The G47 is basically a Gen 5 G17. I can think of two possible justifications for this model’s existence.
1) Economic. I’m not intimately familiar with Glock’s manufacturing process, but it may be easier to machine the red doohickey into slides and run one injection mold line (G45 and G47). This wouldn’t be a materials cost calculation, it would be an opportunity cost based on the time it takes to set up one frame production line and switch over to a different molding. If you can use the same machine to make frames for multiple federal firearms contracts, it’s a win from a lean manufacturing standpoint. Think about the G43X and G48. It was apparently most cost effective to produce one frame for both pistols instead of having flush dustcovers for each.
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2) Pracrical application. You can now throw a G19 slide on a G47 frame and have a G45. The Gen 5’s all share the same looking blocks. So the platform is a little bit more modular, for what it’s worth.
I cannot conceive of any other advantages to a G47. Would love to hear alternative theories. Any word if this will be available to civilian market or if it’s CBP exclusive? No worries if not... a Gen 5 G17 MOS is literally the same thing with a traditional length dust cover.
1) Economic. I’m not intimately familiar with Glock’s manufacturing process, but it may be easier to machine the red doohickey into slides and run one injection mold line (G45 and G47). This wouldn’t be a materials cost calculation, it would be an opportunity cost based on the time it takes to set up one frame production line and switch over to a different molding. If you can use the same machine to make frames for multiple federal firearms contracts, it’s a win from a lean manufacturing standpoint. Think about the G43X and G48. It was apparently most cost effective to produce one frame for both pistols instead of having flush dustcovers for each.
2) Pracrical application. You can now throw a G19 slide on a G47 frame and have a G45. The Gen 5’s all share the same looking blocks. So the platform is a little bit more modular, for what it’s worth.
I cannot conceive of any other advantages to a G47. Would love to hear alternative theories. Any word if this will be available to civilian market or if it’s CBP exclusive? No worries if not... a Gen 5 G17 MOS is literally the same thing with a traditional length dust cover.
