Backup/alternate for 1911?

[mt417]

Currently own a Springfield 1911 TRP Operator, it's a beast I love the weight and performance but after some training and evaluation I have realized I may need another option.

What I've found is that this handgun needs to be lubed at all times or it won't cycle properly, unless it's just the Fiocchi 230gr FMJs and Black Hills steel case 185gr JHPs. Obviously if I'm using it everyday I would maintain it and shouldn't have any problems. But it is not good for concealed carry with the Viridian X5L.

Although it is a perfect duty/field handgun I can't help but think about all the Glock torture tests. I feel like I should compliment my full size .45 1911 with a slightly more concealable and ultra reliable Glock. This way I can carry the Glock knowing that when I do need to use it it WILL work and won't matter if I didn't lube it the day before. That is if all the torture tests results are true and that the Glock is as reliable as it is portrayed to be.

I'm not sure if I should stick with .45 and get a G21/G30. This way I only have to train with and stock/load one handgun caliber. But adopting a 9mm G17/G19 would allow me to use 9mm if .45 is unavailable. Before my 1911 I owned an HK USP .40, and I did not like how the .40 will snap randomly at different angles compred to a .45 that recoils straight back and up. I have shot a friends Ruger 9mm and it seemed snappy but not excessive like the .40.

What would you go with and why? Do you think Glocks are more reliable than other models in general? What are you thoughts on sticking with just .45 or adding 9mm? I own an AR and M1A so I've already got multiple calibers even though before these bills I was planning on consolidating to an LMT MWSE. Now it seems I had better keep what I have and get more so I have them for backups and for friends/family. Also if you own a TRP Operator or Glock what ammo are you shooting? I've read that people claim 9mm these days can match up to a .45 but only if you exclude modern .45 bullets/loads. A main factor that determined my 1911 purchase was that a major advantage to 9mm is more firepower/higher capacity magazines but we are in CA which basically renders that advantage useless.

[Gutz]

Glock 17 for the win...

People are going to say get an M&P and other lesser models, but pay no attention to them. Glock 17 all the way. Stick with a Gen 3 model too!

[tacticalcity]

Avoid Fiocchi like the plague. It is crap. Had all kinds of issues with it. I recommend Mag-Tech.

Glock would make a nice backup. I am a big fan of Glocks and 1911s. The two handguns I both trust and enjoy the most. A lot of people fall into one camp or other. But there is nothing wrong with enjoying them both.

Shooting full size handguns is definately more enjoyable. However, since your issues with your 1911 are most likely ammo and not gun related you might consider getting an actual "backup" gun.

The baby Glocks are like any other tiny handgun...slightly less than an absolute joy to shoot. There is very little real estate to grab onto and there is very little weight to them to absorb recoil so you feel every bullet. But the same things that make them a tad less comfortable to shoot make them a LOT easier to carry concealed. The are not painful, or uncomfortable. They are just not as comfortable as a full size Glock.

You've got your 1911 as a primary. Maybe a Glock 26 9mm would make a good backup? You'll have two gun categories filled, duty weapon and concealed carry/backup gun. Maybe get your concealed carry permit?

If that doesn't appeal to then I suggest a Glock 17 9mm. One of my favorites. If you are not going to get a carry permit and carry concealed might as well go full size. It will be a little easier to shoot.

[JackRydden224]

If you are talking about HD then get a shotgun.

If you are talking about a range toy then get a CZ

[Sunday]

If you like the 1911 why not try to get a 9mm 1911 they are really nice to shoot. I wouldn't call a 45acp a beast. The best ammo these days are the ones with bonded bullets. this website has great info from Doc. Robertshttp://http://pistol-forum.com/forum...19-Ammunition&

[bigbearbear]

My answer to questions like this one is always the same: Go rent the various types of pistols, shoot them and see how you like them.

I used to rent Glocks, because they're the first thing range rental folks pushes on customers. They're ok, but after renting a Beretta PX4 Storm 9mm and shooting a box of 50 rounds, I promptly went to the counter and bought one.

[tacticalcity]

My suggestion would be to take a 4 day defensive handgun course where you are drawing from the holster and shooting under realistic time conditions you can expect from a gun fight...you're opinion on the Glock and the Beretta will change radically. Glocks are a no frills keep it simple combat gun. Ugly as sin. Reliable as hell. Like the 1911, they are FAST. Why? Consistency. They have the same trigger pull every single time so you can quickly and easily build up muscle memory and master the trigger. DA/SA guns require a considerably longer learning curve to shoot reliably at speed. It definitely can be done, but it is harder and requires considerably more effort to remain proficient. But this is something you won't discover shooting at your local gun range. You have to experience it first hand. The only way you will be exposed to that (God willing) is a professional training course or if you get into IDPA type shooting. You're not going to get there on your own. And that defensive style shooting is where the Glocks and the 1911s both really shine. I carried a Beretta for years. Absolutely hate them, and with good reason. They are a very well made range toy with lots of safety features to keep you out of trouble while you are learning to shoot. But those same layers of safety features make them a terrible choice for self defense.

[trigger945]

Interesting note on the TRP Operator being picky with ammo. Mine isn't but it only has about 700 rds through it. Not sure. I hope you have yours resolved. It should not be that way.

I don't/can't carry so take my answer FWIW. I like 1911's a lot and trust my few for reliability. As a primary HD weapon though, I have my Glocks - in .45 ACP and in 9mm. I would say that my 1911's are more of a back up in my case.

I can't pick between .45 and 9 based on technical data, ballistic info, etc. But my preference overall is the .45 ACP round.

No matter how many times I tried picking between my two Glocks, I just couldn't so I cannot recommend one over the other. In fact, I would recommend to get both the G21 and the G17/19.

