Selling the 1911 and going Tupperware?

[Robert101]

My experience over the years confirms that the Glock is more reliable than the 1911 configuration. I own both and do shoot both. I have Glocks that have never had a FTF or FTE. Can't say that with any 1911 I've owned and I have DW's and SA guns which are not at the low end of the 1911 world. If I have to pick a hammer that is going to hit the nail every time, guess which hammer I'm going to use when I really need it.

 

[Buzznrose]

I'm a Glock shooter, mainly by logic. They shoot anything well, are reliable, easy to tear down and put back together, and are inexpensive (I buy blue labels).

The "romantic" in me dearly wants to buy a nice 1911 (Springfield MC Operator) but the frugal part of me says but a G30...and he's winning so far.

But I know one thing...y'all who carry $1000 1911's ever use it in a SD shooting, you can probably kiss it good bye for a long time, which would suck bad, while most of us who carry plastic can probably deal with the loss a bit better.

 

[buck460XVR]

I would eat more beans and tuna, save some money, keep the Kimber and buy the Glock. At that price you could sell the tupperwear and turn a nice profit.

This. While I'm not a big Kimber fan, the 1911 is a great platform. Maybe you could make enough off the Glock to trade the Kimber in on a stainless Colt.........

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

I have and carry both 1911s and Glocks. I dont hate either platform and have used both extensively. A properly setup 1911 with some good magazines makes for a great carry gun.

However for the OP I believe a Glock 30sf is the way to go for his situation. He mentioned specifically that he has a Kimber and his gun gets wet. Kimber's stainless steel barrels have well-documented problems with rusting easily in such environments. Me personally, I’ve had 3 do this.

With all do respect that shows your ignorance. Those are two of the most well respected 1911 gunsmiths in the world. Those guys have extensive experience using the platform in military and police operations. When they do take the time to build a 1911 they sell for over $5K easily.

What is horsepucky is basing your assertations around a sample size on 1. How often do you shoot your gun? 500 rounds a year on a static range? Also do you mean to say that in owning that gun for 22 years you have never changed even the recoil spring?

1400 rounds in five years. You have not even gotten past the point of needing to change your first recoil spring yet. Sarcastic answers do not make up for lack of experience.

Cool! I like this assessment (in bold) much better. It's much more relevant and meaningful. Though I don't have a problem with my own 1991A1 in wet weather, including a few canoe trips which thoroughly doused my pistol (one where I went several feet under water). And there are plenty of stainless examples of the 1911 platform, as well.


As for my "ignorance" as it applies to "two of the most well respected 1911 gunsmiths in the world", again I don't care. Their input, valued though it may be due to their experience and reputations, must still be weighed against my own knowledge and practical experiences just as it must be weighed against yours or anybody else's. I accept little at face value, even from experts, because everything I read from such people is automatically filtered through my own training, education, and experience. Where I am deficient on matters that interest me, I study up in order to understand them.

In otherwords, their word does not automatically invalidate mine, nor my experience.


My assertations are not based on a sample size of 1. It's based on my own 1911 platform which I've owned for 22 years AND three decades of personal experience with several OTHER 1911 platforms AND the many others I know over a half-century of life who also own 1911 platforms...many of whom have a number of decades more than my life as practical experience with it.

I'm sure you presented the numbers of rounds as examples, but they're nowhere near close to the numbers I've put through my gun. I put 500 through it the first day I owned it and went back for more. And though I haven't used it for any kind of formal combat or self-defense training, it's been through quite a bit of static and dynamic target shooting and even small game and varmint hunting. (Though I'll freely admit that a 230 gr .45 is a wee bit of overkill for squirrel.)

This has not been a "shelf-gun", which only gets brought out for occasional shooting and cleaning once every year or so. It's a well used, often carried pistol. Maybe other people like yourself shoot far more rounds, far more often, and in more formalized self-defense training formats than I do. But I daresay I'm no spring chicken in my own right.

