Introduction
We’ve brought you various different Glock pistol reviews over the years, as well as many of the new Glock clones. As a convert to the Glock cult, I often feel like a fresh set of eyes on most of their pistols. And today I bring you a fresh look at the Glock 47 Gen5 9mm pistol.
According to the manufacturer, the G47 was developed for US federal agent use by Customs and Border Protection. But don’t hold that against the gun, it also has great use for other people and patriots alike. The G47 is essentially a modified version of the prolific G17, perhaps one of the most used pistols in the world by law enforcement and other shooters.
The G47 has basic part interchangeability with the G17 and its siblings, the main difference is a shorter pic rail under the front of the slide. I wouldn’t consider this a downside since this is a full size pistol.
The Glock 47
| Caliber | 9mm Parabellum |
| Capacity | 17 rounds |
| Barrel Length | 4.5 Inches |
| Weight (unloaded) | 25.93 Ounces |
| Weight (loaded) | 34.29 Ounces approx |
| Trigger Pull Weight | 5.8 Pounds |
| Length | 7.95 Inches |
| Width | 1.34 Inches |
| Height | 5.47 Inches |
I mentioned the G47 shares much of its features with the G17, to be honest I am not entirely sure why the separation between the two pistols even exists. According to those who know more than me, its to allow agencies to use both the G19 and G47 models without having to hold separate parts and service for both. The interchangeability is what they were after.
I really enjoy shooting full size pistols, one of them is a G17 clone, my Shadow Systems DR920. I’ve really enjoyed shooting this pistol over the years, and if the G47 is comparable I was sure to like it as well.
The full-size grip is very nice for shooting, it allows full purchase of the grip and helps manipulate the pistol better. It also allows for the seventeen-round capacity that gives this pistol such a commanding presence. The standard Glock grip texturing is ok in my opinion, and the other Gen 5 frame features are also welcome.
The rounded edges where it matters on the slide make it easier to pocket when you need to. And the optics cut on the rear of the slide is a must have these days, as red dots are taking over the pistol world. The addition of ambidextrous slide release is a breath of fresh air for left-handed shooters.
Setting up the Glock 47
I mentioned I was a Glock convert, so I have a few things that will go with the G47. I would also incorporate one of my Surefire X300 weapon lights, in my humble opinion they are a perfect match for the pistol. In addition to lighting up your target area, they also bring some weight to the front of the pistol which reduces some muzzle rise.
Also while shooting the G47 I would be using one of my Safariland ALS holsters. In my limited experience these are excellent holsters which help you get the most out of your pistol shooting.
For ammunition, I would be using bulk packed 115 grain ammo from Mountain West Lethal Precision. As well as some 115 grain ammunition from PMC.
On the Range with the Glock 47
Shooting the Glock 47 was an outdoor adventure, my children and I went into the open country of the nearby mountains. I took several hundred rounds of ammunition of various types, as well as a few different magazine options to see how the G47 functioned.
The plan was to run through all the ammo, and get a good feel for how the gun draws, points, cycles, and reloads. Running through both 17 and 19 round magazines the G47 never skipped a beat. I regret that I was unable to get a red dot mounted during the review. It’s a shame the Glock doesn’t have the optics mounting built into the slide, like so many others have done.
But we still ran the G47 through quite a bit of shooting. I like shooting single rounds loaded in each mag over and over. It helps build muscle memory for reloads, and it also gives each magazine an opportunity to fail locking back the action. All three magazine types used worked great in that aspect.
Drawing and shooting the G47 from my Safariland holster felt natural and smooth. Reinforcing the excellent grip angle and point of aim of the G47, the whole experience was pleasant. This of course came as no surprise since I quite enjoy shooting my G17 clone.
Shootability
The G47 has the Gen 5 features that many shooters enjoy, the removal of the finger grooves on the grip area make it a little more universal-fitting. The texture on the grip allows good purchase, though I feel like I prefer the more aggressive grip of other brands.
The sights are typical Glock sights, which in my experience are great for getting a quick sight picture. Again, I would have preferred a red dot though. That said, I had no issues hitting what I aimed at.
Adding a slightly flared magwell made it even easier to load magazines, not that it’s hard to hit them without it. The polymer frame makes it easy to drop and insert mags quickly while keeping eyes on the target. I found the grip to be more than adequate as is, but it’s nice to know that you can change the backstrap out to custom fit your hand.
The controls on the G47 are very Glock, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. They are exactly where and what you’d expect, making for smooth reloads and operation. The large grip area gives lots of room to hold on, keeping the gun secure through recoil impulses.
Ergonomics
Glock pistols have almost always seemed a little “no-frills” to me, the huge stippling aftermarket seems to support my theory. That said, the G47 is comfortable to hold on to. The large grip area and beavertail give very adequate hold of the pistol. The undercut trigger guard allows you to keep your fingers mostly together while gripping the gun.
The magazine release seems pretty low profile, staying out of the way while shooting and carrying. But it’s in just the right spot when the time comes to use it. And speaking of controls, the ambidextrous slide release must be great for the lefties out there.
The customizable backstrap is another great feature for those who need it. Adding both the ability to thicken the grip size, as well as add to the beavertail thickness should you desire.
Reliability
You’d expect a pistol from Glock to have legendary reliability. After all, that is what has made Glock the choice of countless law enforcement agencies and militaries. During the course of our shooting, the G47 performed flawlessly. No failures to fire, eject or any other flaws were experienced. The closest thing to a malfunction was when I found myself dropping the slide too early, but this is of course poor operation and not a malfunction.
All three different magazine types we used worked well with the G47. As did most of my G17 accessories. The G47 fit perfectly in my Safariland holsters bought for the G17. This is excellent news for G47 owners because the compatibility with its G17 sibling gives you many options.
Accuracy
With handguns I often feel a little out of place when it comes to accuracy. As a rifle junkie, shooting pistols accurately isn’t exactly my forte. And I’ll admit that using red dots has become something of a crutch for shooting more accurate shots for me. With all that said, I still found it easy to hit my targets with the G47. The sights’ vibrant contrast against the black pistol made them easy to pick up and center on the target. I’ll also mention that the G47’s trigger felt great, and its consistent break also helped shoot more consistently.
Value
It seems that the street price for a new G47 hovers around the $630 mark at the point of writing this. That’s honestly a pretty fair price in my opinion. Looking at the plethora of Glock clones out there, the competition has gotten stiff. The G47 seems to function as well and shoot as reliably as my Shadow Systems DR920 which costs around $200 more, though I do prefer the vibe of the SS over the Glock.
And there are also much cheaper options, some better than others. You can get a BCA Grizzly 101 for under $300, which for some people is enough to make the difference. I guess I would say that bottom line, if you just want a gun that shoots those options will do. But if you want Glock perfection, the price of the G47 is fair.
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Pros and Cons
Pros
- It’s a Glock, it comes with distinguished service
- Optics ready
- Compatible with G17 accessories
- Rounded edges for low snag
- Ambidextrous controls
Cons
- Requires optics adaptor plate
Final Thoughts
After my time shooting the G47 I can say I feel every bit as positive about the gun as the G17 and its clones. The G47 does much of the heavy lifting in the full-size service pistol market. And for many good reasons as we’ve outlined here. Reliable operation is what these pistols are known for, and this one surely does. Not only are they reliable but they are comfortable, familiar and compatible with most of the ancillary equipment you’ll want to use.
