Glock 22 or Springfield 1911 ? (gun n00b here)
08-14-2009 | 11:22 AM
#17
Registered User
iTrader: (10)
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,779
From: Snatchin' your people up
Car Info: Hilux Double Cab with a Dishka on top
Thanks. I think I may jump on the Glock... he has a pretty extensive collection and tends to like nicer things so the 1911 may be out of my price range - I'd like to stay at $500 or preferably lower. Also, I've held a 10mm Glock that a different friend of mine owns and it fits my big hands fairly good. He says its similar to the 22.
As far as mechanical reliability goes, the Glock will have the advantage over the 1911.
08-14-2009 | 11:33 AM
#18
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,856
From: San Leandro, CA
Car Info: Forester XTi
I can't believe nobody has asked this question yet.
What is the purpose for you purchasing this gun?
Is it self defense, target practice, just to have a gun because you can, etc.
Along with what everyone else has said about fit and what feels good to you and stuff, the two pistols are very different from each other and both have pros and cons. If you want something for self defense at home, get the glock and some good JHP ammo. You want that reliability of always going bang. If you want accuracy at the range, then the 1911 would be better (not to say glocks aren't accurate, just not as accurate (stock) as a 1911).
I own a 1911 and a few glocks. I love my glocks and would trust my life to them. My 1911 I prefer shooting at the range as it is nicer gun, more accurate, better trigger, etc.
looking at the current market however, .40 is a lot easier to find than .45 (at a reasonable price). I actually went out and bought a .40 barrel so I could shoot it out of my 20sf since .40 is the only thing I can ever find at walmart.
As a first gun, I would recommend the glock. Easier to use, more reliable, easier to clean/disassemble, etc. Oh and don't listen to brucelee about not needed to clean it. You should always clean it and properly lube it after every trip to the range. yes you can probably shoot 10,000 rounds through it and it won't hiccup, but it isn't good for the gun or the parts in it having it that dirty.
What is the purpose for you purchasing this gun?
Is it self defense, target practice, just to have a gun because you can, etc.
Along with what everyone else has said about fit and what feels good to you and stuff, the two pistols are very different from each other and both have pros and cons. If you want something for self defense at home, get the glock and some good JHP ammo. You want that reliability of always going bang. If you want accuracy at the range, then the 1911 would be better (not to say glocks aren't accurate, just not as accurate (stock) as a 1911).
I own a 1911 and a few glocks. I love my glocks and would trust my life to them. My 1911 I prefer shooting at the range as it is nicer gun, more accurate, better trigger, etc.
looking at the current market however, .40 is a lot easier to find than .45 (at a reasonable price). I actually went out and bought a .40 barrel so I could shoot it out of my 20sf since .40 is the only thing I can ever find at walmart.
As a first gun, I would recommend the glock. Easier to use, more reliable, easier to clean/disassemble, etc. Oh and don't listen to brucelee about not needed to clean it. You should always clean it and properly lube it after every trip to the range. yes you can probably shoot 10,000 rounds through it and it won't hiccup, but it isn't good for the gun or the parts in it having it that dirty.
08-14-2009 | 11:59 AM
#19
Hurray, it's Ian!!
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,612
From: on an airplane
Car Info: 2002 MBP WRX Sedan
i own the glock22 and it's awesome, but there's nothing like the feel of a good quality slim profile full barreled 1911. that's the second .45acp caliber pistol i'd get depending on manufacturer.
the 1st .45 i'd get would be the USP. the recoil just rolllllls. I love it.
the 1st .45 i'd get would be the USP. the recoil just rolllllls. I love it.
08-14-2009 | 12:31 PM
#22
As others have said, you really need to try them both. As far as semi-automatic pistols go, a 1911 and a G22 are pretty much on the opposite ends of the spectrum.
While some have said that the 1911 is less reliable, I don't think that's necessarily true. I think it all comes down to a particular gun. Yes, a 1911 can be more finicky, but there are 1911's that will run just as reliably as any glock, H&K, or Sig Sauer. Usually, people like 1911's that are tight, i.e. the all of the parts (barrel bushing, slide to frame, etc) fit together so tight that when you shake the gun, there is no rattle. The thing is, when you do this, you lose some of the tolerance that exists in a mil-spec (military spec) gun that gives it its reliability. Some good gunsmiths can produce both a very tight gun that is also very reliable, but as far as out of the box 1911's go, I like mine looser than tighter.
