Frequently Asked Questions
It can seem confusing to buy a handgun but the process is straight-forward. These links will take you to answers for the most common questions about the process, licensing, transfers, gun types, engraving, and so on:
ORDERING PROCESS
9. How do I order?
10. Why do I have to verify my identity? What do you do with my ID card?
11. What happens after I order?
12. How soon will I receive my GLOCK after I order it?
13. When will my credit card be charged? Who charges me?
14. Why don't you sell to everyone?
15. I am buying this as a gift. In whose name should I list the order?
16. Can someone else pick up my gun for me when it arrives at the FFL?
17. Can you ship my gun to me?
18. Is this tax deductible?
LAWS, LICENSES AND OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF
1. What if I have questions?
If at any time you have questions or are not sure if you are authorized to be part of this program, please email us at [email protected] . Please supply a phone number so that we can call you and clarify any matters. If you prefer to call us, please do so between 9 AM to 4 PM Central Time.
2. Who is eligible to participate in GLOCKs 4 Grads?
- First you must be eligible to legally own a handgun where you live. Please check with your local State website to determine this. The NRA website provides links to many of these state laws and Federal laws.
- You must ensure that you comply with all Laws and Regulations for your base, installation, and / or location.
- YOU MUST BE A U.S. CITIZEN AND AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD.
- Current cadets of any of the US military academies.
- Active duty, Reserve or retired from the US Military Services or Law Enforcement.
- A proof of eligibility form is required to order (on the order form).
3. How many guns may I order?
Eligible participants may order a total of two guns per year.
Gun and Engraving Questions
4. What models/calibers are available?
All US-legal GLOCK current production models are available through our program.
5. What Generation Models are available?
Most models are GEN 5 models. In certain cases, a few GEN 4 and GEN 3 models may be available. Please call us to discuss your needs.
6. What is a subcompact / compact / standard model?
The GLOCK catalog lists exact dimensions, but this photo shows the relative sizing of Standard, Compact and Sub-Compact size models.
One .45ACP model, two 9mm models and the new G42/G43 Auto model are shown. There is roughly 1/2" length difference between the models. Other calibers are similarly sized although not exactly identical.
7. Engraving and Artwork
We do NOT sell, license, or in any way provide artwork of any nature. It is important that each individual realizes and takes full responsibility, without exception, for any licensing, copyright, trademark implications, and any/all associated permissions, fees, etc. associated with their artwork BEFORE they submit their artwork for engraving.
Can I have a class crest and a name engraved in the same location? Not recommended due to size.
Where can I have the crest engraved? Any location, but the popular crest location is Location #1, on top of the slide, just aft of the front sight.
Where can I have my name engraved? Any location, but the popular name location is on the left side of the gun.
Do I really need to supply my class crest / badge for engraving? Yes, you really do. The only exception to this is the USAF Academy who's AOG provides it to us with written permission for its use.
Where do I get my class crest? We recommend that you contact your ring supplier or your AOG(Association of Graduates). When requesting your crest, please ask for a "line drawing" (it is usually a .TIFF type file).
Why can't G4Grads supply the crest? We do not provide class crests or any other artwork. The same is true with unit badges, etc.
Who can use an Academy class crest? Academy class crests may only be used by a cadet or graduate, or an individual purchasing a gift for that qualified cadet/graduate; AND, you must have permission from your Academy / AOG for it's use.
If I do not want any engraving, is my price reduced? No. The first engraving is our contribution to our military and is not a hidden cost.
What text font is available? The most popular font is shown in the Examples page, typically comparable to Times New Roman unless you specify something different. It can be any combination of UPPER and/or lower case as you specify on your order form. We can accommodate some 812 fonts, so just tell us what you would like.
Artwork - what format / quality does my crest or badge artwork need to be? A high resolution line drawing is best, but a high resolution JPEG image should work. There may be issues with different designs, but we will help you work through problems. Call us and get the artwork to us as soon as you can.
How do I make sure I have the best engraving? Your engraving depends upon the quality of artwork you provide. The best artwork is a high resolution, black and white line drawing. Remember that a crest, seal, or badge engraving is small and the simpler images come out looking better. On a single stack G42/G43, a crest/badge is about dime-sized. On all other models a crest/badge is roughly nickel-sized. Crests/badges are the same size on either the side or top of the weapon. Compare examples 4-7 on the Examples page.
What can I have engraved? Popular options include name, Academy class crest, Academy or service crest/seal, something meaningful from your career (for example, a C-130 aircraft, jump wings, call sign, badge number, branch insignia), meaningful accomplishment, or favorite (brief) motto.
What will my engraving look like? You will receive a "proof" drawing to approve prior to the gun being engraved. Your gun will not be engraved until we receive your approval of the proof drawing.
Can I have anything engraved? Almost anything. We will not process engraving requests that involve lewd, suggestive, pornographic content, or offensive language. This is a private sale / offer and we reserve the sole right to make judgment on the above.
8. Can I get engraving on a weapon I already own?
Yes, but your engraving price will be at the commercial rate and not our discounted pricing.
Ordering Process
9. How do I order?
Download the order form to your desktop and close the website.
Rename the file to contain your name and your gun model; for instance SMITH_G19Gen4.
