1911 vs. Glock

[Vinnie Boombatz]

I will say this, after running 1911's, Glocks and Beretta 92FS and M9A1's in multiple classes, I'm just as "fast" and accurate with all of them. However, when it comes to things like flipping a safety on and off (1911), accidentally flipping the safety on during malfunction clearances (Berettas), and overall ease of manipulation and lack of sharp edges the will tear up your hands day after day in class (both 1911 and Beretta, but worse on the Berettas), I'll choose the Glock every time.

Yes, you can de-burr your 1911, but you'll still have to deal with the safety. You'll also be reloading more with the 1911 due to it's limited capacity. You can do things to the Beretta like turn it into a decocker only which I did to mine which eliminates the possibility of accidentally flipping on the safety) but it still can be a bit unfriendly to a novice or someone with soft hands when doing manipulation drills over and over and you'll learn quickly that you'll have to modify things like hand placement when running the slide, etc.

So based on all that, in my limited experience and factoring in everything mentioned above, I am the most consistently "fast" with a Glock. Your experience may vary, but only YOU can determine that, and what works for you may be different than what someone else prefers. But the only way to figure that out is through your own personal experience.

[tanks]

Ahem, US Military does not use Glocks as a sidearm.

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Ahem, US Military does not use Glocks as a sidearm.

They also don't use 1911's anymore, either.

[Snoopy47]

What do you shoot now the most?

My schedule is allowing me to shoot a few times a month Bullseye, and I usually get in a Steel Challenge once a month.

For bullseye I'll use a 1911 in either my Les Baer Premier in 45ACP, but I also recently converted an extra 1911 frame with a 9mm upper.

Then, for Steel Challenge I'm putting all my effort, and time I practice at the range toward a Glock 17 GEN4 that I effectively changed into a G34 with a 3 port compensator, frame mounted red dot and all the crap I could throw in to weigh it down, and running a Timney Trigger.

So.............. on the one hand I'm shooting a 1911 single handed in a controlled and focused manner for precision accuracy (with bunny fart loads ironically mostly in 45ACP) and then all the way on the other side of the spectrum shooting a Glock as fast as possible through a compensated gun loaded to a power factor that dwarfs my 45ACP loads.

Neither of which is a far comparison for an OEM comparison for what platform can be used to shoot follow ups best.

Folks just need to get out and shoot, see if shooting for the sake of shooting is their cup of tea, and then purse a path of performance improvement they can follow, and the choice of firearm will flush itself out in the longer term.

If it wasn't for competition I too would be the guy with only a few guns that collect dust, and the occasional range trip to make sure everything still works.

[TMB 1]

All one has to do is research Larry Vickers video on the multiple points that one has to pay attention to when using the 1911 platform, and then compare that to the maintenance one has to do when using a Glock pistol.

The Glock overall the Glock can run more reliable, weighs less, holds more rounds, and if you cannot hit minute of man at 25 yards, it's not a better trigger you need, is more practice.

I don't hate tnt 1911 platform - I was raised in the steel and wood era, and own a colt ace all thru the Gold cup model, but that Glock ( overall ) runs better than the 1911, it is what it is.

I have no problem hitting minute of man at 25 yard or even 100 yard with Glock trigger, SD9VE trigger, Kahr trigger, DA revolver trigger, but if I want/needed to hit minute of between the eyes at 25 or head shot at 100, I'll be using the SA trigger with my revolver, my 1911, my Ruger Mk II, one of my SA revolvers or TC Contender.

[rplaw]

I have no problem hitting minute of man at 25 yard or even 100 yard with Glock trigger, SD9VE trigger, Kahr trigger, DA revolver trigger, but if I want/needed to hit minute of between the eyes at 25 or head shot at 100, I'll be using the SA trigger with my revolver, my 1911, my Ruger Mk II, one of my SA revolvers or TC Contender.

Some people don't understand this simple fact.

Here's a good point that most don't even think about:

If you had a hunting rifle and were about to shoot that trophy buck at 200 yds, would you prefer your rifle had a precise and crisp trigger, or one that required you to pull it for an inch and a half as it cocks the hammer and then releases it?

Now ask yourself why it's any different at 20 yds in a gunfight.

