Glock/M&P/XD, etc. vs. 1911

[MySRT8U]

I have both a glock 26 and a uramex regent 1911. I will say this, I paid right at $500 for the regent and I am amazed at how much pistol you get for your money. It is an amazing gun and I love it. Put 500 rounds through it since purchasing and never had a malfunction. That said, I love my glock too. Very reliable, easier to conceal, higher capacity, lighter, etc. all that said, there is just something about the feel of a 1911. I love it and wouldn't trade it for any gun in my safe.

[tvc184]

1911s definitely win the "cool" contest. They're much better looking guns that the others. But they seem more complicated too. I've seen lots of comments that seem to indicate that they are more prone to jam than a striker fired pistol. Not that they jam all the time, but just that they are a little more prone to it. True?

I wouldn't suggest doing it but I would feel comfortable taking a Glock out of the box, putting in my holster and going on duty. I would not feel that way with any 1911 out of the box.

A friend of mine was with me teaching basic firearms at the police academy a couple of years ago. He had been carrying a Glock but wanted "another" 1911. He had one before and was bitten by the bug again as a couple of other officers were using them. I will admit, they are the best looking handgun ever invented. He brought out a new but custom finished something or other well known brand. He paid about $1,400 for it (about three times what he paid for his new Glock). He could not get it to run completely through a magazine without a fail to feed malfunction. Talk about PO'ed.

I said yeah but it is a 1911, you have to break it in. You need to run a few boxes through it before you make any decisions. Yeah but this one was supposed to be guaranteed to shoot out of the box.

Ooookay.............

The 1911 is more than 100 year old technology. It is still a beautiful piece and is timeless however they are more finicky, generally carry quite a few less rounds and if you go pick one up off the shelf, I wouldn't trust my life with it walking out in the parking lot after the purchase. I would take a Glock or M&P off the shelf, load either up and walk out of the store ready for a gun fight. No lube, no break in, no trying several different ammos to see which ones will function and no worrying about having to take off or reengage the safety. Simply grab the first box of the appropriate caliber ammo, load it and go.

I am not dogging out 1911's or the people that are in love with them and they are still front line weapons. Just because they are beautiful and were designed by John Browning does not make them the best weapon for most people but you asked and I am answering with my opinion.

[Z7_Matt]

This is just a video I found
1911s SUCK Part 1 - YouTube

That guy is a tool. Plain and simple. I believe he had a video removed due to the racist nature of his speech. I just have a bad taste in my mouth about the guy. Plus he hates 1911s. Why would I like him?

[westtexducks]

One of the big things going for the polymer pistols is the mag capacity, it is comforting knowing you have 15 rounds or ammo at your disposal. That said every 1911 I have shot was flawless, no jams whatsoever and were a hoot to shoot, they just feel good in your hand. The 1911s I have dealt with were the colt mustang, star .45, and several brands of full size from high end kimbers to cheap taurus. I have shot a couple of glocks a few times and was never impressed with them just didn't feel right in my hand. I already have a taurus pt840 so if I were to get another big pistol it would be a 1911. That said my next pistol will be one that will fit in my pocket

[krisw]

I would take a Glock or M&P off the shelf, load either up and walk out of the store ready for a gun fight. No lube, no break in, no trying several different ammos to see which ones will function and no worrying about having to take off or reengage the safety. Simply grab the first box of the appropriate caliber ammo, load it and go.

I had a buddy do that with a new Glock a few years ago. It had several ftf and fte. It happens to all of them. and I agree. No way I would carry a gun without finding out what it liked.

[Shane]

I wouldn't suggest doing it but I would feel comfortable taking a Glock out of the box, putting in my holster and going on duty. I would not feel that way with any 1911 out of the box.

A friend of mine was with me teaching basic firearms at the police academy a couple of years ago. He had been carrying a Glock but wanted "another" 1911. He had one before and was bitten by the bug again as a couple of other officers were using them. I will admit, they are the best looking handgun ever invented. He brought out a new but custom finished something or other well known brand. He paid about $1,400 for it (about three times what he paid for his new Glock). He could not get it to run completely through a magazine without a fail to feed malfunction. Talk about PO'ed.

I said yeah but it is a 1911, you have to break it in. You need to run a few boxes through it before you make any decisions. Yeah but this one was supposed to be guaranteed to shoot out of the box.

Ooookay.............

