Glock v 1911 A1, rational opinions sought...

Blues,

I can agree with what you are saying . My response was to the statement about a disabled strong hand . If both are out of commission , I would assume the position and kiss my a$$ good bye :D .I also like these threads as so much can be shared and learned even when all parties don't have the same outlook on the topic .

Later,
Jerry
 
This is just my experiences and feelings, but here goes. I trained with the 1911 back in 1973 when I was in the Marines. I have owned and used one since then. I always own at least one form of 1911. Right now it is a tricked out SA. During all those years I have also tried other combat handguns. Usually only in .45. I owned a Glock 21 for quite a few years. It was a great firearm. Uglier than snot, but I liked it just the same. Glocks are great arm, but to me lack that certain something I feel when I hold a 1911. I also bought a Sig 220. That damb thing shoots as well as my matched out SA. I also like the feel of the Sig. The feel thing was the only thing I found not as much to my liking with the Glock. A double stack .45 is just plain thick. I also found that after I got the Sig and still had the SA and the Glock, I found that one did not get carried or used any more. The Glock stopped getting carried anyway since I shot so much better with the other two. Anyway, to me Both are good sound firearms. The 1911 feels , shoots, points most natureally to me. It has more to think about going into action, but I have been doing it for so long that it seems natural. Glock is a better combat firearm to start a beginner or novice on. There is less to worry about from a training standpoint, and has fewer conciouse steps to get it into action. Whatever you choose. TRAIN, TRAIN,TRAIN!!
 
I appreciate the reliability of the Glock. But I have smallish hands, and they don't feel right to me. The 1911 does. I can hit with the 1911. I am confident with it. In my opinion, you should never rely on a gun you aren't confident with. Make an informed choice, but no one else can make your decision for you.

The gun I most often carry is a revolver--a S&W K 38 Combat Masterpiece. It never jams, and I am extremely comfortable with it.
 
Originally posted by Coonskinner
...The gun I most often carry is a revolver--a S&W K 38 Combat Masterpiece. It never jams, and I am extremely comfortable with it.
Click to expand...

Good choice; simplicity, but not enough rounds and harder to reload than an auto. :)
 
The S&W Model 15 Combat Masterpiece was my first issued weapon many Moons ago. It was a great revolver and I wish I had had the opportunity to keep it when I transfered. I miss my little Model 36 too.
 
I have lots of Glocks and 1911s. I've shot 100k+ rounds through both styles of weapon.

I prefer the 1911 family for precision target shooting. The firearm has a lot of aftermarket support for accuracy/reliability/sport.

I prefer the Glocks for self defense applications. They always go bang when you want them to, they are simple, and robust.

However, if one or the other doesn't fit your hand well, or you have a strong preference, you won't go wrong picking the other.
 
Well, time for my monthly post. . .:D

I think that out of the box the Glock has reliability over the 1911.

A professionally tuned/reliabilized (?) 1911 is comparable to a Glock, at least my Kimber and RRA are. Actually, I must have owned the only G19 and G36 that ever had feed/extraction problems, and the 1911's actually are more reliable than the G19 + 36 were. More typically, I had a 26 and 23 that worked fine.

Accuracy wise, a combat (non tackdriver) 1911 and a Glock probably have the same inherent ability to place bullets in a small circle, but as mentioned before, the 1911 trigger is pretty much uncontestably easier to use.

As far as the thumb safety issue goes, I personally think it is a matter of practice. I shoot thumbs high (ie, riding the safety) so I've NEVER forgotten to wipe the safety off. It's where my thumbs just go! If you shoot with many different guns, though, you may run into problems. Oh, and you can (or at least I can) wipe off the thumb safety with the index finger on the weak hand should you be shooting with that hand for whatever reason. Yes, it is a pain.

The AD issues with Glocks are of interest to me. I can see how a thumbsnap on a holster can inadvertently get inside the trigger guard while reholstering. I reholster my 1911 with my thumb on the hammer. (I'm not a cop, just an enthusiast, in case I'm coming off as one. Hats off to you guys, by the way.)

Both are fine, strong weapons that have and are proving themselves every day. I would go with what you shoot best. Buy it and shoot lots of ammo and make it part of you. Then buy the other one for fun.

It's nice to not have flame wars over this topic.
 
I like both guns for different reason and agree with most that's been said.

I like the 1911 for fun and the glock for protection.