[rplaw]

I didn't learn to shoot on any Glocks at all or 1911's. So if someone buys a Glock you will teach them on a 1911 and tell them it is the Glock's fault? Hahahahahahahah.

LOL WUT? It certainly IS inexperience and lack of trigger control. Trigger control is everything. YOU know how to shoot anything, so teach your student how to shoot their Glock!!

Wow, you're just filled with loads of wisdom, aren't you...


Tell us, do you actually own a handgun? Or know how to shoot one?

[Mopar Guy]

For CCW...completely prefer the G30S over a Kimber. Weight means everything, also the safety on the 1911 confused me. Shot one a few weeks ago and have to admit, I really really like the 1911! Trained for years on Glock...will continue.

[Robert1234]

Some people don't understand this simple fact.

Here's a good point that most don't even think about:

If you had a hunting rifle and were about to shoot that trophy buck at 200 yds, would you prefer your rifle had a precise and crisp trigger, or one that required you to pull it for an inch and a half as it cocks the hammer and then releases it?

Now ask yourself why it's any different at 20 yds in a gunfight.

Preference vs. capability. I'd prefer a nice trigger on all my guns, but I'm more than capable with a garbage Glock trigger.

Nice triggers are, well, nice. As stated, I'd prefer them on all my guns.

But I'd also prefer all of my self defense guns hold 15 - 17 rounds, be relatively light and easy to carry, and not cost an arm and a leg. So I have to compromise. Which is more important to me, nice trigger, more ammo, lighter weight gun? My choices may not be the same as yours.

With that said, yes, it's much easier and more enjoyable to shoot guns at targets with no stress when they have nice triggers.

I'm no expert, but I'd wager most self defense shootings are not stress free, or done at a leisurely pace. So;

1. One can train themselves to be accurate with a bad trigger or with a nice one, so that will play into your decision on what's right for you.

2. You're not going to notice how long, stagey, gritty, heavy the trigger was when you use the gun in a self defense shooting. Most cannot even accurately say how many rounds they discharged. And you're probably going to miss with some of your shots, so it's better to have as many rounds as feasible in the gun.

3. You're probably never going to have to worry about number 2, as self defense shootings are a relatively rare occurrence that most of us will never experience, so for me, I make carrying as comfortable as possible (light gun), and ensure I have as many rounds in the gun and spare magazine as feasible.

Your priorities may differ from mine. That doesn't mean either of us is right or wrong.

[Robert1234]

What about Munden?

His reloads suck, so his times fall off precipitously after the sixth round...

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Some people don't understand this simple fact.

Here's a good point that most don't even think about:

If you had a hunting rifle and were about to shoot that trophy buck at 200 yds, would you prefer your rifle had a precise and crisp trigger, or one that required you to pull it for an inch and a half as it cocks the hammer and then releases it?

Now ask yourself why it's any different at 20 yds in a gunfight.

I'll go out on a limb and say the trigger is a moot point if you don't actually practice and train, period.

I bet you the hunter with the rifle that has the crappy trigger but has experience under his belt and knows his firearm has a way better chance of bagging the trophy buck than the guy who has the best, most expensive, most state of the art, sweetest rifle, trigger and optic combo out there but has no clue what he's doing.

Same applies to handguns. I've seen it first hand. I don't compete, but have attended a few defensive handgun courses. I've only been at this for a year and a half, and never touched a firearm before that. I've outshot many classmates who show up all decked out with their super expensive race gun set up, with a big battle belt, rocking six mag pouches, each canted differently to optimize speed, etc. You can tell these guys are wealthy and have money to burn, but you can also tell quite a few of them haven't put in the time practicing, despite telling everyone else they've been shooting for years.

I'm doing just fine with my G17 that has a minus connector and Vickers extended mag release. I dry practice a lot at home, and despite having plenty of 9mm ammo don't go to the range because they don;'t let you draw from a holster. I get more benefit from dry practice and practicing my prevention at home, sans ammo. Again, I am not talking about competition shooting, only defensive and what works for me.