The recoil spring? Back when I first bought my 1991A1, I also bought a 5 inch one for a brother of mine. We bought a couple dozen springs and split them up between us shortly after we got the guns, noting the numbers of rounds were were putting through them. (We bought so many to avoid the hassle of going out and buying them every time we needed them. Wht the heck...they're cheap, right?) After he lost his gun (in divorce...long story), I bought him a replacement in the short barreled commander version. Since he couldn't use the rest of his springs, he gave them to me (7 of them).

Out of a total of 19 recoil springs, I have 5 remaining. I habitually change the spring between 3,000 and 5,000 rounds, as conveniently measured by the numbers of ammo cans of ammunition I go through. This means I've gone through a MINIMUM of 42,000 rounds in my pistol alone.

Though there have been a few years where my level of shooting that pistol dropped way off, I'd have to safely say that it's definately NOT a "low milage" pistol. Even if the vast majority of rounds were target shooting and plinking.


But none of that really matters because the point I was disputing was where you said "Most people are better off not carrying a 1911. They require maintenance and an above average willingness to be your own gunsmith of sorts if you use them more than an occasional range toy."

My personal experience does not show this to be true. Nor does the personal experience of many people I know who also own 1911 platforms.


Next assumption?

 

[jrdolall]

1911's are beautiful.

Glocks are butt ugly.

A beautiful woman will break your heart after spending your money.

A butt ugly woman will never let you down.

I prefer beautiful women.

 

[jrdolall]

RetiredUSNChief.

Stop arguing/debating with a Glock fan. It's like arguing with a woman about her shoes.

See my above post^.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

RetiredUSNChief.

Stop arguing/debating with a Glock fan. It's like arguing with a woman about her shoes.

See my above post^.

Heh!

Interestingly, I'm not debating the qualifications of a Glock at all, ugly though I consider them to be.

 

[savanahsdad]

Countglocklla, please read before you type ! and please go edit your post #50
1400 rounds OR SO since I last strip it down for a good cleaning ! not 1400 in five years :banghead:, as for my smart comment , I was pointing out a lot of posts here seem to think a 1911 is a lot of work, and that is just not true, like I said before in 5 years I have only done a full strip down 3 times , how many rounds ??? I have buckets of brass , I could guess... 8K OR SO...


NOTE: Full strip down is to bare frame and bare slide,

 

[browningguy]

They require maintenance and an above average willingness to be your own gunsmith of sorts if you use them more than an occasional range toy.

That's exactly why most of the 1911's that have problems don't want to run, people keep trying to improve them. It's not quite as easy to take apart as say my Xdm's, but it certainly doesn't take a gunsmith.

Since this is the high road I won't say what I think of someones opinion that a 1911 is an occasional range toy. But suffice to say 100 years of history in the military, going to war in every part of world, is hardly an occasional range toy.

 

[JTQ]

CountGlockulla wrote,
Kimber's stainless steel barrels have well-documented problems with rusting easily in such environments. Me personally, I’ve had 3 do this.

This problem could possibly be attributed to a misunderstanding by many Kimber owners. Most of Kimber's barrels are not stainless steel, but merely unfinished, left "in the white" steel. These barrels, if not taken care of properly will rust much easier than a stainless steel barrel.

 

[CountGlockulla]

I have owned 30+ 1911s, carried, trained with, and competed with the platform. Not all 1911s are created equal or are built to the specs of those that "went through the war." I've had to weed out magazines, fix extractors, polish feed ramps, change out stripped grip screw bushings, change or fix sear springs (requires understanding of what each leaf does), change out triggers, stone trigger tracks, square hammer hooks, diagnose and correct hammer follow, stake loose plunger tubes, debur mainspring housings, fix mag catches, diagnosing and fix premature slide lock back, and then more serious issues that did require a professional gun smith rather than just a "gunsmith of sorts" as I just described. I'm not going to argue semantics because it is asinine and tedious. The fact remains that serious end users are required to learns much more about the platform than your average Glock or M&P would. If he is going to fix some of those common issues I described above he may also be required to purchase special tools.

