FRT and Glock Switch: What's The Difference Let's Take a LOOK
By Gregory Kielma
Will FRTs Go the Same Way as Glock Switches?
Glock Switch and FRT’s: What’s The Difference?
Gregg Kielma
01/09/2026
Will FRTs Go the Same Way as Glock Switches?
Kielma’s say’s; Short answer: No — at least not right now. Legally, FRTs and Glock switches are in very different places at the Federal Level.
Here’s the Breakdown Kielma say’s “Let’s Take A LOOK”
1. Federal Status: FRTs vs. Glock Switches
Glock Switch (Auto Sear)
• Always classified as a machine gun under federal law.
• Possession = felony, even if not installed.
• No court rulings have changed that.
Forced Reset Triggers (FRTs)
• As of the May 2025 DOJ settlement, FRTs are NOT classified as machine guns under federal law because each shot still requires a separate trigger pull.
• Federal courts agreed that FRTs do not meet the NFA machine gun definition.
• ATF has even begun returning seized FRTs to owners.
So federally, FRTs are not in the same category as Glock switches.
2. State-Level Reality
This is where things get messy.
Even though FRTs are federally legal:
• Several states still ban them outright (CA, CT, HI, MD, NJ, etc.).
• Sixteen states are actively challenging the federal settlement in court.
So while Glock switches are universally illegal, FRTs are in a patchwork legal environment.
3. Could FRTs Be Reclassified Later?
It’s possible — but not guaranteed.
Factors:
• Ongoing appeals in the Fifth Circuit.
• Potential Supreme Court involvement.
• Political pressure from states arguing FRTs increase rate of fire.
But right now, the legal trend is moving in the opposite direction of Glock switches — toward less federal restriction, not more.
Kielma’s Parting Shot:
FRTs are not on the same legal trajectory as Glock switches. Glock switches = always illegal machine guns. FRTs = currently federally legal, but with state bans and ongoing litigation.