By Andre’ M. Dall’au

The original GLOCK G17 was, and is, a great pistol. In fact, it changed the firearms industry, bringing about the mainstream use of polymers and internal firing systems. It has also been the base for numerous expansions, including the G47. These two pistols are similar. They are so similar that many shooters wonder how the pair stacks up against each other; sort of a GLOCK 47 vs. GLOCK 17 format. 

Both pistols benefited from the introduction of Gen5, some of which came from features requested by federal agencies. Among the more than 20 Gen5 design changes (some from the immediately successful G42 and 43 subcompact pistols) are five key features. 

The GLOCK Marksman Barrel (GMB) utilizes new barrel rifling to deliver improved accuracy. The company removed the finger grooves and added an ambidextrous slide-stop levers to help shooters’ grip control and situational awareness. It also added a flared mag-well that makes it easier to funnel in magazines, particularly in high-stress situations. The previous Tenifer coating was replaced with the exclusive nDLC finish that is tougher and more durable.

GLOCK came out with the Gen5 GLOCK 17 with all these features in 2017 and now has introduced the Gen5 G47 that looks and feels almost identical to (and may be replacing) the Gen5 G17.

Starting in 2019, the GLOCK 47 was specifically developed for the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as part of an $85 Million contract that required modularity (interchangeable parts from Gen5 compact 9mm pistols.) So, what’s the similarities and difference between the two? 

Modularity is the Difference

Both the G47 and G17 are full-sized frames and slides unlike the shorter slides and frame of the GLOCK 19, or the full-size frame and shorter, compact slide of the GLOCK 45 or G19X. What I found was the biggest difference is that the GLOCK 47 is slightly heavier and fractionally wider. It also has a shortened “dust cover” (the part of the frame ahead of the light rail) to accommodate the same recoil spring assembly of the Gen5 G19.

One of the results is that you can take off the full-size G47 slide and barrel, and replace it with a compact Gen5 G19, G45 or 19X slide and barrel. You can also put the longer G47 slide (with longer sight radius) on the compact G19, G45 or G19X frame. The ability to interchange parts provides a modularity that was a CBP requirement. It is also an armorer’s dream for matching parts with need and mission. 

Overall, the dimensions are nearly identical, with the G47 about .08 inches wider and a little over an ounce heavier than the G17. However, it’s not just cosmetic. The replacement of the longer recoil spring with the shorter G19 spring assembly provides for a shorter recoil and faster recovery, especially if shooting off the reset. With competitions being won by fractions of a second, it is a measurable improvement.

Gen5 Features in the Real World

When I shot the G47, I found the best GLOCK production trigger to date. It’s a little better than the Gen5 G17, with a good break and quick reset. The accuracy of the marksmanship barrel was excellent and the action was smooth and flawless with no operability issues. It digested both Black Hills 9mm 115-grain FMJ and 9mm HoneyBadger self-defense ammo, providing excellent groupings and no jams. 

The Modular Optic System (MOS) feature that allows mounting red-dot optics has become more than standard. It is essential to take advantage of the GLOCK precision built into every pistol. Mounting either an open or enclosed red-dot sight on the GLOCK using the OEM plates (offered extra) is achievable by a shooter. It provides for matching preferences of a Meprolight, Holosun, Vortex, Trijicon or other durable and effective optic co-witnessed with the GLOCK sights or having the reticle in the lower third of the RDS.  

From Then to Now

The G47 has every new feature that GLOCK has improved over a near half-century of producing pistols. And the Gen5 G17 still has every design breakthrough that Gaston Glock innovated in the early 1980s. He saw that the Austrian Army was looking for a replacement for their WWII P-38 service pistol. He thought that using the newest techniques for forming metal with polymer in a design by a hand-picked group of experts, shooters and engineers, he could create an innovative, world-class design. 

His first pistol designated the P80 was indeed adopted by the Austrian Army. It made its way to America as the GLOCK 17 in the late 80s. Glock’s design that eventually changed the entire pistol industry included his SAFE ACTION striker-fired ignition system of three independently operating, passive mechanical safeties (trigger safety, firing pin safety and drop safety) that disengage sequentially as the trigger is depressed and automatically reengage when the trigger is released. The innovative features of the P80/G17 also included a textured polymer frame, high-capacity steel and polymer magazines, with an easy to disassemble design consisting of 35 parts. 

GLOCK 47 vs. GLOCK 17

In my opinion, the G47 is slightly better than the G17. This is due to its shorter recoil impulse that provides for a quicker recovery. The G17 is iconic, reliable and has international parts availability, and costs slightly less. Also, the modularity of the G47 means that you can interchange some Gen5 barrels and slides. 

That means you take your G47 to the range with a full-size slide with a red dot optic and practice all day. Then, swap to a short slide with iron sights for concealed carry during the trip home. Admittedly, the daylight between the iconic Gen5 G17 as the most popular international handgun in the world and the modular G47 shows a very narrow gap. 

With either one you get a 9mm GLOCK that will put a bullet exactly where it is aimed, every time. It also means legendary reliability and support with the most diverse amount of aftermarket gear available for a pistol in the world, providing a shooter everything from holsters to sights that best suits a GLOCK shooter’s needs, cost and ability. The choice between the excellence of the proven GLOCK 17 vs. GLOCK 47 is yours.

Tags: 9mm, Glock, Glock 17, Glock 47 MOS