The Austrian firearms giant released the new model G47 back in 2019, but it was verboten for those of us not working at U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
While some cried out with despair at the unobtainable nature of this new shooter, others shrugged and noted the marked similarity to other Glock models.
However, the G47 was not destined for the Halls of Mystery alongside Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and other greats! At SHOT Show 2023, Glock announced a commercial version of the G47 would be made available to the public.
Glock has a solid reputation for reliable guns, but would the G47 uphold that standard or fall short? We got our hands on one and took it to the range to see for ourselves.
So keep reading as we talk about its stats and get it out to the range.
Table of Contents
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Glock G47 Review at a Glance
Pros
- Reliable
- Accurate
- Compatibility
Cons
- Ergonomics
- Optics plates sold separately
The Bottom Line
The G47 is much the same as other offerings in the line in that it is very reliable and pretty accurate. On the surface, it’s only cosmetically different from a G17, but there is one major difference Glock fans will appreciate.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Specs & Features
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Length: 7.95”
- Barrel Length: 4.49”
- Width: 1”
- Height: 5.47”
- Weight: 23.93 oz.
- Capacity: 17+1
- Comes with: Hard plastic case, lock, cleaning rod, brush, (3) magazines, (4) backstraps, mag loading tool, owner’s manual
Features
- Optics capable
- Accessory rail
- Front and rear serrations
Source: Glock
Background
In 2019 Glock won a contract worth $85 million to supply CPB with handguns. The model selected was a new addition to the standing Glock lineup, though was not a vast departure from previous offerings.
This contract initially held the G47 as exclusive to the government agency; civilians only got to read about them initially. That all changed at SHOT Show 2023 when Glock announced a civilian version of the G47 would be released to the general shooting public.
The closest version of the G47 is likely the G17, and comparing them next to each other, they certainly look the same in dimensions.
One notable difference is the shorter dust cover (portion under the muzzle).
It is a full-size pistol on what Glock considers a standard frame. The G47 also shares compatibility with some of its Gen 5 siblings…the G17 MOS, G19 MOS, and G45 MOS.
This allows true Glock aficionados to potentially mix and match a few different frame and slide sizes should they choose.
Who Is It For?
The G47 was designed to be a duty weapon, and here it would serve nicely. It fits in the category of other Glocks in being an industry standard for reliability.
It would also serve well as a home defender should it be tasked with that purpose. The full-size frame and barrel would make it a bit tougher to conceal on your person, however.
Fit & Feel
This Glock, like all Glocks, feels rather blocky in the hand. The sides are extremely flat on the grip, and even the front strap is flat.
The rear of the grip has some more natural feeling curve to it, and grip texture on the overall grip is what I would describe as light to medium.
With the extended beaver tail, my 2X hand is not struck by the slide during cycling. It’s worth noting this isn’t a problem for most folks.
In the bottom of the grip, the magwell is flared slightly to assist in seating magazines. Up top, the slide serrations, rear and now front (yay!) are ample and effective for manipulating the slide.
The trigger is decent and can be mastered with time and effort.
Our model tested at an average pull of 4 pound 10 ounces on a Lyman Digital gauge. Reset is very crisp and is easy to feel and hear.
The magazines fed and inserted easily, locked back the slide consistently when empty, and dropped freely when called upon to do so.
Sights on the model we tested were standard polymer, white, 3-dot sights.
How Does It Shoot?
I really like Glocks because they offer some things I can count on consistently as a brand. The main one is reliable performance.
In short, they simply run. And true to form, the G47 had zero failures of any kind during our testing.
Where Glocks can come up a little short in my book is they require more on my part to get good accuracy. This is based largely upon the trigger.
Once I have where the trigger is going to break dialed in, I can do pretty well as far as accuracy, but until I do, I have less consistency and can even struggle with anticipation.
What Sets It Apart?
There’s not a whole lot to set the G47 apart from any other full-size Glock other than its distinction as being originated for the CBP.
