Glock design vs the 1911

[Bulletski]

I have to say at the outset AND the reason for this post is that I'm sick & tired of the comparisons between the Glock & 1911s.

I have a Kimber 1911 ( also used to have a Colt Gold Cup years ago ) and a G-19.
I have to say that I think the 1911 is not particularly well designed. I used to be in tool & die and had to deal a lot with mechanical designs and have had PLENTY of experience and frustration with bad mechanical design.
I like my Kimber but think that there is way too much praise given to the 1911.
I especially hate the hinge pin that holds the barrel in place. What a BS design that is.
The Glocks have a much better way of doing it. Also, as far as maintenance, when you take the slide off a Glock, all the "guts" are right there and easy to access. Where as with the 1911, they're hidden at the rear of the gun and MUCH more trouble to access.
And when taking the 1911 apart to clean it, I really love having to deal with the recoil spring; always great fun.
To be sure, there are some things about Glock I don't like BUT I have to give credit where it's due, they just work great and are easy to take care of. What else is there to be concerned with?
Also, cleaning a Glock is super easy.
I know what some of you are going to say: the 1911 has been around for over a century and has served well. True, but if we're talking the way it's designed, the Glock wins hands down.
I know to say such about a 1911 is gun heresy, but it's my opinion based on dealing with both.
Will be interesting to see how much flack I get from this. LOL

 

[Jim Watson]

You may look at it that way if you wish, but where was Glock for 73 years?

Glock incorporates the cam track locking also designed by Mr Browning, and a striker firing system used by everybody and his brother. Wily Bubits used them and other known design features along with Gaston's plastics background to make a serviceable pistol.

Maybe it is because I have been shooting the 1911 from long before the Glock came out, but the main advantage of the old gun is that I can hit better with it.

 

[tarosean]

The entire world changed in the 70 odd years between their design..

They are both extremely simple machines based on the exact same action.

 

[unclenunzie]

This subject has been beaten for years, and verges on trolling. Nevertheless, I will make a post I feel is reasonable. The 1911 was designed over a hundred years ago using a brash new design and taking advantage of then-current materials, machinery, and processes. The glock was designed in the 1980's, and you could say the same thing about it.

Both are products of their times, designed by genius, and are both worthy of respect. I keep examples of both in my safe, at the range, and in my holsters. Because I LIKE them, and that's all that matters.

 

[.308 Norma]

I have to say at the outset AND the reason for this post is that I'm sick & tired of the comparisons between the Glock & 1911s.

Wow! It sure seems funny that you're "sick & tired of the comparisons between the Glock & 1911s," yet you spent 276 words (I ran a word count) doing just that - comparing "the Glock and 1911s."
I have both. I like both.

 

[Bulletski]

Sorry if my post sounds like trolling. Certainly wasn't meant to be.
Was just trying to make a point or two. And yes, I like both guns a lot.
I'm not a Glock fan boy by any means, but I do think that it's the better design.

 

[Alex Clayton]

I am a BIG 1911 fanboy. Have been for over 50 years but, I will readily admit the design in old and there are FAR better now. Now for me? I also still carry a 1911. Of course the ones I have now have been proven. I often joke if they ever make a Phaser for us I would still carry my 1911
I do not own a Glock, never have liked them but, if I ever had to go in a shop and buy a gun and could not test it before betting my life on it? I would walk out with a Glock, not a 1911. This from a man who does not own a Glock. The battle will of course never end as there are so many fans of both. I was a fan boy when pretty much all there was to chose from was Colt. A few places tried making some clones and were VERY hit and miss. Then good while back the market just exploded. Now it seems almost every big maker has at least one 1911 in their line up. There is of course a reason for this.

 

[Alex Clayton]

This subject has been beaten for years, and verges on trolling. Nevertheless, I will make a post I feel is reasonable. The 1911 was designed over a hundred years ago using a brash new design and taking advantage of then-current materials, machinery, and processes. The glock was designed in the 1980's, and you could say the same thing about it.

Both are products of their times, designed by genius, and are both worthy of respect. I keep examples of both in my safe, at the range, and in my holsters. Because I LIKE them, and that's all that matters.

I have often mused what it would be like if Browning was alive now. Given the designs the man came up with given the "tech" they had in his day just imagine what the man would come up with now. Not to mention it would have to bring a smile to his face to see how so many of his designs are still in use today.

