S&W m&p vs 1911

[Gambit88]

Help me decide! My shop has the M&P and various 1911s, most of which are by manufacturers I am unfamillar with. Right now I am leaning twards the M&P but the remington 1911 is close second(and about 20 dollars more).

Pros and cons?

Note
This will be a general purpose handgun

Thanks.

Gambit

 

[LiveLife]

If you want reliable feeding/chambering regardless of factory or reloaded ammunition, I would recommend the M&P45 (mine feeds lead SWC reloads like butter).

Pro:

- Different grip inserts will accommodate almost any hand size, even my wife with smaller hands loves the full size M&P45 with small grip insert.

- 10 rounds vs 8 rounds and M&P stainless steel factory magazines will work well from day one, unlike some factory 1911 magazines.

- Full ambi controls including slide lock, switchable mag release, frame mounted safety (if so equipped).

- Melonite surface hardening treatment of stainless steel slide/barrel.

- Durable external extractor.

- Accessory rail.


Con:

My M&P45 came with ~7 lb factory trigger. I did a trigger job posted on Burwell's website and now with around 4.5 lb trigger, it allows for fast double taps and shot groups at 7-15 yards on par with my Sig 1911 TacPac. If you don't like the trigger, APEX makes good replacement triggers - https://apextactical.com/store/product-list.php?pg1-cid11.html

 

[Dean1818]

I also would Go M&P

I love mine


The 1911 is a classic, but I think the M&P could very well be more reliable

 

[Teachu2]

If possible, shoot examples of both before you buy. Everyone should own at least one 1911 at some point, but for a general purpose gun I would go with the M&P over the 1911 - and the Glock 21 over either.....

 

[tarosean]

The great thing about an M&P is that you don't even need a stinking loaded indicator.. It's so loose all you have to do is look between the rails. My daughters Lego collection has better fitment..
But the gun worked, was comfortable and never failed to fire. I still never warmed up to it and got rid of it.

 

[powder]

1911

pros: trigger feel/ quality, mag cost and accessibility, aftermarket support, conceal ability, and on and on.

cons: Don't know much about the Rem. 1911 yet. My 1911 choices are SIG, Caspian, and STI not in any order...

M&P
Never liked the trigger feel on the M&P line, had 4 of them to date, and could not grasp the NEED to do APEX drop-in kits on all of them. My mileage from 2 40cs, 1 MS .45, and 1 5" 9 Pro. Good pistols, just not at 100% for my preferences.

 

[RCL]

Having just bought the Remington 1911 about 6 weeks ago I can say it's a purchase I don't regret a bit. Easily the best put together (and best shooting) Govt. model I've ever handled this side of a Les Baer. For a general purpose house/range/carry gun it looks like it will be hard to beat. I will say it may take some thought to make it a dedicated carry gun....a proper iwb holster and a stout belt to start. But for a general duty handgun so far I'm pretty happy with it.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

Compared to an R1911 Id go with the M&P

Sincerely,
Unabashed Colt Snob

 

[TestPilot]

From an operations perspective, M&P is better for me.

Accuracy would be about the same, unless you're comparing it with some expensive semi-custom 1911s.

M&P is more simple. You can just aim and fire without additional manipulation of manual firing inhibitor lever devices, unless you chose an M&P model that comes with one. No "grip safety" that would hinder your firing if the grip is less than perfect.

The trigger can feel abrasive in the way parts slide against each other, but it will usually smoothen out very nice after about 1500 pulls.

Short term maintenance effort is not much different, but long term maintenance effort is less with M&P. You just change some springs and the slide lock lever at regular intervals, and you should be good to go.

Most 1911 do not come with a good finish. And, when I say "good finish," I am not talking about "Ooooo. That purdy deep blue gloss...." kind of good, which I can't care less about. The Melonite finish on M&P is the most corrosion resistant on the market(Tenifer on Glock is about the same thing).

Field strip is easier, and detail strip is also easier with M&P.

M&P has higher magazine capacity.

Also, most attachment like lights will be ready for M&P because unlike 1911s you don't have to pay a premium for a M1913 rail.

M&P is lighter

M&P's grip will fit more people, and I find the medium grip on M&P more ergonomic and less bulky than a 1911 grip, even though 1911 is a single stack.

 

[Gambit88]

Thanks everyone. I will try to shoot both this weekend. Just from handling at the shop todaym I like the feel of the m&p a bit better. I'm a lefty so being ambidexterous is a plus. The guy told me a lot of people have issues with the 1911 safety under stress. I don't know what the truth is on that. I don't know if what I buy will be a carry piece or not yet.

Edit.

Also looked at a citadel 1911 compact. Only think I know about citadel is the price is 100 less then the remington

 

[MoreIsLess]

If I were only going to have one gun for multi-purposes, range gun, home defense, carry, I would go with the M&P. However, since I already had a multi purpose gun (sig 226, Walther PPQ), I chose the 1911 (Springfield Range Officer) over the M&P45.

 

[Water-Man]

Might as well buy the 1911 now because, sooner or later, you will anyway.