Too many people make excuses for their lack or skill and time put in and blame their gear. In many of the cases these people are holding themselves back because they don't put in the time practicing. They'll continue to throw money at their firearms thinking that sill just get them to the next level. They'll hop from firearm to firearm thinking, "one I have (insert whatever firearm you want) I'll be able to get better times/shoot faster/shoot more accurately. They're just filling themselves. The gear will help you to a point, but in order to get to the next level you need a solid foundation of the fundamentals and you need to practice. Lots of guys want to be able to run around and shoot things, but have crappy fundamentals and can't shoot consistently fast while standing still. Gotta have patience and you gotta walk before you can run.

[acaligunner]

Some people don't understand this simple fact.

Now ask yourself why it's any different at 20 yds in a gunfight.

That 1st rule of surviving a gunfight is to have a reliable weapon system that will work with the best SD round available, the Glock system is more than proven in that regard.

Glocks also are more trouble free, and has been made to feed today's modern SD round otb, to deny the above is like saying the 1911 is a better modern fighting pistol than the Glock, lol oops my bad.

[acaligunner]

There have also been cases were 1911 defenders forgot to properly grip ( deactivate) the grip safety, or had their arms disabled ( by fighting off a bg or being shot in the arm / hand ) and couldn't get their shots off using a 1911 platform.

Glocks are ugly , twang shooting pistols, butt they were never made to be pretty, they were made to reliably work when someone chooses them for SD / Combat work.

Just sayin'.

But then again, choose what works for you, trigger no trigger, polymer or whatever , just be ready and train well.

From personal experience , I've been shot at , stabbed , and jumped and you better be ready when it gets real. Good luck.

[Robert1234]

I'll go out on a limb and say the trigger is a moot point if you don't actually practice and train, period.

I bet you the hunter with the rifle that has the crappy trigger but has experience under his belt and knows his firearm has a way better chance of bagging the trophy buck than the guy who has the best, most expensive, most state of the art, sweetest rifle, trigger and optic combo out there but has no clue what he's doing.

Same applies to handguns. I've seen it first hand. I don't compete, but have attended a few defensive handgun courses. I've only been at this for a year and a half, and never touched a firearm before that. I've outshot many classmates who show up all decked out with their super expensive race gun set up, with a big battle belt, rocking six mag pouches, each canted differently to optimize speed, etc. You can tell these guys are wealthy and have money to burn, but you can also tell quite a few of them haven't put in the time practicing, despite telling everyone else they've been shooting for years.

I'm doing just fine with my G17 that has a minus connector and Vickers extended mag release. I dry practice a lot at home, and despite having plenty of 9mm ammo don't go to the range because they don;'t let you draw from a holster. I get more benefit from dry practice and practicing my prevention at home, sans ammo. Again, I am not talking about competition shooting, only defensive and what works for me.

Too many people make excuses for their lack or skill and time put in and blame their gear. In many of the cases these people are holding themselves back because they don't put in the time practicing. They'll continue to throw money at their firearms thinking that sill just get them to the next level. They'll hop from firearm to firearm thinking, "one I have (insert whatever firearm you want) I'll be able to get better times/shoot faster/shoot more accurately. They're just filling themselves. The gear will help you to a point, but in order to get to the next level you need a solid foundation of the fundamentals and you need to practice. Lots of guys want to be able to run around and shoot things, but have crappy fundamentals and can't shoot consistently fast while standing still. Gotta have patience and you gotta walk before you can run.

Richmond Rod & Gun Club holds practice every Saturday morning from 0900 - 1330. There's a static line with targets, where you can draw from the holster, and shoot to your heart's content with regards to speed. The also have a plate rack setup, as well as a practice USPSA stage if your want to challenge yourself.

Price is ridiculously cheap, even for non-members and the range officers are friendly, helpful, and well versed in the safety they're there to monitor without being dicks about it. Well worth checking out if you're looking for a place to do live-fire practice. One of the few things I miss since leaving California last year.

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Richmond Rod & Gun Club holds practice every Saturday morning from 0900 - 1330. There's a static line with targets, where you can draw from the holster, and shoot to your heart's content with regards to speed. The also have a plate rack setup, as well as a practice USPSA stage if your want to challenge yourself.

Price is ridiculously cheap, even for non-members and the range officers are friendly, helpful, and well versed in the safety they're there to monitor without being dicks about it. Well worth checking out if you're looking for a place to do live-fire practice. One of the few things I miss since leaving California last year.

Thanks for this. Unfortunately, I work every weekend.