 

[Frank Ettin]

...Will be interesting to see how much flack I get from this. LOL

If this turns into a flack fest, this thread will get closed right quick.

But really? This topic deserves yet another exercise in futility? As the Romans said, "De gustibus non disputandum est."

So some folks prefer Glocks to 1911s, and some folks prefer 1911s to Glocks. Big deal. Some folks prefer SIGs to either. Big deal. Pretty much every [good] design has benefits, limitations, and faults. Of course they do, they're machines -- so big deal.

Are you interested in a handgun for self defense? Pretty much any pistol design by a major manufacturer firing a meaningful cartridge can be reliable and accurate enough to do the job, if you have the mindset, knowledge, and skills to do yours.

Those who want to play tag in this vacant lot, have at it -- but be nice or be gone.

 

[Bulletski]

Hey Frank. My point was only in which gun is the better design - not personal preference. But so be it.

 

[bannockburn]

I also have them both but favor my 1911s over my Glock. Have definitely spent more time with 1911s over the years and have built my own gun from the frame on up. It's a design and size that just works for me. My Glock on the other hand, an early G17, is super reliable and durable but has never felt all that comfortable in my hand nor have I really cared all that much for it's trigger.

 

[edwardware]

I'm not a Glock fan boy by any means, but I do think that it's the better design.

The Glock was designed in 1981 ~70 years after the 1911, and the best Gaston could do was rip off John Moses (PBUH). It's not a better design, it's the same design with 70 years of lilliputian improvements by lesser men! So there!

But seriously, almost every auto pistol in use today is a based on JMB's muzzle-pivot tilting barrel lock concept.

 

[jmr40]

I think in practice the 2 are more similar than different. I think of a Glock as a modernized updated version of a 1911. Both were designed to be as rugged and reliable as possible at the time introduced. In factory form both have a very similar 5-6 lb trigger pull which is consistent for each shot. Both are more than adequately accurate for their intended purposes.

A 1911 CAN be built, or modified to have a better trigger and to be more accurate. But as a rule most 1911's and most Glocks tend to be very comparable. I think of the 1911 as the better target pistol, the Glock as a better combat pistol.

I own and like both pistols, but I'd reach for one of the Glocks before I'd reach for one of the 1911's if threatened. I also thoroughly enjoy shooting the 1911's and appreciate the history. There is room in my safe for both.

 

[Kleanbore]

The 1911 was designed over a hundred years ago using a brash new design and taking advantage of then-current materials, machinery, and processes. The glock was designed in the 1980's, and you could say the same thing about it.

That is the crux of the matter.

 

[Bulletski]

Oh absolutely. If you want a very accurate .45, the 1911 is the only way to go. BUT, as far as reliability...
As mentioned, I have a Kimber in .45 and it's amazingly accurate compared to the G-19 BUT it's just not reliable.

 

[MedWheeler]

You respect what you like, but you don't always like what you respect.

I respect the Glock.

 

[Buzznrose]

I’m a Glock shooter, but a huge fan of the 1911!

Other than the lead pencils, cast iron skillets, and a few other JMB handgun designs, what else from 1911 is widely used and bought today?

1911 has clearly stood the rest of time. Poorly designed things don’t do that...

 

[cslinger]

I think my Honda is better then a Stanley Touring too. Just sayin’

 

[LiveLife]

My point was only in which gun is the better design

I started shooting with 1911 and became a Glock fanboy enough to switch for USPSA matches but I still enjoy both platforms.

Comparing the two requires consideration for passage of time and "evolution" of technology. Like carburetor vs fuel injection. Just because modern fuel injected engines run more reliably DOES NOT mean carburated engines do not run reliably. I started working on fuel injected engines in my teenage years and in my 20s, learned to rebuild carburetors. With proper design and adjustments, carburated engines can run reliably.

So while Glock platform benefits from reliability of "modern" technology and materials, it does not mean 1911s are not reliable. My Sig railed 1911 has run reliably over 10,000 rounds and benefits from external extractor. While my Sig 1911 will reliably feed LSWC reloads, my Glock 21/30 wouldn't, so there's that. As to Glock reliability, if you shoot enough, you will see things fail and I have seen Glocks choke and break parts. Like fuel injected engines can break down too.

