1911 or glock

[ianS]

They're light throw-away guns.

I toss em after every trip to the range. No cleaning no muss no fuss. I wish they would come in multi packs. Packs of 10 or 20. Variety packs would be good too. Make it easier than buying them one by one.

[ianS]

Finally... Someone with common sense.

As far as I'm concerned the revolver is America's pistol. Not the 1911. And which is more fun to shoot a .357 Mag or .45. No contest. .357

[Robert1234]

They're light throw-away guns. I'm sure you are aware that they don't carry handguns as a primary weapon.

Sorry but I doubt the Army factors in "throw-awayability" when purchasing personal defense weapons.

Functionality, ammo capacity, price, ease of maintenance, ability to do the intended job, reliability and accuracy yes.

Cause in the end they're all easy to throw away, though why anyone would want to do that with their weapon is beyond me.

[Intel0116]

1911 huh???? Suppose you drive a Model T as well? If the 1911 is so great than why don't any major law enforcement agencies or military operators use it? Don't give me that old argument it's because of price. Those guys can pretty much afford or get anything they want.

No 1911 for me ever again. I learned the hard way. Caveat Emptor.

Wrong. Just off the top of my head I know that Arcadia PD issues Springfield 1911s, LAPD SWAT the kimber TLE, FBI HRT the Springfield pro, certain factions of the DEA also issue the Springfield pro, the Texas rangers, MARSOC. Then there's departments like LAPD,RSD,LVMPD,SMPD,APD and several others that allow there officers to carry personal owned 1911s.

You learned the hard way because you probably bought a $400 citadale or RIA. My $650 Springfield GI has never failed me once in 10 years.

[crufflers]

You learned the hard way because you probably bought a $400 citadale or RIA. My $650 Springfield GI has never failed me once in 10 years.

I have a RIA and Springfield Loaded. They both seem like 1911's to me... except the RIA has a much better trigger and the Springfield is better to look at (if you like stainless). I'm actually partial to parkerization and the old Glock non-stick looking finish.

I don't believe owning a $3000-$5000 1911 would change my opinion about 1911's (not for the better at least).

[CandG]

I'll take walnut if it's a dining table in my house. If I need a table for the school cafeteria, I'll take plywood every time.

That's a really good analogy, actually!

Everyone loves a great-looking, tight-tolerance, finely-crafted museum-quality handgun. Absolutely nothing wrong with those.

But unless you're name is CouchOperator people don't usually use them for what they're meant for. Putting massive quantities of lead downrange, and generally using it like a hammer with complete disregard for keeping it in mint condition. That's where the Glock comes in. You won't cry when you drop it on the carpet and it gets a little scratch on the slide. You won't cry when it gets holster wear. You won't cry when your friend forgets to put on latex gloves before handling it.

There's a time and a place for both kinds of guns.

But it's not always 1911's that are one type, and glocks that are the other. I've seen $3k glocks that look like they've never been outdoors before, and I've seen $500 1911's that look like they were dragged behind a truck.

What I've never seen, is a $9000 pistol, of any type, that looks like it's even been fired. And often they haven't, and never will.

And that's fine. A well-rounded collection has some of everything. I fire all my guns regularly, but there are some that I baby more than others, and some that I don't baby at all, they're lucky if I bother cleaning them.

[Lead Waster]

I toss em after every trip to the range. No cleaning no muss no fuss. I wish they would come in multi packs. Packs of 10 or 20. Variety packs would be good too. Make it easier than buying them one by one.

I agree, my recycle bin is full of them. The CA models are particularly bad because they only have 10 rounds in them before you have to toss them. So wasteful!

[23 Blast]

This discussion is fascinating to me! Can we discuss the relative merits of the AK versus AR platforms next?

As far as 1911 vs. Glock, I've owned several examples of both, and have to say that, as a tool to fling bits of copper-coated lead at targets, the Glock is great and gets it done with very little fuss, and very little maintenance. I have never owned a Glock that wasn't ridiculously reliable. I cannot remember ever having a stoppage on any of the Glock pistols I ever owned. On my 1911s, the only problem-free one I owned was my Colt XSE. It is also the only one I still have.

