued)
G22	.40 S&W	Standard	G22 Gen5	Not Listed	NOT TRANSITIONING (Discontinued)
G23	.40 S&W	Compact	G23 Gen5 / MOS	G23 V / G23 V MOS	TRANSITIONING
G27	.40 S&W	Subcompact	G27 Gen5	Not Listed	NOT TRANSITIONING (Discontinued)
TABLE_END

(Note: The table also reflects the discontinuation of all.357 SIG (G31, G32, G33) and.45 GAP (G37, G38, G39) models, which are listed as discontinued and are not on the “V Series” list. The G44 (.22 LR) is listed as transitioning).

3.2 Analysis: Models Not Transitioning (The “V-Gap”)

The “Transition Status” column reveals several clear strategic patterns:

• The Large-Frame Gaps (G29, G30, G40, G41): The data shows a clear prioritization. GLOCK is investing the re-tooling cost to “save” its core, high-volume large-frame pistols: the G20 (10mm) and G21 (.45 Auto). However, it is not applying the “V” update, at this time, to their subcompact (G29, G30) or longslide/competition (G40, G41) variants. All of these are on the official discontinued list, directly addressing the user’s query.
• The.40 S&W Contradiction: The product strategy for the.40 S&W caliber is muddled but significant. The compact G23 is transitioning to the “V” platform. However, the G22 (Standard) and G27 (Subcompact) are not. The G22 was, for decades, the flagship US law enforcement pistol. Its discontinuation, while its compact G23 sibling is saved, signals GLOCK’s formal concession of the full-size US police market, acknowledging its shift from.40 S&W back to 9mm (G17/G47/G45). Saving the G23 V suggests the company sees remaining life in the compact.40 market, but is cutting its losses on the full-size and subcompact models.
• The Niche Caliber Purge: The “V Series” launch is being used as a “house-cleaning” event. The complete absence of.357 SIG (G31, G32, G33) and.45 GAP (G37, G38, G39) models from the V-list, combined with their inclusion on the discontinued list, signals the final, official end of GLOCK’s support for these niche calibers.
• The G47 Mystery: The G47 MOS is a relatively new Gen5 model adopted by US Customs and Border Protection, which features a G17-length slide on a G45 frame. It is conspicuously absent from the V-Series launch list and is now listed as discontinued. This suggests its role has been deemed redundant, to be filled by the new G17 V and G45 V models, or that it will be relegated to a Law Enforcement-only product, separate from the commercial “V” line.

4.0 Strategic Analysis: “V” Series as Interim Stopgap vs. “Generation 6”

4.1 The Case for “V” as “Gen 5.5”: A Liability-Driven Stopgap

The most probable scenario is that the “V Series” is an interim, iterative update—effectively a “Gen 5.5.” This assessment is based on several key factors:

1. The Name: The “V” is widely speculated to stand for the Roman numeral 5, implying an iteration of the fifth generation, not a replacement with a sixth.
2. Reactive Features: The “V Series” appears defined by a reactive feature (fixing the “switch” vulnerability), not proactive ones (new ergonomics, new operating systems).
3. The MOS Contradiction: This is the strongest piece of evidence. The “V Series” announcement explicitly includes MOS (Modular Optic System) models, such as the G20 V MOS, G21 V MOS, and G23 V MOS. The MOS plate system is widely criticized by serious users for its tolerances, plate-stacking, and unreliability. It is strongly believed that a “true” Generation 6 would abandon the MOS system entirely in favor of a new, direct-mount optic standard (like the one seen in the new Aimpoint COA collaboration). The fact that the “V Series” retains the flawed MOS system demonstrates it is not the next-generation platform the market is anticipating.

The “V Series” is a “patch.” It is a “Gen 5.5” being rushed into production for a December 2025 release to address the immediate, existential legal and legislative threat. GLOCK did not have time to finalize and launch its real next generation, so it “patched” the current one to plug the liability hole.

4.2 The Case for “Gen 6”: What the Market Is Waiting For

Market speculation, supported by GLOCK’s own patent filings, points to a completely different set of features for a “true” Generation 6. These features are proactive, market-driven, and represent a fundamental evolution of the platform:

1. Modular Frame / FCU: A 2023-published patent application describes a modular frame with swappable grip shells. This is a direct, albeit late, competitive response to the modular Fire Control Unit (FCU) concept popularized by the SIG Sauer P320.
2. No-Trigger-Pull Takedown: Analysis of the German police-specific G46 and other patents shows GLOCK has developed and fielded a takedown system that does not require the trigger to be pulled—a major safety complaint that has dogged the platform in law enforcement and agency settings for decades.
3. Direct-Mount Optics: As noted, a “true” Gen 6 is expected to kill the MOS system and introduce a new, robust, direct-to-slide optic mounting standard.

None of these revolutionary, “true Gen 6” features have been announced for the “V Series.”

4.3 Most Likely Scenario: A Two-Track Strategy

GLOCK has been silent on “Gen 6” because the “V Series” is not it. The evidence points to a two-track strategy:

• Track 1 (Reactive/Defensive): The “V Series” (Gen 5.5). This is the immediate (December 2025) response to the “switch” crisis. It is a defensive move. It plugs the liability hole, gets “V” models onto store shelves to replace the discontinued Gen 3-5s, and allows GLOCK to signal to courts and lawmakers that it has “fixed” the problem.
• Track 2 (Strategic/Offensive): The real “Generation 6”. This is the long-term, R&D-heavy project based on the patents for modularity and improved safety features. This is the offensive move against SIG Sauer, H&K, and other competitors. This platform is likely years away (2026-2028).

