Glock or a 1911?

Range or Carry?

For the range, 1911.

For carry, Glock.

I like the extremely simple manual of arms of the Glock. I also like the long and heavier trigger pull for concealed carry and/or defense.

The Glock stays home when I travel on Business, usually to NY or Kalifornia so no bringing it with. My bride is a heck of a good shot. I really like the fact that the Glock is point and click.

Love the classic looks and the feel of the 1911, no question. The light single action trigger is a dream as well. I view that light trigger as a liability in a defensive encounter.
 
Love the classic looks and the feel of the 1911, no question. The light single action trigger is a dream as well. I view that light trigger as a liability in a defensive encounter.
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The cure for the lighter trigger of the 1911 has two cures. either a stiffer spring or to me the best solution is, " Practice, practice, PRACTICE!"

I like the lighter trigger. I had a chance to shoot a Glock to the "New York trigger" Horrid is what I thought of it.

Add: I also shoot a lot of varmint rifles. They have a very light trigger. I have never had an ND with any of my firearms.
 
I have always liked that quote from the late Col. Cooper, " If you need more than 7 from a 1911, you don't need more ammo. You need air support."
 
1911’s satisfy that itch for something with charisma. I like ‘em. But I no longer carry them (much). For serious defensive purposes the M&P40 with 16 rounds of Federal 180 gr HST is what I would choose. And that’s what I carry most of the time.
 
Boy, that's a difficult question that depends on a lot of factors. Are you okay with carrying a 40 ounce pistol on you, one that isn't going to be easy to take into more gun unfriendly environments? Are you okay with the lower capacity? Buying different magazines because a lot of lower priced 1911s can have issues with their stock mags?

If you are, it's awful hard to not smile when you hold and shoot the old girl. Heaviness aside, it carries very easily and really isn't that hard to conceal. All that said, a Glock is a heck of a weapon for pure fighting capability. The capacity you can get for a price lower than a 1911 is hard to beat. I will say that, if you're a bit picky on what you like, you might have to put extra money into the stock Glock that you might not have to with a mid-line 1911. By that I mean sights, trigger, etc. I've known some people to spend two or three Glocks worth of money to get theirs just the way they want it. Doesn't make much sense to me, but they aren't me and those aren't my guns.

Both are going to have consistent trigger pulls, which is a plus for anyone new or old to shooting. Both can be had in two very easy to find and less expensive to buy calibers. Both are going to have holster choices galore. In the end, it's gotta be what you believe is the right choice for you and the way you live.
 
Glock / 1911

Wimpy wimpy wimpy / HEFTY HEFTY HEFTY

:D

I jokes I jokes! I am a 1911 fan though. I know Glocks work and I have no reasonable argument NOT to buy a Glock, other than that I do not like their appearance. Aesthetics probably won't mean much when the time to use either is upon me.
 
I agree with DM357, In the right belt/holster a FS 1911 carries concealed very well, despite the weight. First, although I own a couple, I don't like IWB holsters.

I don't own a Glock but I do have an XD9 4". In the same identical belt and holster, a Don Hume OWB pancake, the 1911 actually prints less because of it's "slab sides" grip and slide shape.

You can dress around almost any handgun to conceal it, but I have carried a FS 1911 under a loose T-shirt with no problem because of it's flatness. The much lighter LW Commander is one of the best concealable pistols if you want considerable power and a decent barrel length that you can shoot well

I don't buy the "range gun" thing for any handgun intended for SD...it either works for it's intended purpose or it doesn't.
 
Since you have wanted a 1911 for a long time, I would say if you have around $800, you should. be able to buy a decent 1911. A Ruger , or a Colt. For carry, get the lightweight Commander. Remember one thing. If you are ever committed to using the 1911 as a concealed carry pistol, train, train, train. Practice , shoot in condition one. Round in chamber hammer cocked, safety engaged. Practice wiping the thumb safety off, when on target after drawing, then moving the safety up in locked position after firing, If you have rounds left. Practice that until it becomes muscle memory. You can always buy a Glock later. They don't have the resale value that a Colt has. They are less expensive too.
 
