The Glock series has long been a trusted name in the world of handguns. Known for their reliability, durability, and simplicity of operation, Glock pistols are popular among law enforcement agencies, military personnel, and civilian gun enthusiasts alike. Among the vast array of Glock models, the Glock 47 and the Glock 17 stand out, each with distinct characteristics. This article provides an in-depth comparison of these two firearms, focusing on their design, functionality, practical uses, and differences to help you make an informed choice between the two.
Overview of the Glock 47 and Glock 17
The Glock 17 is the original, full-sized 9mm pistol introduced by Glock in 1982. As Glock’s flagship model, it quickly became popular for its reliability, large magazine capacity, and simplicity. Over the years, the Glock 17 has evolved through various generations, but its core features remain unchanged. With a 17-round magazine, it is a staple for military, law enforcement, and civilian use worldwide. Sadly, the Glock 17 is now a discontinued pistol model. Glock stopped producing the Glock 17 MOS Gen 5 as well. They Glock 47 was designed to replace that model slowly.
On the other hand, the Glock 47, introduced in 2019, was originally developed for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as part of a government contract. It was not initially available to the civilian market, but Glock has since released it to the public. The Glock 47 shares much of its design with the Glock 17 but includes some modular components, making it a unique entry in the Glock lineup. As of 2024, the Glock 47 MOS has officially replaced the Glock 17 in the catalog, with GLOCK, Inc. no longer manufacturing or selling the gun to distributors. That may change in the future.
Design and Features
Size and Weight
At first glance, the Glock 47 and Glock 17 appear almost identical. Both are full-sized pistols chambered in 9mm and have a similar silhouette. The dimensions are quite close:
- Glock 17 Dimensions:
- Overall Length: 8.03 inches
- Height: 5.47 inches
- Width: 1.26 inches
- Barrel Length: 4.49 inches
- Weight (unloaded): 25.06 oz
- Glock 47 Dimensions:
- Overall Length: 8.03 inches
- Height: 5.47 inches
- Width: 1.34 inches
- Barrel Length: 4.49 inches
- Weight (unloaded): 25.93 oz
As shown above, the dimensions between the two models are practically identical, with only a slight difference in weight due to the slide design of the Glock 47.
Modularity
One of the standout features of the Glock 47 is its modularity. This aspect sets it apart from the Glock 17. The Glock 47 was designed to allow easy interchangeability of parts, particularly between the Glock 19 and the Glock 17. The slide of the Glock 47 is compatible with the Glock 19 frame, allowing users to create a Glock 19X-style pistol with a compact frame and a full-sized slide. This modularity is not present in the Glock 17, which uses a fixed frame-slide setup.
This interchangeability gives the Glock 47 an edge in terms of versatility, especially for users who may already own a Glock 19 and are looking for more customization options. It allows shooters to fine-tune their firearm’s handling for different situations by swapping slides and frames as needed. Sadly, it has the two stage, double spring, shorter recoil spring assembly. It would have been nice to have a single spring, longer travel recoil spring assembly of the original Gen 3 Glock 17s. Despite having much lower round counts till spring exhaustion, the longer assemblies have softer felt recoil properties and the ability to run heavier guide rods to counter balance recoil.
Slide Design and Functionality
While both pistols share the same barrel length and overall design, the slide of the Glock 47 is different from that of the Glock 17. The Glock 47’s slide is designed to be compatible with Glock’s MOS (Modular Optic System) feature, which allows for the easy attachment of red-dot optics. Though newer generations of the Glock 17 (Gen 5 MOS models) also offer the MOS feature, the Glock 47’s slide is optimized for this setup.
The Glock 47 was initially designed to meet the CBP’s specifications, and one of the key requirements was the ability to simplify parts logistics by having a shared slide and parts compatibility between different Glock models, specifically the Glock 17 and 19. For civilian users, this results in easier maintenance and the ability to modify the firearm for different shooting applications. This is a nice touch, but a longer recoil spring assembly would be best for civilian and competition shooters alike for softer felt recoil and customization.
Shooting Experience and Performance
Recoil and Handling
In terms of recoil and overall shooting experience, the Glock 47 and Glock 17 are very similar. Both pistols use Glock’s Safe Action System, which consists of three automatic safeties that disengage when the trigger is pulled and re-engage after the trigger is released. This system has made Glocks a popular choice for those seeking a straightforward, reliable trigger mechanism.
The full-sized nature of both pistols and the 9mm chambering result in manageable recoil, making them suitable for novice shooters while still offering high performance for more experienced users. The grip texture, ergonomic design, and finger grooves (depending on the generation) provide a solid hold during firing, ensuring accuracy and control.
One notable difference is the weight distribution due to the Glock 47’s slightly heavier slide. Some shooters report a marginally different feel in the balance of the Glock 47 compared to the Glock 17, though the difference is subtle. This can be counteracted by using a gen 5 brass grip weight, and a tungsten guide rod assembly.
Accuracy
Both the Glock 47 and Glock 17 are highly accurate pistols, as one would expect from Glock’s engineering. With the same barrel length and similar sight radius, their out-of-the-box accuracy is comparable. However, the Glock 47’s MOS compatibility makes it more suited for shooters who want to install a red-dot sight for enhanced precision, especially during rapid target acquisition.
In competition or tactical shooting scenarios, this feature gives the Glock 47 a distinct advantage over the Glock 17, which would require the MOS model to match that capability. Now that the Glock 17 Gen 5 MOS is discontinued, this will slowly become harder and harder to come by.
Practical Applications
Law Enforcement and Military Use
Both the Glock 47 and Glock 17 are well-suited for law enforcement and military roles. The Glock 17 has been a staple in these fields for decades, praised for its durability, reliability, and ease of maintenance. Its large magazine capacity (17 rounds) and full-sized frame make it an ideal service pistol.
The Glock 47, with its modularity and parts interchangeability, offers additional advantages for agencies looking to simplify logistics and maintenance. By allowing the slide to be used on both Glock 17 and Glock 19 frames, it reduces the need to stock multiple parts for different models. This makes the Glock 47 an attractive option for departments with existing inventories of Glock firearms.
Civilian Use: Self-Defense and Competition
For civilian use, both pistols are excellent choices for home defense, concealed carry (though the Glock 19 or smaller models might be more suitable for this role), and competition shooting.
The Glock 17 has long been a favorite among competitive shooters due to its accuracy, reliability, and ease of customization. With aftermarket parts widely available, Glock 17 owners can modify their firearms to suit their preferences, from trigger upgrades to optics and barrel modifications.
The Glock 47, with its MOS compatibility and modular design, takes these benefits a step further. Shooters who want the flexibility of switching between different frame and slide setups or those looking for a red-dot-ready pistol will find the Glock 47 to be a more versatile option.
Conclusion: Glock 47 vs. Glock 17
In summary, both the Glock 47 and Glock 17 are excellent firearms with similar characteristics. The Glock 17 is a tried-and-true classic, known for its simplicity, reliability, and widespread use in military and law enforcement. It remains a top choice for anyone seeking a full-sized 9mm pistol. Both the Glock 17 and Glock 47 share the same Glock 17 KYDEX Appendix Holster compatibility.
The Glock 47, while newer, offers additional features like slide interchangeability and MOS compatibility, making it a more modular and customizable option for users who value versatility. For those looking to build a personalized firearm setup or agencies that prioritize logistical simplicity, the Glock 47 is the superior choice. However, for traditionalists or those simply looking for a reliable, no-frills 9mm pistol, the Glock 17 remains as strong a contender as ever.
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