Last October (2024) I published “Part 1” of my Glock 49 MOS project here on Athlon Outdoors. Unfortunately, the Glock 49 was amongst the gaggle of models that were recently discontinued. I sure hope that the new Gen6 models from Glock will be all that and a box of chocolates, because I really like the Glock 49. In a nutshell, the 49 offers all of the benefits of a Glock 19 (conceivability) with the barrel length and sight radius of the larger Glock 17. It’s a beautiful marriage.
Commemorating My Achievements
My gun started off as an ordinary factory Glock 49 MOS. It wears a Steiner MPS red-dot, one of the coolest enclosed-emitter options out there. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to do something special to this pistol and decorate it with a theme. To be more specific, I wanted this gun to highlight some of the most important achievements in my life. It’s not unlike getting a meaningful tattoo, except this artwork is for my pistol.
Patronizing The Right Artists
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In the same way I’ll push firearms and equipment to their failure points to see what they’re made of, I think I may have done the same to Odin’s Workshop. In the end, this outfit sent me back a completed pistol that is so intricate and so attractive, that it really belongs in a display case. But that’s not how I roll. Instead, this heater rides in a G-Code Phenom Commando IWB holster by my side–even as I write this.
I kicked off my Glock 49 project by sending the pistol to Continuous Precision. They did a great job with the cuts on the Glock 49’s slide. This shop also installed taller iron sights on the pistol.
But it was Odin’s Workshop out of Keego Harbor, MI. that did all of my gun’s fine-detail and intricate work. Laser engraving is one of Odin’s specialties. Furthermore, I can’t imagine the patience required to paint Cerakote into all of those tiny areas. If the guy who worked his magic on my gun has any hair left, I’d be surprised.
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The checkering in the background gives the perfect amount of purchase when it’s gripped. I can’t expressed how amazed I am at the results, but I still feel like I may have pushed some of their talents to the limits with my Glock 49 MOS project. It’s obvious that Odin’s Workshop will go to hell and back to make their customers happy and respect their vision.
Meaning Behind The Work
The right side of the slide features the US Army’s famous crossed rifles of the Infantry Branch. The other side has a pair of the Army’s Airborne Wings engraved. I was still a teenager when I joined the Army. As a youngster, I also secured my place among men as a US Army Paratrooper. Besides the engraving, Odin’s Workshop painted a camo pattern with a neat color palette to highlight everything. Finally, the slide wouldn’t be complete without my personal sarcastic touch. The muzzle reads, “Smile, Wait for Flash!”
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I have a Native American tribal grizzly bear on the right side of the Glock 49’s grip. This bear represents the family that my wife and I have built–and also her culture. Not to mention, my wife has the fighting spirit of a grizzly bear, so I’m glad she’s on my side!
The left side of the frame commemorates the badge I earned as a young deputy sheriff. Specifically, it’s a reminder of when I earned my spot Cell Extraction Team for the Corrective Services Div. The CET or [Goon Squad] is the group that contends with “beg to differ” problem prisoners. There’s a Spartan helmet with a crack in it that “bleeds blue” depicted on the frontstrap. After a career in Law Enforcement, I’m busted up, but I’m still here.
Finally, the backstrap has a crusader’s cross and shield. For me, this has double meanings. Most importantly, it is a testament to my faith and religion. It’s also a way I remember one of my first supervisors, Mike Taylor. Over the years, Mike became a friend and mentor who used to call me a “Crusader.” It turns out, he was spot on.
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(God bless you, and rest in peace Mike.)
Customizing My Glock 49 Beyond Art
Beyond the artist touches on my pistol, I also added some parts upgrades.
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This includes a Wilson Combat Match Full-Fit barrel that’s specifically fitted to this Glock 49.
I also added a Wilson Combat Performance Trigger Assembly and a WC Connector to improve the trigger’s feel. The trigger still breaks 5.5lbs, which is perfectly fine. This pistol isn’t a match gun, it’s defensive. Adding the Wilson parts doesn’t remove the long Glock pull, but the “squishiness” is completely gone. It’s just a smooth pull followed by a predictable break, nice and crisp.
Any time I buy a Glock, there’s always certain parts I like to upgrade. For my Glock 49, I picked up a Tyrant CNC extended magazine release, magwell and back-plate. The back-plate is purely cosmetic, but it pleases me. Tyrant CNC’s extended mag release is a much better improvement over the stock part. Thanks to the magwell, I can pull off quicker reloads while I am “busy” looking elsewhere during reloading. I also really appreciate Tyrant CNC’s +5 mag extensions for the capacity boost.
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Dots & Lights
I already shared my thoughts about the Steiner MPS in the first part of this Glock 49’s story. It’s a very solid enclosed-emitter red-dot sight and I’m beyond pleased with it.
I’ve been playing with the Holosun P.ID for a while now and really like it. This tactical light feeds from an 18350 rechargeable battery; it’s easy to find and replace. These lights can even be recharged without removing the light off the weapon itself–a neat feature. Performance-wise, the P.ID puts out 1k lumens for 60 minutes continuously on a single charge. Holosun also has a long-earned reputation for making great products at reasonable prices.
Returning To The Range
After the work that Odin’s Workshop and Continuous Precision did on the grip and frame, my Glock 49 just fits the hand so nicely. There’s a double-undercut on the trigger guard that feels amazing. On top of that, there’s not a thing about this pistol that I can’t appreciate.
This pistol represents a beautiful piece of defensive equipment. With the Holosun P.ID on board, it also balances perfectly.
With respect to the Glock 49’s basic layout, there’s something to having a handgun built with a longer slide and shorter grip that really appeals to me.
The Wilson Combat Fitted Barrel speaks for itself. This fitted barrel helped put 0.60-inch at 15 yards using G9 Defense 80gr. External HP. That bullet is made of solid copper by-the-way. Runner-up was Lehigh Defense 115gr. Controlled Fracturing HP at 0.70-inches so it was very close. Not too difficult from a bag rest on a table at the farm, especially at 15 yards. Add a Steiner MPS for a red dot, a lot of cloud cover and it’s a great day of shooting!
The only malfunction noted was a magazine issue, and that was fixed on the spot with some profanity and a good smack to properly reseat the spring on the +5 magazine extension. Otherwise, this Glock 49 MOS shot perfectly and provides a great range experience overall. This is bar none, the nicest pistol that I’ve ever owned, and by all means really should be treated respectfully and cherished.
Who am I kidding, it’s time to go put that new case of Blazer Brass through this barrel and make the gun howl for mercy. By all means, it’s a beautiful gun, but it is still a tool–and meant to be used as such.