A duty tool engineered around the glock
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN • MANUFACTURING • BRAND
The GTX Glock Armorer Tool is the perfect blend of form and function. Inspired by feedback from LAPD officers, the patent-pending design combines a magazine base remover and an integral takedown punch, two critical tools used by law enforcement and military personnel to maintain their duty sidearms. I led the GTX development process end-to-end: from original sketches to factory first-article prototypes, then the packaging, branding, and go-to-market advertising.
DISCIPLINES
Industrial design / Multi-tool development / Factory management & first-article prototyping / Packaging & collateral / Brand identity / Print advertising
GTX Glock armorer tool
01 FEATURED CASE STUDY
A pocketable multi-tool built to strip, clean, and maintain a Glock down to the bare frame. The patent-pending magazine base remover and integral takedown punch put an armorer's bench in a nylon pouch. No loose pins, no improvised tools, no bench required.
COMPANY:
CATEGORY:
AdvanceDynamic Systems
Tactical / EDC Tool
ROLE:
Product Designer / Brand Lead
RESEARCH
PHASE 01
ON-SITE / INTERVIEWS
The GTX started from a single insight from LAPD officers: the two operations that slow field maintenance are driving out the takedown pin and pulling a magazine base plate. I integrated both into one tool, an integral steel takedown punch and a patent-pending magazine base remover machined into the tool frame. Wrapped in G10 grips and a black-oxide finish that survives daily carry. Every attachment folds into a footprint that fits in any duty belt pouch.
01 - MAG BASE REMOVER TOOL & G10 GRIPS
02 - CLOSED / CARRY CONFIGURATION
IDEATION
PHASE 02
SKETCHES / MECHANICAL DESIGN
Early sketching played a key role in iterating the GTX's mechanical features. Fold order, pivot placement, how the punch and base remover nest, and optimizing the final design before a single prototype was cut.
03 - MECHANISM & CONFIGURATION STUDIES
PROTOTYPES
PHASE 03
PROTOTYPING / SAMPLES
I managed the GTX from ideation through factory first-article prototypes, tightening tolerances on the punch and magazine base-remover against real Glock parts at every round. Released via our DTC site and authorized distributors, the GTX drew positive early feedback across law enforcement, military, and competitive-shooting circles, the people who strip and clean a duty gun most.
STANDARDIZED DESIGN - GTX MULTI-TOOL FITS INTO ANY EXISTING POUCHES
6 TOOLS - ARMORER & MULTI-TOOL FUNCTIONS IN ONE BODY
3 SECTORS - DESIGNED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, MILITARY, COMPETITION
TESTED WITH REAL PARTS
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN • MANUFACTURING • BRAND
Each prototype round was checked against real firearms during field-strip exercises: does the punch clear the takedown pin cleanly, does the base remover seat and pull a factory base plate without marring it, does the tool fold to a comfortable grip in both configurations. Utility drove every revision.
FINAL DESIGN
PHASE 04
IN-PRODUCTION
Beyond the armorer functions, the GTX carries a full multi-tool loadout and folds two ways, so the same tool gives you a comfortable grip whether you're in the mag-base/knife configuration or the plier configuration.
01 - Patent-pending magazine base remover
02 - Glock takedown punch
03 - Flat-head screwdriver
04 - Filing tool with integrated beverage opener
05 - Serrated blade
06 - Pliers with integrated wire cutters
IN THE FIELD
PHASE 05
DUTY CARRY / FINAL DESIGN
The GTX earns its keep away from the bench. Field-strip a Glock to the bare frame, service the magazine with the base remover, and store in a duty pouch or plate carrier until the next range day. One tool covering the whole maintenance cycle.
01 - FIELD STRIP
02 - TACTICAL DEPLOYMENT
03 - DUTY CARRY
04 - RANGE LOADOUT