Why is a $3K 1911 better than a $389 Glock 19?

[JBP55]

I passed up on a minty fresh gen 3 17 for 400 right before the crazy hit.

I did not buy it but I know of a NIB Gen 4 Glock selling for $500 recently.

 

[Hattrick 22]

I did not buy it but I know of a NIB Gen 4 Glock selling for $500 recently.

That's what I bought mine for from a member here.

 

[Jack]

I did not buy it but I know of a NIB Gen 4 Glock selling for $500 recently.

Yep, deals are out there you just need to look or know people. I paid 500 for my first NIB Gen 4 FDE 19. The part a lot of people miss is that if someone hooks you up, you should try to return the favor when you can, otherwise that hook up won't last long.

 

[STTAB]

This vs That threads are like zombies, they refuse to die. Usually I avoid them, but couldn't resist.

BLUF- To answer the proposed question. A $3000 1911 is a great weapon. A Glock is better when my life is on the line. A 1911 is better when others lives are at stake. The consistency shot to shot from a 1911 can not be matched by Glock. A low percentage shot with a quality1911 will always be faster and can be done at greater range.

I have used both a 1911 and glock extensively in my lifetime. Put 100's of thousands of rounds through both platforms. I teethed on an M9 early in life and don't consider myself a fanboy of either. My daily carry (the only pistol I personally own)is a plastic single stack 9. My opinions are based solely on using these guns on the job. I've been through multi-week shooting courses with the M9, 1911 and Glock. Hands down when I have to absolutely make that one shot count I will always prefer the 1911.

The disparaging arguments against both platforms are usually misinformation and legend. I put 5000 rounds through my 1911 during a shooting course without so much as a hiccup. I also used my Glock for a similar course only to send it to the arms room, day one, for numerous FTE.

One of the most humorous is the Glock tool argument. Most professional Glock armorers I work with have the usual suite of tools for disassembly. Conversely, Mr. Browning built his "glock tool" into his gun. The sear spring and numerous pins in the 1911 were designed to double as take down tools. I could detail strip my 1911 with nothing besides the gun.

Yes, the exposed hammer of a 1911 lends itself to FTF brought on by obstructions. But, over the years I've seen more FTFs in real world shootings due to lint accumulation, even in striker fired guns. We are lazy by nature and don't clean our guns like we should. I know of only one guy who had a FTF at a critical moment due to hammer obstruction. He was shooting an M9. Does this discount all hammer guns? Wheel gun enthusiasts will balk. If we are talking about pure reliability, wheel guns are king.

Magazine count. Statistically most street encounters and police shootings end in 1-5 shots. NYPD's recent study on the matter averaged 3.6 per engagement. Kind of proves the old saying 3 shots, 3 yards, 3 seconds it's over. This has not changed since the days of Applegate–Fairbairn.

Do I hate my Glock. No. It's earned its spot. Reliability is hard to beat. My G19 is the go to pistol when I'm walking around sans-rifle. I hate it's trigger, but I've learned to deal with it. I hate it's boxy grip, but I've learned to deal with it. I hate its unnatural presentation angle, but I've learned to deal with it.

Is it the end-all be-all. No. Why is the 1911 frame the most winning platform across the competition spectrum? Why does the Glock excel in practical shooting sports? You can quote numerous professional shooters who carry a G19 daily, but when the buzzer goes off they are shooting a Caspian, Colt, Wilson, etc. Their paycheck counts on ever shot. I guess you can add that to the argument. A $3000 1911 is better at bringing home a trophy. Glocks only excel in practical shooting sports due to longer strings and speed trumping accuracy. Mag changes eat up precious time.

I'm not a Glock hater or a 1911 groupie. If I had to buy one pistol now it would probably be a G19. Does everything we'll enough. If the Glock excels in anything it's mediocrity.

I've always scratched my head over this argument. I'm more of a "best gun is the one in your hand" proponent. My first scary experience holding a pistol was with an M9. At the time it was the best pistol in the world, worth it's weight in gold. I've also had an "indestructible" piston rifle fail at the worst time. At that point, it was a POS. I still carry it besides this fact.

Weapons are tools regardless of manufacturer, caliber, or action. Work at being a master of you chosen tool. Let the chips/plates fall where they may out on the range.

S

 

[tim9lives]

For me...it has always been about reliability, accuracy and being able to conceal it fairly well. The 1911 failed miserably for me in all categories. But that's just me. To each their own IMO.

 

[DakotaGlockGuy]

I don't think you can really use the term "better" unless you can actually define what better is.

A GLOCK is much more reliable, less ammo finicky, and easier to maintain. Does that make it better?

A high-end 1911 might hold it's value or even appreciate some over time. Does that make it better?

To me both guns will send a bullet down range, but that's about where the similarities end...

 

[DakotaGlockGuy]

I forgot to mention that I'm a long-time Glock shooter, but have been kicking around the idea of getting a 1911. A friend of mine had the same Springfield Range Officer I was thinking about getting. Now my gen 4 Glock 34 has a tuned trigger, great texture work and a set of plain black Defoor Tactical sights that are absolutely, positively dead nuts on for that gun.

Anyway he let me shoot his RO and I kid you not my first thought was, "Man this trigger sucks compared to mine."

Now again, a Range Officer is nowhere near a tuned, tricked out $3K 1911, but it just goes to show you that some customizing/tuning of ANY gun will make most people happy with whatever it is they have.

 

[sportsbud]

And just to toss in a Wildcard... CZ 75P01> G19

 

[Devilneck]

I'm a recreational shooter, occasional hunter, and gun weider in defense of my life kind of person. If I spend $3000 on a gun, it's going to be a safe queen. No way am I going to put a bunch of wear and tear on it.