However, its compatibility with the other models mentioned above will make it a go-to for Glock fans who want to mix and match.
| Glock 47 MOS | Glock 17 MOS | |
| Barrel Length | 4.49″ | 4.49″ |
| Overall Length | 7.95″ | 7.95″ |
| Height | 5.47″ | 5.47″ |
| Width | 1.34″ | 1.34″ |
| Weight | 34.29 oz | 33.33 oz |
| Capacity | 17+1 | 17+1 |
By The Numbers
Reliability: 5/5
This is truly Glock’s hallmark quality. We fired roughly 500 rounds through the G47 and had no issues whatsoever.
Ergonomics: 3/5
As mentioned, the blockish shape of the grip doesn’t do a whole lot to accommodate the shooter’s hands, but you end up adapting to it with time.
Accuracy: 4/5
The tacit, perhaps unspoken agreement with Glocks is simple: if you do your part, they will do theirs. This means accuracy is largely up to the shooter.
Customization: 4/5
Glock has a substantial amount of aftermarket support, though doesn’t offer a huge amount of options up front as far as colors or variants.
Value: 4/5
Pricing for the G47 appears to be in the neighborhood of $620 as of the writing of this article.
Overall: 4/5
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Upgrades for G47
For this review, we mounted up the EFLX from EOTech, and it did a marvelous job in aiding accuracy with its large window.
The EFLX uses the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro footprint to mount up, so pairing with the G47 (MOS) was a piece of cake.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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The viewing window is large compared with a Trijicon RMR, though its size is largely based on maximum use of a horizontal rectangle. It features very clear glass and has a very low housing.
The unit is built out of aluminum and appears to be very hardy, running on a CR 2032 battery for approximately 20,000 hours.
Glock is known for having a wide aftermarket, so expect to see aftermarket triggers and sights.
Final Verdict
The Glock 47, for many people, represents another fine addition to Glock’s Gen 5 series.
It is wholly reliable, decently accurate, and a solid value, particularly to those who want the compatibility to swap parts within that series.
Otherwise, it is not largely different from a Gen 5 G17 MOS in size, weight, capacity, and performance.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Will you be picking up a G47 to add to your collection? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to check out our article Best Duty Weapons for more information on other great options!
37 Leave a Reply
One thing that hardly no one talks about is that the G47's accessory slot is mil-spec 1913 picatinny size NOT Glock proprietary slot size.
I love mine and mounted a Holosun EPS and Streamlight TRL-1HL. I upgraded the trigger to an Overwatch Precision PolyDAT over the OEM Glock Performance Trigger. Been running outstanding minus some ammo-related failure to ejects (specifically Turkish Sterling steel-case 115gr) with combination of OEM and Magpul G17 mags approaching 1k rounds.
Mr. Curtis, leave it to you to make something as snooze worthy as the Glock 47 and turn it into an article worth reading and a video worth watching. I love how entertaining your writings and videos are while still being very informative. Kudos to you and your crew and please keep up the great content output. you can't please everyone, but you have certainly pleased me. Thank you Sir!
The difference is in the recoil system, not the outward appearance. The 17 has a longer rod where the 47 has the shorter length rod of the 19 and 45. The parts are interchangeable between the 19 and 45. You can put 47 slide on 19 frame and visa versa. The border patrol and secret service wanted that as one of their options on the platform for different areas of service
My son just bought a new Glock 47 and when he tested it out at the range for the first time, he said it was not feeding properly. He was told by a range employee that the gun probably needed to be cleaned "because it might have packing grease in it." I told my son that would be very unusual because I own a Glock 19 and my gun was sold new ready-to-shoot. They even had a spent cartridge in the box from a test-fire. After cleaning his gun (even though he said it wasn't dirty - and he should know, he just got out of the U.S. Marines after four years), he said he was told he was "holding the gun wrong." That doesn't sound right to me, because there's nothing mechanical on the gun that should prevent a second or third round from feeding and being shot. Currently, my son says he's only able to shoot one round, then a second round will not feed into the chamber. Doesn't that suggest there's something wrong with his gun? Because that doesn't sound like the kind of reliability that Glock is known for.
Sounds very suspicious. I have four glocks including a 47, none of them has any feeding issue with whatever ammo.
Some new magazines need breaking in. I’ve had over 20 Glocks over the past 20+ years. I had one that came with three magazines and all three had to be broke in by firing around 50-100 rounds from each magazine. After that, no more problems, and I still have it.