Good luck. Give SA a call to see if the issue with your TRP Operator can be fixed.

[kauaibuilt]

Interesting note on the TRP Operator being picky with ammo. Mine isn't but it only has about 700 rds through it. Not sure. I hope you have yours resolved. It should not be that way.

I don't/can't carry so take my answer FWIW. I like 1911's a lot and trust my few for reliability. As a primary HD weapon though, I have my Glocks - in .45 ACP and in 9mm. I would say that my 1911's are more of a back up in my case.

I can't pick between .45 and 9 based on technical data, ballistic info, etc. But my preference overall is the .45 ACP round.

No matter how many times I tried picking between my two Glocks, I just couldn't so I cannot recommend one over the other. In fact, I would recommend to get both the G21 and the G17/19.

Good luck. Give SA a call to see if the issue with your TRP Operator can be fixed.

+1

I ran 1,000-1,100 rounds (including about 50 hollowpoints)through my TRP with only lubing before each range session and no cleaning at all. Didnt have a single issue at all. At most I did maybe 300 rounds in a single range session - not exactly like taking a handgun class but its what I had time to do.

I also second what someone else said - to try before you buy. Ive owned glocks, M&Ps, XDs, FNPs, and am waiting to take a CZ out of jail tomorrow. Got rid of the XD almost immediately. bought and sold several glocks before I discovered the grip force adapter and decided i could actually live with a glock. Loved the FNP but since it was discontinued and I liked striker fired more then da/sa I sold it. I also sold my Shield .40 before getting a shield 9 - still have some mixed feelings about it but time will tell. I know the CZ75 is a SA/DA but its feels so good....

as for the shotgun... in a lot of instances, especially in urban environments where houses are close together, or if you have kids/family/pets that you need to control, theyre not necessarily the best option.

[mt417]

Glock 17 all the way. Stick with a Gen 3 model too!

Gen 3 > Gen 4 huh?

The baby Glocks are like any other tiny handgun...slightly less than an absolute joy to shoot. There is very little real estate to grab onto and there is very little weight to them to absorb recoil so you feel every bullet. But the same things that make them a tad less comfortable to shoot make them a LOT easier to carry concealed. The are not painful, or uncomfortable. They are just not as comfortable as a full size

Yeah I can tell just by looking at them that it'd be very awkward to shoot. I might go for the concealed carry permit so the compact but not subcompact G19 might be the way for me to go.

If you are talking about HD then get a shotgun.

I live and work out in the mountains with the coyotes, boars, bears, drunks, tweakers, growers and the like. I holster my 1911 on a belt rig and it is not necessarily concealed. While I may carry a rifle or shotgun in a vehicle I realize that it may be more practical to carry a concealed handgun on me all the time. The main driving factor for my interest in the Glock is that according to what I've seen and read I could treat it like absolute crap, get it all dirty and throw it around (though I never would treat it like that), and it would still fire. Openly carrying my 1911 exposes it to all the dust and dirt which doesn't provide me with the peace of mind a Glock might knowing the action on the TRP might get sticky after just a few days of simple carrying.

If you like the 1911 why not try to get a 9mm 1911 they are really nice to shoot.

I should clarify the TRP doesn't jam or have cycle issues consistently, but it can happen if I simply carry it openly for a few days or weeks, while just stashing it under my pillow at night without making sure it is lubed. This is perfectly normal but again, if the Glock can go through these torture tests and I don't have to worry about it not cycling with a little dirt in it then that's what I should get.

As a primary HD weapon though, I have my Glocks - in .45 ACP and in 9mm. I would say that my 1911's are more of a back up in my case.

No matter how many times I tried picking between my two Glocks, I just couldn't so I cannot recommend one over the other. In fact, I would recommend to get both the G21 and the G17/19.

I can see why you would use your Glocks before the 1911. Besides the 1911's historical and sentimental values, I'm thinking about what advantages the 1911 platform even has over these newer models. Sure we all love our 1911s, but I kind of feel like maybe the reliability of Glocks outshines everything. Or maybe all of this really just boils down to personal preference like some of you are saying, so if my personal preference is reliability I could get a full size and compact Glock for the price I paid for my TRP.

So right now I'm looking at the Glock 19 to have a more comfortable concealed carry handgun and also as a backup for my 1911 if I plan on getting dirty.

[Steve1968LS2]

How about an HK USP in .45?

It's nice for 1911 guys since you can carry it "cocked and locked" just like your 1911..

[mt417]

How about an HK USP in .45?

It's nice for 1911 guys since you can carry it "cocked and locked" just like your 1911..

I do love the H&K USP .45 Tactical full size or compact but I'm really intrigued by the Glock torture tests that the USP failed to pass. Plus the whole H&K hates civs ordeal pushes me away.

[Zula]

Just get a g19 and be done with it. I have a couple of high end 1911's and as much as it pains me to say it ,I'd grab the g19 before the 1911's. Accurate, reliable, and lightweight too. The recoil is very soft on all of the glock 9mm's imo.

[davidwow]

If you are going to stray from a 1911 (my TRP never had one failure in 1000 rounds) I would shoot for a CZ ... those things are known to run and run as well.

[mt417]

The few failure to feed problems I had were most likely user error, if I'm carrying around the mountain and not firing I just have to give it quick cleaning every few days because of the dust and dirt that will build up naturally. Another issue causing the failure to feed is my ProMag 10 round magazines, if my slide's locked back the magazine can be pushed up passed the catch which prevents the slide from feeding. Just this happening though made me think of the Glock torture tests. If I were LEO I'd definitely make sure my duty handgun is cleaned/lubed daily even if I haven't fired.