Switching from a Glock to a 1911.

[beefums]

I am considering switching my carry gun from a G19 to a SW1911PD. I know that in order to switch to a 1911 you need to train with the safety. That is fine, I can do that.

I want to know if anyone made that transition. Also I want to know if anyone regrets making the transition from Glock to 1911 or vice versa.

There is a post like this over on a glock talk ... but well ... thats glock talk. You can imagine some of the posts that poor guy got.

 

[j1133s]

I don't see anything wrong w/ replacing the Glock w/ a 1911 assuming you've shot a 1911 before.

The 1911 safety is really natural to flip off and hard to forget it. Just train yourself to put your thumb over it when holding the pistol and you'll never forget to flip it off. (Same w/ weak hand shooting if you get one w/ ambi safety)

 

[ugaarguy]

I am considering switching my carry gun from a G19 to a SW1911PD. I know that in order to switch to a 1911 you need to train with the safety. That is fine, I can do that.

I want to know if anyone made that transition. Also I want to know if anyone regrets making the transition from Glock to 1911 or vice versa.

Yup. Earlier this year I traded my Glock 22 toward a Hi-Power. Also bought a Springfield Armory "GI" 1911 a few months ago which is now my primary carry. I like how the slim and rounded slide of the 1911 tucks IWB. The thumb safety has become instinctive and I don't even think about it. I love the crisp SA trigger of the 1911 and the grip fits me very well too. I'll probably add a G17 or 19 back into the collection, but I'm stickin with my 1911 for carry. Use a good holster and belt and carry is easy. I'm currently using a Bianchi IWB holster that I'm very happy with; style 100, size 14. At under $50 I think it's a great value. Overall I have no regrets from making the switch. If you like the feel of the 1911 go for it.

 

[HSMITH]

I didn't switch, I use both. I don't have any problems using both.

 

[steveracer]

Once you come to a steel pistol,

you will likely stay there. I used Glock, H&K, XD. I bought a 1911, and now I have NO plastic guns. They have their place, but not in my holster.

 

[knoxx45]

love my plastic, but...

I carry a 1911PD and have had zero issues with it. I do own several HK’s (sorry no Glocks) but they, particularly my USP 45, are HD guns. I’m just as accurate with my USP 45 as I am with any of my 1911, and more so in some cases, but for carry… Its my 1911’s all day.

 

[45TxN]

I too have switched, and at times, I carry both, Kimber 1911 (series I, 45 ACP) and Glock G30 (45ACP).

 

[beefums]

How long have you had that 1911PD?

 

[Quintin Likely]

I've bounced back and forth between a Glock 19 and various 1911s ever since I started carrying. I'm gradually going back to the 1911, a full size Kimber this time around.

 

[10-Ring]

I see nothing wrong going from the g19 to the 1911 as long as you're ready to dedicate yourself to enough training to become proficient with your choice of firearm.

 

[beefums]

I already have trained with the 1911. I just want to know if it is really a wise choice

 

[10-Ring]

Wise? Yeah, probably one of the wisest you will make!

 

[steelhead]

Answer these questions about your 1911:

1. It is at least as (or more) reliable than the Glock?

2. It is at least as (or more) accurate than the Glock?

3. It is at least as (or more) comfortable to carry and shoot than the Glock?


My Kimber is a yes to all of those questions. What say you about your Smithy?

 

[CSA 357]

i carry both, a glock 30 and a spring field 1911 and i like them both, but i guess i carry the glock more dont ask me why, *csa*

 

[Texshooter]

And, if the truth be told, I belive that the 1911 is a safer pistol.

 

[the naked prophet]

I carried a .40 Browning Hi-Power for a little over a year. It got to be quite heavy. I really liked the single action, cocked and locked style. But when my wife got a Glock 27, it was so lightweight, and so simple. Too much recoil for me in that tiny little polymer frame, so I bought a Glock 19. With the DoubleTap +P loads, I don't feel undergunned.

I had no problems transitioning from the Browning to the Glock, after a week or so of practice "draw and sight" and then about 200 rounds of shooting. Now it's as natural as can be for me. I really like the Glock now. I can shoot it just as accurately and fast as my Browning.

 

[GRP]

Why would you want to carry the super heavy 1911? The Glock is lighter, has more capacity, is more reliable, blah, blah, blah

 

[Geno]

1911 to Glock 17

I switched from 1911 to a Glock 17 because my 1911s are limited reproductions that, if ordered to drop my weapon, I don't want to damage. Either platform is excellent, as you well know. Carry what you shoot well and be safe.

