This is not a 1911 vs Glock Thread!!

[mattpittinger]

Since I was 5 years old I have shot 1911 style pistols. When I pick a 1911 it feels like it was made for my hand. I feel utterly confident in my ability to make any shot with most of my 1911's. In the last few year I have tinkered off and on with the Glock and M&P pattern pistols. Both are great guns, and shoot both of them well. I still feel however that I have to intentionally "make" myself shoot a Glock or a M&P, where as a 1911 feels like a natural extension. I know that this is something that can be overcame with any firearms through proper training and lots of TBS. What I am wondering to myself is, is this a necessary change? Should I stay with the 1911s that I shoot so well and feel so confident with, or should I move to a lighter, higher capacity, "more reliable" gun, and learn to shoot it as well. I am not looking to start a shouting match like I did with my last thread. I am looking for someone who has had to make this choice as well. Why did you choose which way to go? What one advantage tipped you one way or the other? I am an average civilian, not Mil or LE, this is for everyday carry. Size is not a factor, I carry a full size gun in both platforms.

[ToddG]

1. Evaluate what benefits you see in switching (you mentioned weight, capacity, etc.).
2. Evaluate how much time it will take you to become satisfactorily proficient with the new gun.
3. Evaluate how much money it will take you to become satisfactorily proficient with the new gun.

Based on that, determine whether the pros outweigh the cons.

[markm]

We need to get over the romance of carrying a WWI era pistol, and get on to the business of shooting smelly bad guys in the face with a modern pistol design.

[Failure2Stop]

I really like 1911s.
I do not like maintaining and fiddling with high-end 1911s to keep them running.
While some say that the 1911 fits their hand, I find that modern polymer pistols fit my wallet and schedule much better.

[dauber866]

We need to get over the romance of carrying a WWI era pistol, and get on to the business of shooting smelly bad guys in the face with a modern pistol design.

We still drive internal combustion engine powered cars, we still grill our steaks on an open fire, we still serve our country wherever, whenever we're called, I don't see it as a "romance", it's just common sense to use what works, it ain't broke yet!

[ToddG]

We still drive internal combustion engine powered cars,

But we've made huge improvements in how those engines and the cars they power actually work, handle, etc. Few people would consider a 1920's vintage car as a practical everyday driver.

we still grill our steaks on an open fire,

But we've made improvements in what the grill is made out of, how to light the fire, how to prepare & store the meat, etc. Few people would want to eat at a restaurant that abides by 1920's era health codes.

we still serve our country wherever, whenever we're called,

But not using the same vehicles, weapons, communications, or even uniforms from 90 years ago. Few USAF or Navy fighter pilots would want to be tasked with achieving air superiority over a modern battlefield if all they had were Sopwith Camels.

[decodeddiesel]

Oh snap!

[dauber866]

But we've made huge improvements in how those engines and the cars they power actually work, handle, etc. Few people would consider a 1920's vintage car as a practical everyday driver.



But we've made improvements in what the grill is made out of, how to light the fire, how to prepare & store the meat, etc. Few people would want to eat at a restaurant that abides by 1920's era health codes.



But not using the same vehicles, weapons, communications, or even uniforms from 90 years ago. Few USAF or Navy fighter pilots would want to be tasked with achieving air superiority over a modern battlefield if all they had were Sopwith Camels.

Maybe if we still used the 1920's era health codes, we wouldn't be the fattest nation on earth, with the most diet induced diseases on the planet, maybe if we still used "sopwith" technology, our pilots would know how to fly a plane, instead of the computers doing it and we would again be the best pilots in the world, maybe if we still used a caliber that was capable of causing large permanent wound channels, we wouldn't have so many soldiers being wounded by enemies we thought were already out of the fight.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

We still drive internal combustion engine powered cars, we still grill our steaks on an open fire, we still serve our country wherever, whenever we're called, I don't see it as a "romance", it's just common sense to use what works, it ain't broke yet!

For now we are.

I kind of split the middle. I've had 1911, STIs, XDs and P226. I have now a Sig X-five Tactical that is 9mm SAO gun. Really like it, runs like deer, but it isn't the final answer, really to big for carry. I really don't trust a gun like the Glock and M&P that, TO ME, doesn't have any safeties on it. STI mags seem to be OK if you live in a clean room. Still looking for a solution to that.

It is interesting that it seems no one has taken the SAO soul out of a 1911 and properly translated it into polymer yet?

[geminidglocker]

I agree about the way a 1911 feels in the hand. I too, feel I could make just about any shot with my Colt MkIV Series 80, Enhanced Competition Model. It is however too heavy for me to carry comfortably on a daily basis, especially in the summer. I carry a Glock 26, have for about 4 years now. I practice regularly with the Glock and find that I have become quite proficient with it. I use the Pearce Model 2733 base plte extensions. I also did a backstrap reduction. Very pleasant to shoot and I'm able to hit milk jugs dead center at 40 feet consistantly. It took more practice to be able to shoot my Glock effectively, than it did my 1911. If I were going into a known combat scenario, where my gun would be at the ready, I'de stick with my 1911. If I were just doing what I normally do everyday, I have the Glock in my RH pocket, in an Uncle Mikes #15 Sidekick IWB holster.