WWII 1911 vs. SIG P226

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I just got a WWII Ithaca M1911A1 after being a long time owner of a SIG P226
The SIG is 4 ounces heavier and a lot thicker.

For my purposes, the major advantage of my SIG over the 1911 is the blue grips.

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1911 vs. P226 is about as apples vs. oranges as you can get. Both are excellent, proven pistols, and both are at the top of my list as favorites, and I have multiple examples of both.
 
So what is the question? One gun is a classic the other not so much and can be found almost anywhere.

I would not count the blue grips as and advantage.
 
The point about weight is that comparing a 5" barreled single stack .45 to a shorter barreled double stack - the longer gun is lighter. The shooting crowd puts a lot of emphasis on weight yet seems to ignore these comparisons when shopping for a large pistol they may carry.

It means a lot of "large frame" auto pistols in single stack which are often called "tanks" are actually lighter than their shorter double stack replacements (which forced the total loaded carry weight on a LEO's belt to go up another increment.) So does yours if you carry a replacement mag. Double stack mags with 15-17 rounds are heavier than single stack. Seems obvious until we start talking old vs new, and then it gets lost in the comparison.

Drop into the 4" range like the 226 shown and the single stacks weigh even less. The older full size guns aren't as heavy as the internet would make them to be, and in the "commander" sizes which is where duty guns migrated it's an advantage to the civilian carrier. It remains arguable that the double stack magazine that Browning included as an improvement for combat gun design in the Hipower is needed for a concealed carrier. Our requirements are much more different than a duty gun carrier who is by job and nature going toward the sound of battle.

If someone is considering carry of the larger cartridges the single stack guns, including the older models, have that advantage in weight. Instead of considering them "tanks" a propective buyer would do better to actually look at the numbers and make an informed decision.
 
First of all, congrats on the 1911. Looks awesome - can you provide any more detail? All matching, original?

This thread confuses me. Is there a question? What's the point of comparison. .45 vs. 9mm? - then we should be talking 1911 vs. P220 or p227. Weight? Width/dimensions? Capacity (pretty much the same between the p220 and the 1911)? Manual of arms? Accuracy? Reliability? Collectability (the 1911 is more of a collector/shooter compared to the Sig, depending on condition)? Concealability (yeah, for the OP probably not relevant in NJ)?

My favorite pieces are both the 1911 and Sig. I have vintage WW1, vintage WW2, Colt Series 70, Colt WW1 reissue, SA mil spec, Argentine 1927 and my trusty Commander). My first intro to the 1911 came in the mid 1980s, but they've run in my family since, well, 1918 ... In the Sig family, I have carried, owned and been issued these for 25 years, virtually every model in the classic series. That's a quarter century of the Signess.

Having said all that, I still can't quite figure where the original post is going. "Apples and oranges" as someone else posted. Both are classic platforms.

As far as the blue grips on the p226 ... a nice start, but not blue enough ;)
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bushmaster1313

Not sure about your purposes or viewpoint on advantages are but my P229R serves as my primary home defense gun, along with it's SIG STL-900L laser/light module. My 1911s are somewhat more multi-purpose as they are used for anything and everything; for target shooting, as range toys, and for concealed carry.

Between your two guns I would definitely choose the Ithaca M1911A; mainly for the historical perspective and for it's WWII connection.
 
If that's an all stainless P226, I'm sure it's heavier. There's, well, simply more steel there.

In its most common variety, with an alloy frame, the Sig would be lighter, than the 1911.

Continuing on that path, an alloy frame commander would be lighter still.

And, a polymer high cap 9mm may be even lighter.

Then start adding in the weight of a full mag, skews things again.

I just know I have dainty little girl hands and a single stack anything generally feels better to me.
 
I don't think this is really a this vs that thread. I think this is just a fellow excited about his new purchase and wants to share with the group. nothing wrong with that, we all do it. I wonder why some people automatically open threads assuming conflict is inevitable. Bushmaster, it's just as pretty here as it is on TFL, and the sig for comparison is perfect. I love C&Rs and wish I could find a USGI 1911 for a reasonable price to go along with my springfield range officer which also has blue grips.
 
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