Sage Datko  |  August 13, 2020

Category: Consumer News

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A Glock gun design may be defective.

According to a Glock gun class action lawsuit, the firearms manufacturer failed to warn customers or issue a recall regarding an alleged defect in the design of their semi-automatic handguns. The suit alleges that, due to the failure to warn, consumers were harmed by Glock gun “kaboom”, an effect caused by the alleged defect. Complaints regarding the issue allege that Glock “kaboom” has caused serious injuries including blindness.

If you own a Glock gun in the covered class of products, and you’ve experienced the Glock kaboom, you may be eligible for a Glock rebate through the class action lawsuit against the manufacturer.

What Is a Glock Gun?

Glock sells a variety of pistols for a variety of needs. Glock models may come in one of two types: semi-automatic and revolver. A semi-automatic pistol uses a single chamber and barrel. The semi-automatic fires a round from the chamber before extracting and ejecting the empty casing. Then, a new round is loaded into the chamber from the magazine. This all occurs every time the trigger is pulled. This can be contrasted with a revolver which contains a cylinder with multiple chambers that align with a central pin before firing. Each trigger pull will fire a single round.

Who Makes Glock?

Glock was founded by Austrian engineer Gaston Glock in 1963. In addition to its original Austrian facility, the company also has facilities in Ferlach, Austria; Bratislava, Slovakia; and Georgia in the U.S. Glock took over full production operations in 2013.

Across their website and marketing materials, Glock emphasizes the safety of their firearms. One word you’ll see again and again is “perfection”. The company claims to support “a culture of continuous improvement” and “the continuous pursuit of perfection in every facet” of their guns. The lawsuit against Glock argues that the company failed to live up to these promises.

Has a Glock Recall Been Issued?

According to the class action lawsuit against Glock regarding defects in the Glock gun design, a Glock recall for the class of guns in question has never been issued. The suit argues that, despite knowing that their guns may cause serious injury, Glock hasn’t issued either a “complete warning” or recall. The suit reiterates that, due to the lack of a Glock gun recall, “it is only a matter of time before more individuals are seriously injured or killed.” Whether or not Glock had a duty to issue a recall is one of the key questions in the class action lawsuit. The plaintiffs also wish to know whether or not Glock should be required to issue a recall moving forward.

A Glock gun design may be defective.What Is Causing the Glock Kaboom?

According to the Glock gun class action lawsuit, there is a defect in the design of some Glock handguns that makes them dangerous. This defect is allegedly common across all Glock guns with similar feed ramp lengths and chamber design. The feed ramps of these guns are allegedly too long, leading to an issue known as the “Unsupported Chamber Defect”. When the feed ramp goes into the chamber, it’s excess length allegedly causes a lack of chamber support for the round and casing placed in the 6 o’clock position. This defect can cause the Glock “kaboom” or “blowout” effect. The “kaboom” occurs when a round and casing separate and a piece of the casing is dislodged.

According to the suit, Glock models which may be affected include specific versions of models 20 through 24, 27, 29, 30, and 35 through 41. These Glock models include .40 caliber, .45 caliber, and 10 millimeter Glock handguns.

The Glock “kaboom” effect can be quite dangerous, according to some Glock owners who’ve experienced it. Many have reported being injured by their Glock gun blowout. One reports going blind due to the “Glock handgun kaboom.”

Have Any Lawsuits Been Filed?

Several lawsuits have been filed against Glock by plaintiffs who claim that they were injured by the Glock kaboom defect.

Plaintiffs David Melian and Christopher George filed a class action lawsuit against Glock in August of 2019. Melian and George argue that, due to a design defect that results in feed ramps that are too long, the class of Glock handguns in question is rendered “unreasonably dangerous and unfit”. Glock allegedly knew about the defects in their guns leading to Glock “blowout” but failed to warn consumers or issue a recall.

The plaintiffs argue that, since the defect is common across all similar Glock models, proper maintenance and use of the handgun has no effect.