I have both and to be honest, 1911 for me...I also have a Sig Legion SAO that is better than the Glocks and just shy of a 1911 if a double stack is your thing..
 
Unless the part you despise about the FNX45 is the polymer frame, it is closer to a 1911 in ergonomics than a Glock. It is also hammer-fired like a 1911. The grip is also going to be much smaller than a Glock 21. The Glock will certainly be more different than the 1911 if you aren’t liking the FNX.
 
Bigboy79 said:
Hello, I actually joined these forums because of this dilemma I am currently in. This purchase will be my second handgun purchase, my first was an FNX 45 which I’ve now come to despise. I’ve always loved the 1911 while I was growing up and have always wanted one. My price range for a 1911 is somewhere in the mid range of $600-$900. While searching for one that would fit in my price range I somehow ended up looking at glocks and found out I really like the Glock 34. I’m not sure yet what this pistols purpose would be, I’m a very large person and I think I am more than capable of conceal carrying either of the guns. Based on research and most peoples opinion the Glock seems to be the more logical buy but there’s something about a 1911 that I just really like. If any of you think you could help me make up my mind feel free to comment your opinions.
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I'm a 1911 guy and I know nothing at all about Glock 34s. That said, my initial suggestion to you is get a Glock or similar gun. My reasoning is fairly simple: as much as I like 1911s, they require much more from the user than any Glock. 1911s have more controls, particularly the thumb safety that requires a significant amount of continuous training to make its use instinctual; Glocks have no thumb safeties. 1911s also require more steps to disassemble/field strip than a Glock. More steps and parts generally means more opportunities to screw up. And finally Glocks in general are just more reliable than $600-$900 1911s. Glocks are like Toyota Tacomas or Honda Civics; they aren't sexy, but they run great and reliably right out of the box. Unless you try to shoot reloads through them, then they can have issues in the running dept.

1911s often have magazine issues (not always, but it happens), and they also can be finicky about ammo. Also, Glocks have slightly larger magwells, making fast reloads just that much easier, which may or may not be an issue in an actual gunfight.

So just based on total pros and cons, the Glock is a better choice for your purposes. But if you really have a thing for 1911s, start saving now for one you really like. If Glocks are Honda Civis, 1911s are Mustangs or Camaros; more finicky, but also more style and fun.

Good luck in your search.
 
Rangerrich99, for a fellow who concedes that he knows "nothing at all about Glock 34s", you seem to have formed a lot of opinions about them. Personally, I don't think that a 1911 design poses that much of an obstacle in terms of learning the nomenclature and protocol for use to someone new to shooting as you seem to imply, especially in terms of handling the pistol safely. In fact, in comparison to the 1911 design, I regard the Glock pistol as being a relatively more "unforgiving" format in terms of handling the pistol "intuitively" safely for someone unacquainted with the nuances inherent in either pistol. Furthermore, I dispute the notion that the Glock pistol is inherently more reliable than the 1911 pistol.

I do agree that the 1911 style pistol poses a more complicated disassembly/reassembly regimen when compared to the Glock design. Either pistol will serve as a more than satisfactory implement for self-defense.
 
dgludwig said:
Rangerrich99, for a fellow who concedes that he knows "nothing at all about Glock 34s", you seem to have formed a lot of opinions about them. Personally, I don't think that a 1911 design poses that much of an obstacle in terms of learning the nomenclature and protocol for use to someone new to shooting as you seem to imply, especially in terms of handling the pistol safely. In fact, in comparison to the 1911 design, I regard the Glock pistol as being a relatively more "unforgiving" format in terms of handling the pistol "intuitively" safely for someone unacquainted with the nuances inherent in either pistol. Furthermore, I dispute the notion that the Glock pistol is inherently more reliable than the 1911 pistol.

I do agree that the 1911 style pistol poses a more complicated disassembly/reassembly regimen when compared to the Glock design. Either pistol will serve as a more than satisfactory implement for self-defense.
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You may be right. I do own a Glock 19, and I figure a Glock is basically a Glock, regardless of designation. If I'm wrong about that, then I retract my earlier statement.