The 1911 is more than 100 year old technology. It is still a beautiful piece and is timeless however they are more finicky, generally carry quite a few less rounds and if you go pick one up off the shelf, I wouldn't trust my life with it walking out in the parking lot after the purchase. I would take a Glock or M&P off the shelf, load either up and walk out of the store ready for a gun fight. No lube, no break in, no trying several different ammos to see which ones will function and no worrying about having to take off or reengage the safety. Simply grab the first box of the appropriate caliber ammo, load it and go.

I am not dogging out 1911's or the people that are in love with them and they are still front line weapons. Just because they are beautiful and were designed by John Browning does not make them the best weapon for most people but you asked and I am answering with my opinion.

This is pretty much the conclusion I've come to. I think they all are cool and have their advantages and disadvantages. I see the polymer striker fired pistols having an edge for personal protection and carry due to their lighter weight and better reliability (less finickiness). But it sounds like 1911s can be more accurate once you get them tuned and dialed in - tighter tolerances, better triggers, etc. And they are definitely better looking and just plain COOL. To me, they'd make great collector guns, range guns, competition guns, etc. But again, I've never been a pistol guy, so I'm just basing that mostly on what I've seen and read.

I guess the best way for me to make up my own mind is to buy a few pistols and shoot them a lot.

[Muzzy100]

This is just a video I found
1911s SUCK Part 1 - YouTube

That video was epic so true about the owners. I see it at the range all the time,"it wasn't a malfunction it was a failure to feed lol" WHAT LOL

[Michael]

Shane, it seems that my interest in handguns has somewhat mirrored yours, and we were bitten by the bug around the same time. We seem to share many of the same questions, as well! Excellent post.

I owned a Taurus PT145 for several years, and bought an LCP with a gift card I was given a couple of years ago. I shot them a time or two, but will admit I was still somewhat intimidated by pistols (even rifles to some degree). Although we duck, dove, quail and deer hunted as kids, I was just never around pistols much, and had rarely handled them. I purchased the Taurus when things seemed to start getting a little tense around the border and I had a couple of encounters while hunting by myself at the ranch. I just wanted something that would go bang, and the Taurus came at the right price.

Just shy of a year ago, I decided that the only way to get comfortable with the guns was to handle them. While the girls were out bowfishing with Sutton, I decided to pull out the guns, learn how to break them down, clean them and reassemble them. I did each a couple of times, and handled both without any ammo, just to get a feel for handling and trigger. I started making time to shoot with Casey, Les and others while we were at CDLC, and started to get more comfortable with them.

I believe it was December when Casey and I picked up our "TBH Executive" STI Guardian 1911s from Chris. Fortunately, Casey and Chris, with help from Sutton, worked out the specs on that gun. It is chambered in .40 S&W. It more or less "triggered" my infatuation with guns!



Honestly, Aurora caused me to reconsider my thoughs on CC, and following Sandy Hook, and an email from my wife's superintended asking who had CHL, my wife decided we should both get our permits. I shot the STI Guardian for the first time in qualifying, and it was infinitely smoother than anything I had shot in the past!

When the TBH 1911 .45s were complete, I decided to claim the very last "overrun" because I know I'd regret not having one in the future.



I still haven't received mine, but I was able to shoot Chris' at "Bownanza Range Day" and I really enjoyed shooting it as well. To help fund that purchase, and because I feel like I don't need two .45s, I sold my PT145.

Range Day was a great opportunity to shoot several different guns to get a feel for 1911s and Polymers. I had decided that, even more than the TBH 1911, I really wanted an officer length, aluminum frame 1911 in 9mm. I was able to shoot the STI Escort and Shadow



along with Mary's XDm in 9mm.



I also shot the STI Guardian in a 9mm, and to my surprise, I actually liked the feel of not only my Guardian .40, but also the Escort and Shadow (almost identical shooters) even more than the Guardian 9. (I later decided to order a Lawman 3.0 over the Escort or Shadow).



Personally, I liked the feel of all of the above (Escort, Shadow, Guardian 9, Guardian .40, TBH .45) more than the XDm 9.

Last week I decided to participate in Dale's upcoming Critical Handgun class in April. Unfortunately, my Lawman won't be ready by then, and I'm not sure I want to run 600 rounds through my Guardian .40 or TBH .45. This week I decided to purchase a Glock 26, although I've never shot or even handled the gun.



I had an opportunity to buy, so I did pretty much on impulse. Honestly, though, I haven't decided whether or not to keep it, and have yet to fire a shot from it. My wife really likes the feel of it, so I'm guessing we'll end up keeping it!