I would not want to have to reach in my nightstand draw in the middle of the night quickly for a cocked and locked 1911. :eek:
 
These are my 15 year old IPSC 45's, much more accurate than my 20 year old Hard chromed M19, but
the M19 is also ready to go (nightstand).

fd5d75a8.jpg


And a pic of my trusty old magnaported M19
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Ed
 
Blackz28, are those Jack Brescevich (sp?) grips on your 1911's?

Jack has made me four or five non-weighted grips for my 1911's over the years, and my friends keep trying to steal them from me!

Jack seemed to be slowing down a bit the last time I talked to him on the phone. Have you spoken to him recently, he's a great guy.
 
Ichabod Poser,

Good Eyes. These grips are weighted and I
honestly forgot who made them orginally. The gun on the the right, was made by Les Baer (when he was a 1 man shop) and the stainless Gold Cup on the left, I had a local gunsmith make the matching stainless comp. (I do remember that I did specify the weighted grips on both guns). Less Baer even
hard chromed the steel backs of the grips.

Ed
 
I like both designs, but for self defense I'll take a Glock hands
down. The Glock is a simpler design,is lighter and is higher capacity. One of my Glocks has over ten thousands rouds through it and it still shoots perfectly.
 
Blackz28, I thought those grips looked familiar! My IPSC guns are non-compensated, as that was the style in those days. I guess you could call my 1911's 'classic' at combat matches. They are very close to Colt Enhanced 1911's. (And they all wear Jack's grips!)

Bravado, yes, the newer automatics feed better, and they have fewer stoppages, but I disagree on one point, and that is reliability for defense.

I think anyone who uses a firearm (or any weapon) should be thoroughly instructed on the manual of arms for that weapon and get it fixed if it doesn't work correctly. Further, even if a 1911 is given a 'reliability package' from a custom gunsmith, and all of mine have that tune-up, the selection of bullet profiles is also important. My 1911's all shoot linotype semi-wad cutters, but then, I cast them myself, and make them really hard on the Brinnel scale. However, for the 'night stand,' I use commercial ammo with a ogive profile matching that of hardball.

I also break in each weapon, and carefully sort through each box of defense ammo to look for defects and head-space. I do this after I clean a 1911, using the barrel as a head-space gauge.

I have not had any type of stoppage (failure to feed, failure to lock into battery or a stove-pipe) since the 1980's. My 1911's are as reliable as a Glock, but I believe each shooter must take an active role in making sure each firearm operates.
 
Real men carry HK USP's. :)

Glock is easy as pie. 1911 is a bit more finicky, unless you like spending $2000 on a firearm to get it to work as it should "out of the box" - but once it's there, it's <b>there</b> - it doesn't get any better.

Training is key - riding the safety like you learn on a 1911 will actually decock a USP... while forgetting to take your safety off because you are used to a Glock will cause something even more unpleasant.

IMHO, for most people without the level of training needed, a Glock is probably the better choice. It's simpler, less expensive, easier to maintain & repair, and provides a wider variety of choices with a higher ammo capability. The money you save buying one can be turned into ammo and training to augment your skills.

The pro's who have the training & money go with the 1911 - it's the tip of the pyramid.

Me, I'll stick with my HK - it's not what I shoot the best, but what I'm comfortable with... and I've got all three. Maybe I should get a Springfield Armory XD... ;)
 
Real men go "Cocked and Locked"
 

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It really comes down to personal preference and experience.

There's really little argument that Glocks are reliable as all get-out, but not everybody can shoot them well. I can't. I've tried on a number of occaisions, no dice. I can shoot DA 9mms, SA .45s and revolvers, but not those damn Glocks. Go figure.

A problem that is usually attributed to the 1911 is that an "accurized" 1911 is finicky and reliability may suffer. Could damn well be. To get a super-accurate 1911, many of the tolerances need to be tightened up. Reliability is bound to suffer. Duh.

OTOH, I know of alot of loose, rattly 1911's that work and work and work, mine included. Maintenance is a couple drops of Break Free on the slide rails every several hundred rounds. In spite of 1911's loosening up, I haven't seen one yet that doesn't still shoot better than its owner.

Besides, what kind of ranges are we talking about here? I can't see a truly definite advantage to either firearm at "practical" ranges.

It comes down to each person's criteria regarding training, cartridge effectiveness, comfort, and perception of number of rounds required.
 
Raden, isn't there some sort of law against taking a picture of a 1911, with a drawing of a Glock as the background? :)

--JB
 
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