Thinking of upgrading from my Glock 17 to 1911 - Need advice

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nwills

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I've owned a Glock 17 for many years and recently had a chance to try a Colt Gold Cup in 45 ACP.

I quickly realized how much smoother the trigger action was and the overall balance and feel of the Colt was far superior to what I've been experiencing with my Glock.

I still have a long way to go in terms of shooting skills and I know that my Glock in the hands of a good shooter could be very accurate and achieve tight grouping and accurate results yet I feel like an upgrade to something like a STI Trojan or another quality 1911 could help me get there in a more pleasant and possibly less challenging way.

Is this a fair statement or should I simply stick to the Glock and work towards better technique upgrading after I've gotten better. Is it foolish of me to think that a quality 1911 will actually help? At the very least I assume it will be a more gratifying experience while at the range having a quality firearm.

I was leaning towards an STI Trojan or Colt Gold Cup. Also debating 45 ACP vs. 9mm. There is an obvious price difference in ammo and thought the 9mm may be a better option to start.
 
A nice trigger certainly makes accurate shooting easier to accomplish and almost any 1911 has the Glock beat. However much of your choice should be based on your interest. For example, if you want to play in IDPA or IPSC a 1911 would move you up into more competitive divisions being single action. If you're shooting for pure accuracy a 1911 is the gun to beat as demonstrated in Bullseye shooting for decades. Horses for courses as they say.

The big question for 9 vs 45 is do you reload. If not the choice is easy, go with the 9. If you do most people I know believe that .45 has easier to attain accuracy potential. In my experience both can be equally accurate, but I have yet to find a cast 9mm load that shoots well; seems to much prefer jacketed which is more costly.

Best of luck with your choice. A good 1911 trigger is hard to beat. Any chance you can buy a 1911 in addition to the Glock?
 
Haha!


Seriously though, keep the Glock 17 and get a 1911.

OP, have a look at this video - mastering the glock trigger.


What I find works for me on Glock triggers is this:
1. Acquire your target
2. Pull the trigger
3. Keep the trigger depressed
4. Acquire your target
5. Let go of the trigger until you feel the reset click
6. Pull the trigger

I'm no expert but it helped me quite a bit after watching that video in taming the Glock (I have a G22). The position of your trigger finger on the trigger also matters on a Glock. I find that the tip of the finger seems to be ideal for a Glock trigger.




Mumbles Marble Mouth said:
You can get a 1911 but just remember the three R's to resolving a 1911 jam. Realize, Release, & Resolve. (Realize jam, throw 1911 at target, resolve by pulling out your backup Glock.
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devolut said:
"Upgrading" from a late 1900's-era firearm to a late 1800's-era firearm, hmmmm...
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Maybe, maybe not, depends on intent. There's a reason Glock's aren't seen in any precision shooting competitions. There's also a reason they're ubiquitous.
 
roadcarver said:
Haha!

.
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nice shout out to Fetty Wap...did you notice the guy in the video that you posted said "I got a Glock in my Rarri, 17 shots from my 38"

[youtube]Pzz4Z-O7710[/youtube]


but back to the original question....i also switched from a Glock (granted, in 10mm) to a 1911 (granted an Ed Brown custom) and i do find the 1911 a lot more enjoyable all around, with better accuracy to boot. i think there is a lot more to the difference than the trigger
 
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nwills said:
Is this a fair statement or should I simply stick to the Glock and work towards better technique upgrading after I've gotten better. Is it foolish of me to think that a quality 1911 will actually help? At the very least I assume it will be a more gratifying experience while at the range having a quality firearm.
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1) Good shooters are good shooters with every gun they pick up. A good 1911 trigger is definitely better than a good Glock trigger, but it won't improve your technique.
2) A Glock is a quality firearm. I like 1911's, but there is nothing wrong with any of the Glocks.


greywolf67nt said:
Keep the Glock AND buy a 1911.
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The best solution, IMO. Besides, who owns just one handgun?


Trinimon said:
If TDC was still a member, he'd be popping a fuse in his head right about now. lol
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Yes he would, it would be great entertainment for those of us who aren't married to a single design of firearm.


Mark
 
If you want a nice shooting range gun, a 1911 or other SAO gun is a great way to go. An SAO SIG P226 in 9mm or 1911 in 9mm will keep your ammo prices down vs .45ACP.
 
I've won lots of hardware with 1911/BHP style steel pistols over the years. I also love my Glock17 for working around the range (we are told to, that's another situation). I shoot both of these platforms well. Buying both is the best solution. Learn how to rock any platform with proper training (and practice ammo). :cool:

BTW, currently my CQB pistol is a 1911 9mm Colt Competition, and I still love my G17 :wave:

Barney
 
Get a 1911. You'll be happier. IMHO stay away from a Gold Cup. Made for light loads. A steady diet of factory loads will eventually crack the frame. Ask me how I know? + for $1500. you can get a nice Kimber. I've shot them all and owned several. My Kimber is by far the best one.
 
Lots of good posts. I've carried a gun every working day for more than 25 yrs, with a G22 since 2001 and switched to G17/19 less than a year ago. I own a lot of handguns, including a G22, but the only other semi I own is a Colt 1911 Commander in 9mm. I own it for the pure pleasure of shooting it! Having said that, if I could choose one gun to bet my life on it would be a Glock 17. If you are shooting for fun, shoot what you like, regardless of expense. It's a sport and a hobby, and it's supposed to be fun!
 
Keep the glock. Get a trigger job if u haven't already. Polish all the "friction" surfaces in the trigger group if comfortable with novice level gunsmithing.
Get a 1911 for the sake of having a 1911. But be warned... I've had to tinker far more with the 1911 than the glock (extractor tension, magazine fitting).
 
nwills said:
Thinking of upgrading from my Glock 17 to 1911 - Need advice...
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6. How do I know if a 1911 is the right choice for me?
That is a tough question as I feel most people are best served NOT using a 1911 as a primary sidearm. Two criteria come to mind a) A passion for the 1911 platform and b) you are willing to be your own armorer and can fix relatively minor problems or fit certain parts yourself. If you are the kind of guy that doesn’t mind tinkering with your Harley Davidson motorcycle to keep it running then you are a candidate. If, however, you treat your pistols like we all treat our lawnmowers, then don’t get a 1911 –- use a Glock. If you want a very nice 1911 that runs out of the box, get a Wilson Combat.

<http://www.vickerstactical.com/faqrsquos-with-larry-vickers.html>
 
Never had to tinker with any of my 1911s. Less felt recoil on the 1911. Try a .40 in Glock. No fun. All the best competition guns are 1911s. Theres a reason for that. Triggers on the Glock are rather rubbery. Obviously I'm not a Glock fan.
 
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