I'm not going to get into mechanics, accuracy and so forth because for my purposes I don't need to.

For me, between a $3000 anything and a $389.00 Glock, it's an obvious choice as to what's better. The Glock.

It's the same reason I'm not a Sig fan. I can buy a Glock or an M&P that goes bang when I pull the trigger for much less money. It's not that the Sig isn't a nice weapon, or an HK, or the Custom $3k 1911. It's like paying for a Lincoln badge on an F150, just no point in it for me.

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

And just to toss in a Wildcard... CZ 75P01> G19

Just because it's the gun you own doesn't make it in anyway better.

 

[king4456]

And just to toss in a Wildcard... CZ 75P01> G19

Truth!

 

[JR1572]

And just to toss in a Wildcard... CZ 75P01> G19

No thanks.

JR1572

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

This vs That threads are like zombies, they refuse to die. Usually I avoid them, but couldn't resist.

BLUF- To answer the proposed question. A $3000 1911 is a great weapon. A Glock is better when my life is on the line. A 1911 is better when others lives are at stake. The consistency shot to shot from a 1911 can not be matched by Glock. A low percentage shot with a quality1911 will always be faster and can be done at greater range.

I have used both a 1911 and glock extensively in my lifetime. Put 100's of thousands of rounds through both platforms. I teethed on an M9 early in life and don't consider myself a fanboy of either. My daily carry (the only pistol I personally own)is a plastic single stack 9. My opinions are based solely on using these guns on the job. I've been through multi-week shooting courses with the M9, 1911 and Glock. Hands down when I have to absolutely make that one shot count I will always prefer the 1911.

The disparaging arguments against both platforms are usually misinformation and legend. I put 5000 rounds through my 1911 during a shooting course without so much as a hiccup. I also used my Glock for a similar course only to send it to the arms room, day one, for numerous FTE.

One of the most humorous is the Glock tool argument. Most professional Glock armorers I work with have the usual suite of tools for disassembly. Conversely, Mr. Browning built his "glock tool" into his gun. The sear spring and numerous pins in the 1911 were designed to double as take down tools. I could detail strip my 1911 with nothing besides the gun.

Yes, the exposed hammer of a 1911 lends itself to FTF brought on by obstructions. But, over the years I've seen more FTFs in real world shootings due to lint accumulation, even in striker fired guns. We are lazy by nature and don't clean our guns like we should. I know of only one guy who had a FTF at a critical moment due to hammer obstruction. He was shooting an M9. Does this discount all hammer guns? Wheel gun enthusiasts will balk. If we are talking about pure reliability, wheel guns are king.

Magazine count. Statistically most street encounters and police shootings end in 1-5 shots. NYPD's recent study on the matter averaged 3.6 per engagement. Kind of proves the old saying 3 shots, 3 yards, 3 seconds it's over. This has not changed since the days of Applegate–Fairbairn.

Do I hate my Glock. No. It's earned its spot. Reliability is hard to beat. My G19 is the go to pistol when I'm walking around sans-rifle. I hate it's trigger, but I've learned to deal with it. I hate it's boxy grip, but I've learned to deal with it. I hate its unnatural presentation angle, but I've learned to deal with it.

Is it the end-all be-all. No. Why is the 1911 frame the most winning platform across the competition spectrum? Why does the Glock excel in practical shooting sports? You can quote numerous professional shooters who carry a G19 daily, but when the buzzer goes off they are shooting a Caspian, Colt, Wilson, etc. Their paycheck counts on ever shot. I guess you can add that to the argument. A $3000 1911 is better at bringing home a trophy. Glocks only excel in practical shooting sports due to longer strings and speed trumping accuracy. Mag changes eat up precious time.

I'm not a Glock hater or a 1911 groupie. If I had to buy one pistol now it would probably be a G19. Does everything we'll enough. If the Glock excels in anything it's mediocrity.

I've always scratched my head over this argument. I'm more of a "best gun is the one in your hand" proponent. My first scary experience holding a pistol was with an M9. At the time it was the best pistol in the world, worth it's weight in gold. I've also had an "indestructible" piston rifle fail at the worst time. At that point, it was a POS. I still carry it besides this fact.

Weapons are tools regardless of manufacturer, caliber, or action. Work at being a master of you chosen tool. Let the chips/plates fall where they may out on the range.

S

SGM Holland is that you????? LOL... This was the argument for a long time. It was valid to a point. Time and events have made it less so now.

 

[madwabbit]

A $3,000.00 1911 is better than a Glock if you're pawning it.

Correct answer.

 

[CJB1911]

I agree CZ is light years beyond glock.

 

[jguilletjr]

+1. Just learn to shoot what you carry, and leave the other guy alone.

 

[Vermiform]

+1. Just learn to shoot what you carry, and leave the other guy alone.

meh....

What fun is an internet forum about firearms if we can't argue about which pistol/rifle/shotty/ammo is best?

 

[Jack]

And just to toss in a Wildcard... CZ 75P01> G19

You need to quit smokin that **** man.

 

[SpeedRacer]

+1. Just learn to shoot what you carry, carry a reliable gun, and leave the other guy alone. And if you choose to carry a 1911 make sure it works first, follow the maintenance schedule religiously, and make sure all of your mags are properly tuned and calibrated.

FIFY

 

[Vermiform]

And if you choose an AR make sure it works first, follow the maintenance schedule religiously, and make sure all of your mags are properly tuned and calibrated.

FIFY

FIFY again....