1911 or Glock 21
- Thread starter Mike 242
- Start date
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
“Have you ever owned a good one?” That is the right question.
There are a number of good makers, (not limited to) Colt, Springfield and Ruger for example, that make reliable ones. Feed them the ammo they were made for, ie. hardball full load factory, or equivalent reloads, from correct magazines, they are as reliable as anything on the market.
JMBrowning invented the 1911 for the singular purpose of killing the enemy.
Re-purpose the 1911 for shooting games, with the attendant “improvements”, add the myriad after market parts and amateur gunsmithing, and handloading to tweak power factors, accuracy and such, the 1911 turns into something it was never designed for.
JMB probably never imagined his 1911 would stand the test of time yet it did. Credit both shooting games and its timeless design.
I used to engage in the sports side of shooting. Had a Combat Elite and Government customed out as stock competition guns. Their BarSto barrels needed 500+ rounds to break in, into the slide. They were reliable when used for IPSC, but minor loads for Steel were prone to ammo-related feeding and ejecting issues. My stock (unmodded) Govt stainless and Officer’s Model were both totally reliable with hardball. Actually I recall the Officer’s Model also ate SWC’s reliably as well.
I didn’t shoot any of my old Colt 1911s more than 5K rounds each, so can’t attest to their long term durability.
No Colts now for me. But my SR1911 and Springfield Loaded are totally stock and totally reliable shooting home cast 230 grain round nose over 4.8 grns Titegroup. I don’t shoot games anymore and haven’t in 28 yrs. Still love my 1911s.
If you do go 1911 find out about the idiot scratch. This is too easy to do and kind of messes up the gun. In a nut shell the lever used to remove the slide scratches the base because the idiot didn't push it far enough out. My new built custom 1911 came with one right from the builder, who would (barely) talk to me about my complaints with his gun.
- Location
- Lower Mainland BC
1911 is the gun of my choice, full metal awesome tool!
- Location
- Alberta, North America
I have both, great ......
Get both, it’s inevitable. If your new to shooting, I’d get the Glock first, it’s just really simple and easy to maintain. After if you still like and can afford the ammo, then slowly save up for a nice 1911, anything in the 1-2k range is more than enough if you ask me. 45acp is expensive and guys end up ditching the platform entirely after shooting it for awhile, not a saying it’s the case for you but it’s something to consider.
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
If you reload and cast your own heads, There's hardly any difference between reloading cost among 9mm, 38 spl, 357 mag, 40 cal and 45acp. Big difference is finding brass. In a normal day at the range, you will find 1000 pcs 9mm brass for every 0-50 pcs 45 brass. The ratio is just as bad for 40 cal, 38spl and 357 mag. in my range.
And Yes...1911s are classic and fantastic!
Yea I know, not against reloading and all, but not everyone has the time nor space to do it. Not sure about the op’s situation, but from working and spending time with the family and my other hobbies, I don’t really have any free time left lol.
And the whole plastic vs classic thing is overrated. I love 1911s as much as the next guy but times are changing. Everything’s all about efficiency, lighter weight etc etc. Carbon fibers and similar materials are replacing metal in pretty much every application. It’s already filtering down to the firearms industry with barrels and rails, stocks and what not. Only matter of time before cheap polymer is replaced by some sort of CFRP. There’s amazing stuff with aggressive textures out there and as soon as costs come down it’s gonna trickle down to replacing handgun frames. No more need for aftermarket stippling.
New Camper
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Lurking in the woods near SFRC.
The 1911 was built for military... Geneva convention dictates bullets must be non-expanding, hence ball ammo. At some point you'd think manufacturers would overcome that in new models that aren't "mil-spec".
Another point for OP I forgot is polygonal rifling in Glock pistols is not conducive to shooting cast bullets... you can but you'll need to clean more often. Apparently hard cast are being used, but if memory serves I recall looking in the manual (as I don't simply take for word, such things) that you should only use jacketed bullets. If the ability to shoot cast is a factor, bear that in mind... or double check my memory of checking.
I own a gen 4 glock21 and a colt 1991 (close enough). I like them both, and they handle/shoot quite different from each other. If I had to pick just one, no question it would be the colt.
My recommendation if at all possible, would be to try both because they really are different animals and it will come down to personal preference.
Good luck!
My recommendation if at all possible, would be to try both because they really are different animals and it will come down to personal preference.
Good luck!
This might sound kind of stupid but here it is.
I just took one of my 1911s to the range, it has been years since I shot them. I took two other guns a 9mm and a 40 S&W. The 1911 spanked these two other very fine guns. It wasn't even close. Now this is me shooting and I do not shoot much. A good 1911 can have a great trigger. The 1911 weights a lot more than the other guns, these others were steel/alloy. And the 45 ACP round is just different to shoot than the 9mm or the 40 S&W, I don't know exactly what it is but it isn't bad to shoot. More noise but much different experience than the 40 or 9. People say it is a push from the 1911 and 45 ACP, not as much muzzle flip maybe. And the weight of the 1911 with the light trigger. Now I have had failures to fire on every 1911 I own at various times, different failures at different times. Each 1911 will have it's favorite ammo and best to stick with that once you figure that out. If you were using your gun in a life or death situation than you would want absolute reliability. Maybe, lessor but still important, in competition you want reliable but poking holes in paper for fun it isn't life or death.
I just took one of my 1911s to the range, it has been years since I shot them. I took two other guns a 9mm and a 40 S&W. The 1911 spanked these two other very fine guns. It wasn't even close. Now this is me shooting and I do not shoot much. A good 1911 can have a great trigger. The 1911 weights a lot more than the other guns, these others were steel/alloy. And the 45 ACP round is just different to shoot than the 9mm or the 40 S&W, I don't know exactly what it is but it isn't bad to shoot. More noise but much different experience than the 40 or 9. People say it is a push from the 1911 and 45 ACP, not as much muzzle flip maybe. And the weight of the 1911 with the light trigger. Now I have had failures to fire on every 1911 I own at various times, different failures at different times. Each 1911 will have it's favorite ammo and best to stick with that once you figure that out. If you were using your gun in a life or death situation than you would want absolute reliability. Maybe, lessor but still important, in competition you want reliable but poking holes in paper for fun it isn't life or death.
And that's why I always wear a helmet at my club, I am so busy looking for .45/.40/.38SPL etc left by others that I walk into things. Behind the firing line of course... On those days when I do collect the sought after calibres I have a spring in my step until bedtime.
Own both. Prefer the 1911. - dan
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
Glock unless the 1911 is a long slide, 1911 long slide is just too damn ###y to pass up.
