I own and carry both Glocks and 1911's, both have good and less than good points as many have pointed out above. I think the learning curve for the 1911 is a bit steeper than that of the Glock with the need to use a manual safety and cock and lock to carry a 1911 safely, but it is easily mastered with a bit of practice. Personally I find the 1911 far more pleasing to the eye and my hand than the Glock, but that is because I'm an old fart and learned simi-auto pistol shooting on 1911's and B.H.P.'s. My Glocks are strong reliable working tools that have (so far) never failed to function and can be dropped into a empty coat pocket with a simple pocket holster that covers the trigger, the only real down being I do not find them as comfortable to carry in wast band as a CCW as I do the thinner 1911's. (Oh and I will not carry a 1911 in a pocket, shoulder or wast holster only for me at lest)
Glock or a 1911?
- Thread starter Bigboy79
- Start date
Glock probably a better all around bet for carry. But if you have always wanted a 1911 go for it. Their are just so many makers of 1911's with so many different combinations of parts they can be finicky. More complicated manual of arms.
But everyone loves 1911's for all the same reasons. Great ergo's, triggers, American classic, and the .45 caliber fun to shoot. If it wee to cover my butt Glock. Fun gun 1911. Although the G34 is pretty nice t shoot.
But everyone loves 1911's for all the same reasons. Great ergo's, triggers, American classic, and the .45 caliber fun to shoot. If it wee to cover my butt Glock. Fun gun 1911. Although the G34 is pretty nice t shoot.
muzzleblast...
New member
Since the question is "either Glock, or, 1911", the answer is 1911.
m&p45acp10+1
New member
RIA TacII A1. A 1911 with many nice features of guns that cost 2 or more times that. It can be had for under $800 out the door. Just get at least one better magazine of quality for it as the factory Mec Gar examples I have dealt with went into the range trash cans. Metal form or Wilson Combat will serve you well for a lifetime.
Glocks are not bad guns. I own a few of them. If I lay them on the table with my 1911 people ask about the 1911. I will end up with a G40 10mm someday. While I like Glocks. They are not the end all. Neither are 1911. I shoot my revolvers more than the others.
Glocks are not bad guns. I own a few of them. If I lay them on the table with my 1911 people ask about the 1911. I will end up with a G40 10mm someday. While I like Glocks. They are not the end all. Neither are 1911. I shoot my revolvers more than the others.
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Longhorn1986
New member
Just curious, Why do you hate the FNX? One of the reasons I bought one was a similar functionality to my 1911s. That said, that may be a consideration in your decision.
I'm 6'6" and 290# and can easily conceal either my 5" or my 3" 1911. As far as capacity, you could try and find a double-stack 1911 like an old Para or a 2011, but the price may not fall in your range.
I'm 6'6" and 290# and can easily conceal either my 5" or my 3" 1911. As far as capacity, you could try and find a double-stack 1911 like an old Para or a 2011, but the price may not fall in your range.
I have them both and wouldn't ever want to give up either one. They are both terrific pistols.
My advice to the OP would be get the budgeted money, then carefully and patiently shop for used pistols in good condition. The OP could probably find one of each in good mechanical condition for about the same price as just one or the other brand new.
My advice to the OP would be get the budgeted money, then carefully and patiently shop for used pistols in good condition. The OP could probably find one of each in good mechanical condition for about the same price as just one or the other brand new.
t4terrific
New member
Most of my guns are either Glocks or 1911’s.
1911’s are the coolest guns on Earth, and Glock 19/23/32 is the best (or most pragmatic) pistol on Earth.
That’s my take, like it or not.
1911’s are the coolest guns on Earth, and Glock 19/23/32 is the best (or most pragmatic) pistol on Earth.
That’s my take, like it or not.
DukeConnor
New member
Buy both, have fun.
stephen426
New member
Figure out your purpose for it. If you're going to carry it, get the Glock. I would probably go with a 19 or 17 due to size. I see no point in the long slide for carry purposes. If you are looking for a range toy, the 1911 is hard to beat. That does not mean they are not good defensive pistols, but you give up capacity and corrosion resistance that the Glock has. Some 1911s can also be finicky, which would not be ideal for carry. I own Glocks and 1911s, but I carry a Glock.
Omaha-BeenGlockin
New member
Have both---shoot both---like both
My Colt 1911 is the most accurate center fire handgun I own.
My Colt 1911 is the most accurate center fire handgun I own.
marine6680
New member
You need to figure out a purpose for the pistol to really know.
For range use, a 1911 is the way to go. You can tune one up nice, and have a great range gun.
For concealed... of the two options... Glock
I would go with a g17 over a 34, the extra barrel length isn't needed, and it makes concealing a little harder.
If you can conceal a FS pistol, awesome... But a g19 is a better choice for most people for concealment.
