Good God! How did I miss another Glock v. 1911 thread?
My personal perspective:
[1] IMO, we tend to focus too much on the tool. We get in extensive discussions about which gun or which ammunition or which caliber is best. But I've come to believe that any gun of good quality that is reliable and accurate in a meaningful caliber will do IF -- you can manage it, you get good training and practice regularly. Conversely, no type of gun will make up for inadequate training and practice.
I'm a strong believer in good professional training for anyone who is considering owning, and especially carrying, a gun for protection. It's partially a matter of being able to skillfully use it under stress. It's also a matter of understanding one's personal responsibility and the applicable law. Jeff Cooper used to say: "It is long been a principle of ours that one is no more armed because he has possession of a firearm than he is a musician because he owns a piano. There is no point in having a gun if you are not capable of using it skillfully."
[2] My preference is a 1911. I have a number of them and lean toward either a commander size or a CCO style (commander size top end on the shorter officer size frame. All my 1911s are in .45 ACP.
I like the 1911 because I shoot it well and have a lot of experience with one. I've used a 1911 for USPSA competition in the Limited Division. And I've trained a lot with it, including regularly taking classes.
Glocks are good pistols. I just don't mange them that well. The 10mm and .45 ACP versions are simply too big through the grip. I have smallish hands and a short trigger reach. I can handle a Glock 19 in 9mm reasonably well, but still prefer my 1911s.