Whenever we think about Glocks, it’s about pistols, always about pistols. Ever since it was introduced in 1982, Glock is always about polymer-framed, short recoil-operated, locked-breech semi-automatic pistols. Perhaps the most recognizable handgun in the world after the Colt 1911, Glock is often the choice of militaries and police forces around the world.

But what if Glock makes an assault rifle? Many have wondered why the Austrian company which is highly successful in making pistols has not ventured into making other types of firearms. Over the years, this question has been asked over and over again.

Perhaps it will come to rest with this discovery by Spartan.at about patent applications by Glock about an assault rifle and its components at the European Patent Office that have seen publication last month . As seen above, it does look like an assault rifle that has AR-style design. Below is an exploded view:

There are several patent applications have been filed and govern the operations of a carbine that Glock is working on and the feature a rotating bolt and a bolt carrier. The cocking handle does not move when a shot is fired, it can be used on either side of the rifle which is seen in the FN SCAR family but the handle is foldable so it will not be protruding. It is also removable without the need for tools.

The patent applications also reveal a mid-length gas system and show a gas piston that is annular and ring-shaped that pushes the lock and the lock carrier backwards via rods. The gas system has a stroke length of 20-30mm:

“The symmetrical configuration, in particular that of the gas escape holes 20 and the push rods 19, in cooperation with the slim design, particularly the design of the push rods 19, allows for a significant reduction of the tilting moment acting on the weapon when it is fired.”

It looks the design of the weapons as based on the description is to provide more stability in firing the weapon, which of course is always a priority by weapons designers.

Spartan.at put out a video to talk about these patents:

Sometimes, even if a patent application gets approved, it does not necessarily mean the invention will see the light of the day as a finished product. But will Glock really make a rifle which many in the firearms industry are looking forward to given the reputation the company has built with its pistols? Or is it just a patent that can become a revenue earner in case another company produces a rifle that infringes on the design? Don’t get your hopes up yet, much less expect an airsoft version given how the company protects its designs.