Glock or 1911?

[golem1961]

For a first handgun I would recomend a Glock 17 or 19. Reasons? easy to learn on, light recoil, and since anyone hasn't mentioned it I will, the only was get proficient is to shoot, alot,practice makes perfect, and it is a lot cheaper to throw 9mm down range than .45. Just my two cents.

[Doctor Larry K]

I like to target shoot as often as I can but the main reason I CCW is to protect my life or the lives of my loved ones. Find the one pistol that you shoot acccurately evert time you pull the trigger, and go with that weapon. In the 1911s and Glock you will have an error free handgun with almost zero malfunctions.. There is no guarantee in life. Practice, practice, practice, not only with shooting, but with clearing the most common malfunctions.

[Deersniper]

Glocks are good, just not my cup of tea. I got a SA GI 5", [1911] traded for a GI Champ, made it better and then traded up for a SS loaded Champ. I will keep this one, [ until they pry it from my hands] for it is a Rare jewel, not one problem, and very accurate. If you have 7-800.00 get the loaded version. Both are good, and have high resale/ trade value, go rent them at your local range, and you'll know.

[SilentSoul]

Just out of curiosity I am in love with browning 9mm Hi Power variety, but i have heard only good about the glocks, (except for the local Pd shooting a couple of their own when they got them) any ideas on how the glocks stack up to the brownings?

[Roy Collins]

I have never seen a 1911 kaboom yet. Glock on the other hand three times. Glock seems to make a good 9mm but anything larger you may risk digits. Also reloads are a no no for Glocks. Anything that will fit in a 1911 will go bang.

[remchuck]

glocks are reliable plastic framed handguns.1911's are the stuff dreams are made of.

[Beer Forever]

I can answer this one easily, 1911

[Pred]

Just go buy an HK USP 9mm and be done with it. You should be able to find a used one for $500-$600.

[just_a_car]

Originally Posted by Pred

Just go buy an HK USP 9mm and be done with it. You should be able to find a used one for $500-$600.

Or, buy a very lightly used GLOCK for $425 +$20 shipping +$20 transfer fee that shoots better than a Mosin Nagant at 25 yards.... and be done with it.

[CrazyIvan]

Originally Posted by Colt

I am wanting to purchase my first real hand gun other than my .22 for plinking, I like the style of the 1911 but the all Gocks seem to be realy reliable. I am mainly looking for a gun that i will be able to trust my life with if need be, So if i havent cleaned it in a while or it has some dirt or cheap ammo it will still functian flawlessly, I was leaning toward a 1911 but herd if they are customized to much or upgraded they wont be as reliable. Well i'd appacerate some help,Thanks!
Colt,

Reliable? RELIABLE? LOL. 75 years of tried and true design in the 1911. It is still one of the top 3 selected by special ops teams across the world, #1 in many cases.

My 1911 has been flawless, up to 200 rounds now...and crappy range-ammo no less.

If you want to look for a 1911 with a higher capacity, similar to a glock, check out Para-Ordinance double-stack 1911's.

In my opinion, Glocks are very blocky and a 'one size fits all' type design. Glocks are very unsafe, because they have only one safety, the trigger, and how safe is that?!? Also, they don't feel good in the hand, and are pretty ugly, IMO. Get a 1911, strap a Hogue grip on there and man, it becomes an extension of your arm...

If you want a non-steel pistol...check out the Smith&Wesson M&P. Great gun, great reviews, reliable, feels awesome in the hand, high capacity, multiple safeties.

Glock is like Nike. It is just a name...pretty reliable, but not the best, don't buy because of a name.

[M1D-Garand]

Still ends up with the question:

Plastic fantastic or Real Steel

Rob

[just_a_car]

Originally Posted by M1D-Garand

Still ends up with the question:

Plastic fantastic or Real Steel

Rob

No question... When in doubt, BUY BOTH!

[toolman]

As I've said before, I won't own a gun that sounds like something I stepped in. The 1911 in base trim is an excellent gun and can be personalized to your hearts' content. Many 1911's are true works of art as well as being functional fighting weapons. I've yet to find anyone who thinks a Glock looks as well as it functions. Glocks are also poor candidates if you want to fire cast bullets as the polyginal rifling leads up horribly. Personally, I wouldn't limit my options to just these two.

[SilentSoul]

just a quick question, I am getting the vibe you cannot fire lead bullets out of a glock. So you have to fire what, FMJ, JHP? Also you cannot buy grips for a glock?

