Lee Ermey on the Glock vs 1911

[Synergy]

I respect the Gunny, I agree with his comment on the .45 vs 9mm. C'mon the .45 GAP and how Glocks cycle smooth vs a 1911 gunk'ed up after 100 rounds. How money can change people. Give me SA any day and you can have that Safe Action Trigger.

[nobs11]

1911 gunk'ed up after 100 rounds.

That is laughable. I have shot 1911s that haven't been cleaned in a long time, stored away after firing yet have always functioned.

The Glock is likely more reliable in extreme situations. I have never dropped 1911s in muddy puddles and checked if they still work after that. But 100 rounds is silly.

[Solidmch]

I agree with him all the way. Imagine laying in the rain and mud. The 1911 aint gonna do so well. I know my glock will not fail me in those conditions. To me the glock is like a semi auto revolver. He is talking about being in the trenches.

[Synergy]

I agree with him all the way. Imagine laying in the rain and mud. The 1911 aint gonna do so well. I know my glock will not fail me in those conditions. To me the glock is like a semi auto revolver. He is talking about being in the trenches.

So 98 years or so of service have made an unreliable weapon. I find that hard to believe. I don't know what our military is carrying for a sidearm besides the M9. Most cops carrying Glocks are not laying in the rain and mud, waiting in the trenches.

[EMPEROR8]

So 98 years or so of service have made an unreliable weapon. I find that hard to believe. I don't know what our military is carrying for a sidearm besides the M9. Most cops carrying Glocks are not laying in the rain and mud, waiting in the trenches.

I don't think he said that 1911's are not reliable. I think what he ment was Glock's perform a little bit better than 1911 in some cases and conditions, but both perform well.

[lioneaglegriffin]

they do have something in common. they go to hell if you limp wrist.

[wcnones]

He didn't actually say "gunked up"; he said [from my hazy recollection] the action changes after 100 rounds whereas the glock fired smoothly after the same number of rounds.

I've never thrown 100 consecutive rounds through any hand gun in a single sitting, but I don't have too hard of a time believing that the 1911's slide and frame wouldn't have expanded enough from heat to start to bind somewhat...

Then again, I have no idea how a Glock's composites would hold up after that kind of sustained fire. I'm not a Glock fan and the pistol simply doesn't hit the right nerve with me. That being said, I don't have a hard time with the idea that the composites are able to maintain their structural characteristics much better than steel (i.e., not expanding under the same stress as steel).

I'm not a 1911 fan either, for what it is worth, but I can say that serving active duty, even in times of peace, has the effect of kicking emotion out of the minds of weapon operators. Spokesperson or not, Ermie's likely speaking from an operator's perspective, not a fan's perspective. Emotion goes bye-bye quickly when you are forced to work with something every day and cannot avoid the clear design flaws and/or oversights.

Furthermore, until I see proof otherwise, I'll defer to fact that Ermie is a retired Marine, and I don't think there is any amount of money large enough for him to falsely endorse something as important as the last line of defense in between a Marine/Soldier/Sailor/Airman and the enemy. Marines don't do that to each other.

[oaklander]

I've probably fired 700 rounds through my 1911 since I cleaned it. Still works fine. I may even clean it some day!

[bwiese]

Comparing a Glock against *what* 1911?

Lotsa 1911s are way too tight plus people run them dry. Those are the guns with problems (Kimbers, anyone?)

I've run a buncha rounds thru my 1911s without cleaning without grief.
Of course 2 of 'em are Colts.

And I believe Ol' Slabsides did pretty well in a coupla big wars with lotsa mud around.

(Tunnel rats, anyone?)

[Mr. Meeseeks]

I love watching the guy, but common he's an actor. He's for hire.

[arfan66]

I put 100 rds. per range session through my Kimber Pro Carry II at least once a week (more if there's an upcoming IDPA match). The only issues I've had were magazine or ammo related (light target loads resulting in stovepipes or a failure to cycle). YMMV.

Each has it's advantages.....the Glock is legendary in the reliabity department while the 1911's ergonomics and tunable trigger are second to none (IMHO).

I thought the .45 GAP was so you could fit a large bore cartridge in a G17 size frame (thus appealing to those with smaller hands).

My advice.....own both (Kimber & G19)! I do!

[adamsreeftank]

Glocks are like the AKs of handguns.

There is verry little contact between the slide and the receiver so there is less chance of dirt or grime to affect the function of the weapon.

1911s are great guns too, but the large contact surfaces can accumulate debris that can begin to slow down the slide travel. If there are other issues like weak main springs or magazine springs, it can lead to problems. There is a reason why some older GI guns would rattle when you shake them. Less tight fitting may hurt accuracy, but it improves reliability.

[Mr. Meeseeks]

Apples and Oranges IMO. I'm a fan of both. Ingenious designs from two completely different industrial eras. Both marvels of mechanical efficiency for their time.

[Steve-O]

loosewreck, I think you and I both noticed that his hat said "Team Glock", which *might* influence what he has to say. That being said, I did own a 1911 and now only shoot Glocks.

All things aside, I met Gunny at the SHOT show a few years back and he is one hell of a nice guy.

[Vectrexer]

I have a Dan Wesson CBOB. The fit on this pistol is as just about tight as you can get just about any 1911. I have also shot a variety of ammo in it from Winchester White Box (fairly dirty ammo) to Corbon (fairly clean ammo).

Each session on the range was 200 to 300 rounds. The pistol was dirty and maybe a little more drag on the cycle. Even after a range session I would feel comfortable in pointing the CBOB at any bad guy with confidence I would not be the one staring blankly at the sky if the situation demanded a final outcome.