scottb Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 I just finished reading a book called "Glock, the Rise of America's Gun" By Paul Barrett. ( BTW Paul also posts on the Glock Talk forum) I am not for against Glock. It was an good book that provided insight on what was occurring in the US in the early 80's with the Maimi FBI shootout, Ruby RIdge, Waco and Brady Bill. This lead to the "need" for a pistol that could replace the common 6 round S and W revolver.I read the book as more of a case study on marketing and how a non-US company became the most popular firearm. The book does point out some area's that the the US firearm companies made some blunders and did not take the imported pistol as a threat to sales ( much like the auto industry and the imports). Marketing includes the police trade in allowance to switch to Glock, then Glock selling the traded in pistols and still make a profit. And the common occurance to take high volume customers to the Gold Club (strip club) to help make the sale.I would not place Gaston Glock in the same rank as John Browning, but Glock was at the right place, at the right time and a great design for a firearm.If anybody else read the book, your thoughts?If the mods think this post should be moved to the firearms section please move it. I posted it here since there could be more areas to discuss besides the firearm aspect of the company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kawi kid Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 Their marketing people when first starting up were genus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottb Posted May 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 One area of marketing is the clothing and other company logo items, seems Glock caught on early. This allows the customer to feel company pride and they are part of a "club". Like how Ducati and Harley have a huge clothing and other branded stuff. Suzuki doesn't have much for logo items, other than Joe Rocket jackets with Suzuki logo's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kawi kid Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 Yes. Also when they were hitting the American market they were first going to hit the market at around 200 dollars I believe. The marketing guys said no way. They knew that no gun costing that much would ever be taken seriously. (High point for example) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadTrainDriver Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 I thought the 1911 was the"American" gun... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidgetTodd Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 1911 is like the HD of guns. Overpriced,outdated and purchased as a status symbol or a method of compensating for other areas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kawi kid Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 I thought the 1911 was the"American" gun...Actually if you look at sales and history I believe the ar15 is Americas gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidgetTodd Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 Prolly neck and neck between between AR15 and 870 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadTrainDriver Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 1911 is like the HD of guns. Overpriced,outdated and purchased as a status symbol or a method of compensating for other areas.I'm not saying I totally disagree with you...but what I will say is, if you've never shot a really nice one(Kimber and the likes don't even fucking count), you should, as it just may change you mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kawi kid Posted May 4, 2012 Report Share Posted May 4, 2012 I have. And if it was 10-15 years ago I would agree bit America's highest selling gun right now in one.form or another is the ar. Hell i think it practically stands for America's Rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.