Something else you want to consider is the grip angle. The 1911 and Glock are very different. See which you prefer. I believe that if you're used to shooting a 1911, you will tend to shoot Glocks too low (maybe the other way around?). If I recall correctly, the Glock grip angle is the oddball, so that might be something you want to consider.
Shoot both to see if you have live with the Glock trigger. The single-action 1911 trigger is pretty much the golden standard as far as triggers go. Even basic no-frills 1911's will have triggers that break like a glass rod at around 4.5lbs - crisp. Compare that to a Glock trigger that feels like mush. While you can take the Glock to a gunsmith to improve its trigger, you'll never confuse it with the 1911's trigger.
Hold both, to see which width you prefer. As others have said, the G22 is a double-stack, whereas the 1911 is single-stack. This makes the 1911 considerably slimmer, and if you have smaller hands, might make it feel more comfortable.
Consider modifications you may make to the gun. Glocks are modular, in the sense that you can pretty much buy parts online, and stick 'em in without any gunsmithing. Everything is pretty plug and play. 1911's on the other hand, are customizable in basically every aspect, but you will need a gunsmith to do a lot of the work - basically nothing is plug and play. However, there are many good 1911 gunsmiths out there, and you have the money one day, you can send your pistol to one of these gunsmiths to have them turn it into a customized competition-level gun.
Disassembly/cleaning is another difference. The Glock can be field stripped in about 2 seconds without tools, and comes apart into basically 4 parts. It can be put back together in about 5 seconds, again, with no tools. A basic 1911 takes about 20 seconds to field strip, and comes apart into 6-7 parts, and takes a bit longer to put back together. The 1911 can be trickier to take apart and put together the first couple of times, but once you get the hang of it, I wouldn't say it's particularly difficult.
Lastly, consider the history of the both guns. Glock have been around since the 1980's. The 1911 (in one for or another) has been around since well, 1911 - almost 100 years. The 1911 has been used by American troops in WW1, WW2, the Korean War, Vietnam, and is still used by military and law enforcement today.
BTW, I'm sure many of us on the forum own one, or both guns. If you can't try your buddy's gun before making a decision, I'm sure one of us wouldn't mind letting you shoot ours to help make your decision. I have a basic Springfield 1911 milspec and a Glock 34 (9mm) you're welcome to try if you come down to the Santa Clara area.
________
Babe video
While some have said that the 1911 is less reliable, I don't think that's necessarily true. I think it all comes down to a particular gun. Yes, a 1911 can be more finicky, but there are 1911's that will run just as reliably as any glock, H&K, or Sig Sauer. Usually, people like 1911's that are tight, i.e. the all of the parts (barrel bushing, slide to frame, etc) fit together so tight that when you shake the gun, there is no rattle. The thing is, when you do this, you lose some of the tolerance that exists in a mil-spec (military spec) gun that gives it its reliability. Some good gunsmiths can produce both a very tight gun that is also very reliable, but as far as out of the box 1911's go, I like mine looser than tighter.
Something else you want to consider is the grip angle. The 1911 and Glock are very different. See which you prefer. I believe that if you're used to shooting a 1911, you will tend to shoot Glocks too low (maybe the other way around?). If I recall correctly, the Glock grip angle is the oddball, so that might be something you want to consider.
Shoot both to see if you have live with the Glock trigger. The single-action 1911 trigger is pretty much the golden standard as far as triggers go. Even basic no-frills 1911's will have triggers that break like a glass rod at around 4.5lbs - crisp. Compare that to a Glock trigger that feels like mush. While you can take the Glock to a gunsmith to improve its trigger, you'll never confuse it with the 1911's trigger.
Hold both, to see which width you prefer. As others have said, the G22 is a double-stack, whereas the 1911 is single-stack. This makes the 1911 considerably slimmer, and if you have smaller hands, might make it feel more comfortable.