But as far as I can tell in my limited experience, Glocks simply have fewer controls, which should translate into a shorter and less steep learning curve, IMO. Glocks also require less steps to disassemble. Which should make it easier to care for.

But YMMV. As I said, it's just my opinion.

Btw, I carry a 1911.
 
I just don't see the purpose of carrying extra weight and less ammo in the mag. If it is to be a carry gun, Glocks (or other polymer pistols) are hard to beat. Other than weight, corrosion resistance is a big factor. Glock's tenifer finish actually penetrates the metal and will protect it even if it wears down. Their reliability out of the box will beat 1911's any day of the week.

The logical choice is get the Honda or Toyota that starts almost every time and gets you from point A to point B reliably. That said, I prefer German cars which can be a bit more finicky and drive a whole lot better than Accords or Camrys.
 
Here's one thing nobody tends to mention...

If you ARE involved in a shooting, your gun is GONE TO EVIDENCE...
where they may or may not take good care of it.
Meanwhile, you're down a pistol.
Most folks can go to the safe & pull out another one just like it,
or go buy another Glock/plasticfantastic/etc...
or pay a Grand + for another 1911...

Or you can buy a Star BM or one of the other 9mm/.45acp Star offerings,
and have a 1911-style pistol that if confiscated, you won't cry over
because you can get another for around $200-250!!

The main thing, is that if you have to use it, it's a goner.
Why carry anything expensive???
Logically speaking, you want a solid performer that doesn't cost much
to replace in the event you have to use it...hence one reason why Glocks
are so popular, and why SARCO is selling the heck out of Star pistols...

Because when your $3000 Kimber comes back rusty as bleep after
2 years in police lockup, that'll just make a man cry.
If it's a $500 Glock, you Cerakote it and put it back to work ;)
This is precisely why RIA is currently the most prolific 1911 seller currently.
 
Big Shrek said:
Here's one thing nobody tends to mention...

If you ARE involved in a shooting, your gun is GONE TO EVIDENCE...
where they may or may not take good care of it.
Meanwhile, you're down a pistol.
Most folks can go to the safe & pull out another one just like it,
or go buy another Glock/plasticfantastic/etc...
or pay a Grand + for another 1911...

Or you can buy a Star BM or one of the other 9mm/.45acp Star offerings,
and have a 1911-style pistol that if confiscated, you won't cry over
because you can get another for around $200-250!!

The main thing, is that if you have to use it, it's a goner.
Why carry anything expensive???
Logically speaking, you want a solid performer that doesn't cost much
to replace in the event you have to use it...hence one reason why Glocks
are so popular, and why SARCO is selling the heck out of Star pistols...

Because when your $3000 Kimber comes back rusty as bleep after
2 years in police lockup, that'll just make a man cry.
If it's a $500 Glock, you Cerakote it and put it back to work
This is precisely why RIA is currently the most prolific 1911 seller currently.
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I'm not sure that is really on anybody's mind. If you need to use a gun to defend yourself, you want something that is going to work reliably and work well. I don't know anyone who thinks, I'd better not carry a nice gun in case I end up shooting someone and the police confiscate and abuse my weapon. Why not drive a piece of junk car in case someone hits you?
 
Every now and then, it seems to me, this whole "Glock vs. 1911" comes back to life.
Now, I'm not a fan of either, to be honest.
But I do believe in being proactive. So here's a suggestion for you guys. And believe me: I may be crazy, but I'm being dead serious.

I think nobody doubts the power of the American market. Over the years, Americans have caused plenty of companies to modify their products, so they could sell in the US.
So why not make a petition (you could do it through this forum, if the admins allow) to Glock, to do a plasssstik 1911 clone?

I mean, a plastic 1911, with the usual Glock quality, would be as close to a "best of both worlds" scenario as it gets, right?
 
I would love to have a G29 but alas Glocks just don't work for me, between the grip angle and the short trigger guard window my short fat slightly crooked trigger finger drags the bottom of the trigger guard.
I have a bunch of other plastic striker guns and a dozen 1911s in various forms, get what you want, life is short.
 
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