Doc2005

 

[Jamie C.]

Why would you want to carry the super heavy 1911?

Super-heavy?
Is this a new model? One with a frame and slide made of spent uranium, maybe?

J.C.

 

[Blacklabman]

If you can find a reliable 1911, then go for it.

From a personal standpoint, the 1911 is not a design I like. I own a SA GI just to say I have a 1911 in the collection. However, a few years back, I tried an SA 5" (px9151) that always need something.
The feed ramp needed to be polished, the extractor needed to be tweaked, it was VERY picky with ammo, and hated McCormick mags.
Frankly, I hated the pistol.
Meanwhile the small, light and 100& reliable old CCW (G23), keeps chugging on with no problems.

I hope your S&W 1911, gives you reliable service.

 

[glocker1911]

I like both pistols (as if you couldn't tell that from my "name"). Glock positives are they are lightweight, dependable, high cap pistols. Glock negatives are.... they aren't a 1911!

Seriously, as much as I like and trust Glocks, I just feel "better" about a nicely set up 1911. If you don't like the super heavy model, there are always lightweight choices like Smiths PD or Springers Bi Tone. But only you know what YOU will be comfortable with, and that is all that really matters. But as far as a "poll" goes, I say 1911 all the way.

 

[mljdeckard]

I carried a G-22 for years, and got a Advantage Arms .22 conversion kit for it. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about it. I never had any problems with it. BUT, I bough the Glock used, (I normally don't trust used handguns, Glock is the exception,) and over time, I felt like I just bought it because it was what my finances allowed at the time. I advise all my friends, "Don't bet your life on the cheapest pistol you can afford." Get the one that works best for you, regardless of price.

So, I eventually sold it and bought a Kimber Custom II. I added night sights and Hogue wrap-around finger-groove grips. (I take the same gun hunting, and I want to have a gooey grip even in very cold and wet conditions. I don't see Todd Jarrett or Rob Leatham using these grips.) I will be buried with this gun. Done. Finished. All that I need. When I'm rich, I'll still make this my primary carry gun. A few weeks ago, some guys in here were debating whether SA or Kimber was better, which company takes care of you better if you have a problem. Frankly, I wouldn't know, because I've never had one. (When I get around to it, I will drop the guide-rod and put in a arched mainspring housing with a lanyard loop. I think I'm waiting to come accross the parts for free.)

A lot of the perception about the 'cocked and locked' carry are just that; perceptions. It gives some people the willies to see the hammer cocked in the holster. But comparing this to a Glock, there is no safety at all.

 

[Skpotamus]

I carry a glock 30 for my EDC. I've also carried my SW1911PD before. I've shot 1911's and glocks in competition before, so I don't really have a dog in the glocks vs 1911's fight. Both are good designs, both have issues some people don't like. Shoot the hell out of each, and go with the most reliable/accurate combination you like.

One thing I did learn after carrying and shooting a glock quite a bit was the point of aim. If I was just doing a fast point drill, once I was used to the glock, my 1911 Pd pointed down quite a bit. My Para ordinance didn't. When I went to find out why, I realized it was the mainspring housing. The Para has an arched mainspring housing that presents the same angle as the glocks I had been practicing with, a simple switch out on my other 1911's made for a much simpler training methodology. All my guns (at least glocks and 1911's) point the same now.

 

[Panthera Tigris]

Actually, Glocks fit my hand the best. I just don't like them not having a standard safety.

 

[Falconeer]

I recently bought a Sig GSR Revolution that's ruined me for DA/SA. I may end up carrying it at some point, but I plan to use the P220C SAO on order as primary carry. The Sig classic grips feel better in my hand. We'll see when the 220 comes in.

That being said, I've found the transition in terms of draw and presentation fairly straight forward. I credit that entirely to taking a class (in my case Tactical Handgun 101) and getting a consistent draw stroke down. I ALWAYS draw the same way, and when using a gun with a safety I ALWAYS deactivate/activate the safety at the same point.

IMHO that's the secret to safe carry of single actions; consistency of handling. I've owned the GSR for a couple of months now and I'm only just getting to the point where I'd think about carrying it. I'll go unarmed before I'll carry a gun I don't feel safe with.