I like 1911s a lot, great shooters... But I do not think of them as concealed carry pistols.
I don't subscribe to the notion that the manual safety makes the gun significantly safer than a Glock.
If the gun is in your hand, the 1911, is actually a bit "less safe"... If you use it (and the manual safety) as they should be... Meaning... If you draw a 1911, you disengage the safety as part of the draw. So now you have a lighter shorter pull trigger rather than a more DA like trigger on a Glock.
And holstering... I am of the mind that... If you are the type that would neglect to ensure your holster is clear before re-holstering your pistol... You are the type that will neglect to use your manual safety properly as well.
On top of that... 45acp, is not a superior cartridge to 9mm... And a double stack poly pistol gives you more rounds in the mag... More rounds in the same general size factor, is always better.
A 1911 may conceal a bit better for some people... But when it comes to full size, the difference is not very much I feel. Especially vs the other factors in favor of the glock for concealed carry.
And why the hate on the FNX?
I have gotten some trigger time on one, and found it a nice pistol.
For range use, a 1911 is the way to go. You can tune one up nice, and have a great range gun.
For concealed... of the two options... Glock
I would go with a g17 over a 34, the extra barrel length isn't needed, and it makes concealing a little harder.
If you can conceal a FS pistol, awesome... But a g19 is a better choice for most people for concealment.
I like 1911s a lot, great shooters... But I do not think of them as concealed carry pistols.
I don't subscribe to the notion that the manual safety makes the gun significantly safer than a Glock.
If the gun is in your hand, the 1911, is actually a bit "less safe"... If you use it (and the manual safety) as they should be... Meaning... If you draw a 1911, you disengage the safety as part of the draw. So now you have a lighter shorter pull trigger rather than a more DA like trigger on a Glock.
And holstering... I am of the mind that... If you are the type that would neglect to ensure your holster is clear before re-holstering your pistol... You are the type that will neglect to use your manual safety properly as well.
On top of that... 45acp, is not a superior cartridge to 9mm... And a double stack poly pistol gives you more rounds in the mag... More rounds in the same general size factor, is always better.
A 1911 may conceal a bit better for some people... But when it comes to full size, the difference is not very much I feel. Especially vs the other factors in favor of the glock for concealed carry.
And why the hate on the FNX?
I have gotten some trigger time on one, and found it a nice pistol.
rwilson452
New member
I have carried a 1911 all my adult life. The first 20 for uncle. Later on in life I decided to try a polymer I looked at Glock and they simply didn't fit my hand. I continued to look and got an XD. I'm a tad bit more accurate with the 1911 but I chalk that up to being more familiar with the 1911. The XD does come out a bit heavier with the 14 rounds.
Based strictly on what you said about your interest, there is a Colt 1911 out there with your name on it. The Glock is a utilitarian tool (a good one). The 1911 is a tool and offers a bit more, as well. You understand what I'm saying, I'm sure.
For the money you want to spend, how about a nice Colt Commander?
Or a Series 70 perhaps?
It sounds to me like you're looking for more than a simple utilitarian firearm tool, you want something with style, history, and panache... that would be the 1911.
For the money you want to spend, how about a nice Colt Commander?
Or a Series 70 perhaps?
It sounds to me like you're looking for more than a simple utilitarian firearm tool, you want something with style, history, and panache... that would be the 1911.
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Well, I don't see where the Glocks and 1911's are that terribly different. One has a manual safety and true Single Action trigger yet I shoot both guns at the range one after the other and the bullets strike nearly the same place.
Granted my Les Baer is much more accurate than my G34 but for combat type shooting this difference is negligible.
So perhaps get a good 1911 first and sometime down the road get a Glock.
Granted my Les Baer is much more accurate than my G34 but for combat type shooting this difference is negligible.
So perhaps get a good 1911 first and sometime down the road get a Glock.
I have a G35 the Big Brother to the G34. I shoot defensive pistol with it mainly. It can be carried, but you will really need to dress around it. It is easier to shoot well if you are any distance from your target.
I just traded in my G27 for a new G23. I found the G27 just a hair small, and it is a little harder to shoot well than A longer sight radius/longer grip pistol. The G23/G19 to me are the right size for concealed carry. Plenty of fire power, and the right size to be Shootable.
I have owned numerous 1911's over the years. I am not sure I have had one continuous the last 45 years, but it would be pretty close to continuous. I like the 1911's pretty well. The full size steel version is a hair on the heavy side for most to conceal carry. With a high quality IWB holster and belt you can carry one just fine. The one I have owned the longest and my current 1911 is an older Colt XSE stainless with quite a bit of custom work. It is about as good as a 1911 gets.
You might look at a Commander. Less weight and easier to carry.
