Glock 30 .45 vs. 1911 .45

[wleggart]

I have long term experience with my 1911 wilson .45, and am happy with it. It is safe, reliable, and fits my hand(s). My question is: it is not light, nor concealable. I see Glock pistols for sale a lot, and they seem to be popular. Can ya'll comment on what I might gain with a Glock. Actually, I think that what I want is a 9MM pistol, but not that double stack magazine configuration. Seems to me 7+1 is fine. Thank you for your experience

 

[Strahley]

You'll gain capacity and have a lighter pistol to carry. If you want a single stack though, your options are .380 (Glock 42) or .45 (Glock 36)

If you want 9mm, a 26 or 19 are your options but both are double stack. I've owned and carried both and trust both with my life, but the 19 is "the Glock" for me. It can do almost everything for me that I would want out of a pistol (pocket carry being the exception, but I would go smaller than any Glock for that)

 

[Fishbed77]

Actually, I think that what I want is a 9MM pistol, but not that double stack magazine configuration. Seems to me 7+1 is fine. Thank you for your experience

It sounds like you want a Walther PPS.

It's basically the single-stack Glock that Glock for some reason won't build.


.

 

[Fiv3r]

Between the 30 and the 1911, I'd personally go with the 1911. I just haven't found a Glock that I really like. I think i've finally come to the conclusion that safe-action just isn't for me.

As far as a single stack 9mm. I handled a Bersa BP9cc a few months back, and it was VERY slim and comfy. It was striker fired, no manual safety, 8+1 capacity, very short DAO, and less than an inch thick. Sub $400 to boot.

 

[1KPerDay]

The 30 isn't a particularly small pistol. It works great, but isn't tiny. Think of it as a thicker Glock 19.

 

[fxstchewy]

A 30s is just a tiny bit bigger in frame width and the slide is the same, shorter and not as tall as a Glock 19, I am impressed with mine.

 

[jmr40]

You really need to get into a store and hold some in your hand. The G-30 is quite wide with its 10 round magazine. I'd just as soon have the full size G-21 as the G-30 If you want a slimmer gun consider the single stack G-36 in 45 ACP. It is only 6+1, but very comparable in size to an officers model 1911, but lighter.

A G-19 in 9mm or G23 in 40 would be an easy transition if you're accustomed to 1911's as well. About the same overall size as a Commander size 1911, but with 15 or 13 round mag capacity. While double stack, they are almost exactly the same dimensions in the grip as a 1911.

 

[Spats McGee]

OP, I know you said that the double-stack isn't for you, but the G19 is more concealable than you might think. I bought one about a year ago, and, much to my chagrin, I'm finding myself carrying it more and more often.

 

[kurt1305]

I compared a Glock 30S to my Colt Commander recently on another forum. You might find it useful:

Many have asked about the new Glock 30S I finally received after months on GT's waiting list. As far as function and reliability, it is pure Glock, nothing else to say. Now, about the gun Glock created and what it means as far as size..... I thought people might appreciate a comparison to familiar sized weapon, in this case, a Colt Commander pistol with a steel frame and 4.25 inch barrel. The similarities are scary for a lightweight pistol with an eleven round capacity. Weights are fully loaded with 185 grain +P Hydroshock rounds.

 

[ACP]

Excellent post Kurt1305.

If you have a gun that is reliable and you shoot well, DO NOT SWITCH.

The 10 ounces saved with a fatter Glock (albeit not quite as tall) is not worth it in my opinion. You'll have to learn a whole new trigger and manual of arms.

 

[jmr40]

I use Glocks and 1911's interchangeably. There are no other 2 guns closer in use. The Glock just lacks the manual safety. After that both have exactly the same trigger pull for every shot and out of the box both are quite crisp and between 5-6 lbs. 1911's can be worked over to be better, but out of the box both are very comparable.

You will have no trouble owning and using both.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

I have both and don't really find them to be a like. I only carry full sized guns and a full sized 1911 or Cz 75 seems much easier to carry then my g17 not only is the slide wider its square-ish and that makes it uncomfortable. Also of you look at the pics above the frame on the 1911 is about half the size and if you like it thin or thicker your can change to your liking.

I don't have any problems with my glock but out of the full sized guns I've carried the glock seems to be the blockest.

 

[DC Plumber]

I traded my only Glock gen 3model 30 for my first colt commander. The glove was super reliable, accurate, easy to pack and easy to control. The colt was a 1978 as had poor quality and was not reliable at all. FTF, FTE, stove pipes, no beaver tail bad sights, but it was a colt. As much as I hated that crappy colt, I fell in love with 1911s. I sold the colt and bought two 1911 clones that are modern and awesome.

I could rake either a glock 30 or a 1911 to a gun fight and not feel naked. Buy one of each and shoot them a lot. Sell the one who's soul does not speak to you.

 

[dusty14u]

I have both guns and have carried both. For me personally the Glock is much bulkier and harder to conceal than the 1911. The Glock is reliable and accurate and shoots well. I like both guns but usually carry my 1911's more often.

