Troy26 said:
How much of a difference in reliablity is there? Also, what do you mean by "simpler?"
Well flame wars have started for less but let's see if I can make this uncontroversial, especially as I straddle both camps, loving both Glocks and 1911s
1911s, if you get a good one or if you have it tuned and tweaked to be good, can be as reliable as anything.
However, even the most passionate fan of 1911s usually must admit that the record for reliability out of the box is not 100% or close to it when taken across all brands/models. Generally speaking there is a greater chance a 1911 will need some tweaking than, well most brands but Glocks certainly. You can reduce (not eliminate) the chance of a 1911 needing some work to be reliable by doing the following:
1) Buy a full size Government model (shorter the barrel, more risk of unreliability)
2) Buy from a reputable name in the mainstream, neither junk nor high end custom (like Ferraris, 1911 exotica may need extra TLC)
3)Use FMJ ammo preferably big name 230gr. The recoil setups on some 1911s are picky and most are preconfigured for 230gr. The FMJ thing is to help feeding relaibility
4)Use good magazines - Wilson 47Ds are especially well thought of in most (not all) cases
Now nothing in this says that there aren't thousands of people who bought 3.5" barrel 1911s and started firing Bubba Reloads 185gr JHPs fed from MecGar or whatever magazines and had zero trouble. They really exist. There are no real hard and fast rules about 1911 reliability. Sometimes you get lucky with even the riskiest configuration
However again your CHANCE of being 100% reliable is lower in 1911s than Glocks. Very few people report reliability issues with Glocks. They sell by the boatload and almost every Glock buyer says they are reliable. Some may hate the grip or dislike the look or the trigger - but very few will say "the bugger didn't go bang". Now no company is perfect and Glock QC can and no doubt has missed a lemon or two, but it's rare. The most Glock-loathing poster on here (and they are legion) will normally admit that - especially for the 9mm or double stack .45 calibers.
As for simpler - 1911 veterans will tell you they are simple and yes after some practice they usually are (unless they have overtight bushings or slide stops). However I have a lousy mechanical aptitude and learned to field strip a Glock in 15 seconds after first holding one. Essentially empty the gun, pull the trigger, hold down two tabs, pull the slide off. Done. 1911s have slide stops to align, plugs (usually) under pressure from recoil springs held down by bushings and so on. Glocks are easier period. Doesn't mean you need to be a mechanic to strip and reassemble a 1911, but I think few people can honestly claim they never sent a recoil spring plug into their ceiling and/or put an idiot scratch on a frame reinserting a slide stop when they first started.
Sigs are great, HKs are great. Other brands are great too. Taurus and XD are putting out some interesting .45s lately for sure, but to me making your choice between the elegant and customizable 1911 and the 100% reliable/durable mid-price Glock is a great place to start.
AS ALWAYS - make sure what you buy fits your hand and points well for you. Gun stores selling anything you have been recommended - and certainly Glocks and 1911s - are easy to find so you can compare and get some other data (for example Glocks generally run 10oz at least lighter than 1911s - you may prefer one or the other). Glocks especially tend to have love it or hate it ergonomics. Getting a gun someone else loves but doesn't fit you is a recipe for disappointment. To wit - one of the most oft recommended guns on THR is the CZ75. People love that thing - but I just can't get comfy holding it at all. Subjectivity is the name of the game and only you can see what's comfortable to you.