Conclusion: The “V Series” is unequivocally an interim step. It is a mandatory patch that buys GLOCK the time—and legal breathing room—it needs to finish its actual Gen 6, which will be a far more significant departure from the current design. The discovery of a “Gen6” trademark filing by GLOCK’s parent company in 2025 strongly supports this two-track analysis.

5.0 Predictive Outlook: The Future of Discontinued Models

5.1 Are the G20 and G29 Permanently Discontinued?

This analysis provides a nuanced answer to a key part of the user’s query:

• The G20 (Standard 10mm) is NOT discontinued. It is transitioning. The G20 Gen5 MOS is on the discontinued list only because it is being replaced by its direct successor, the G20 V MOS. The 10mm standard-frame pistol, a popular choice for hunting and backcountry defense, is safe and validated as a core GLOCK product.
• The G29 (Subcompact 10mm) IS discontinued for now. All generations of the G29 (Gen 3, 4, and 5) are on the official discontinued list. It is not included on the initial V-Series launch list.

This is not a “permanent” discontinuation. It is a strategic prioritization. The 10mm subcompact (G29) and 10mm longslide (G40) are niche-market products. Facing a mandatory, expensive, and rapid line-wide re-tooling to implement the “V” internals, GLOCK has allocated 100% of its large-frame R&D and production resources to its core, highest-volume large-frame pistols: the G20 and G21.

A phased rollout is the most logical predictive model:

1. Phase 1 (December 2025): Launch the core 9mm and core large-frame “V” models (G17, G19, G26, G45, G20, G21, G23). This captures over 90% of the market and, most importantly, stems the legal bleeding.
2. Phase 2 (2026-2027): Once these new production lines are stable and the primary market is supplied, GLOCK will likely re-introduce the niche variants (like the G29, G30, G34, and G40) with the new “V” series internals.

The G29 is not gone forever. It is simply at the back of the line for the “V” update, as its sales volume does not justify a simultaneous, resource-intensive launch with the core models.

6.0 Appendix: Methodology for Strategic Monitoring of GLOCK, Inc. and Glock Ges.m.b.H.

To provide ongoing, forward-looking intelligence on GLOCK’s strategy, the following multi-pronged monitoring methodology is recommended.

A. Protocol for Monitoring Corporate Web Assets (Product & PR)

Objective: To capture real-time changes to GLOCK’s public-facing product portfolio and official communications, which signal market-facing moves.

• Target 1 (US – Product Catalog): us.glock.com/en/products/commercial-firearms. This is the primary list of for-sale products.
• Target 2 (US – Discontinued List): us.glock.com/en/discontinued-models. This is the “negative” list. Changes here (additions or removals) are as strategically significant as changes to the main catalog.
• Target 3 (US – Newsroom): us.glock.com/en/press-release/news-page. All official announcements are posted here, including SHOT Show launches and strategic rationale statements.
• Target 4 (EU – Parent Catalog): eu.glock.com/en/products. This should be monitored for product discrepancies. Models appearing in the EU market often pre-date their US release.

Method: Utilize a commercial web page monitoring service (e.g., Visualping, Distill.io) to automate daily or weekly checks of these four URLs. Alerts should be set to trigger on any content change.

B. Protocol for Monitoring Austrian Corporate Registry (“Firmenbuch”)

Objective: To track the parent company’s (Glock Ges.m.b.H.) official corporate filings, financials, and trademark activity, which often pre-date public product announcements by months or years.

• Key Identifiers:

• Company Name: Glock Gesellschaft m.b.H.
• Registry Number: FN 64142 b
• Related IP Entity: Glock Technology GmbH
• Registry Number (IP): FN 363986z
• Method:

1. Utilize third-party corporate data aggregators (e.g., northdata.com) that scrape and translate Austrian “Firmenbuch” (Corporate Register) data.
2. Establish saved alerts for FN 64142 b and FN 363986z.
3. Monitor for specific filing types: “Annual financial statements”, “Shareholder agreement”, and, most critically, new “Trademark filings”.

• Justification: This method is proven effective. A 2025 query of this data source revealed 19 new trademark filings, including “G44,” “G45,” “Slimline,” and, pivotally, “Gen6“. This “Gen6” filing is a critical piece of intelligence supporting the “V Series is an interim” thesis.

C. Protocol for Tracking Intellectual Property (Patents)

Objective: To identify future technological shifts and product features (e.g., the Gen 6 FCU, no-trigger-pull takedown) years before they become market-moving rumors.

• Databases:

1. USPTO: Patent Public Search
2. EPO (Europe): Espacenet
3. WIPO (World): Patentscope
4. Aggregator: Google Patents

• Method:

1. Do not search by “inventor.”
2. Establish saved searches and alerts based on Assignee Name.
3. Primary Assignee: GLOCK TECHNOLOGY GMBH
4. Secondary Assignee: Glock Ges.m.b.H.
5. Review new patent applications (not just granted patents) weekly, filtering for relevant classifications (e.g., F41A “Weapons,” F41C “Smallarms”) and analyzing drawings. This method would have identified the modular frame and no-trigger-pull-takedown patents long before their public discussion.

---

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something. If you’d like to directly donate to help fund our continued report, please visit our donations page.

---