Speaking of storming European countries, I have an original military contract Colt manufactured between 1917-1918. It required extensive modification by a gunsmith before it became a serviceable carry handgun.

Anyway y'all fun.

 

[bannockburn]

Avoiding the whole M1911 vs. Glock debate, I choose instead to simply go with the design which is the best fit for my hand. With the possible exception of the Glock 19, all their other models just don't work for me. And when it came to getting a compact polymer 9mm. I went with the Ruger SR9c instead of the Glock 19. Better overall fit and feel with the Ruger gave it the edge for what I wanted it for.

As for M1911s well let's say I have yet to have a single stack model that I didn't like or feel totally comfortable with.

 

[savanahsdad]

I have owned 30+ 1911s, carried, trained with, and competed with the platform. Not all 1911s are created equal or are built to the specs of those that "went through the war." I've had to weed out magazines, fix extractors, polish feed ramps, change out stripped grip screw bushings, change or fix sear springs (requires understanding of what each leaf does), change out triggers, stone trigger tracks, square hammer hooks, diagnose and correct hammer follow, stake loose plunger tubes, debur mainspring housings, fix mag catches, diagnosing and fix premature slide lock back, and then more serious issues that did require a professional gun smith rather than just a "gunsmith of sorts" as I just described. I'm not going to argue semantics because it is asinine and tedious. The fact remains that serious end users are required to learns much more about the platform than your average Glock or M&P would. If he is going to fix some of those common issues I described above he may also be required to purchase special tools.

Speaking of storming European countries, I have an original military contract Colt manufactured between 1917-1918. It required extensive modification by a gunsmith before it became a serviceable carry handgun.

Anyway y'all fun.

well it sounds like you have been around the block a few times , and with some bad luck I might ad, but this don't change where you clearly misspoke in post #50 ,,, that's ok other members will figure it out ,


To the OP, if my count is right most would say get the glock and keep the 1911, plus both those guns keep there value , so you wont lose on either of them you may even make a few bucks on that glock at that price

 

[TennJed]

This problem could possibly be attributed to a misunderstanding by many Kimber owners. Most of Kimber's barrels are not stainless steel, but merely unfinished, left "in the white" steel. These barrels, if not taken care of properly will rust much easier than a stainless steel barrel.

Is there a reason Kimber does that? What advantages does the "in the white steel" I've stainless

 

[burk]

Is there a reason Kimber does that? What advantages does the "in the white steel" I've stainless

There using Carbon steel which they claim (truthfully I might add) is much easier to precision machine than Stainless. Stainless is tough to work with, when you get into polishing and rifling, and much harder on tooling. They offer stainless on some of their real high end stuff. But their barrels are prone to light surface pitting and corrosion (on the outside). I've never had an issue with the inside of one. And I do think they have the finest fit and finish until you spend about $1500 for a 1911. They sure are tack drivers. my old Target (which I sold) gave me 1.75" groups at 25 yards off the bench.

 

[VetPsychWars]

Speaking of storming European countries, I have an original military contract Colt manufactured between 1917-1918. It required extensive modification by a gunsmith before it became a serviceable carry handgun.

I disbelieve. If it was original specification, it NEEDED nothing. But people are convinced they need all the toys.

So do tell what you did to it?

Tom

 

[Walkalong]

You should carry what you are comfortable with and shoot well. Plain and simple. No one gun is right for everyone.

It doesn't matter what you carry, as long as it is dependable, you shoot it well, and you are confident in your abilities with it.

I didn't mention a certain design(s) because I don't know what that is for you. I do know what they are for me, but that won't help you.

Now I'm considering selling the Kimber CDP Pro,

That is one of my options. While 1911s are not for everyone, and some 1911 lovers despise the short guns, I love mine.

 

[mljdeckard]

I sold my 1911 for a G-22 and carried it for several years. I never stopped wishing I had a 1911 trigger, I never stopped lusting every time I saw a 1911. I never shot the Glock as well as I shot the 1911.