 

[Gambit88]

That's not fair water-man

 

[BigShep85]

My 2 cents

I own a s&w m&p 40 compact and have for going on three years since I bought it new. I also own a Colt 1911 rail gun. Now I love both guns, my 1911 is my nightstand gun because
it is heavy
it is big and harder to conceal
howerever.....
It NEVER misses
trigger is phenomenal
a real pleasure to shoot
and it is very thin

NOW....my m&p is my work gun
If I am carrying my 1911 I am still carrying my m&p
It is higher capacity,
it is small I can fit it in my pocket or waistline of my pants
It is convenient
I can shoot it accurately
It is reliable and durable

To b honest If I had to sell one gun it would be the Colt, I use the m&p too much and would feel lost without it. but do whatever YOU want to do it is your money after all.

 

[Gambit88]

Ya I gotta try and find the best deal as well. The shop I went to today had the m&p for around 6 but I think if I look around I can find one around 550. The remington was the best price I've seen so far on a 1911.

Sorry the inner cheap bastard is coming out

 

[KTXdm9]

For me the 1911 wins on trigger and ergos versus the M&P. If you are going to carry, I can see with wanting to go with the lighter M&P. Stock M&P trigger needs work, as do most polymer pistols.

 

[travisd]

1911 all the way. Sure its a little heavier than the plastic guns but they're thin and carry good with a good belt and holster. Love my Remington its accurate and has a great trigger.

 

[Johnny Lightning]

I have a m&p in 9mm and love it except for the trigger. The accuracy is excellent out of mine and is almost as accurate as my Springfield loaded which has a storm lake barrel fitted in it. The grip/feel of the m& p is great and the reliability is also excellent. I would do more homework on finding a 1911 w/ all the features you want and at the price you want. Once you get a 1911 you will want another.....and another...........just warning you!

 

[jfrey]

Get the 1911 now while you can still get it at a reasonable price. You can always get a plastic gun later. Personally, I prefer my plastic pistols in the Glock persuasion. The only exception is the S&W Shield.

If I'm going to the range to enjoy a day of shooting, the 1911s go in the bag first every time.

 

[BigShep85]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^johnny lightning

^^^^^^^^^
What he said!
I have my dream gun, 45, 1911, colt, stainless, rail, it is my version of the perfect 1911 but i have found myself wanting another really bad and i have no idea why!
I have been looking at the s&w 1911 e series.....sure would look good next to the colt, or better yet a compact colt officer 1911!!!
What he said is definitely true regardless

 

[ATLDave]

"The guy told me a lot of people have issues with the 1911 safety under stress."

Only people that don't grip the gun properly. The 1911 safety should be ridden by the strong-hand thumb. Taking off the safety is naturally part of completing the grip.

BTW, I have both. And I got my M&P with a thumb safety, which can also be ridden.

As for the OP's question, the 1911 requires more maintenance and can be more finicky. It's a 100+ year old design. The M&P is more likely to run 100% right out of the box and with all makes/models of ammo. But a 1911 that is running right and well maintained is a beautiful thing.

Hilton Yam is a well-regarded expert on BOTH platforms. He has blogged extensively on both. Google him, and his old 10-8 blog, and his contributions to Modern Service Weapons blog. Read his writings - there are a lot, and it will take a while.

 

[Gambit88]

There is a lot of info here to digest. I'm sure I'll buy both in the end, just have to decide which to buy first. I plan on going to the range this weekend and testing both, plus whatever my buddy brings for me to try and decide from there.

 

[JTQ]

Just buy the M&P.

I've become more and more curmudgeonly, as more and more folks, that really don't want one, try and get into the 1911 world.

The endless...

- This Condition 1 thing scares me, couldn't I just carry it Condition 2, that seems so much safer?

- Why is it so heavy?

- I'm so disappointed in its' reliability. I spent over $1,000 on this crummy pistol and out of the first 100 Speer "Flying Ashtray's" I fired, the gun hung up on three of them. I'm not sure I can trust my life to this gun.

- Are there any higher capacity mags than 10 rounders? I'm not sure I feel safe with only 10 rounds on tap.

- What are the most reliable 10 round mags if that's all I can get?

- Why is .45ACP ammo so expensive?

- I've read that with +P+ 9MM I can get stopping power just as good as .45ACP ammo. Wouldn't I be better off with the higher capacity gun?

- I just picked up my new 1911 from the store, I haven't shot it yet, but what are good mods to do to before I take it to the range?

- So I did a complete detail strip, now I'm having some trouble putting it back together, can anybody help me?

- I bought all these drop in parts to upgrade my perfectly reliable 1911, but I can't get them to fit. Did I order the wrong parts?

- Now that I've gotten all the upgraded parts installed, thanks for all the help by the way, I'm having a lot of reliability problems. Shouldn't it work better with the better parts installed?

The 1911 is an expensive gun because it is made of steel, not plastic. Because it is made of steel it is heavy. It is a 7 (or 8) plus one round gun. There are a bunch of people making 1911's and they are all a little different, so practically no parts are drop in. Just because somebody makes a part for the 1911, it doesn't mean you have to buy it and put it in your pistol. It is a single action pistol. For defensive carry purposes it is usually better to have the hammer cocked and the safety engaged.

Most 1911 people understand these "shortcomings" of the pistol. To them, the advantages offered by the 1911, over other pistols, outweigh those shortcomings. If you understand the 1911 advantages it may be the gun for you. If you can't see those advantages, it may not be for you.

Sorry, rant over.

 

[Armedleprechaun]

M&P hands down!

 

[bannockburn]

Gambit88

For a general purpose handgun (and for someone that's left-handed), I think the M&P, in 9mm., would make for a better choice than an M1911 type pistol.