Trade 1911 for Glock?

T

TestedTwice

New member
Sorry for this being my first post, but I see there's not an off-topic section for introductions... Anyway, I've been using this forum for a lot of my gun questions in the past using the Google search and it has helped me out a great deal on many things. This one is a little unique, though, and would like some expert opinions.

I'm VERY indecisive (and definitely a little stupid when it comes to guns). What I mean by stupid is, I've gone back and forth between guns many times. I started out with a Glock 22, then traded it for a Glock 17. I then traded the Glock 17 for a Springfield-Armory Mil-Spec 1911 in stainless steel. It was alright, but I REALLY missed the simplicity of the Glock. I then traded the Mil-Spec for a Gen 4 Glock 19. The gun was awesome. I carried it all the time. Then, just a week ago, I traded the Glock 19 for a Springfield-Armory Loaded 1911 in stainless steel; and that's what I have now. Keep in mind that I've spent about $1,000 on just the difference in trade values with these guns. Here's the issue; again, I'm really missing my Glock 19, and am contemplating trading the 1911. I've heard some things about 1911's. "They're not reliable, they need a ton of maintenance, they'll go full-auto on you!" etc, etc. My question is, should I trade my 1911 for the Glock 19? OR wait three weeks and buy a new Glock 19 outright so I have both?
 
Honestly, since you keep going back and forth, I say wait and get both.

I might suggest you either get a 45ACP Glock or a 9mm 1911, just to save a little money on ammo, but having the different calibers might be a good option.

Both are quality weapons, and while the 1911 platform is not considered "amatuer friendly," they are just as reliable as any other weapon with a reasonable amount of maintanence. The Glock is almost idiot proof, but is utilitarian to the point of blandness in my opinion.
 
Unless you are living in an area which restricts you to only owning one gun, I vote to get both.

With the $1000 you have "lost" in the trading you could have gotten that second gun and had plenty of cash left over for ammo and accessories.
 
It sounds like you are doing that in gun shops or at shows. Get a little discipline in your trading. Learn to walk away from what you want at that moment. All that impulsive crap will eat your wallet.
 
Agree on waiting, and what you heard on 1911s is pure bs. I have a para with 1500 reliable rounds through it and no problems. Would be more but I'm a bit of a clean freak when it comes to guns. The only ones that go full auto are improperly smithed trigger jobs. They are great guns, everyone should have 1.
 
I would also suggest getting both. Like garryc pointed out, you're just wasting money that could be spent on a second pistol. As for the 1911s, I have an old Norco 1911a1 that my Dad bought for me twenty years ago. It was my first semiautomatic pistol. I won't even pretend to know how many thousands of rounds have been through it. The thing still works like it did when it was new. No problems at all, and the Norco 1911s weren't exactly a top of the line pistol.
 
I agree with whats been said above. You've found that the Glock 19 is a great all-round carry/range/HD gun. That should be you main pistol that never gets traded. Then if your not particularly attached to the Springfield, you can part with it down the road. I tend to avoid trading at gun shops because you're always going to be on the losing side (like the Car Dealership).
 
I've traded guns back and forth over the last 40 years a bunch. I think most shooters do. The secret to not going broke is to wait for good deals and buy used guns. If you'd done that the $1000 out of pocket loss on those trades would be closer to $100.

Glocks are the 1st handguns I'd reach for if my life were on the line, but I like 1911's a lot too. It is a pretty safe bet that almost any Glock you pick up is gonna work, even a well worn used one. With 1911's I'd not trust just anything. But if you find one that works and you trust it, keep it. The next one might not be so good if you come back to a 1911.

In your case I'd wait for a good deal on a Glock.
 
Stop trading guns, you should have a 1911 a 357 mag a 22 and a Glock if you want.
That's imo is a basic collection for every person
 
I've heard some things about 1911's. "They're not reliable
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I have heard that. It's related to your second point

, they need a ton of maintenance
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If you believe the "wisdom of the Internetz" gunboard chatter*, they need the services of an anointed priest to keep running. Maybe if you tinker with them all the time. My brothers '99 vintage Springfield Loaded seems to be banging right along, reliably, without such attention.

(*That's cynical sarcasm, BTW.)

, they'll go full-auto on you!"
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I've only heard this once or twice, with some specifically worn or bad parts. I'm not worried about it.


etc, etc. My question is, should I trade my 1911 for the Glock 19? OR wait three weeks and buy a new Glock 19 outright so I have both?
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If you're that indecisive, I'd wait and get the G19 too.

Me, I'd have kept the Milspec. That's the kind of 1911 that appeals to me. "Everything you need and nothing you don't." But, the Loaded is good too.

And you'll lose your shirt with too much horse trading.

(Reading over the rest of this thread, I see a strong consensus.)
 
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Here are some words of great wisdom......

Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

Wait and buy the Glock, and then a Smith and Wesson revolver, and then a Ruger, and so on and so on.
 
Stop trading so much. You are losing money. Own both guns and add to the collection. Don't get rid of a gun to get another gun. You have already reacquired guns you have traded.
 
How about less trading around and more shooting?
Become competent with one before skipping to another.
Do the constant swapping with your girl/boy friends, if you're so inclined. :)
 
I will agree with the crowd, stop trading so much and just save up to have both. You can then enjoy both the pleasures that the two different platforms have to offer you.
 
Another vote to stop trading. Jeeze, what is wrong with having more than one gun? Keep the 1911 and just go out and buy another G19 if you want one.

As for the whole 1911's need a ton of maintenance thing; stop listening to the internet commandos.

I have been a 1911 guy since I got my first one back in 1972. I have had no problems with them. Most of the issues the new ones DO have, is probably related to the fact that most manufactures tend to build then too tight. The slide to frame fit does not have to be all that precise to have an accurate gun.

I like Glocks too, but they are not the Holy Grail of handguns that the Glock fanbois would have you believe.

BTW, I have a 1914 vintage 1911 that was fished out of a lake in 1961 and with a new barrel and springs still shoots fine today.

IMG_2619-XL.jpg
 
Two things I don't "get", Glocks and .40 S&W, but these guys are right get them both. You should shoot the 1911 more so you can appreciate it's genius. Anecdote only, my son took a LE course a few years back and had to endure supository remarks about his Colt from the Tupperware crowd until he got top gun in the end of course match.
 
ADGD - Attention deficit gun disorder

We all get it now and then.

Admitting you have a problem is the first step.

Keep in mind that I've spent about $1,000 on just the difference in trade values with these guns.
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You just need a little discipline and maturity - hopefully it will come. I'm 56 and still waiting!
 
I did just that

I did exactly that, I dumped the 1911 platform all together in favor of the Glock for 45 Auto, I have no regrets about it at all. The only thing that could be even remotely considered a "regret" is the 1911 is a much more aesthetically pleasing pistol than the Glock, but aesthetically pleasing doesn't count for much in my book.

I rarely get rid of a firearm, but if I do it's for a reason. I'm not a collector.
 
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