Fill in the form to ensure you are working on a local copy on your own computer.You cannot save your information in the online version of the form.
Make sure you complete all required areas on the form; supply your FFL contact information and a copy of his FFL license.
Send your artwork and a copy of the front of your Military / Law ID with your order form.
Your gun order will NOT be processed without proper identification, completed order form and a valid FFL.
10. Why do I have to verify my identity? What do you do with my ID card?
To be perfectly honest, someone (that "1 %" who feel they are entitled to something they did not earn) caused us (and you) serious problems (we almost lost this program). Consequently, we now have to document (in addition to our normal verification) the eligibility of each program participant. A Military or Law Enforcement ID (front only) for each sale is required. After we verify your ID, the copy is destroyed for privacy purposes. NO gun order can be placed without this verification.
11. What happens after I order?
After your order form, artwork, ID verification and FFL license are all received, you are assigned an order number. First come, first served.
Your gun is then placed on order with GLOCK.
The engraver will generate a "proof drawing" of your engraving.
YOU will PROMPTLY approve (or modify if necessary) the engraving proof.
Your gun will not be engraved until we receive your approval of the proof drawing.
After your gun is manufactured, it is shipped to the engraver and will be engraved.
Your gun will be shipped to the FFL you designated on your order form. You will be notified that this shipment has occurred.
Your credit card will be charged (by Mimatoow Enterprises LLC).
The owner of the gun will pick up the gun in person at the FFL's place of business. You are responsible for paying any FFL transfer fees and compliance with all transfer laws.
12. How soon will I receive my GLOCK after I order it?
- Qualified Orders are placed and processed on a First Come / First Served basis, constrained by GLOCKs production batches.
- Please note that given the popularity of this program, an exact delivery date cannot be predicted, but you will be notified as your order is processed and when your firearm ships.
- For a .357 cal or a 10 mm you can expect approximately 6 month delay due to production times and quantities.
13. When will my credit card be charged?
Your credit card is charged by Mimatoow Enterprises, LLC when we receive your gun from GLOCK; right before we ship it to the engraver.
14. Why don't you sell to everyone?
This program is designed to honor "Those Who Serve". For our Military, Law Enforcement, and First Responders, this is how we say thank you.
15. I am buying this as a gift: In whose name should I list the order?
That is your choice. The name on the order form MUST be the owner/purchaser of the gun. That owner whose name is on the order form will pick up the weapon from the FFL where they must fill out a matching ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record. The state of residence (or permanent duty station active duty orders) for the owner must match the state where the FFL does business. The engraved name does not need to be the same as the person picking up the weapon. You must provide proof of program eligibility for either yourself or the recipient. If you are giving a gift you must believe that the recipient is eligible to own a handgun (please reference your State's applicable laws and all Federal regulations) and you must comply with your State and all Federal laws. The NRA website provides links to many of these state laws and Federal laws.
16. Can someone else pick up my gun for me when it arrives at the FFL?
17. Can you ship my gun to me?
18. Is this tax deductible?
No.
Laws, Licenses and Other Important Stuff
19. Laws and Licenses
Where can I find my state gun laws? The NRA website provides links to many of the state laws and Federal laws. Your FFL should be knowledgeable about your state laws.
Do I need a license to own a gun or buy a gun? You should check with your state to see what the requirements and laws are concerning owning and / or carrying a handgun. Some states or municipalities also restrict the model and type of firearm or magazine that may be purchased / owned there.
What is a CHL/LTC? CHL is the Texas acronym for Concealed Handgun License. It has been replaced with LTC (License to Carry). You should check with your state to learn the requirements and laws regarding owning and / or carrying a handgun.
20. Federal Firearms License
- What is a FFL? FFL stands for Federal Firearm License (or Licensee). A FFL is a Federally-certified company or individual to whom firearms may be shipped and who can effect a transfer of a firearm. The certification is issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The FFL may only do transfers from their registered place of business, and only to persons who are residents of that state, or who have a military Permanent Duty Station in that state. FFL's are allowed to charge a transfer fee for their services, and most do. The fee is not regulated and you will find a range of prices charged. In some states the FFL is required to also collect a transfer fee for that state.
- How do I find an FFL? The FFL must be located in your state of residence or permanent duty station. You may do an internet search. One popular site is gunbroker.com . If you locate an FFL online, you should contact that FFL before providing that name to us. Some FFL's do not choose to perform weapons transfers and sometimes the contact information listed on the websites is incorrect. We have preferred FFL's in the metropolitan Dallas, TX area and in the greater Colorado Springs area. If you choose to use one of these FFL's, you can download a corresponding order form and you will not need to submit their license because it is already on file.
- How can I transmit the FFL's license? You (or your FFL) can either email a copy of the license to us at [email protected]
21. Will I receive junk mail from you?
No.
22. How do I remove my name from your mail list?
Simply email us at [email protected] and request removal.
23. Is this sponsored by any of the Academies?
No. This is a private endeavor, but all the Academies are aware of the program.
24. Is this sponsored by or associated with any of the AOGs (Association of Graduates)?
No, but the AOGs are aware of the program. The Air Force Academy AOG is directing questions about "GLOCKs 4 Grads" to our website.