The plaintiffs in this class action lawsuit focus heavily on the manufacturer’s promises that their guns are safe for use. Despite allegedly knowing about the defect, Glock never remedied the issue or gave consumers appropriate warnings, and a Glock recall has not been initiated. Glock continues to advertise their handguns as safe to use.

In another lawsuit, a hunter claims that he was legally shooting with a hunting party in 2012 when he borrowed a Glock pistol from one of his friends. After shooting the gun twice without incident, he claims that the gun exploded when he pulled the trigger a third time. According to him, the shrapnel from the gun explosion caused him to suffer a leg injury, in addition to hearing loss. He filed a lawsuit against Glock in 2015 for $1 million.

Reports of Glock guns exploding or experiencing blowout have occurred for more than ten years. In 2008, a Florida police department announced that they would cease using Glock .45 guns after two of the pistols exploded in separate incidents. Although the injuries caused by these blowouts were minor, the police chief noted that he had never seen that kind of gun problem occur before.

Many hunters and gun enthusiasts have posted videos or pictures of their Glock gun after a kaboom defect damaged the gun or caused injuries. One man who posted online about his experience with the Glock defect shared a photo of his gun with the side of the frame cracked and broken, as well as bruising, scrapes, and debris on his hands.

Are You Entitled to a Glock Gun Rebate?

So far, no Glock gun rebate has been issued regarding this defect. Any repairs or replacements will come out of the consumer’s pocket. However, you may be eligible for a Glock rebate if you join a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer.

Class Members are seeking compensation in the form of compensatory, punitive, and statutory damages which include interest. Damages would also include the cost of repair or replacement of your Glock gun. As such, joining this class action lawsuit may be an effective way to seek a Glock rebate.

David and Christopher’s Glock Gun Class Action Lawsuit is Case No. 2:19-cv-04872-GMS filed in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona.

Join a Free Glock Handgun Defect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you or someone you know were unaware that the Glock handgun was built with an unsupported chamber and that you could experience a “Kaboom” or “blowout,” you may have a legal claim.

Get a Free Case Evaluation

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.

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21 thoughts onWhat Is Causing the Glock Gun Kaboom Defect? 

  1. Joseph P says:

    The article in the posted link “shared a photo of his gun”, he explains it was ammo related. Any gun would have an issue with it. Not just Glock. Read the article.

  2. Ross Bielema says:

    I experienced a catastrophic failure today (4-22-23) while teaching a concealed carry class. The gun is a Glock 43 9mm Luger, all factory and I am the first owner. The gun fired fine with 3 ]people through 14 rounds and when I fired my 5th round, the pistol frame blew up. My thumb and index finger were instantly in a smash-type pain and index finger swollen. No apparent bleeding. It appears that the rear of the cartridge was blown off and is inside the chamber area. Frame on both sides badly cracked. I own at least six Glocks and have never had such issues before. The ammo was not reloads.

  3. Roger Shellenbarger says:

    I own a Glock mod 22, I picked up from an Ex CHP officer, after reading this kinda has me worried as well. While I’ve never had a problem with Factory or Home Reloads, will I be eligible to be included in a class action suit?

  4. Ronald Wilkinson says:

    I bought my Glock 30 gen 4 at the Muncie, Indiana gun show on August 6 2022 and I took it to the range on August 8 2022 shot a few rounds 4 rounds stove piped and then after that a loaded round locked up and I took the gun home and and got it unjammed and on August 9 2020 I went back to the range and put another round in and that is when the gun blew up in my hand. My hand was numb but all turned out ok I am thankful for that. I sent the gun back to Glock they sed to send it over night I sent it by fed X it cost me over $100.00 I am waiting to see what Glock is going to do about my 45acp.

  5. Ronald Wilkinson says:

    On August 10th 2022
    My less then a week old Glock 30 gen 4 45acp
    Blew up in my hand I sent it back to Glock for inspection on August 9th 2022. It cost me $118.12 to send it overnight to the Glock company for inspection to be repaired or replaced.
    I just want my gun replaced.

  6. Daniel Dunn says:

    I own a new in the box Glock 22 Gen 2 ( purchased new in Aug. 1994 ) still Unfired .
    Include me in this investigation …. will be afraid to shoot it !

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