Why is it always Glock vs. 1911?

It never fails, whenever there is a thread about external safeties vs. no external safeties, or polymer frames vs. anything else, etc. it almost invariably comes down to a debate about 1911 pattern pistols vs. the Glock. Why is this?

(I'm using the term 1911s as shorthand for 1911 pattern guns here so by pass the discussion on how a Kimber isn't really a 1911 or 1911A1, etc.)

I gotta also mention that it seems that many such discussions are initiated by Glock fans.

I could understand if 1911s were Glocks chief competition in the world of law enforcement. But they are not. Sigs, the S&W M&P and a few others are. You do see 1911s here and there with leos and SWAT teams but as a rarity and not as competition with Glock for mass market share. This is in the U.S. Internationally Glock has a lot of competition in the leo market but not from any 1911s.

In terms of widespread military use the 1911 is no longer widely used out side of a few special forces units here and there. So Glock has nothing to fear from 1911s in that category. Glock's chief competion there is Berretta, Sig, H&K, CZ, and others, not Colt or Springfield, etc.

So why so many Glock vs. 1911 debates? You rarely see Glock vs. Sig, Glock vs. Berretta, Glock vs. the M&P, Glock vs. Hi-Power, etc. discussions. Why is that?

You rarely see Sig vs. 1911 discussions for that matter either. Why?

tipoc

 

I shoot both and like them both

 

Glock: the flagship of the poly framed striker fired genre.

1911: the flagship of the metal framed SAO external hammer genre.

The debate is between the two genres and they are simply represented by the two different models which typify them.

That and the fact that most internet product comparisons generate into fanboy whizzing contests, and both the 1911 & the Glock have a lot of fanboys.

 

You don't see glock vs. hi-power threads - because we all know the hi-power is the clear winner.

Seriously though - glock vs, 1911 or vs. whatever else - it is like having a ford vs. chevy thread or an AR vs. AK thread. Each weapon is good, but each person usually have their preferences about what they like and why they like it.

 

How many here are selecting guns for LE or military use? Almost no-one. As such whether they're competing against each other for those contracts means little.

They certainly ARE competing against each other in the civilian market, so people tend to compare them. 1911's are kind of the father of the modern semi-auto handgun. Glocks really started a fork in the development process where many models went to poly frames and strikers, whilst the 1911 is still considered the chief example of metal framed guns.

You could just as easily consider it a comparison of "modern style" vs "classic style" semi-autos.

 

It's really not that complicated, for the last couple of decades the 1911 has been the most popular handgun with an external safty, and likewise the most popular with no safty would be the Glock.

Therefore it's reasonable to debate those two particular systems

 

I think it has to do with caliber also. Most 1911's are 45 acp and the most popular Glocks are 9mm.

 

And now we have the M&P with or without safety.

I'm a long-time 1911 man and now when I carry an auto, it's the M&P, with safety, the best of both worlds.

 

To me it is SA vs DA, striker vs hammer, I like to carry mine cocked and locked. I would carry an H&K w/hammer, but I have gotten to the point that I like the feel of metal guns (not necessarily 1911) CZ, etc. It simply comes down to personal preference. I think if they are all equal in accuracy, I would go the metal route.

JMO

 

I personally think they are closer than any other 2 designs. Both are my favorites, there is no Glock Vs 1911 argument from me. Both have exactly the same trigger pull for every shot, and if the Glock trigger is used properly are very similar. Both are quite crisp with 5-6 lb pulls right out of the box. With some work the 1911 will always be better, but on most standard guns they are identical.

Both are well known for accuracy and dependability. The 1911 is a 100+ year old design and the more modern Glock is more dependable today but the 1911 held that title for a long time and still ain't bad if done right.

With the post WW-1 arched mainspring housing on a 1911 the grip angle is almost identical.

The only real differences are the safety, frame material, and mag capacity. Remember, the original 1911 design had no safety. I consider the Glock as a next generation 1911.

Over the years the 1911 has morphed into more of a target, or "range game" gun and less of a true combat gun. The Glock is designed as more of a true combat gun, much like the original 1911's

 

I think it's based on perception.

The glock is percieved to be this wonder pistol that never fails and always shoots.

The 1911 is percieved as a dated design plauged with failures out of the box.

Most people know this to be untrue, but GlockMegaSuperfans are a breed of their own and usually isn't worth arguing about.

It's like debating politics or religion with a drunk at the bar.

 

I can't say that I'm real fan of either pistol but it's like those who prefer blondes to redheads or brunettes to each his own.
Myself I found the Glock's grip to large for my hand,while I find the 1911 grip fits my hand much better.

 

Two of the most popular firearms sold, arguably the best, Both have their minions..

 

Well lemme see......

I think it is because by the 1950’s most everybody figured out in Luger versus 1911 the 1911 always won. I think in the 1970’s most everybody figured out in P-38 versus 1911 the 1911 always won*. By the 1980’s we finally had a Germanic design that in a challenge versus 1911 we would not be bored by a contest that was the equivalent to watching the New England Patriots trounce a High School team. Then again it could just be that so many people enjoy it they frequently take the opportunity to engage in Glock versus 1911.

*My last P-38 versus 1911 debate was in the 1970’s with an Army guy. After he disagreed with me saying the 1911 was easier to disassemble he got real quiet when I detail stripped a Series 70 using no tools other than various parts of the pistol.

 

Quote:
With the post WW-1 arched mainspring housing on a 1911 the grip angle is almost identical.

I don't know if laying a protractor on the pistols will yield similar results or not. What I DO know is that those two handguns feel radically different. Different enough that I find it physically uncomfortable to shoot a Glock. I shoot with my left wrist locked and turning it so far downward to both lock and support the pistol properly is a non-starter for me.

In fact, I find the grip angle, or at least the feel of it, to be the biggest flaw in the design.

 

Give me CZ and M&P....

They can keep their Glocks and 1911's

 

It comes down to sales. 1911s and Glocks are likely the two most common guns in the country. So it stands to reason.

 

I think the 1911 and Glock represent the past and the present better than any other guns one could compare from then and now.

I like them both for the same reason...if you don't like what it comes as out of the box, it doesn't take much to change/improve it.

 

Because people don't seem to understand, nor respect, the differences between apples and oranges.

Either that, or it's just another form of character assassination to make one's point of view seem the superior one.

Give the choice between these two, I rather suspect it's the latter.

Both guns have a proven history and both guns are extremely reliable. Even if one side denigrates the other on reliability, the fact remains that they both ARE reliable pistols. They just work a little differently and are made of some different materials.

Those who seem bent on character assassinations to make their point(s) are honestly revealing more personal character flaws than they are pistol flaws.


Besides...even Superman ducked when somebody threw an empty, all metal gun at him. That right there wins points over plastic in my book!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGf1r8-Snss

If it was a 1911 it would'a took him out.

On the other hand...what looks like a Glock has no effect...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jok-v-DcDYo

tipoc

 

Why are they compared ? I dunno , they are both pistols?
They are completely different. Loose fit ,light weight gun with sloppy loose chamber and mushy trigger VS tight fit ,heavy gun, tight chamber, great trigger

For carry/protection use I'd take a striker fired /DA gun or revolver ( no safety , just pull the long travel trigger)

For competition I'd take a 2011/1911 in a heart beat

 

Glock is the Ford Taurus of the handgun world. If a nOOb that knows nothing about guns can recognize two guns it's the G17 and the 1911. The former is ubiquitous, the latter iconic. I think that's the reason for so many comparisons, it's the McDonald's of guns vs the old guard.