1911 and Glock

[Arkansas Paul]

I was just thinking. (I know that's dangerous).
It seems like people either like the 1911 platform or Glock. The owners of each go back and forth a lot.
Am I the only one here who likes them both?

 

[jmr40]

1911's and Glocks are the only platforms I use in a semi anymore. I think there are more folks who think like this than not. They both have the same trigger pull for each shot and both have earned reputations for accuracy and reliability.

 

[mmitch]

Own and like both. 1911 has the superior trigger.

Mike

 

[md7]

I'm not one for trying to promote one design or brand over another. If 1911/Glock/Sig/Beretta/etc. suits you, go with it.

More than one way to skin a cat. Variety is the spice of life. That sorta thing.

 

[gym]

Love both myself 1911 is just too much cash now to collect a bunch after retirment.

 

[BossHogg]

I have a glock-36 for CCW and like it a lot, perfect size and weight for the 45 acp. The price also comes into play around $500 for the Glock. I love the 1911 platform but a CCO size 1911 will be around a $1000.

I'm getting old so 40 oz 1911 are only used for the range and not CCW. As I am getting old the 1911 is still the the most beautiful gun made. Never able to say that about my Glock.

Glocks serve a purpose, but I love my steel guns.

 

[giggitygiggity]

They're two different beasts. Both are reliable; I know I'll get some resistance to this, but when you factor in the various makes in models of 1911's, you are more likely to see more malfunctions from 1911's than Glocks. However, some 1911's will run flawlessly whereas other makes/models will have more failures, but even then, it likely isn't anything to get worked up about.

Glocks also have a higher magazine capacities, less parts, are simpler, lighter, have a tougher finish than on most 1911's, and are less expensive than most 1911's.

Accuracy goes to the 1911. This is mainly a factor of their single action triggers and a tighter chamber than the Glocks. However, for most real-world applications, the difference between the 1911 and Glock is a moot point.

Both 1911's and Glocks have tons of accessories although you will more likely be able to customize a 1911 more than a Glock.

In all, both are great weapons. Any differences in reliability and accuracy are very minor and can usually be put on the same level with the inclusion of aftermarket accessories. I personally like Glocks more because I feel that their benefits make them a more practical weapon: simplicity, high magazine capacity, light, etc. I also like the 1911 although not as much as the Glock. The 1911 is a proven firearm and deserves respect for it's history and continued service in the civilian and law enforcement circles as well as in certain cliques of the military.

Either way, Glock or 1911, you will not be disappointed.

 

[X-Rap]

I have 1/2 dozen or more each 1911 and Glock pistols I used to carry some of the 1911's but now pretty much carry the Glock 19 or 17. The reasons are simple for me, simplicity and capacity with reliability.
I can probably shoot the 1911's better on a square range but given the additional capacity + the rock solid reliability I can't get past the Glock.

 

[kalashnikov74]

I love them both, great guns, period.

 

[wgp]

I am a long-time 1911 person, never liked the feel of Glocks. Then I borrowed a 23 from a friend and got interested. Maybe it's just that Glocks are so accepted for reliabilty, I bought a 23 and a 19 and am carrying them frequently sort of as a test. I am impressed at how easy they are to take down for cleaning, and I like the magazine capacity. The trigger is something you have to get used to. And, my muscle memory is so attuned to clicking off the thumb safety that I have to adjust to the Glock.

 

[Auto426]

People tend to get their ego's caught up in a gun that they like the best. They tend to come to places like this and seek acceptance from others who believe the same as they do. They start to see their chosen gun as the holy grail, and believe that nothing else can match it. They start to feel the need to bash other guns to make themselves feel better about their own. These types of people are usually known as fanboys.

Both the Glock and the 1911 are hugely successful, and each have huge fan bases. Naturally there are going to be some of these people in each platform's fan base, and they always seem to feel the need to interject themselves into normal conversions and spew their fanboy rhetoric. Over on TFL it seems that any thread that mentions Glock turns into several page long argument that turns out to be a giant waste of bandwidth and time. It's probably the same here, I just haven't visited enough to notice it. It would be nice if everyone would just respect each others choices in handguns and realize that there is no perfect gun for everyone, but I doubt that is going to happen anytime soon.

 

[john5036]

+1 Auto426

I don't get the comparison to the point of an ego contest. They are both completely different pistols with no real similarities. 1911s are true SA in pull, Glocks are mechanically SA while being a light DA pull. Neither is more utilitarian than the other, and both are proven, capable platforms that will do their job.

