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 Gen 6’s from Glock are all that and a box of chocolates, because this was a cool model. All of the benefits of a Glock 19 (concealability) with the barrel length and sight radius of the larger Glock 17. It was a beautiful marriage of pistols.
Commemorating My Achievements
Part 1 of this article was a factory Glock 49 MOS with a really cool Steiner MPS for a red dot. From the beginning, I had this idea to do a “Theme Glock.” Something highlighting what I felt were the most important achievements in my life. Kind of like some of us do with tattoos, but this is artwork for my pistol.
Patronizing The Right Artists
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In doing all of this, I put one shop through its paces and then some with the demands for this project. Just like I’m known to push firearms and equipment to their failure point to see what they’re made of, I think I may have tested the mental bandwidth of Odins Workshop as well. In the end, they sent me back a completed pistol that is so intricate, so attractive, that it really belongs in a display case. However, that’s not how I roll, as this heater is now in a G-Code Phenom Commando IWB holster on my side as I type this.
Originally, I sent this gun to Continuous Precision to get all done up. They did a great job with the cuts on the slide for me and tossed on some taller iron sights. The intricate work came afterwards when Odins Workshop in Keego Harbor, MI. got ahold of it. Laser engraving is one of their specialties. It’s got to take some seriously incredible patience to paint Cerakote in all of those tiny areas.
If the guy who did their Voodoo on this gun has any hair left, I’d be surprised. The checkering (stippling) in the background gives the perfect amount of purchase when it’s gripped. I think I may have pushed some of their talents to the limits with this project, but it just goes to show how far they will go to achieve the customer’s vision. It’s obvious, Odin’s Workshop will go to hell and back to make their customers happy.
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Meaning Behind The Work
Now, about this cool project, how it turned out, and why did I pick what I did? You ever have achievements or milestones in life that you are proud of? On the right side of the slide are carved the famous crossed rifles of the US Army’s Infantry Branch. On the left side of the slide are the US Army’s Airborne Wings. When I was a teenager, I joined the Army and then earned my place among men as a Paratrooper. Odin’s Workshop painted a cool camo pattern using some neat colors to highlight everything. Of course, the slide wouldn’t be complete without my sarcastic touch, so I asked them to etch the face of my barrel with “Smile, Wait for Flash!”
For Family & Friends
The right-side grip of the frame is a Native American Tribal Grizzly Bear. It’s for the family that my wife and I have built, and of her culture. She also has the fighting spirit of a Grizzly Bear, so I’m glad she’s on my side! The left side of the frame is a unique symbol, as it’s the badge I earned as a young Deputy Sheriff when I made the Cell Extraction Team for the Corrective Services Div. C.E.T. (Goon Squad) are the ones sent to “beg to differ” with the problem prisoners. The front of the grip on the frame is of a Spartans Helmet with a crack in it. Speaking of that crack, notice its bleeding the color blue. After a career in Law Enforcement, I’m busted up, but I’m still here.
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The back of the grip of the frame is of a Crusaders Cross and Shield. This is two-fold for me. Most importantly, it’s my religion, my core system of beliefs. Also, one of my first supervisors, who went on to become a friend and mentor of mine, used to call me a “Crusader.” It turns out, he was spot on. God Bless you Mike Taylor, R.I.P. brother!
Customizing My Glock 49 Beyond Art
Some of the other aftermarket stuff that make this pistol complete are the Wilson Combat Match Full-Fit barrel. It’s not a “drop-in” barrel but instead, it was specifically fitted for this pistol. This helps eliminate any slop or play with the barrel lock up. Also added were the Wilson Combat Performance Trigger Assembly and WC Connector for a better feel.
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The trigger is still slightly heavy at about 5.5 pounds, but that is perfectly fine with me. It’s not a competition pistol, it’s a defensive pistol. The pistol still got the long Glock pull, but the Glock “squishiness” is all gone and the wall is predictable. The trigger just a smooth pull and then it’s break, which is nice and crisp.
Given that I’m about as bad as Goldilocks when it comes to a lot of my personal gear, meticulous just doesn’t quite get it right. When I buy a Glock, the first thing I do is start removing parts in favor of much better parts. In this case, I picked up a Tyrant CNC extended magazine release, magwell, and slide back plate. The back plate is purely cosmetic, but very nice. The extended mag release is a much better improvement over stock, and the magwell helps with quicker reloads by aiding in guiding the mag into the magwell when your “busy” looking elsewhere for threats.
The coolest thing I liked from Tyrant CNC was their +5 mag extensions. Those, I sourced out of state and brought them back with me because my state’s “leaders” (Peoples Republik of Washington) chose to ignore both the state and federal constitutions. Besides, they are sold as “spare parts” and not a full magazine, so my governor and his minions can ingest a satchel of Richards if they have a problem with it.
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Dots & Lights
That brings me to the flashlight attached to the front of this cool creation. I’ve been playing withthe Holosun PID for a little while now and really like it. They utilize an 18350 rechargeable battery that is commonly found for replacements or a spare. The user has the option to charge it without removing the light from the weapon itself, which is a neat feature. So, there is that, and the Holosun PID puts out 1k lumens for 60 minutes continuous on a single charge. Holosun also has a long-earned reputation for making great products for a price that will allow you to keep your extra organs where God put them. So, with the money saved, you can grab some ammo or more Tyrant CNC +5 mag extensions and show your contempt for unconstitutional overreach.
The dot on this Steiner MPS (Micro Pistol Sight) is bright and solid. This thing is built like a tank but only weighs in at 2.5oz. The window is sized perfectly enough to track a target through without being too big. The front window is actually recessed back slightly so it is protected by side walls and a metal hood. This makes it very difficult for objects (brass) to come in contact with the lens itself. The battery is reported to last for 13k hours, and it’s conveniently located on top of the MPS. There is not one negative thing that I can say about this red dot, it’s worth every dollar.
Returning To The Range
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This custom created Glock 49 MOS from Odins Workshop, with slide cuts from Continuous Precision, just fits the hand so nicely. The double-undercut on the trigger guard of the frame feel right. There is not a thing about this pistol that I can’t appreciate. It’s literally a beautiful piece of defensive equipment. And with the Holosun PID attached, it’s balanced just perfectly. Even without the light, it still shoots great! There’s just something about a longer slide but shorter, more concealable grip that is appealing. Unless you’ve got Gorilla hands, in that case, you may just want to consider a Glock 17 for the added real estate.
The Wilson Combat Fitted Barrel speaks for itself with the groupings it was putting out. A 0.6-inch group 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 0.7 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!
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Wrapping It Up
The only malfunction noted was a mag 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. Other than that, this custom Glock 49 MOS shot perfectly. No hiccups, no issues, just 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 it howl for mercy! It’s a beautiful gun, but in the end, it’s still a tool, and it’s meant to be used as such.
If you can dream it, think it up, or otherwise communicate your graphic ideas to Odins Workshop, they can surely make it happen. Or if you just want a simple laser stippling for your grip, check out Odin’s Workshop. They have some serious talent and are masters at what they do!
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