The Glock 18 is without doubt one of the most well-known—and misunderstood—handguns on this planet. It seems to be like an ordinary Glock 17, however flip a small selector change on the slide, and all of a sudden it fires at a blistering 1,200 rounds per minute. That’s submachine gun territory in a handgun-sized package deal.
However earlier than you begin looking out “the place to purchase a Glock 18,” there’s a harsh actuality: for civilians, the Glock 18 is nearly off-limits.
Let’s break down why it’s so restricted, what makes it distinctive, and the only a few authorized paths to possession.
Key Takeaways
The Glock 18 is a machine gun beneath U.S. federal regulation.
Civilian possession is against the law until the firearm was registered earlier than Might 19, 1986.
Solely regulation enforcement, navy, or SOT licensees can legally possess one.
Any try to convert a semi-auto Glock right into a full-auto is a federal crime.
Authorized possession requires FFL/SOT licensing, strict ATF compliance, and normally six-figure costs.
What Is the Glock 18?
The Glock 18 is the select-fire variant of the Glock 17. Developed within the mid-Eighties for navy and regulation enforcement use, it might probably fireplace in each semi-automatic and full-automatic modes utilizing a selector change situated on the slide.
When switched to full-auto, it might probably empty a 34-round journal in beneath two seconds.
Key Options
This design makes the Glock 18 an extremely controllable machine pistol, particularly when utilized by skilled professionals.
Why You Can’t Purchase a Glock 18 Like a Common Handgun
So, are you able to personal a Glock 18 if you happen to’re a U.S. civilian? Brief reply: nearly definitely not.
The Firearm House owners’ Safety Act (FOPA) of 1986 made it unlawful for civilians to personal or possess machine weapons manufactured after Might 19, 1986. For the reason that Glock 18 was launched after that date, no new Glock 18 pistols can ever be transferred to civilians.
The Regulation That Killed Civilian Full-Auto Possession
Beneath the Nationwide Firearms Act (NFA) and FOPA of 1986, any firearm able to firing multiple spherical per set off pull is legally outlined as a machine gun.
Meaning the Glock 18, similar to an M16 or MP5, falls squarely beneath that class.
Right here’s what which means for you:
Civilians can not legally purchase or register a Glock 18 made after Might 19, 1986.
Solely regulation enforcement personnel, the navy, and licensed sellers/producers can possess them.
Even if you happen to discovered one on the market, proudly owning it with out correct licensing can be a federal felony beneath 18 U.S.C. § 922(o).
Can You Legally Personal a Glock 18? Technically, Sure — However…
Right here’s the place it will get fascinating. There are authorized Glock 18s in civilian fingers—however they’re extraordinarily uncommon and astronomically costly.
1. Pre-1986 Registered Machine Weapons
To legally personal a Glock 18, it should have been registered with the ATF earlier than Might 19, 1986. These weapons are a part of what’s known as the “transferable machine gun registry.”
As a result of Glock launched the G18 after that date, there are nearly no transferable Glock 18s. A couple of early take a look at fashions or supplier samples may exist, but when one had been transferable, it could simply command six figures at public sale.
2. Turn into a Particular Occupational Tax (SOT) Holder
Should you’re a producer or supplier with a Class 3 FFL (Federal Firearms License) and pay the Particular Occupational Tax (SOT), you possibly can legally possess post-1986 machine weapons for presidency gross sales, demos, or analysis.
That is essentially the most reasonable authorized path to proudly owning a Glock 18, nevertheless it’s strictly enterprise, not private possession. Lose your SOT standing, and also you lose the gun.
Methods to Legally Personal a Glock 18 (Step-by-Step Overview)
For 99.9% of civilians, you possibly can’t. However for collectors, producers, or regulation enforcement companies, right here’s the one authorized course of acknowledged by the ATF:
Get hold of a Sort 07 or 10 FFL license (for manufacturing or importing).
Register as a Particular Occupational Taxpayer (SOT) beneath Class 2 or 3.
Submit ATF Type 2 to register the machine gun.
Preserve compliance with all NFA laws, record-keeping, and inspection necessities.
By no means switch a post-1986 Glock 18 to a non-SOT civilian.
For everybody else? You’re restricted to semi-auto fashions just like the Glock 17, 19, or 34—and maybe a Glock binary set off (in states the place authorized) if you happen to’re craving quicker capturing.
Why the Glock 18 Was Restricted
The restriction isn’t in regards to the Glock model; it’s in regards to the charge of fireside. A pistol able to dumping a full journal in beneath two seconds is assessed as a machine gun, no matter make or mannequin.
Security and Management Considerations
Firing 1,200 rounds per minute could sound enjoyable, however in untrained fingers, it’s wildly uncontrollable. Even with the compensated Glock 18C, muzzle rise and recoil make precision almost unimaginable throughout sustained bursts.
Regulation Enforcement Use Solely
Glock markets the G18 completely to regulation enforcement and navy prospects. Some companies use it for VIP safety, particular operations, or coaching roles the place burst fireplace is advantageous.
Glock 18 vs. Glock 17: What’s the Distinction?
Whereas they appear almost equivalent externally, the interior fireplace management parts are fully completely different, and modifying a Glock 17 right into a Glock 18 (utilizing an auto sear or “Glock change”) is 100% unlawful beneath federal regulation.
The Glock 18C: A Full-Auto With a Twist
The Glock 18C variant options compensator ports reduce into the barrel and slide, which scale back muzzle climb throughout full-auto fireplace. This design makes it extra controllable throughout bursts and is favored by regulation enforcement items in confined areas.
Even so, the 18C stays NFA-restricted and off-limits to civilians.
The Backside Line: Can You Personal a Glock 18?
Except you’re a regulation enforcement company, navy unit, or FFL/SOT producer, the reply isn’t any; you can not legally purchase or personal a Glock 18 in america.
However understanding why is a part of being an knowledgeable gun proprietor.Should you’re fascinated by NFA firearms, there are nonetheless authorized alternate options:
Pre-1986 transferable machine weapons (like older M16s or MAC-10s)
Pistol-caliber carbines with binary triggers
Semi-auto Glock fashions that ship comparable reliability with out the authorized danger
The Glock 18 stays an enchanting firearm; technically sensible, traditionally vital, and tightly managed. It’s a reminder of how U.S. gun regulation attracts a tough line between semi-auto and full-auto, and the way that line shapes what you possibly can (and might’t) personal.
