Glock vs. 1911 Reliability - this time with data

[barrym66]

If 8 aftermarket companies were making Glock clones, how reliable would they be?

.

Totally agree with your logic, but.... there isn't really an "OEM" manufacturer of 'original pattern' 1911's anymore. Colt, maybe, but even modern Colt 1911's are pretty far removed from John Browning's original design.

Then again, that is one of the attractions to the 1911! Kind of like the "small block" Chevy and/or Ford of the handgun world. A few constants (grip angle and control locations) but lots of unique interpretations.

[novabrian]

Those guns are not even on the same category to compare them against each other... Its like comparing a BMW (glock) vs a Ferrari (1911).... In the car world, the BMWs are cheaper but very reliable out of the lot. The Ferrari is very unreliable and hard to maintain but everyone lusts to have one...

He will understand this.It's like comparing a Factory 5 to a Backdraft!

[barrym66]

He will understand this.It's like comparing a Factory 5 to a Backdraft!

Hmm...now I'm curious as to which you prefer.....see my avatar.

A Factory 5 is more like the 1911 - you can build to whatever quality standard and performance level you want (and can afford!). A Backdraft is more like a semi-production car...you only have control the over the drivetrain...unless you want to take it apart and start over. In which case you should have started with a FF!

I have owned many BMW's and two F-cars (348 and 330GTC)....IMHO, Glocks are like old diesel Mercedes 240's...not pretty but they run forever.

A 1911 is truly like a BMW in that it is a real shooter's dream...until it breaks (and yes, Bimmers DO break!). (Note that BMW stands for "Bring Mein Wallet"!)

A Kimber, Les Baer, Nighthawk, Wilson et al 1911 custom is more like the Ferrari...very pretty, awesome to play with....until they break (which may be often), and most will be garage (safe) queens, only taken out to impress the neighbors on sunny days and special occasions.

[Legasat]

Sorry, I don't see a point to this thread.

Trying to start a flame war?

[STAGE 2]

As others have said, its not accurate to compare glock to 1911's of various manufacturers. The original 1911 design fired 6000 rounds continuously without failure in the days before wunder lubes and high tech finish treatments. At that rate, the issue of reliability is academic.

The problem is that too many people have take the 1911 design too far away from its original specs. Do that with a gun or a toaster oven and your'e going to have issues.

[evolixsurf]

...ummm....




If 8 aftermarket companies were making Glock clones, how reliable would they be?

.

Try to get your hands on a Glock and a S&W M&P. Strip both and you can tell, in nearly every way, that the M&P is a beefed up glock with better ergonomics... I was surprised.

[1lostinspace]

This oughta be fun!

For (way too many) years, we've all seen the Glock vs. 1911 fanboy flame wars...not only on Calguns, but on pretty much every other gun forum.

Here's a great blog post that compiled real testing data, based on reliability testing done by Gun Test magazine over a 14 year period, comparing the reliability of Glock, Taurus, and various iterations of the 1911.

I post this not to provoke another flame fest, but to provide some data - rather than the usual anecdotal evidence so often used to demonstrate the superiority of whatever brand that an individual poster wishes to promote.

For the record - I own and shoot both Glocks and 1911's and 1911 derivatives, and shoot Glocks in IDPA and USPSA. Not a fanboy of either design, but I really appreciate the 1911 design for it's superior ergonomics, easy ability to customize, and general cool factor... and appreciate the simplicity and reliability of the Glock.

From http://www.yankeegunnuts.com/2010/12...-glock-taurus/

My Glock works!

[Sunday]

A $500.00 Glock is way better than a $500.00 1911 . When the 1911 get above $1000.00 then we are getting into some nice pistols

[barrym66]

As others have said, its not accurate to compare glock to 1911's of various manufacturers. The original 1911 design fired 6000 rounds continuously without failure in the days before wunder lubes and high tech finish treatments. At that rate, the issue of reliability is academic.

The problem is that too many people have take the 1911 design too far away from its original specs. Do that with a gun or a toaster oven and your'e going to have issues.

True, and a reading of the early history of the original Browning design will reveal that the GI-issue 1911's had much looser tolerances to allow for reliable operation in dirty/dusty/gritty environments...with a corresponding reduction in accuracy.

The modern exotic wunder-1911's are all 'tight' and generally hand-fitted (slide to frame, barrel to barrel bushing, etc) to bring back the accuracy....thus making them more load sensitive and susceptible to reliability issues.

Same goes (to a lesser degree) for competition Glocks (and maybe M&P's, I don't own one)...common to see aftermarket slides and even frames to tighten things up, not to mention triggers (all of my race Glocks have Vanek triggers, excepting my service and stock class guns).

To Legasat, no renewal of any 'war' intended, just thought it appropriate to post some interesting data...which is more than most "Glock sucks" or "1911's rule" threads usually provide.

[Snoopy47]

Question:

Why is it always the 1911 vs. this, 1911 vs. that.

What is it about the 1911 the demands everything else be compared to it?

Also, I was wondering how many manufactures make Glocks.

As well, I’m a little uncertain how many companies in the world make 1911s. What’s awesome about that question is there is not one person here than can answer that question.

Everyone knows how many companies make Glocks.

Why would one want a hand made Ferrari when a Honda Civic will get them to and from point A and B all just as well?

[Mr. Meeseeks]

No offence OP, but...



Wwwwhhhhhyyyyyy? How many decades must this go on?

They're both good. Its just preference. Everyone get over it. Please...

[stormy_clothing]

The glock design benefited from 80 years of improved manufacturing, materials, computer aided design, durability and ammunition standards that are a world apart from the 1911 conception not to mention numerous wars and other situations. Someday someone will make a better glock too.

Glock as a handgun compared to a 1911 is the essence of progress and if JB had made his handgun in 2011 instead it would probably be the same thing. Double stack, hammerless and made of polymer.

Btw when a car breaks down you usually call AAA not cease to live.