And when firearm technology improves in the future to make Glocks obsolete, they too will be comparing the "old" cumbersome Glocks with firearms that benefit from newer technologies and materials.

 

[bikerdoc]

In other words stop liking what I don't like.

 

[1KPerDay]

I have to say at the outset AND the reason for this post is that I'm sick & tired of the comparisons between the Glock & 1911s.
(snipping a bunch of stuff comparing Glocks and 1911s)

 

[buddyd157]

I have to say at the outset AND the reason for this post is that I'm sick & tired of the comparisons between the Glock & 1911s.

I have a Kimber 1911 ( also used to have a Colt Gold Cup years ago ) and a G-19.
I have to say that I think the 1911 is not particularly well designed. I used to be in tool & die and had to deal a lot with mechanical designs and have had PLENTY of experience and frustration with bad mechanical design.
I like my Kimber but think that there is way too much praise given to the 1911.
I especially hate the hinge pin that holds the barrel in place. What a BS design that is.
The Glocks have a much better way of doing it. Also, as far as maintenance, when you take the slide off a Glock, all the "guts" are right there and easy to access. Where as with the 1911, they're hidden at the rear of the gun and MUCH more trouble to access.
And when taking the 1911 apart to clean it, I really love having to deal with the recoil spring; always great fun.
To be sure, there are some things about Glock I don't like BUT I have to give credit where it's due, they just work great and are easy to take care of. What else is there to be concerned with?
Also, cleaning a Glock is super easy.
I know what some of you are going to say: the 1911 has been around for over a century and has served well. True, but if we're talking the way it's designed, the Glock wins hands down.
I know to say such about a 1911 is gun heresy, but it's my opinion based on dealing with both.
Will be interesting to see how much flack I get from this. LOL

get rid of any gun(s) you have that you do not like, and buy all Glocks.

i have one Glock and several other name brands and calibers. no matter what you say, when you go to shoot them, you have to maintain them, or get rid of them.

it's part of the ownership experience.

you buy what works, what you like, what fits you, and you LIVE with any quirks each and everyone of them have, or you get rid of them.

but in all frankness, i do not believe you can compare the 2. one is polymer/metal, the other is all metal.

compare polymer to polymer and steel to steel.

 

[cslinger]

In all seriousness I generally agree with your thoughts. That said the 1911 is a MARVEL of design and engineering when viewed through the lens that it was basically damn near a 19th century design and far and away one of if not the best semi automatic handgun design of the day. Combine that with the fact that it is still more then a hundred years later a perfectly viable defensive arm, that is still mass produced and available for sale.

That doesn’t even take into account that so many modern firearm designs take so much from a dude born in the 19th century.

So is a GLOCKM&PHKSIGETC. a better firearm. Well yeah, of course it is and it should be with a century of materials, engineering and manufacturing knowledge between them and a 1911. That doesn’t take away from the fact that the 1911 was a BRILLIANT handgun.

Now do I use a 1911 for serious purposes. Nope. Would I if I had to. Yep.

 

[JR24]

Oh absolutely. If you want a very accurate .45, the 1911 is the only way to go. BUT, as far as reliability...
As mentioned, I have a Kimber in .45 and it's amazingly accurate compared to the G-19 BUT it's just not reliable.

And yet my 1911s are all dead nuts reliable. Heck, my 9mm CCO will run ammo all day that chokes my Gen 5 Glocks and my old 26.

Both good designs, both good for a large number of uses.

 

[Outlaw75]

Hi all:
I ran across a video on YouTube where the guy brought up an interesting point.
He said that, in time, the metal parts - like the pins and the slide rail pieces will loosen up in an auto with a plastic lower. The pins will walk out and those slide rail pieces that are molded into the frame will pretty much do the same.
This does seem to make sense - if the gun is shot to any great extent.
Naturally, if the gun is shot once or twice a year it won't matter.

Anyway, have any of you ever experienced this with autos with plastic lowers?

Bulletski, Today at 5:59 AM

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/metal-in-plastic-lowers-loosening-up.872918/

Well, no one will ever ask the above question about a 1911.

That being said; there is nothing wrong with either platform. Shoot what you like and don't worry what other people think.