I know the drawbacks to the 1911 for CC (more parts, multiple safeties, DA trigger, etc.), but I REALLY want the Lawman to be my EDC, with the Guardian and TBH .45 in occassional rotation as well. With that, I also understand developing muscle memory is critical. As such, I really feel like running a 1911 through the paces of Dale's class will really help with that. (I also purchased a Sig 1911-22 as a cost effective way to practice and develop muscle memory).



I may see if I can shoot both the G26 and one of the STIs during the class.

Sorry for the long-windedness, but it's as much to help me clarify my own thoughts as it is to answer your question. B Having shot several poly guns, I personally prefer the "shootability" and smoothness of the 1911s. After I receive my TBH .45 (hopefully this week) and my Lawman 3.0 (August), I will have four different calibers (.40, .45, 9mm and .22lr) across the 1911 platform. In addition, they really do have the "coolness factor" in terms of appearance! That said, in a HTF or zombie scenario, if you put a gun to my head () I think I would opt for the durability, reliability and increased magazine capacity of a poly gun. Factor in the interchangability of the magazines, and Glock would be the likely choice.

[Predatorbow]

Why not have both?

[Mike D]

I wouldn't suggest doing it but I would feel comfortable taking a Glock out of the box, putting in my holster and going on duty. I would not feel that way with any 1911 out of the box.

A friend of mine was with me teaching basic firearms at the police academy a couple of years ago. He had been carrying a Glock but wanted "another" 1911. He had one before and was bitten by the bug again as a couple of other officers were using them. I will admit, they are the best looking handgun ever invented. He brought out a new but custom finished something or other well known brand. He paid about $1,400 for it (about three times what he paid for his new Glock). He could not get it to run completely through a magazine without a fail to feed malfunction. Talk about PO'ed.

I said yeah but it is a 1911, you have to break it in. You need to run a few boxes through it before you make any decisions. Yeah but this one was supposed to be guaranteed to shoot out of the box.

Ooookay.............

The 1911 is more than 100 year old technology. It is still a beautiful piece and is timeless however they are more finicky, generally carry quite a few less rounds and if you go pick one up off the shelf, I wouldn't trust my life with it walking out in the parking lot after the purchase. I would take a Glock or M&P off the shelf, load either up and walk out of the store ready for a gun fight. No lube, no break in, no trying several different ammos to see which ones will function and no worrying about having to take off or reengage the safety. Simply grab the first box of the appropriate caliber ammo, load it and go.

I am not dogging out 1911's or the people that are in love with them and they are still front line weapons. Just because they are beautiful and were designed by John Browning does not make them the best weapon for most people but you asked and I am answering with my opinion.

Nailed it! Pretty much my sentiments exactly. I own both poly guns of the Glock and M&P flavor as well as a few 1911s. I carry them all on occasion.

But it it came down to showdown time, I'd pick the poly gun every time, primarily the Glock.

[lennyl]

I suggest you get a revolver . it will almost never jam . it is not ammo sensitive .
you can get one in 45acp . the learning curve is alot easier . as for field use you can use it as a hammer (unloaded of coarse ) if you had to.

[Michael]

That guy is a tool. Plain and simple. I believe he had a video removed due to the racist nature of his speech. I just have a bad taste in my mouth about the guy. Plus he hates 1911s. Why would I like him?

I haven't seen his previous videos...but I kinda like the guy! Of course, it's a little hard to take a guy wearing a cool shirt like that too seriouslty!

I actually agree with a lot of what he has to say. He mentions "out of the box" and "mass produced 1911s" and guys that haven't shot their 1911s enough to know if they work, and he might just have valid points. So far, I love my STI Guardian, but I've shot less than 100 rounds through it. I've probably shot a few hundred through my 1911-22, but I've "practiced' drawing and firing both "dry" to help get a feel for the safety and trigger. That's also the reason I mentioned in my post above that I really want to shoot a 1911 in Dale's class so I can develop the muscle memory and habits to overcome the problems associated with a 1911 for cc.

The reality is that many of the poly guns, like a glock, in addition to revolvers, are "idiot proof" out of the box. They really are point-and-shoot. Pull they trigger and they go "BANG". I'm no expert, and haven't shot enough or "trained" enough to be an expert, but it's pretty evident to even this novice that a 1911 requires more practice and training than a point and shoot.

As a reasonably skilled photographer, I liken it to my Canon 7D (or high quality Nikon, Sony, etc. DSLR) compared to a point-and-shoot camera. Put a point-and-shoot camera in that guy's hands and he'll yield much more consistent snap shot pictures than he could ever hope to achieve if you gave him a Canon 1D Mk IV with a quality "L" lens. I could put on a two day training class and then proclaim what a piece of junk the DSLR is because of student "failure" when they don't produce good images in a "stressful environment", such as low light, high contrast, high speed action, etc. However, with a little training and learning how to properly use the "weapon", the shooter can achieve much more spectacular results with the right equipment.

