Paul Barrett
Paul M. Barrett is the author of American Islam: The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion and The Good Black: A True Story of Race in America.
His latest book is Glock: The Rise of America's Gun.
From Barrett's January 2012 Q & A at The Daily Beast:
The Glock is a relatively new gun, compared with Smith & Wesson and Colt. What set it apart?Visit the official Glock: The Rise of America's Gun website.
Gaston Glock, who manufactured window fittings in a garage workshop outside Vienna, initially designed the pistol for the Austrian Army, which wanted a light, reliable, large-capacity weapon to replace its World War II–era Walther P-38. His innovative design, making heavy use of injection-molded plastic, fit all the criteria; plus it had a gentle, consistent trigger pull that turned poor shooters into accurate ones. Herr Glock then cleverly marketed these attributes to police departments in the United States.
How did Glock make the leap to the larger civilian marketplace?
Many gun owners like to use what their local cops are using. Plus, the Glock became an overnight star in the movies and television—tons of free advertising.
How did Glock score in Hollywood?
Not through paying for product placement, as many assume. Hollywood prop masters began...[read on]
Writers Read: Paul M. Barrett.
Read--Coffee with a Canine: Paul M. Barrett & Beau.
The Page 99 Test: Glock.
--Marshal Zeringue