Consider modifications you may make to the gun. Glocks are modular, in the sense that you can pretty much buy parts online, and stick 'em in without any gunsmithing. Everything is pretty plug and play. 1911's on the other hand, are customizable in basically every aspect, but you will need a gunsmith to do a lot of the work - basically nothing is plug and play. However, there are many good 1911 gunsmiths out there, and you have the money one day, you can send your pistol to one of these gunsmiths to have them turn it into a customized competition-level gun.
Disassembly/cleaning is another difference. The Glock can be field stripped in about 2 seconds without tools, and comes apart into basically 4 parts. It can be put back together in about 5 seconds, again, with no tools. A basic 1911 takes about 20 seconds to field strip, and comes apart into 6-7 parts, and takes a bit longer to put back together. The 1911 can be trickier to take apart and put together the first couple of times, but once you get the hang of it, I wouldn't say it's particularly difficult.
Lastly, consider the history of the both guns. Glock have been around since the 1980's. The 1911 (in one for or another) has been around since well, 1911 - almost 100 years. The 1911 has been used by American troops in WW1, WW2, the Korean War, Vietnam, and is still used by military and law enforcement today.
BTW, I'm sure many of us on the forum own one, or both guns. If you can't try your buddy's gun before making a decision, I'm sure one of us wouldn't mind letting you shoot ours to help make your decision. I have a basic Springfield 1911 milspec and a Glock 34 (9mm) you're welcome to try if you come down to the Santa Clara area.
________
Babe video
Last edited by kyoung05; 03-30-2011 at 11:08 AM.
08-14-2009 | 12:45 PM
#23
BAM9 Ladies choice Carshow winner
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,807
From: Vallejo-Fairfield-Travis
Car Info: 13 FR-S/05 STI
I suggest going to the store. . .
find one that fits your hand. . .
with ur strong hand hold on to the firearm with your arm down at your side. . .
pick a safe area to point, specifically not at a person. . .maybe something on the wall . . .
close your eyes. . . raise your arm to that target. . .
open your eyes. . . .
Now what ever firearm naturally is more on target by looking down the sites. . . should normally be the best firearm for you. . .
find one that fits your hand. . .
with ur strong hand hold on to the firearm with your arm down at your side. . .
pick a safe area to point, specifically not at a person. . .maybe something on the wall . . .
close your eyes. . . raise your arm to that target. . .
open your eyes. . . .
Now what ever firearm naturally is more on target by looking down the sites. . . should normally be the best firearm for you. . .
08-14-2009 | 12:56 PM
#25
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 263
From: santa rosa
Car Info: old awd turbo thangy
If your budget is fairly low the the glock would be a better choice, however if you were looking to spend more I would stretch out and pick up a nice kimber 1911. With around a $500 budget try the XD's as well. I love the glock but the xd fits my hand much better.
08-14-2009 | 01:03 PM
#26
iClub Silver Vendor
iTrader: (25)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 15,494
From: Participating in some Anarchy!
Car Info: 2005 LGT wagon
ssteve is the only one who has made sense. The Kimber by far as a 1911 goes, is the one to buy. Nothing bad about Springfield, but the Kimber is the nicest shooting out of the box 1911. Try the CDP, it is jewelry. You just can't go wrong with a Glock. Buy them both.
08-14-2009 | 01:14 PM
#27
Here is something to think about, are you reloading or buying off the shelf ammo? .45 ACP ammo is through the roof right now. You can get .40 ammo all day long. If you are reloading, 1911 series guns can be a little glitchy as far as reloads. Kimbers will shoot **** reloads all day lond. Springfields are fidgety and get a little bit of an attitude if your crimp isn't right. .45 brass is a pain in the *** to get right now and I won't even talk about the price of bullets for reloading in the .45 realm. Just stuff to think about. Oh yeah and you can't even touch a Kimber for under a thousand unless it's used, and even some of them are still over a thousand.
08-14-2009 | 02:55 PM
#29
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,300
From: San Jose, CA
Car Info: http://kiva.org/invitedby/brett4254
That's Sportsmans Supply - have bought 3 guns from them and have always been happy.
Personally I've never liked H&K's, the mag release bugs me. Never felt good in my hands.
I own Springfield XD and love it. Glockish function but better refined and has the 1911 grip angle.
Personally I've never liked H&K's, the mag release bugs me. Never felt good in my hands.
I own Springfield XD and love it. Glockish function but better refined and has the 1911 grip angle.
