CCW opinion Glock 26 vs RIA 1911

[Dr.Mall Ninja]

Hey guys, recently got my CCW license and im looking for what would be my designated CCW pistol. I want to keep it relatively inexpensive so im not scared to beat them up

I got two guns that I'm seeming to focus on. The Rock island four inch, because im familiar with the 1911 platform and shoot it well
However im a little nervous trusting an budget 1911 with my life, with the Compact/subcompact Glock you can just about be sure its going bang.
What do you guys think?

 

[tarosean]

I'm sure a lot of people will chime in stating their RIA has never missed a beat. Given those two choices I'd go with the Glock, and I am a 1911 fan.. Although I'd personally pick the 17 or 19 over the baby.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Don't have an RIA 1911 - I have a Colt Officers and I'm a 1911 platform lover.

I also have a G26 and of the two platforms for concealed carry I prefer the Glock.

VooDoo

 

[Lawlerr]

I have a RIA baby 1911. The way i carry concealed, the dove tail on the backstrap pokes me in the side when i sit. Its heavy for its size. Its loud as all getout. It function great. The wait helps control when firing. I love mine, but i carry a ruger 9mm most of the time.

 

[LiveLife]

Before you decide to carry anything for SD, I would suggest you fire enough rounds to determine whether a particular firearm is reliable enough for you.

For me, while I consider RIA to be the Glock of 1911s and have several Glocks, I would range test any pistol for carry with several thousand rounds before I deem it reliable (yes, even Glocks can have reliability issues and parts breakage). Of course, if I run into any reliability issues during this time, I would work out the issues while replacing consumable parts like recoil spring every few thousand rounds. If I can't resolve the reliability issues, I won't carry the pistol.

If you are not comfortable with 2 finger Glock 26 grip, consider adding Pearce mag base for full 3 finger grip and also increase capacity by 2 rounds. If you are looking to carry 4" 1911, have you considered G19 compared to G26?

BTW, here's my G27 with Pearce grip extension and a 40-9 conversion barrel.

 

[RustyShackelford]

My input....

For general CC, Id buy a new Glock 26 gen 03 or gen 04.
Glocks have lots of holsters, parts, add-ons. You can get duty size or larger 9x19mm Glock mags as spares/back-ups. The Glock 26 9mm can be toted in the pocket, hip, shoulder rig.
Glocks are widely known for hard use & holding up well to rough conditions too.
A RIA .45acp is good, but not as practical as a sub compact Glock 26.

A Glock 27 .40 might be smart. You can get LoneWolf Dist conversion barrels to switch from .40S&W to 9x19mm. You could also get .357sig & .22LR(with a special kit).

 

[CWL]

Just a question, but you got your CCL before you chose a gun? Is the process in St. Louis different where you don't need to qualify with your chosen gun(s), or have them listed in the license?

 

[dprice3844444]

glock 26 is easy and simple to conceal.no thumb safety to accidently be deactivated causing an accidental discharge,like the 1911.plus the weight of the 45.
http://smartcarry.com permits you to carry weapon and 2 extra mags concealed.(g17 mags)
http://ccwbreakaways.com/ you can also get them in shorts and full pants.
glock offers the 27 in 40 cal plus a single stack small 45.all will be way cheaper and lighter than a 1911.plus,if you have to use it in self defense,the financial hit of losing the weapon is way less than a 1911.
also note,dd214 gets you police price at glock distributers.ask first

 

[Dr.Mall Ninja]

In Missouri when you get your ccw. You can carry whatever you want.

 

[dogmush]

Which do you shoot better, faster?

Carry that one.

 

[moxie]

"glock 26 is easy and simple to conceal.no thumb safety to accidently be deactivated causing an accidental discharge,like the 1911.plus the weight of the 45."

How does accidently deactivating a 1911 thumb safety cause an accidental discharge?

 

[Onward Allusion]

However im a little nervous trusting an budget 1911 with my life

LOL! Personally, I wouldn't trust an expensive 1911 with my life either, unless it was one of the only options. G26 all the way. Carry 1 extra standard capacity mag and you have 28 rounds.

