1911 Reliability: Myths vs Facts

[CK_32]

Why is Glock and 1911 even in the same sentence/paragraph? I hate it when people compare the two, makes me angry.

Different Platforms, Different Tools.

Because they are both pistols? Lol


And because one is known as the most durable reliable pistol design while the other is known as the most accurate and hand crafted. And because either side can't admit one does another slightly better than the other and their pistol isn't the best at everything.

[choprzrul]

Old, worn out, bubba'd Auto Ordnance Corp. 1911 + New Colt barrel + trigger/sear + new extended controls + hand fitted & tuned by Randy Lee == 1911 goodness

I am so amazingly fortunate to have had Randy take on this project just as Apex was ramping up and getting super busy. Amazing trigger on a tack driver that now runs as reliably as my 1996 Toyota.

For home defense, it is a wonderful tool for the job.

If you prefer something else, more power to you. My 1911 & I will be hanging out together for now.

.

[missiontrails]

I don't see it that way. They are the same tool as far as I'm concerned. I daily drive and train with both.

Yep, it's like an old American car with a carburetor and a distributor that actually needs tune-ups vs. a fuel injected Honda Accord that has electronic ignition that requires basically nothing to run the way it did when it left the factory. Obviously that American car is gonna run like crap without tune-ups. There are also hot rod versions of the American car, but they are even more finicky with fuels used and tune-ups... The Accord is loaded with more plastic and modern materials, but it justs runs without problems. 1911's are not the future of handguns, they are just resurrected over and over again with more craftsmanship.

[44fred]

When does Glocks patents expire.
How many will clone like the 1911.

[Joshua Tree]

The Browning swinging link design of the 1911 is obviously brilliant, and works very well with the hardball ammo it was designed to fire. However, for defensive use, I prefer a more modern design of autoloading pistol which drops the barrel down further toward the magazine, enabling a straighter path from magazine to chamber with various hollowpoint designs.

[bubbapug1]

I would rather throw my 1911 than shoot a glock.

I would say that's one of the most arrogant stupid statements I've ever read except for the fact that I agree with you!!!

[Lead Waster]

Why is Glock and 1911 even in the same sentence/paragraph? I hate it when people compare the two, makes me angry.

Different Platforms, Different Tools.

They may be different "platforms" ... wait, no they aren't really. They are pistols, their job is to shoot bullets down range accurately and reliably. A different "platform" would be a semi auto vs a revolver vs a rifle vs a shotgun.

They are semi auto pistols. We can compare 1911s and Glock 21s. are you angry? Why? They are both sidearms designed to shoot .45 ACP ammo. For competition, range, self defense, duty ... what's the difference? Do they have different roles? They do based on their capabilities and qualities.

I love 1911s, you can't beat that trigger. Only a S&W Revolver in Single Action is comparable. Accurate and ... reliable. Beautiful gun. Fits perfectly in a one handed grip. heavy though. One of the first truly successful semi automatic designs

Then 70-80 years later, Glock hires a bunch of deisgners/engineers to look at pistol design AND modern duty needs, they create the Glock pistol and he markets them. yes, they stole some things from the 1911 that worked well.

So the improvements? A lighter pistol (let's look at the 21s) that carries 13 rounds instead of 7 (or 8). it fits horribly in a single handed grip (IMHO) but great in a two handed thumbs forward grip. He use a finish on the slide that is extremely tough (and extremely bad for the environment) and they don't look very sexy to most people.

But it's evolution. The pistol is lighter, carries more rounds and is very durable.


OK, now back to talking about 1911s...

[Lead Waster]

I would say that's one of the most arrogant stupid statements I've ever read except for the fact that I agree with you!!!

LOL, I'm happy shooting either..both are great.

[Lead Waster]

When does Glocks patents expire.
How many will clone like the 1911.

XD, M&P, Sigmas ... etc, etc, etc, etc ... striker fired polymer framed guns are nothing new. Why don't people clone Glocks? What's the point, if you cloned it, people would just buy a Glock instead of your clone. They are not expensive guns. So other manufacturers make Glock-like products, but change the looks and ergos to make them Glocks but not Glocks.

Also, even when Colt had the 1911 patent, there were other manufacturers (out of wartime necessity)

Sort of like ... you can make a Scrabble-like game, but you can't implement it with the exact same board as Hasbro (or whever makes Scrabble)

1911s and AR-15s are like PCs, just buy the parts and put them together.

[stormvet]

LOL, I'm happy shooting either..both are great.

No there not, you can only like one. Then you most bash the other, because it is not your choice in a handgun. Everyone knows those elitist 1911 owners have it coming. And don't get me started on those annoying Glock fanboys all they do is Glock this and Glock that.

I own 9 Glocks and 7 1911s, I train with both and fire between 10,000 and 15,000 handgun rounds a year and you know what yes my Glocks are slightly more reliable then my 1911s. But it's not by any earth shattering amount only a little bit. And my 1911s are more accurate then my Glocks, but again it's not by a mile just a bit. As far as maintenance goes, I clean all my guns after I shoot them, replace the recoil and firing pin springs when their due. Not much to compare. But the Glocks are much easier to break down.

[redcliff]

The Browning swinging link design of the 1911 is obviously brilliant, and works very well with the hardball ammo it was designed to fire. However, for defensive use, I prefer a more modern design of autoloading pistol which drops the barrel down further toward the magazine, enabling a straighter path from magazine to chamber with various hollowpoint designs.

If by more modern you mean 1935 instead of 1911 I guess that's true GLocks utilizes a modified version of the short recoil-operated locked breech also designed by JMB and first utilized on the P35 Hi-Power.

[buffybuster]

The parts inside are dainty and fragile so 10,000 rounds is a lifetime for a 1911.

In the original design (series 70) the 1911 actually have very few parts and they are actually more robust that the parts inside a Glock, Sig, Beretta, S&W, etc. Properly setup a 1911 can easily run 50K rounds between rebuilds.

[Thanatos2203]

I think James Yeager summed it up nicely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfJj90eNIfE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYEd-3iy4QM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lsA4KVPbew

[CK_32]

I think James Yeager summed it up nicely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfJj90eNIfE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYEd-3iy4QM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lsA4KVPbew

Not that idiot.

[Ladyrr]

1911's are like a fine wine. If you do not have a taste for or drink wine, any wine will do. However if you have a refined palate and can tell the difference between a 2 buck chuck and a hand crafted oak aged barreled bright deep red cab with the fruity notes, with a chocolaty overtone, only the best wine affordable will please your palate.

if you have a 1911, you enjoy every part of the sport, not just shooting ammo at a target. It is a weapon design that has lasted over 100 years without the need to change its design. It is a classic. And it is not plastic. Personally for me it is the only pistol worth my time and money.