I'm late to the party, but just picked up a G47. I went in to buy a G17, but they were out. The Glock Blue Label price on the G47 was too hard to pass up. I carried several different duty weapons over the years before retiring in 2022. My favorite models to carry were Glocks. I haven't gotten the chance to shoot the G47 yet. Hopefully it performs as well as the G17 I carried for years. Thanks for the article.
Did you have to run suppressor height sights for a co whiteness with the eotech?
I picked up a G47 and G19 at same time, only by coincidence that I was in the market for a gen 5 G19 and then they released the G47. And because it’s great to be in a state that allows you to buy more than one gun (if you have a CCP).
I’m actually trying to figure out the holster situation. If I put the G47 slide on top of the G19 frame, will a standard G17 holster work? Or do I need a G47 holster that are now coming to market? Thanks for your advice.
I picked one up last week. Really like it so far.
My "barrel" prefers an "extended beaver", as well... and just like a Glock it always shoots projectiles "perfectly". When performance demands perfection, choose Glock. ;)
Well said Sid, bravo.
It's a G45 with a long slide. A slide you can put on a G19.
Right you are Billy.
Sooo didn't miss out on anything by making my first Glock a 17. Got it. Really hate click bait articles like this that say stuff like "this one major difference fans will appreciate" and then goes on to either name nothing of any significance or something barely of significance so that you'll keep reading. Trash.
So sorry the article didn't live up to your expectations! The compatibility is the major difference and in my humble estimation, it's a minor one at best. I would have thought the title would have been a clue...
Hey Noneya, thanks for reading. This was not intended to be a click bait article. We thought the headline was pretty clear that this gun was just another Glock, but nevertheless, sorry we disappointed you. We have plenty of other articles on the site that might be more to your liking. Thanks again for the feedback and reading.
Thanks Sean! Great article! I have a Glock G 17 GEN 3 that I love, so I have no reason to pick up a Glock 47. I would rather spend those 700 smackers somewhere else, like a G19 or Canik SFX Rival.
Hey thank you Sam! That's a reasonable choice. Also, keep an eye peeled, we've got some Caniks coming in for review soon!
But but but... the G47 is more Glock'ier than the G17 so buy a G47 now!
I hear you John. With the shortened dust cover, it can accommodate more swapping of frames and slides, but it isn't different otherwise.
Just another variant of the G17, no big deal. Frankly, am surprised Glock doesn't spend more time developing a better trigger as it seems that's the first thing that people replace when they purchase a Glock.
And the sights!
Jim, that's a great point. I think this company has accomplished a great deal, but their potential is phenomenal. With better ergos and trigger, they would be even more formidable.
I would love to get my hands on a G47, I've never met a Glock that I didn't like.
There you go Donald, it is very familiar.
Yeah…..same old Block Glock. They just keep Glocking away making more of the same Glocks. Really no difference from a 17 only it’s a 19 frame and recoil spring.
No point in making this or releasing it. It is just typical Glock money grab
It is much the same, though no doubt, they will sell a bunch of them.
Meh....
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
It looks suspiciously like a Glock 17 Gen 5 MOS with different markings to comply with a childish government agency requirement for something original.
Yes it is essentially a G17 but the shortened dust cover gives is some more compatibility--if you're into that sort of thing.
Just more Glock junk. Vastly overrated. Vastly over priced. Vastly a fraud. I hope we are still friends.
Come on Dale at least give Glock a break! They had to jump though hoops to get the contract for CBP. You may think their guns are junk but I carried one a long time and it saved my life on many occasions . So please play nice, if you can’t say something nice,
Remain silent !
Gunslinger, I carried them professionally too and have to respect all Glock has accomplished. In my job now, I'm exposed to far more firearms though, and see other companies doing some things better. I think there's room for civil discourse. ; )
I love it. Agree with a Glock guy or be silent. Sorry chief it doesn't work that way. That actually sounds like this administration. Please tell me the story of GLOCK saving your life as I am positive no other handgun could have done so. On another note you don't give me orders. Glocks are cheap plastic junk. Enjoy the day.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion Dale, we're all friends here. I think they certainly have room for improvement but there are a few things they do exceedingly well.