 

[jmr40]

I like both 1911's and Glocks. I'd trust the Glock to work when needed over even a high end 1911. The fact that it is smaller, lighter and holds more ammo is just a bonus.

 

[dprice3844444]

How does accidently deactivating a 1911 thumb safety cause an accidental discharge?

usually a 1911 has a lightened trigger pull,and if the thumb safety becomes accidently disengaged without the owners knowledge,and gun gets bumped,dropped, or grabbed ,it May go off.(cocked and locked)
http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-504461.html&amp& 1911 thread
https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search...&hsimp=yhs-att_001&type=att_pc_homerun_portal here is some sites on 1911 discharges fyi

 

[Fishbed77]

Just a question, but you got your CCL before you chose a gun? Is the process in St. Louis different where you don't need to qualify with your chosen gun(s), or have them listed in the license?

You certainly don't have to in SC. You see most people here shoot .22LRs in their CWP classes. You can then carry any pistol you want.

 

[moxie]

"usually a 1911 has a lightened trigger pull,and if the thumb safety becomes accidently disengaged without the owners knowledge,and gun gets bumped,dropped, or grabbed ,it May go off.(cocked and locked)"

"Lightened trigger pull." With a stock gun ? Eh?
Highly unlikely for this to happen, but even if it did, it wouldn't CAUSE an accidental discharge.
If it gets bumped or dropped it won't go off because it has a grip safety (and an inertial firing pin, and, in some cases a Series 80 system, etc.). Ain't happening!
Sure it might go off if it's grabbed but that's true of any gun.

 

[GLOOB]

I'd go with the one that carries better. That can go either way depending on the day.

 

[browningguy]

I wouldn't carry a Glick, so the 1911 for me.

 

[Warp]

Those are two rather different choices.

How many problem-free rounds do you have through the 1911? (since you seem to be leaning that direction)

 

[TreeDoc]

Glock 26 camp, just about reliable as a hammer and dam sure tough as one. Not made for polishing, fancy grips or any bling, it's made for business.

 

[WC145]

I'm no Glock fan and I carry a 1911 the majority of the time, however, in this case I would choose the Glock 26. I won't trust my life to a low budget pistol, regardless of the reputation. RIA makes a solid gun for range work, plinking, etc. but for carry I don't want a gun that is made to meet the needs of the least expensive market segment for that particular style.

 

[HexHead]

Just a question, but you got your CCL before you chose a gun? Is the process in St. Louis different where you don't need to qualify with your chosen gun(s), or have them listed in the license?

Which Communist state do you live in? Most states in Free America don't work that way.

To the OP, the G26 is much better for carry than a 1911. I've tried BHPs and 1911s for a carry gun, my last EDC 1911 being a Colt New Agent. The problem for me was unless I wore an undershirt, the cocked hammer would dig into my side. No problem in cooler weather, but in July and Aug. in TN, the last thing I want to do is wear two shirts. So the 1911s are gone now.

 

[TonyT]

I shoot several 1911's in competition in 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 ACP where their crisp triggers are a plus.
However, for concealed carry/self defense purposes I will not use a handgun with an external safeties or exposed hammer. In times of stress one should concentrate on the subject matter at hand and not be concerned with a slide safety, grip safety and external hammer which may snag on clothing.
I have carried a Glock 36, Glock 17, S&W M&P 9, a Kahr PM-9 for pocket carry and a S&W M&P45 for the bedside.

 

[Warp]

Just a question, but you got your CCL before you chose a gun? Is the process in St. Louis different where you don't need to qualify with your chosen gun(s), or have them listed in the license?

lol, what state do you live in?

Having to list firearms on your carry license is extremely rare, nationally.

I've been licensed to carry by three states and have never had to take a class or qualify or list a gun on a license or any of that bull.

The only bull I've had to do is paying money for a license to carry.

 

[Fishbed77]

The only bull I've had to do is paying money for a license to carry.

Indeed. I can't think of any other Constitutionally-guaranteed right (to bear arms) that you are required to PAY for.