1911 vs. Glock wars! Which one is better!

[edub91]

Apples to oranges would be a gun vs knife. They are both semi-automatic combat pistols.

Yeah but 1911 is represented by different companies and each one can be different. Glock is Glock. Just my opinion. But I see where you're coming from.

[Quiet]

A 1911 and a Glock had an affair, which resulted in a XD.

[bombadillo]

And I bought their red-headed stepchild which is my XD-9sc. Great little guy.

[forgiven]

I've owned many of both, but the G21 is my handgun of choice.

[Sunwolf]

Glock,glock,glock,meow,meow,meow.

[skip]

A tale of two Kimbers

Here is an excellent video review of two kimber 1911's. The author is a huge Glock fan and does an excellent job arguing why the 1911 is an outdated design. He also acknowledges that if you shoot a 1911 the best, that is what you should own.

part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq3StchvjY4&feature=channel

part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0_9KrcCUE8&NR=1

part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNp1wjKXD-4&feature=fvw

[Z ME FLY]

Generally speaking, yes. But high end 1911's are ready to rock from the box as well, generally speaking. The difference is in cost.

I wouldn't say high end 1911 are ready to rock from the box. I hardly ever heard of a 1911 especially a high end one work out of the box without any tweaks. Maybe expect for the ones that cost about $2000.

But if you are doing that... You aren't comparing two things that are equal. Once again, you can't compare a $700 gun to a $2000. There are people who bring brand nib glocks to matchs and shoot them out of the box and do great. That's the beauty of a glock.

Actually now that I think of it, I am sure someone here mention that they had problems with their "high end" 1911.

[xibunkrlilkidsx]

Oh yeah you HEARD.....

I heard a lot of things too

well you know that everything on the internet is true.


ill go 1911 because that is what i have in my nightstand.

[J-cat]

I wouldn't say high end 1911 are ready to rock from the box. I hardly ever heard of a 1911 especially a high end one work out of the box without any tweaks. Maybe expect for the ones that cost about $2000.

But if you are doing that... You aren't comparing two things that are equal. Once again, you can't compare a $700 gun to a $2000. There are people who bring brand nib glocks to matchs and shoot them out of the box and do great. That's the beauty of a glock.

Actually now that I think of it, I am sure someone here mention that they had problems with their "high end" 1911.

And people complain about Glock problems as well: KB, rear rails tearing from the frame, peening of the slide, I even saw a photo of dryfiring damage where a chunk of the breechface was knocked out. I think any company will have a certain percentage of problem guns.

Glocks are more forgiving in dirty environments, but that is because they are striker fired.

And yes, by high end I meant the $2500 guns.

[Lancear15]

This will become a long thread for sure.

Firstly, the most unreliable guns I have seen are the expensive high end 1911s. Since they have been tightend shimmed etc to shoot uber accurate they tend to jam. Older rattle prone and war vintage 1911s are very reliable.

I tend to think the Glock (close to a 30 year old platform is marginally better). My reasons are as follow.

1. Higher ammo capacity (somewhat of a moot point in CA).
2. Lighter so easier to carry.
3. No manual safety to flip in times of high stress.
4. More plastic means less potential corrosion issues.
5. There is something like one third fewer parts in a Glock. Though I haven't done an exhaustive study of the differences, less parts sounds like an advantage.

Many have trusted their lives to both systems and I'd feel well protected with either. Outside of CA I would definately go w Glock due to ammo capacity.

Glocks are better over all.

I can attest to the fact that 1911s are highly unreliable. In both highly modified high end like USPSA Open class or just factory stock in IDPA, I have seen soooo many 1911s fail in competition it is laughable.

Glocks on the otherhand I have never seen fail mechanically and a few guys I know clean them once a year even with heavy usage.

[AEC1]

This is like asking which is better, a Lambo or a Nissan.


1911 every day and twice on sunday!!!

[Lancear15]

This is like asking which is better, a Lambo or a Nissan.


1911 every day and twice on sunday!!!

I would say it is more like asking which is better a Harley or a Honda street bike. For some reason (which I don't understand) some people would say Harley, even though you often see them broke down on the side of the road and they are twice the price or more. Same thing with 1911s you can see them brake down all the time but the owners still say they are the best thing out.

[Mac Attack]

I presently own several Colt 1911's and have owned 3 Glocks (G21, G30 and G36 - I only own the G30 now).

As much as I love my 1911's I would be hard pressed if I had to choose one to grab as I was heading into danger. Both are accurate handguns with designs that set them apart from the competition.

A 1911 is definitely a gun for the connoisseur who appreciates a fine work of art and mechanical ingenuity. A Glock to me is a no nonsense tool, a special tool but a hand tool. I depended on my Glocks and 1911's and carried and practiced with them as often as possible.

Imho you can't go wrong with either. It just comes down to what you intend to use it for. If you asked to to choose between my 1911 and G30 I am not sure which I would pick. Most likely my G30 because I can run G21 mags throufgh it and it is less likely to rust due to the elements.

[J-cat]

I can attest to the fact that 1911s are highly unreliable

You cite your experience in competition. I can tell you that most 1911 malfunctions are ammo related. People who handload in volume run into problems more often than people who load one at a time. Glocks have huge chambers that swallow anything. If you hogged out a 1911 chamber to Glock spec, it would be more reliable with and tolerant of improperly assembled ammunition.

[hybridatsun350]

The two platforms cannot be compared. This is a moot argument.