No mention of where you live. I live in a rural area. If I ever get in a shooting incident it will be no different than when I was a Deputy Sheriff. Help will be on the way. Mainly to help with the report details. More than likely the incident will be long over before help arrives. Where you live can make a huge difference on how much ammunition you feel you might need to carry.
For concealed carry you have a few considerations:
Do you plan to carry any extra magazines?
With a 1911 you will probably carry with 1 in the chamber and 7 in the magazine, Total 8.
With a G19 I would carry with 1 in the chamber and 14 in the magazine, Total 15.
Extra Magazines With the 1911 you will probably carry them topped off with 8 rounds each. With ONE Reload you have a total of 16 rounds, with TWO Reloads you have a total of 24 rounds on tap.
The Glock 19 spare magazines Topped off will hold 15 rounds each. With ONE reload you have 30 rounds, with TWO you have 45 rounds on tap.
With the G34 you can add 2 more rounds in the pistol and 2 more in each magazine.
This is where the Glock shines. With a Full Size 9 you will have double the ammunition on tap with the same magazine count as our 1911. The difference between 8 rounds in the pistol compared to 17 is something to think about.
The Glocks are modification friendly. Look up what you want to do on You Tube. With a couple cheap tools you can change sights yourself, and break the Glock totally down for cleaning or Trigger Modifications. Want an Extended Slide Release Lever? It will take less than 5 minutes, and under $20 to replace a low profile one with the Glock Competition model that comes on the G34. Want a longer Slide Lock Bar to take it apart easier? Probably $11 and again less than 5 minutes. Night Sights? I installed a TFO front and Black Serrated Back on my 23 in about 20 minutes.
Trigger work will require some research to not use parts that are not compatible. You can get the springs out of balance.
Doing much custom work on a 1911 will probably involve Money and a Good Gunsmith. You can change Sights, Grip Panels, and add a flat checkered Mainspring Housing and Magazine Well. But that is about as far as most can do at home.
Just some things to think about.
Bob
I just traded in my G27 for a new G23. I found the G27 just a hair small, and it is a little harder to shoot well than A longer sight radius/longer grip pistol. The G23/G19 to me are the right size for concealed carry. Plenty of fire power, and the right size to be Shootable.
I have owned numerous 1911's over the years. I am not sure I have had one continuous the last 45 years, but it would be pretty close to continuous. I like the 1911's pretty well. The full size steel version is a hair on the heavy side for most to conceal carry. With a high quality IWB holster and belt you can carry one just fine. The one I have owned the longest and my current 1911 is an older Colt XSE stainless with quite a bit of custom work. It is about as good as a 1911 gets.
You might look at a Commander. Less weight and easier to carry.
No mention of where you live. I live in a rural area. If I ever get in a shooting incident it will be no different than when I was a Deputy Sheriff. Help will be on the way. Mainly to help with the report details. More than likely the incident will be long over before help arrives. Where you live can make a huge difference on how much ammunition you feel you might need to carry.
For concealed carry you have a few considerations:
Do you plan to carry any extra magazines?
With a 1911 you will probably carry with 1 in the chamber and 7 in the magazine, Total 8.
With a G19 I would carry with 1 in the chamber and 14 in the magazine, Total 15.
Extra Magazines With the 1911 you will probably carry them topped off with 8 rounds each. With ONE Reload you have a total of 16 rounds, with TWO Reloads you have a total of 24 rounds on tap.
The Glock 19 spare magazines Topped off will hold 15 rounds each. With ONE reload you have 30 rounds, with TWO you have 45 rounds on tap.
With the G34 you can add 2 more rounds in the pistol and 2 more in each magazine.
This is where the Glock shines. With a Full Size 9 you will have double the ammunition on tap with the same magazine count as our 1911. The difference between 8 rounds in the pistol compared to 17 is something to think about.
The Glocks are modification friendly. Look up what you want to do on You Tube. With a couple cheap tools you can change sights yourself, and break the Glock totally down for cleaning or Trigger Modifications. Want an Extended Slide Release Lever? It will take less than 5 minutes, and under $20 to replace a low profile one with the Glock Competition model that comes on the G34. Want a longer Slide Lock Bar to take it apart easier? Probably $11 and again less than 5 minutes. Night Sights? I installed a TFO front and Black Serrated Back on my 23 in about 20 minutes.
Trigger work will require some research to not use parts that are not compatible. You can get the springs out of balance.
Doing much custom work on a 1911 will probably involve Money and a Good Gunsmith. You can change Sights, Grip Panels, and add a flat checkered Mainspring Housing and Magazine Well. But that is about as far as most can do at home.
Just some things to think about.
Bob
rwilson452
New member
One thing to consider with a 1911. They seem to get better with the more you shoot them. One gun writer said the 1911 is not fully broke in until you have 2000 rounds down the tube. I find it is time to replace the recoil spring about then. But it is smoother the more you fire it. They will eventually wear out after 50 to 60 thousand rounds.