Does it make sense to carry Glock AND 1911?

[losangeles]

I like the concept of carrying a backup gun. There are many benefits too numerous to list.

The Glock is my first choice. Just a personal preference and that's what I train mostly with. So the Glock 17 is my primary.

OK, I don't have any other Glocks. I do have two 1911s, a Springfield Loaded and a Kimber Pro Carry II. I like 1911s also, but as you know, the Glock and 1911s are two different systems and training is different. If someone carried both a Glock and 1911, they have to keep the mixed system in mind. The prevaling view is that you should carry with what you train.

I have other double-action pistols that are closer to the Glock in handling, so I can pair one of those with the Glock. It's just that after my Glock 17, I like the 1911. In periods of stress when I'd need to use the 1911 backup, though, I'd need to prepare to be in 1911 mode of thinking.

What do you think?

 

[glockman19]

I like both guns but I'd carry only one and an extra mag. The Kinber Ultra would be my choice because of size. I carry a S&W 642, 442 or a Glock 26.

 

[BADUNAME13]

I carry 2 different guns as a primary:

1911 and Glock 19.

It has not presented a problem...

 

[JDGray]

Unless you live in a war zone, I wouldn't worry about a BUG. The G17 would most likely get you out of trouble, with one mag full of ammo. But if you gotta carry two guns, I'd get a G26 to back it up.

 

[Tom Fury]

Back up

I struggle with the idea that I could confuse the drill by carrying two types of gun. I carry 1911s' as primary, but like a Glock in the car. I can't imagine my touch would not immediately know the difference and manage to communicate it with my brain, even under combat "tunnelvision" circumstances; tactile senses don't work thru cognitive processing system; not to mention theres' not much more to think about with the Glock (Point/shoot).
That said, it makes more sense to me to carry a backup that will accept fullsize magazines from your primary I think.(G17/26, or 21/30, or Kimber compact with 8 rd Wilsons).
Cheers, Tom Fury

 

[SniperStraz]

If you wanted to carry the Glock as a backup that'd be a different story but I'd say no to the 1911. In a situation where you would actually need to use a backup, remembering the manual of arms is just to risky. If the 1911 was you're primary and a Glock was a backup then it'd be ok since there's nothing to forget on a Glock and even if you go through the same process as you would a 1911 the Glock is still usable. If you do it the other way around it just doesn't work.

 

[Scorpiusdeus]

I'd stick to similar platforms. I use a Sig P226 .40 as primary and a Sig P239 .40 S&W as back up.

 

[Radjxf]

Other than the poster above, I've yet to see anyone who's into both of these platforms. IMO you can't get much more opposite than a 1911 and a Glock. Having shot 1911's for some years, I just can't get used to adjusting my grip on the glock. Each time I pull the gun up, I'm looking at the top of the slide!

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Carrying a matched pair of guns, a big/small combo with identical operation or a primary weapon with a hideout/backup, makes some sense, but two full-sized guns with dissimilar operation does not.

 

[buzz_knox]

If you shoot the 1911 by riding the safety, that same technique will easily transfer over to a Glock. Use the same drawstroke for both (thumb coming high on the gripping move then sweeping down into position) and you won't miss the safety even after working with the Glock. I principally use 1911s and Glocks these days and don't have problems with it.

The real concern is whether 1) you want to deal with the 1911 clearance drills, which take longer and are more involved than the Glock and 2) whether the reduction in capacity is a concern.

Louis Awerbuck used to run a 1911 variant with a Glock 26 as a backup. He teaches to immediately transition if there is a problem, and he carries a Para-Ord, so capacity is similar. Using his technique, neither of the concerns stated above is an issue.