More than three years ago, GLOCK announced a contract with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to supply them with three pistols. A Gen 5 GLOCK 26, a Gen 5 GLOCK 19 MOS, and a brand new model: the GLOCK 47. The new GLOCK 47 is the same length, width, and height as a Gen 5 GLOCK 17 – so what was the big deal? At the time, this was a CBP/Law Enforcement only pistol, unavailable to retail customers. But as we now sit, finally, on the virtual eve of the G47 release to consumers, it’s our job to explain why this GLOCK is an important step in the Perfection revolution. Let’s take a look.
TFB Exclusive: The Elusive GLOCK G47 Clears Customs; Headed To LGS
TFB Exclusive: The Elusive GLOCK G47 Clears Customs; Headed To LGS
Mote GLOCK 47 @ TFB:
- US Customs and Border Patrol Seeks New 9mm Pistol
- CBP Awards GLOCK $85M Contract For Duty Handguns
- TFB EXCLUSIVE: New CBP GLOCK G47, G19 MOS And G26
TFB Exclusive: The Elusive GLOCK G47 Clears Customs; Headed To LGS
For years, a vocal minority of GLOCK owners have requested a unicorn in both availability and form – a long slide, short grip pistol that has a duty-carry sight radius and an extra half an inch worth of muzzle velocity, but with a short concealable grip. The biggest GLOCK announcements in the last five years have included the opposite characteristics; a G19 size slide on a G17 size frame.
TFB Exclusive: The Elusive GLOCK G47 Clears Customs; Headed To LGS
The releases of both the G19X and the G45 handguns caused quite the commotion, including those who argued that Austria had given them the opposite of what they had really asked for in a new gun. However, GLOCK has eventually won over nearly everyone, even their critics, and the G45 has become, in my opinion, the best full sized pistol pistol on the market. Until now?
TFB Exclusive: The Elusive GLOCK G47 Clears Customs; Headed To LGS
The question mark is placed at the end of that sentence due to the now impending release of the G47. While this latest GLOCK is the same size as a G17, but the slide is cut and configured in a way that it sits on top of G19 length frame rails. Which means that owners of both the G47 and a G19 can assemble a pistol that many have wanted for years: a long-slide, short-frame GLOCK.
TFB Exclusive: The Elusive GLOCK G47 Clears Customs; Headed To LGS
For those who are wondering, GLOCK does not intend to offer slides or frame separately from complete pistols. This means that if you want to carry the GLOCK unicorn, you need to own two pistols.
The release of the G47 for retail customers will end up being like the G45 and G45MOS – a bigger deal than most initially realize. Not only will owners be able to swap a G47 slide onto a G19 frame, but GLOCK appears to be testing the waters on new configurations and gauging customer interest on future pistol model development.
Look for the G47 to be available for purchase at the beginning of SHOT 2023.
TFB Exclusive: The Elusive GLOCK 47 Clears Customs; Headed To LGS