I sold the Glock and bought a Kimber in 2003 and have never regretted it since. I am pretty exclusively a 1911 guy now, but I also very much enjoy my wife's XD-9, I would prefer it to a Glock. I even run a .22 conversion kit on my 1911.

 

[VAPOPO]

Not every gun is for every one. Good thing there are literally thousands of differant guns out there to fit everyone's tastes. I dont like plastic framed guns but am large enough and have several top flight holsters and more importantly great belts so carrying a full sized 1911 is not an issue.

Lately I have been bitten by the CZ bug and now have 4 differant guns from that manufacturer the P01 being my carry gun at the moment. When jacket weather comes around that will change back to a .45 acp either old faithful 1911 or a SIG 220 carry DAK that is really growing on me.

I also own a couple revolvers and the security six may find it's way into a IWB before to long. In short do what fits your pocketbook now, as things get better down the road you can always be more choosy about what you carry.


Plus you never know what might fall into your lap.

 

[Girodin]

I'd buy that bargain glock because the price is so good. If you are goin to sell the limber I'd replace it with an HK 45 or 45c.

 

[Quentin]

I kept my Colt Series 70 Government Model after switching to the Glock a couple years ago. I bought that Colt new in 1976 when all my friends still carried revolvers and gave me a hard time about "unreliable automatics". (Thank you Jeff Cooper!) It was by my side for 35 years. It was an excellent choice then and even today. I'm still very comfortable with the Colt and a couple other 1911s picked up over the years so I'm hanging on to them because I trust them and love the design.

But like the OP I came across a $350 Glock (G22 LE trade-in) and figured at that price why not try Glock along with the 40S&W. I was impressed and couldn't ignore the difference between 8 and 16 rounds. Since then I got the G23 and G27 to have the right size 40 for the occasion. Maybe I should have gone with 9mm but that's a long drop from 45ACP so 40S&W felt comfortable. Going 45ACP also was tempting!

Anyway, an old dog can learn new tricks. I have a reliable handgun at my side. If I lost it, it is replaceable. Losing the old Colt would hurt so it resides in the safe most of these days.

No wrong answers here and a Glock 21 for $350 is hard to refuse. Once you get it and try it out you'll know which path is right for you.

 

[wickedsprint]

Loose plunger tubes, grip screws, misaligned frames, sights falling off and a lot of weight to carry for 8rds were enough to sour me on them.

For a working tool, tupperware in any of the recent flavors are hard to beat.

 

[Skylerbone]

I know some aren't old enough to remember this but back when I grew up, there weren't no Glock. Back then things were heavy, cars had big motors and you didn't trade 'em every 4 years for an Earth Friendlier model. And firearms? They worked.

I'm a multi-platform kinda guy, never really wished for fewer choices either. The few bugs I've had to work out have involved both 1911s and polymers but the only stoppages I've ever incurred were all with a polymer pistol, though it was a rimfire.

OP, I'd say what you need is some Eezox on that barrel. That ought to solve real cheap the original $2 question, how to deal with rust.

 

[Baba Louie]

Chocolate... Vanilla
Old... New
Heavy... Light
A few rounds... a few more
Sweet Trigger pull... uh spongebobsproingBANG (low left Again?!?! )

All dogs are good. Some just have different and/or better points than others for some dog owners.

If selling your 1911 for a G21 is what you want, do it. Fine weapons those 21s. Kinda big and blocky for some hands as you know. With enough practice on it alone, that low left stuff should stop soon if not immediately as I recall.

Which generation 21 are you looking at getting? (or did you get it already and I missed that post?)

 

[gym]

Switch to the Glock, or keep both if you are able. Nothing worse than losing a gun because of an emergency that you spent money and time making a thing of beauty and precision. If it gets knocked off a shooting bench or dropped you won't be as upset with yourself as you would be otherwise. Same goes for having a weapon held in case of an incident.
I had a custom pistol scratched terribly, "I could have fixed it but it was ruined to me".