AFTE Store - Evaluation of Subclass Carryover and Suitability of Individual Characteristics Using Ten Consecutively Manufactured Glock Marksman Barrels

Glock introduced a new rifling profile, named the Glock Marksman Barrel (GMB), which has been incorporated into many of their current pistol production lines. This study details the manufacturing processes involved in the production of these barrels and subsequently examines ten consecutively manufactured GMBs to evaluate their individual characteristics and any potential for subclass carryover. No evidence of subclass carryover was identified on either the casts of the barrels or the fired bullets examined. Marks were found to be of identification value in the land engraved areas (LEAs), groove engraved areas (GEAs), and channel/rail areas among the test-fired bullets fired from each consecutive barrel. No significant agreement was observed between test fires from one barrel to any subsequent consecutively manufactured barrel. These observations support previous studies that suggest that GMBs create sufficient individualized marks on fired bullets for identification to a specific firearm.