1911 is a classic American pistol that arguably set the tone for every semi-auto made since, Glock is an Austrian wunderkind that dared to be different and is good at it.

Glocks will grow on you and you'll probably end up getting one (there are exceptions of course, and you may be one of them) but the 1911 is that first love that you'll never forget. I just don't see what the big deal is in pitting them against each other.

1911s will always be around. They stand by themselves. Glock is the current king of the polymers, but as technologies advance no one can truly say that Glock will have the staying power of the 1911 till the end of this century, which in all likelihood none of us will be alive to witness.

It's been 100 years and the 1911 is not going out of style.

 

[BikerRN]

Interesting thread.

I own Glocks, 1911's, and Hi Powers, as well as a few revolving pistols. I carry a Hi Power or 1911 most often as I have found them to be more reliable than a Glock. My 1911's have had far fewer malfunctions than my Glock 19.

I still carry the Glock 19, but I have to be on top of it's maintainence, and keep it clean. Glock perfection isn't all that and a bag of chips, but it can possibly do in a pinch. My Glock 26 is as reliable as my 1911's.

Glock does not give me the precision accuracy I like. That job is relegated to the 1911. What Glock does give me is simplicity of operation and a reasonable amount of ammunition in reserve. The other thing Glock gives me is, I don't care if I drop it in saltwater, mud, or blood. It can sit in an Evidence Locker for the next five years and is easily replaced.

Glock gives one a reasonable assumption that it may work when needed, but has no appeal, unless you like artwork that consist of a thin stick stuck in the mud, devoid of life. With all that said, the Glock 19 is the one pistol I recommend to people if they are only going to have one autoloader with only a small amount of practice, at a reasonable price point.

Congrats on your new purchase. Enjoy it, shoot it often, and hope you never need it for real. I would wish the same for a new 1911 owner as well, so don't feel slighted by that remark.

BikerRN

 

[1911 guy]

I don't like Glocks somply because of the grip angle being so differnt from the 1911 I'm used to. You'll never hear me trash them as unreliable or innaccurate pistols, though.

Use whatever works for you.

 

[Zerodefect]

There isn't a pistol event that A Glock or 1911 can't dominate. IDPA, 3 gun, etc. If you have a 1911 and a Glock your pretty much setup well for just about anything. The only time I'll carry anything other than a Glock or 1911 is deep concealment where a Kahr fits a bit better.

I own both. Some points I've noticed about this:

-Grip angle is a non-issue. The guns feel so different, as long as I'm mentally trying to get a good high tang grip and my thumbs forward I can switch back and forth with no problems. Both point well.

-A good 1911, even tight fitted slides with 0 play, is just as reliable as the Glock. If not more. At least under practical use. I don't throw 1911's out airplane windows or bury them.

-1911 has the best trigger of all pistols. Glock has an effective trigger that's easy to use, but feels as nice as the brakes on a Russian automobile.

-1911's generally need a few changes to fit the shooter. Like thumb safety, grip safety, mag release type, and grips. Glocks are allmost allways ready to go out of the box.

-Glocks have a good durable finish. 1911's need refinished to reach Glocks level of finish. Often $300+ for Melonite or Hardhat. But you can order DW and LB from Severns Custom Hardhatted and ready to go. So things are improving in the 1911 camp.

-1911's never come with good mags. Glocks allways come with good mags.

-Some 1911's come with good sights. Glocks allmost never come with good sights. Glocks are much easier to install new sights onto. 1911's may require a bit of research, and you may have to try a couple different front sight heights to get it perfect.

-A 5" 1911 is the easiest to conceal big fullsize gun. I usually carry a Glock 23 rather than a smaller 4" 1911. But I never carry a fullsize Glock. (17,22,21)

-1911's have a ton of redundant safeties. Even cocked and locked the 1911 is the safest CCW pistol out there.

Glocks go bang when the trigger is pulled, and don't go bang when you don't pull the trigger, no safeties needed, but it deos require a good quality holster and some tender care when reholstering.

-1911 is heavier. .40 caliber Glocks are lighter but have a snappy recoil.

-Both require proper maintenace, I don't care what the cool aid says. Both eat springs. Nom, Nom, Nom. Both should be properly lubed.

Both seem to attract newer shooters that are Super picky about reliability, but too ignorant to learn the simplest proper maintenace.

Noone complains more on the internet than a 1911 or Glock shooter that can't grasp the idea that certain parts/springs need a replacement schedule and that metal slides better when actually oiled.

-1911 costs three times more than a Glock. The 1911 was designed in an age where people were still craftsman. Don't expect a Glock priced 1911 to keep up with a Glock.