 

[burk]

I've made the transition from 1911 EDC to Tupperware. I went with a 30 SF, while it's a bit thicker, the package is smaller overall, I find it just as accurate as my Kimber CDP Pro (which was a tack driver) and it presents quicker, with less recoil.

I love 1911's, but it's hard to beat the reliability, and ease of maintenance that comes in the Glock package. If I hit the mega, I'll buy a couple of more 1911's, but for dependable guns that you don't need to carry an armorer and a spare parts package to maintain, it's hard to beat tupperware.

 

[Spats McGee]

wleggart, I see that you're in LR, as am I. I know that Don's Weaponry (out Broadway in NLR past the bend where Hwy 70 branches off) rents pistols, as does Arkansas Armory (up in Sherwood in the old place that used to sell golf carts). I suspect that either or both will have some Glocks that you could rent and try out. I do not know what models they have, but a quick call to them, and you should be able to find out. If you're interested in trying out a Gen4 G19, I can meet you at the range one day, and you can shoot mine.

Also, you said that you've got a Wilson that you like, and that you may be looking for a 9mm. Have you considered this: http://wilsoncombat.com/new/handgun-ultralight-carry.asp ? It's considerably more expensive than a Glock, . . . .

 

[mavracer]

For a guy that carry's a Wilson, I shudder to think of switching to a G30 lol.
An alloy framed commander is very close in size to a G30 and isn't much heavier.
maybe even look at a STI VIP.

 

[wleggart]

Glock vs. 1911

thank you. Don's Weaponry it is!

 

[GLOOB]

You won't know until you try it. For me, I am convinced that the fat 2x4 of a handle on the big frame Glock makes for the best grip for both trigger pull and recoil control. When accuracy matters from an unsupported shooting position, I will take my Glock 21 over anything else in the stable, and that includes a Gold Cup, a 6" 686, and a Ruger MkIII target. It's my only handgun I can shoot cans/bottles at ranges out to 75 yards, unsupported. Last range trip, I even took down a few at 100 yards. I center punched a can on my first shot. I don't hit 'em every single time, but it's not uncommon for me to hit on my first shot and/or a few in a row. On a good day, I'll go about 1 out of 4 at 75 yards.

 

[gym]

I have the first version made for the States. Some call it the 2.5 and others call it the version 3. According to the Gurus at Glock Talk, either is correct, it has the finger cutouts but no rail. It's a great gun and was small at the time of it's release, But that was almost 20 years ago, and now it's not that small, compared to an XDS.
It is wide, perfect for large hands, like mine, but too wide for most, who have looked or fired mine. they just find the grip too wide in circumference, I am actually thinking about selling it and getting another XD in the XDM series now. It is dead on reliable and shoots smooth. Just not a real small light gun.
Problem is even when I had a guys money in my hand I changed my mind, I hate selling guns.

 

[GLOOB]

I have medium hands with fattish fingers. I wear a large cadet golf glove (shorter fingers for you nongolfers). The G21 (SF) grip is technically too big for my hand. I can barely get the tip of my finger on the trigger, and my trigger finger is touching the side of the frame the whole time. Left handed feels better, due to less meat on my left hand. It felt completely wrong, just holding it. But where the trigger breaks the stars line up and angels sing.

If you can, shoot one for awhile, before deciding. Don't just hold it. Every other gun feels too small for me, now. You know what they say. Once you've gone Glock, there's no going stock. Or something like that.

 

[Chocolate Bayou]

I think you might consider the 9mm Colt Defender. 1911 platform with single stack 8+1. I changed out the Hogue rubber grips and added VZ short commander size grips and i love it. Almost like shooting my full size .45 but less recoil, easier to conceal. Shoots great, but it won't reach out there like your Wilson. But it's not tupperware and you get a familiar grip

 

[ACP]

"I use Glocks and 1911's interchangeably. There are no other 2 guns closer in use."

I have also owned and carried Glocks and 1911s. They couldn't be farther apart in the most important aspect of carrying a firearm: drawing and shooting.

With a 1911 you have to swipe the thumb safety while applying the proper grip to depress the grip safety. Every time. Or the gun doesn't fire.

A Glock has no safeties; it's draw and shoot.

Switching back and forth loses the muscle memory -- the supposedly 3,000-4,000 repetitions -- needed to depress TWO safeties on a 1911. Not at the range, not in your basement in front of a mirror, not at the club's Saturday competition. On the street, when you least expect it. 1911 safeties have to be removed unconsciously in a split second. If you haven't carried THAT gun long enough to do THAT every single time, unconsciously, you might wind up dead.

Glocks are much closer to DA revolvers than anything else as far as drawing and shooting under stress.

 

[kvtcomdo]

Agree with the Walther PPS or the new Springfield XDS.

Thin, light, reliable and small 9mm.

PPS is thinner; XDS is smaller.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

Actually, I think that what I want is a 9MM pistol, but not that double stack magazine configuration. Seems to me 7+1 is fine.

For a single stack 9mm, take a look at the Kahr K9 or the smaller MK9. The steel Kahrs have a reputation for being reliable; I know mine is. The polymer frame Kahrs are hit-and-miss. All are single stack.

The K9 is no feather-weight, but it's slim, carries comfortably IWB, and is built for +P ammo.