When Glock came out with its handguns in the 1980s, it changed how the U.S. law enforcement firearms market functioned. Before Glock, during those days, the revolver was the standard police sidearm; a few departments allowed semi-automatic pistols like the Model 1911 or double/single-action firearms. The Glock had no external mechanical safety and a constant trigger pull, making it faster to engage and easier to master the marksmanship fundamentals. The massive use of modern polymer materials in the frame and magazine, with a high magazine capacity of 17 rounds, created new trends.
Well, despite the initial skepticism, and quite often without cause, such as this Glock would be smuggled through airport metal detectors, the firearm became an item of choice for professional law enforcement, security, military forces, and civilian hobbyists worldwide.
Evolutionary Changes
Glock pistols have gone through evolutionary changes, each identified by a “generation.” From there, Gen 1 guns were followed by the Gen 2, sporting a more aggressive grip texture. Gen 3 added a flashlight mounting slot with finger grooves. Gen 4 introduced a new recoil spring system and a two-way reversible magazine release, along with a pin-on backstrap system to fit bigger hands better. Current Gen 5 models include an ambidextrous slide release, the deletion of finger grooves, a slightly flared magazine well, and what Glock calls the marksman barrel which improves accuracy with a wider variety of ammunition.
The Glock 47 MOS
The Glock 47 MOS is the newest in Glock’s line of Gen 5 pistols and is a sort of compromise between the Glock 17 and Glock 19. The G47 uses the 4.49″ barrel of the Glock 17 but incorporates the recoil spring of the Glock 19. The slide is cut for the Glock Modular Optics System to mount various dot optics using adapter plates, available from Glock and other manufacturers.
Most of the internal parts are shared with the Glock 19 and 45, making the G47 much easier to assemble. Furthermore, because of this commonality, logistic issues are almost nil. The G47 was originally developed for the United States Customs and Border Protection, where it is replacing the Heckler and Koch P2000 and USP handguns. One interesting fact about this weapon design is that it offers enormous modularity. This means slide lengths and frame heights are all interchangeable, for example.
Performance and Features
The G47 MOS is like most other Glock handguns to shoot; reliability is very good. In testing, there were no malfunctions with the G47 MOS. The trigger was 6 lbs. initially with some grit but did smooth out with use. One addition to the G47 MOS is Glock’s MOS – a milled slide that comes with adapter plates for many of the popular optics available, making it even more versatile.
The G47 MOS ships with an owner’s manual, cable lock, three magazines, a plastic magazine loading tool, and large and medium beavertail backstrap inserts, to prevent slide bite, a common issue for shooters with larger hands.
Specifications
The Glock 47 MOS is chambered in 9 mm Luger, with a 4.49″ barrel, six-groove, 1:10″ LH twist. It has a black Melonite-coated slide and a black polymer frame. Magazine capacity is 17 rounds; overall length is 7.95″, height 5.47″, weight of 25.9 ozs. MSRP is $745.
The Glock 47 MOS is something of a natural progression in the evolution of Glocks, bringing forward perhaps the best features from the previous models and pushing innovation even further. With Glock at the forefront of innovation, the G47 MOS could storm law enforcement agencies and the civilian world like its predecessors.