-Both come in black.

 

[Walkalong]

I love 1911's. I don't care for Glocks. Just a matter of personal preference. I don't care for the M&P either for that matter.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I can honestly say I dont like either. I have never owned a Glock but have shot many, many, many of them.

I go through 1911 phases and each time realize why I did not have one before. In terms of pure practicality and ease of carry I believe the Glock is superior but for those who love the history and want something to tinker with then 1911s would be better for that.

Im kind of a revolver guy mostly though. I do like HK P7s and larger sized 380s like the Beretta 85 and Colt 1908.

 

[Glockeroo]

@BikerRN
I still carry the Glock 19, but I have to be on top of it's maintainence, and keep it clean.

You can't be serious. Glocks require very little maintenance, and can go on and on for years without any cleaning. A field stip clean once a month is really all a Glock needs.

 

[0to60]

I'm with you! I have both and love both. How could you not? They're the two most popular semi auto's of all time!

 

[2wheels]

I love 1911s in the same way I love classic muscle cars, there's just something about them that can't ever be replaced by a modern sports car.

And the cool thing is, even though it's a 100 year old design a good 1911 will run with the latest hi-tech space age polymer pistols out there. I do not feel undergunned at all when I leave my house carrying a 1911 or 1911 style pistol.

So many good points have already been made, +1 to pretty much everything.

Glocks are fine weapons that I sometimes make fun of (I make fun of Dodges/Chevys too, I'm a Ford fanboy), but I can't and won't truly put down. They do the job the were designed to do but they just haven't made me fall in love the way 1911s have. I had an XD40 subcompact up until recently, it was actually my first CCW pistol, but I sold it to finance a Springer EMP. My XD was 100% reliable no matter what I did, was easy to conceal, and more accurate than a tiny gun deserved to be but I just couldn't fall in love with it. The same goes for every Glock I've ever handled/fired, and I've fired quite a few.

To each his own, I'm honestly glad for any man/woman who owns and loves their Glock, but I'll stick to my 1911s.

 

[reb27]

I own, and like both, very much.

 

[amd6547]

I am a big fan of the 1911 (I own two), and the HiPower. But, when I started looking at compact 1911's, I found that they have a reputation for being finicky and having problems.
As I did my research, I realized that I liked the 45acp cartridge even more than the 1911. This epiphany opened me up to other possibilities.
I found the Glock 30 compact. This model Glock has the reputation of being perhaps the most accurate Glock combat model.
I found one for sale local to me with four mags, night sights, and a Galco IWB holster for what I would have paid for an entry level 1911.
Took my Glock 30 to the range, and found I could hit my clubs 10" steel plates at 40 yards with no problem...even seemed to be hitting to point of aim at 100 yards!
It's light weight and 10 round mag is great...a pistol that goes from CCW to HD to woods pistol seamlessly...and a 13rd G21 reload is a nice option too.
After that, I traded off a Beretta 92FS for a Glock 17 for some lower cost Glock trigger practice...I got a slim kydex IWB holster for that pistol, and I am amazed at how easy it is to CCW this 17rd pistol.
I still love the 1911 and the HiPower....my '73Charlie Belgian HiPower is on the never sell list...but I honestly don't see myself carrying it in preference to the lighter G17.

 

[Leviathan5964]

I have used Glocks for years professionally. They are alright, not as good as some people or Glocks marketing makes them out to be. I also like 1911s. That being said those two brands are far from the only game in town so when people act like those are the only two options its laughable. Sig, Walther ,Ruger,Beretta, SA XDs, CZs....there are a lot of good weapons out there. The key to selecting the right one is knowing what it's going to be used for, how it's going to be carried, whether or not the weapon fits your hand, whether you can conceal it , and a host of other factors. Glocks are a good choice because they are relatively inexpensive, reliable, and easy to operate. They also have a high capacity to weight ratio. 1911s have great ergonomics, shootability, accuracy and (in 45) good stopping power. I'd stay away from most of the X vs Y discussions as they are seldom very productive. Try to find the highest quality gun that you can afford that has the right features and ergonomics for you. That's usually the best way to go about things. Oh, and while I like Glocks well enough and 1911s, right now I am crushing on my 40cal XD. It's almost like a bastard offspring of both. Worth a look at least from anyone.

 

[cookmonsta]

I like how 1911s fit in my hand and hits everything I point it at

 

[SwampWolf]

...I traded off a Beretta 92FS for a Glock 17...

You got any more Berettas you want to "trade off"?