Of course, fighting bad guys isn't always about getting the pretty shot so much as making sure you get as many reasonable shots as possible, but in well trained hands, a quality 1911 can yield spectacular results!

[Shane]

Michael, you have it BAD, brother.

I suggest you get a revolver . it will almost never jam . it is not ammo sensitive .
you can get one in 45acp . the learning curve is alot easier . as for field use you can use it as a hammer (unloaded of coarse ) if you had to.

I have one, but it's a little hard to conceal.




I've shot lots of revolvers and various semi-automatics (other than 1911s) all my life, and I've owned several of both. I've just never been particularly enamored with handguns until recently. We used to shoot rabbits with pistols a lot when I was a kid. Since then, I've mostly just had a pistol because I felt like I needed one. But I never really cared that much about shooting them.

I don't want to carry a revolver, as they're either too bulky or too short to be accurate for me. If I decide to carry a gun that only holds 6 rounds, I'd rather carry a thinner Shield or PPS than a snubnose .38 or something.

I'm like Michael in that I wouldn't mind owning and shooting several different pistols now. I don't really know why I got the bug, but I finally think it's fun to shoot pistols. It's not much of a decision on which pistols I'd like to own. I wouldn't mind owning several different ones. But trying to decide on which one to trust my life with in a personal defense situation seems like a tougher decision. I'd rather have ANY pistol instead of none if I ever were in a bad situation. But I'm just trying to decide what my "ideal" carry pistol is I guess.

I traded a Glock 19 for a 27, and they're great guns. I just don't like the feel of them. The finger grooves are too narrow for my hand. They're too ugly to shoot if they don't fit right. I'll probably end up selling or trading it for something different to carry. Just trying to decide what. I've been shooting some other pistols here and there when I get the chance. I'll probably rent a few to try at the indoor range too. I'll find one that calls my name eventually.

[Shane]

I haven't seen his previous videos...but I kinda like the guy! Of course, it's a little hard to take a guy wearing a cool shirt like that too seriouslty!

I actually agree with a lot of what he has to say. He mentions "out of the box" and "mass produced 1911s" and guys that haven't shot their 1911s enough to know if they work, and he might just have valid points. So far, I love my STI Guardian, but I've shot less than 100 rounds through it. I've probably shot a few hundred through my 1911-22, but I've "practiced' drawing and firing both "dry" to help get a feel for the safety and trigger. That's also the reason I mentioned in my post above that I really want to shoot a 1911 in Dale's class so I can develop the muscle memory and habits to overcome the problems associated with a 1911 for cc.

The reality is that many of the poly guns, like a glock, in addition to revolvers, are "idiot proof" out of the box. They really are point-and-shoot. Pull they trigger and they go "BANG". I'm no expert, and haven't shot enough or "trained" enough to be an expert, but it's pretty evident to even this novice that a 1911 requires more practice and training than a point and shoot.

As a reasonably skilled photographer, I liken it to my Canon 7D (or high quality Nikon, Sony, etc. DSLR) compared to a point-and-shoot camera. Put a point-and-shoot camera in that guy's hands and he'll yield much more consistent snap shot pictures than he could ever hope to achieve if you gave him a Canon 1D Mk IV with a quality "L" lens. I could put on a two day training class and then proclaim what a piece of junk the DSLR is because of student "failure" when they don't produce good images in a "stressful environment", such as low light, high contrast, high speed action, etc. However, with a little training and learning how to properly use the "weapon", the shooter can achieve much more spectacular results with the right equipment.

Of course, fighting bad guys isn't always about getting the pretty shot so much as making sure you get as many reasonable shots as possible, but in well trained hands, a quality 1911 can yield spectacular results!

Good post. That's why I don't hunt with trad gear. I don't have time to practice shooting enough to feel good about hunting with one. Trad bows are WAY cool, and there's nothing wrong with them at all. I just don't have time for it. Same principle makes me question whether a 1911 would be the right carry gun for me. Right now, I don't think it would. Doesn't mean I wouldn't like to own one though.

[COPPERHEAD]

Shane the polymer is gona be more user friendly. Everyone needs atleast one 1911. Check out the Rock Island Armory tactical line, great pistols for the money. Perfect to learn with and wot break the bank. Now once your addicted the 45acp ammo will break your bank!