Which Glocks Will Maryland’s 2027 Ban Affect?

Since Maryland passed its new law targeting certain semiautomatic pistols, one question has come up more than almost any other: Which Glocks are actually going to be affected?

It's an important question, especially if there's a Glock you've been thinking about purchasing before the new restrictions begin January 1, 2027.

The short answer is that Maryland's law isn't written around a list of Glock model numbers. It's written around how a firearm is designed and operates. But based on that definition, we can say quite a bit about which firearms are expected to be affected.

First, Maryland Didn't Technically “Ban Glocks”

The word “Glock” isn't what determines whether a firearm falls under the new law. Instead, Senate Bill 334 created a category Maryland calls a “machine gun convertible pistol.”

The law generally targets semiautomatic pistols with a cruciform trigger bar that can be readily converted in the specific manner described by the statute through installation of a pistol converter replacing the slide's backplate, without additional engineering, machining or modification of the pistol's trigger mechanism.

That's a mouthful, but the important part for Glock owners is the cruciform trigger-bar design. That design has been a fundamental part of Glock pistols for decades.

So, Which Glocks Are Expected to Be Affected?

Maryland State Police is required to publish an official list of the pistols prohibited under the new law. Until that list is published, we don't want to present our own model list as an official determination by the State. But that doesn't mean we're completely in the dark.

A federal lawsuit challenging Maryland's new law specifically states that all factory-stock Glock pistol models use a cruciform trigger bar, including Glock's newer Gen 6 and V-series pistols. Because the new Maryland law specifically targets that design, along with the other elements contained in its definition, owners and prospective buyers should expect traditional factory-stock Glock pistols to be among the firearms affected.

That includes commonly encountered Glock models such as:

• Glock 17

• Glock 19

• Glock 19X

• Glock 20

• Glock 21

• Glock 22

• Glock 23

• Glock 26

• Glock 27

• Glock 29

• Glock 30

• Glock 34

• Glock 35

• Glock 42

• Glock 43

• Glock 43X

• Glock 44

• Glock 45

• Glock 47 MOS

• Glock 48

• and other factory-stock Glock pistol models that meet the complete statutory definition.

This should be understood as a list of Glock models expected to be affected based on their design and the language of the new law, not Maryland State Police's official prohibited-pistol list. We'll update our information when MSP publishes that list.

What About Different Glock Generations?

Don't assume that buying a newer generation gets around the law. The federal complaint challenging Maryland's law specifically states that all factory-stock Glock pistol models use the cruciform trigger bar and expressly includes Glock's newer Gen 6 and V-series pistols. So this isn't simply a restriction aimed at older generations of Glock.

Again, Maryland's ultimate determination will depend on whether an individual pistol meets the complete statutory definition and how MSP implements the law, but a newer generation alone should not be assumed to make a Glock exempt.

What About Glock-Style Pistols From Other Manufacturers?

This is where things get even more interesting. The law isn't actually brand-specific. If a semiautomatic pistol made by another manufacturer meets Maryland's definition of a “machine gun convertible pistol,” it can be affected too.

The lawsuit challenging the law specifically identifies examples of Glock-style pistols including the Palmetto State Armory Dagger, Ruger RXM and many Shadow Systems handguns, stating that factory-stock versions of those designs also use a cruciform trigger bar.

That does not mean we're declaring every version of those firearms prohibited. The complete statutory definition still matters, and Maryland State Police's official list will be important. We'll dig deeper into the non-Glock firearms potentially affected by the law in a separate article.

What If I Already Own One of These Glocks?

You can keep it. This is worth repeating because there is still a lot of confusion around this law. Maryland's new prohibition does not require lawful owners to surrender affected pistols when January 1 arrives.

Beginning January 1, 2027, the law generally prohibits manufacturing, selling, offering for sale, purchasing, receiving or transferring a covered pistol, subject to several exceptions. Continued possession of a pistol you lawfully obtained is not included in that prohibition.

So if you already legally own an affected Glock, the new law does not require you to turn it in.

What If There's a Glock I Still Want?

That's where 2026 matters. If you've been thinking about adding a Glock to your collection, replacing one, buying your first Glock or trying a different model, don't assume you have until the afternoon of December 31 to figure it out.

Maryland handgun purchases involve a waiting period, and the new law prohibits not only purchasing but also receiving and transferring covered pistols beginning January 1. Your transaction therefore needs enough time to be completed before the new prohibition takes effect.

We'll provide more specific guidance on final purchasing timelines as we get closer to the end of the year and additional State guidance becomes available.

For now, the easiest advice is simple: Don't leave it until the last week of December.

Not Sure Which Glock Is Right for You?

That's exactly why we have rentals. A Glock that works perfectly for your friend may not be the Glock that works best for you. Hand size, intended use, concealability, capacity, recoil, grip and overall feel can make a big difference.

Come into The Machine Gun Nest and actually shoot the models you're considering before making a decision. Our team can help you compare your options and understand the current Maryland purchase process.

With the law changing January 1, there's never been a better time to figure out which one you actually want.

And yes, Glocktober is coming.

This article is intended for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Maryland State Police is required to publish a list of prohibited machine gun convertible pistols. Model-specific information in this article reflects the statutory definition and currently available information and should not be interpreted as the State's final prohibited-firearm list.