Although Germany’s Heckler & Koch unveiled the world’s first polymer frame pistol with the introduction of the HK VP70 in 1970, it was Austria’s Glock GmbH that took the concept and ran with it far enough to reach escape velocity and achieve commercial and institutional success with its original 9 mm Glock G17.
Of course, today’s market offers many reliable and feature-rich polymer frame pistols. I’ve written about a few of them for this fine publication.
While Glock’s current range of models still bear a resemblance to the originals of yesteryear, modern Glocks haven’t had any trouble “keeping up” with their stiff competition either. That’s why I’m bringing up the relatively new Glock G47 MOS 9 mm pistol.
GLOCK G47 MOS BACKGROUND
Commercially, the Glock G47 MOS pistol officially saw the light of day at SHOT Show 2023, where it made its “public” debut. The Glock G47 MOS actually dates back to 2019 as the result of a contract between Glock and US Customs and Border Patrol, who were looking for a degree of modularity between its existing inventories of fifth-generation Glock G19 pistols. Glock’s answer was the G47.
Because the G47 MOS has the same overall size and dimensions to the Gen5 Glock G17, many simply describe the Glock G47 as a “Glock G17 that has a Glock G19 recoil spring assembly.” I like to think of it as a Glock G45 with a 1/2-inch longer slide, since both the G45 and G47 are built on the exact same fifth-generation “full-size” 9 mm Glock frame that specifically uses a G19-sized locking block. Either descriptor isn’t wrong. In summary, the G47 maintains the same barrel length, same slide length and same grip length, but it cycles with a shorter (and thus stiffer) spring.
By virtue of being launched a few years after the introduction of Glock’s fifth-generation changes, the Glock G47 MOS comes standard with Gen5 features across the board. Nowadays, customers can also purchase these with factory-milled Trijicon RMR/SRO optic cuts too. These models include taller plain black iron sights. Glock G47 MOS models can be had with standard OEM Glock sights or Ameriglo Bold night sights as well.
GEN5 PISTOL DETAILS
There are three distinct elements that I enjoy across Gen5 models. First is the improved Glock Marksman Barrel, a polygonally rifled barrel with improved lock-up characteristics and a recessed target crown. I mention the Glock Marksman Barrel first because at this point, I’ve seen how its inclusion has noticeably tightened up groups across different models and calibers such as Glock’s G19, G45, G17, G22, G34 and now the G47. In essence, the inclusion of the Glock Marksman Barrel means that otherwise ordinary production pistols come standard with a match-grade barrel.
All Glock Gen5 models, including the G47 MOS, also sport an ambidextrous slidestop. I’m left-handed, so call me selfish, but an ambidextrous slide stop does provide for smoother handling. Not to mention, all major modern competing pistol models are outfitted in a similar manner.
Finally, Glock’s nDLC finish on Gen5 slides works well in resisting the elements and corrosion. The smooth, uniform finish is a vast improvement over the previous fourth-generation “scratchier” finish that was also prone to rusting, especially when carried concealed close to the body in hot and humid climates.
The G47 MOS counts on other Gen5 details like a “smooth” finger-groove-free frontstrap and forward slide serrations—a handy feature on pistols with mounted red-dot sights.
SHOOTING THE GLOCK G47 MOS
After taking my G47 home, the first thing I did was to install a Forward Controls Design Glock MOS RMR optics plate to the slide. Next, I fastened and torqued down a Trijicon SRO 2.5-MOA reflex sight to the FCD plate.
A few days later, I showed up to my gun club to confirm zero and shoot a regular weekend USPSA club match. I shot this match with a 115-grain 9 mm store-brand private label load. Though loaded on the warmer side, this particular load works reliably across all guns I review. More importantly, it’s affordable ammo.
Unsurprisingly, I had no issues shooting or cycling any of the rounds throughout the match. Every Gen5 Glock I’ve fielded, including this brand-new G47, has functioned reliably out of the box.
Glock pistols aren’t known for having amazing out-of-the-box standard triggers. My G47 MOS is outfitted with the default 5.5-pound standard connector duty grade trigger. However, even with this rather unremarkable trigger, I was able to print some solid groups when I benched the pistol and shot it from a rest at 25 yards. I suspect a great deal of this was possible thanks to its Glock Marksman Barrel.
In my accuracy report, I included Eley’s Minor 9 115-grain FMJ Competition load, Staccato’s 124-grain Range FMJ load and Federal’s Gold Medal Action Pistol 147-grain FP. All three cartridges printed extremely satisfactory groups considering they were fired out of a stock Glock pistol with a 5.5-pound factory trigger. Were it not for an in-group flier, the 147 groups would have averaged with slightly lower numbers. The accuracy demonstrated by the G47 more than exceeds the requirements needed to compete in action-pistol sports at a high level.
ACCURACY REPORT
GLOCK G47 IN SPORT SHOOTING
At this point, Glock G47 MOS pistols have been out and shipping for more than two years. So why am I taking the time to pen this now?
The G47 MOS has been making waves in the action-pistol world. Search “Glock G47” on YouTube and you’ll find many videos of high-level competitive shooters and adjacent influencers singing this pistol’s praises. When it comes to action-pistol shooting, 9 mm Glocks have always been present. Glock even founded its own sporting league.
After attending two USPSA club matches a few days prior to writing this, I certainly couldn’t help but notice how many people were shooting G47s. What used to be the Glock G34’s domain specifically is starting to shift. Even though felt recoil and the “rate” at which a pistol slide reciprocates is a subjective and personal preference, the gist of the Glock G47 is that thanks to its shorter, more compact RSA, its slide moves back and forth more swiftly. For certain shooters, this means that their sight picture returns to zero much more quickly.
Combined with the fact that Glock pistols enjoy an expansive accessory aftermarket, especially for competition-related gadgets and upgrades, it’s easy to see why this “mid-priced” pistol is taking off with competitive shooters of all stripes. Besides the Glock G47’s accessible pricing, competitionspecific upgrades and holster selections, the guns themselves have a solid reputation for reliability. It appears that shooters are compelled enough to cast aside both the gun’s standard trigger, but most importantly its grip angle—one of the most widely critiqued points of any Glock pistol.
GLOCK G17: A FAREWELL, OF SORTS
When I zeroed the Trijicon SRO prior to my match, I certainly noticed that slightly snappier slide. Personally, I thought it was easier to perceive the faster-moving slide during slow fire rather than rapid fire (visually tracking the dot). But that’s my experience, so I can’t claim that this pistol is the new king of 9 mm Glocks for sport shooting.
Ultimately, slide reciprocation speed varies by slide length, mass and RSA weight. The specific cartridge being shot through the gun also has a say. In fact, though the 127 power-factor Gold Medal Action Pistol loads printed decent groups, the Glock G47’s RSA was stiff enough that it prevented the slide from locking back after the last round. It’s hardly a flaw and just a consequence of combining a softer cartridge with a stiffer spring.
My point is that whether the Glock G47 is the “it” gun for competition will ultimately depend on the shooter and their skill level. The Glock G47 is overall a solid 9 mm striker-fired pistol. There are a fair number of shooters who can easily leverage the G47 and shoot it at a high level.
What about newer competitors? If they’re in search of a full-size Glock model, out of the box, these guns are reliable, shoot well and have a vast aftermarket available that caters to them. Speaking from experience, worrying about slide reciprocation is something that comes later in action-pistol sports. And for those looking for a duty-size optics-ready 9 mm Glock pistol? Glock discontinued the G17 MOS, so the newer Glock G47 MOS is now the only option.
SPECIFICATIONS