[just_a_car]

Originally Posted by SilentSoul

just a quick question, I am getting the vibe you cannot fire lead bullets out of a glock. So you have to fire what, FMJ, JHP? Also you cannot buy grips for a glock?

Cast bullets are highly "not recommended" out of a stock GLOCK barrel, but you can purchase an aftermarket barrel for your model from Lone Wolf for around $75-100 that will take anything you throw at it. You can even get them threaded. And, yes, you need to stick with FMJ, JHP, JSP or anything that has a jacket, really, if you have a stock polygonal barrel.

You can, indeed, buy grips, but they're grip sleeves. I have a Hogue Handall grip sleeve on mine. There are no "grip panels" like on a 1911 that can be removed and replaced. The grip is all one piece.

You can see it here:


and here:

[SilentSoul]

Thank you, I am looking at a glock 17 in green, for my first real caliber pistol as well as a Concealed carry weapon. I saw the glock torture test a guy did and it blew my mind. The only thing that worries me is this problem i hear about them coming apart or exploding? And getting use to a trigger safety, not sure how i feel about it being tucked with that, I almost bought a Sig P245 but it was to small and i didn't care for a decocker safety. Your insight would be appreciate JAC.

[just_a_car]

Well, I carry my G27 in a Blackhawk Serpa CQC holster that completely covers the trigger. I am able to CC and OC with it (Open Carry is legal in my state without a license, but CC requires the CPL, which I have). I have kept it in condition 3 when I carry ever since I started carrying (first started as "mexican" carry with it just in the waistband) and I have yet to pull the gun from the holster to find the trigger pulled back; e.g. the gun is still cocked, but no round in the chamber. I'm still getting used to the safety myself and am not yet 100% comfortable with carrying with a round in the chamber (heck, I wouldn't even if it did have an external safety!).

The trigger pull on most GLOCKs is going to be 5.5 pounds, unless you change that. That's going to be more than enough to prevent an ND from even grazing the trigger, unlike a lot of Kimbers I've fired that have a hair trigger. You can buy a 3.5 pound trigger bar that will drop the weight or you can even buy a "new york trigger bar" which ups the weight on the trigger pull.

One of the first things to do on a straight stock GLOCK is to replace the factory sights. I was lucky enough to purchase a lightly used one that already had Heinie Straight Eight Trijicon H3 night sights installed. I love them!

I too, saw the Glock 21 Torture Test - Theprepared.com and was amazed, but already knew them to be tough little guns. That just affirmed it.

The whole "coming apart or exploding" thing is usually attributed to people ignoring safety warnings such as "don't use cast ammo in stock barrels" and having the lead build up, then the pressure builds and it explodes... no surprise. Many of the others have been attributed to double-charged ammo, whether handloaded or from the factory. I've seen internet reports (with pictures) of M1 Garands, AR-15's, GLOCKS, SigSauers and even 1911's that have all "come apart and/or exploded" due to possible over-charged ammo.

As for the Sig, I love how they look, especially the P226 Elite with those gorgeous rosewood grips, underbarrel rail and the beavertail grip. A picture of one has been my desktop background for at least 6+ months.

[SilentSoul]

I called a local Gun shop and they got a 17 with 17 round mag for 490. I thought that was a good price considering the other local one has it for 599. I think I'm looking for green, cause they are already so ugly, I want something that stands out. Thanks for all your help.I gotta shoot one of these things now.

[CrazyIvan]

Originally Posted by SilentSoul

I saw the glock torture test a guy did and it blew my mind. The only thing that worries me is this problem i hear about them coming apart or exploding?

Here is a very good 1911 torture test:

http://www.advancedtactical.com/sweeneyarticle.pdf

On another note: Any gun can explode if abused or used incorrectly. Nothing is 100% accident-proof.

Again, check out the S&W M&P if you want a good, quality non-steel gun with a bit more safety than Glock:

Product: Smith & Wesson M&P .40

Here is an article and a bit of a torture test of the M&P:

Smith & Wesson M&P

[ArkansasHunter]

The Glock would be a better all around weapon, though they'll both kill or hit targets.

With that said it's what the individual likes.

There all excellent guns and do what you want them to do. Which is better ? It's a toss up they have somethings in common and they don't have somethings in common.
You can play with a 1911, but I would'nt with a Glock and don't tell me you don't play with your guns if you don't your one of a few.

I like them both. But I vote for the Glock, but I'll never own one. My son has 2 different models.
Personaly The Berretta PX4 appeals to me more than the other two.
My 2 Bits...A.H