For a long time, the G47 Gen.5 MOS (for Modular Optic System) was only known to die-hard fans of the Austrian premium brand Glock. Like the rotating-barrel Glock G46, it was not offered on the civilian market, but exclusively on the military and law enforcement market. Nothing has changed with the G46 as a police service pistol of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, but the G47 is now available to civilians. This inevitably raises the question of what could make a Glock G47 Gen5 MOS interesting for civilian users.
The G47 was developed about three years ago following a call for tenders by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Established in 2003, the customs and border protection agency with around 45,000 employees replaced its HK P2000 in .40 S&W with three Glock Gen5 models in 9x19 in 2020: Glock G26, Glock G19 and the now no longer mysterious Glock G47. In addition to all the typical Gen5 features and the MOS mounting interface for the in-house adapter plates and the mounting of numerous mini red dot sights, the new G47 also has rear and front slide serrations. Between the full-size and compact versions, the CBP was designed to ensure the interchangeability of as many assemblies as possible, presumably to reduce logistics costs.
The Glock G47 Gen5 MOS pistol in 9 mm Luger in detail
It therefore has a frame for a 17-round magazine and a barrel length of 114 mm. If you take a closer look, you will recognize the shortened dust cover on the frame, which makes the slide appear visually longer and thus somewhat reminiscent of the G34/G35. However, this is not so much about the look, but rather that the shorter G19 slide can also be used, which is then flush with the dust cover. This would transform the gun into a crossover variant, as the Glock G45 MOS or G19X have already done. To ensure that the recoil spring is fully covered with the shorter dust cover and the long slide of the G47 MOS, the slide ring was extended to the rear.
This brings us to the second point, parts interchangeability. Now the shorter dual recoil spring of the G19 can be used. Since recoil springs are wear parts and CBP is scattered all over the US, you can understand why there was an emphasis on parts compatibility.
For the private user, the new G47 MOS has the advantage of being able to use a shorter G19 interchangeable slide and barrel kit. However, this is not officially offered by Glock, but you can find dealers online who offer interchangeable kits, including those from numerous third-party retrofitters.
Of course, the latest G47 has all the features that are already generally known from the Gen5:
- Glock Marksman Barrel (GMB) for improved accuracy
- Interchangeable backstraps for an improved grip
- Ambidextrous slide stop
- Flared magwell
How does the Glock G47 Gen5 MOS perform on the shooting range?
Leupold Delta Point Pro was mounted on the G47. This made the long shooting range visit much easier on the eyes and concentration, and we were also rewarded with small groupings. The G47 was tested in a sitting position at 25 meters using a Caldwell shooting rest with five rounds of each type of ammunition. Of the seven types of ammunition from 115 to 124 grains with training or defensive loads, the best result of 39 mm was achieved by our handload with H&N 115-grain High Speed KSHP bullets. This was followed by the crisply loaded Hornady 115-grain Critical Defense with 43 mm and the soft GECO 115-grain JHP with 56 mm. The average of all loads was 62 mm. Since the G47 differs only slightly from the classic G17, no differences were to be expected in terms of handling and shooting feel.
Overview: specs and price of the Glock G47 Gen5 MOS
| Model: | Glock 47 MOS |
| Caliber: | 9 mm Luger |
| Capacity: | 17 + 1 rounds |
| Frame: | Polymer with steel inserts |
| Slide: | Steel, black nDLC coated |
| Barrel Length, Profile: | 114 mm, Glock Marksman Barrel |
| Rear Sight: | 4.3 mm notch, with white, non-luminescent outline |
| Front Sight: | 3.7 mm with white, non-luminescent dot |
| Sight Radius: | 174 mm |
| Safety: | Trigger safety, automatic firing pin drop safety |
| Trigger, Pull Weight: | Safe Action, average value: 2,550 g |
| Weight (incl. Magazine): | 674 g |
| Dimensions (LxWxH): | 197x35x140 mm |
| Extras: | Hard case with one spare magazine, 2x backstraps,
loading aid, cleaning kit |
| Price (RRP in Germany): | 874 euro |
Universally usable and combinable: the Glock G47 Gen5 MOS
First of all, something positive: the new Glock Performance Trigger naturally also fits the G47 MOS. You can also find a test report on this innovative tuning part at all4shooters.com. And it goes without saying that all existing holsters for the G17 can also be used with the G47. There are also similarities in price: the new G47 goes for 874 euros over the counter and is thus priced at the same level as the G17 MOS. It is therefore more or less a G17 Gen5 MOS, which is characterized by the fact that it can also be combined with a short G19 slide and barrel assembly.
It will certainly be interesting to see what we can expect when the number chronology continues with the Glock 49 (the G48 Slimline already exists). We will definitely report on this when the time comes.
Further information on the new Glock models:
Test of the other new Glock pistol G21 Gen. 5 MOS at all4shooters.com
Portrait of the Glock G47 on the Glock website.
Manufacturer information on the innovative in-house tuning trigger can be found here: Glock Performance Trigger.