However, as a gun enthusiast that also enjoys cleaning, fondling, and just plain looking at a fine-looking example of gun-making prowess - a richly blued and walnut-stocked 1911 holds a certain visceral appeal for me that no Glock or any other plastic pistol can match.

Glock pistols are like modern Toyota Corollas. 1911s are like classic 1960s muscle cars.

[crufflers]

However, as a gun enthusiast that also enjoys cleaning, fondling, and just plain looking at a fine-looking example of gun-making prowess - a richly blued and walnut-stocked 1911 holds a certain visceral appeal for me that no Glock or any other plastic pistol can match.

I admit I fondle my 1911's a lot. But my Springfield is right there and handy when I open the safe. I dry fire my Glocks more though. I love that 1911 pull/hammer drop and the Glock pull+reset.

I love wood grips on both my 1911's.

I still don't think the car analogy works for guns though. I see Glocks as newer, better, faster, more... so unless you are judging them on price alone, the Glock isn't a Corolla to me. The 1911 isn't necessarily a Model T either (even though the Model T was being made in 1911).

[wisco]

I like 1911's. They fit my hand and I don't like the Glock grip as much.

End of the world: Ruger GP100

[23 Blast]

I like 1911's. They fit my hand and I don't like the Glock grip as much.

End of the world: Ruger GP100

Agreed. In addition to being able to fire .357 Magnum bullets, a GP100 can:

Cave in an opponent's skull (without ammo)
*Anchor your fishing boat
*Drive tent stakes
*Smash open walnuts, coconuts, Bezel nuts, and Deez Nuts
*Be used as a counterweight for your makeshift Gilligan's Island elevator in your treehouse.
*Be stuffed down the front of your pants to make you appear larger and more intimidating (useful when dealing with grizzly bears or marauding Amazon warriors)

[crufflers]

Agreed. In addition to being able to fire .357 Magnum bullets, a GP100 can:

Cave in an opponent's skull (without ammo)
*Anchor your fishing boat
*Drive tent stakes
*Smash open walnuts, coconuts, Bezel nuts, and Deez Nuts
*Be used as a counterweight for your makeshift Gilligan's Island elevator in your treehouse.
*Be stuffed down the front of your pants to make you appear larger and more intimidating (useful when dealing with grizzly bears or marauding Amazon warriors)

I'm still eyeing that GP100 in .22 LR. I have an old 1970's Smith Model 28 with a 4" barrel that I love to shoot, but it has Hogue rubber grips on it which hinders it bashing skulls and hammering.

[CandG]

I'm still eyeing that GP100 in .22 LR. I have an old 1970's Smith Model 28 with a 4" barrel that I love to shoot, but it has Hogue rubber grips on it which hinders it bashing skulls and hammering.

Love me some hogue rubber grips, though. They always fit my hands like they were molded exactly for me, on every gun I have them on. I'll just have to use the muzzle end for all my hammering and skull bashing needs.

[crufflers]

I'll just have to use the muzzle end for all my hammering and skull bashing needs.

Don't do it, man. Just use your elbows and knees.

I have some new Hogues I need to swap onto my MKII pistol this weekend. Should still be able to hammer and bash with those. Much better than with the fat Volthanes covering the mag well.

[tanks]

...But unless you're name is CouchOperator people don't usually use them for what they're meant for. Putting massive quantities of lead downrange, and generally using it like a hammer with complete disregard for keeping it in mint condition. That's where the Glock comes in. You won't cry when you drop it on the carpet and it gets a little scratch on the slide. You won't cry when it gets holster wear. You won't cry when your friend forgets to put on latex gloves before handling it....

I'll submit that the $3,000 - $6,000 2011s that are being used in competition do put much more massive quantities of lead downrange than most Glocks in circulation.