Glock 30 vs. 1911 Compact

I don't own either, but I do own a full size 1911 and I would think the compact 1911 would be much thinner than the Glock and easier to conceal.

From a safety standpoint, I believe the 1911 is one of the safest handguns on the market with a thumb, grip, and in some cases a firing pin safety. I feel cocked and locked is a safe way to go, especially compared to the Glock that only has a "safety" on the trigger.

I have carried both.

Lemme begin with the 1911 compact. I have gone through many ranging from $500 to $1200 guns. All were main players in the 1911 game. I could not get one to go through a whole mag reliable. Others have but its a crap shoot. That said the 1911 was a dream to conceal. A full size is easier to conceal than a double stack .45

I now have the Glock 30 SF (best Christmas ever, thank you my darling wife). I have tried to make the thing fail. Limp wrist, crap ammo, etc. It wont. It is also one of the most accurate Glocks I shoot. Came with the 5 lb trigger. Down side is its a lot bulkier than a 1911. While concealable, you need to dress and move around it, especially during summer wear.

I am looking into a G36 for summer carry and hope to have the same luck that I had with the G30.

As far as cocked and locked vs no safety one in the pipe (yeah yeah safe action pistol) both can be solved with an easy exercise which ever you choose.

If you go with the 1911 remove the magazine and either cock the hammer or rack the slide. Then engage the safety. Carry for a couple hours, days whenever you feel comfortable. You will notice that the hammer has not dropped. Thus ensuring confidence in you weapon.

With the Glock, remove the magazine then rack the slide. This will put the trigger in the forward position. Carry until your comfort level has been reached. You will notice that the trigger has not moved. Indicating that no discharge has taken place.

No contest...Glock 30.

I had the same problems with the short 1911's as mentioned by Mot45ACP.

Reliability on the short slide 1911's can be difficult to achieve. I've had three and all were duds (Springer Ultra Compact and two Kimber Tactical Ultra II's) even after multiple trips to the gunsmith and/or factory.

Do some research on the 1911 forum. It will convince you that 4.25" or 5" slides are the way to go.

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=84012

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=86620

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=101413

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=105608

I had a Sig P239, Glock 36 and then got a Colt Defender. The winner on all counts was the Defender. Carried all of them, shot all of them, borke down and cleaned all of them. Subjectively liked the quality of build and pride of ownership of the Colt. Objectively liked the ergonomics, accurtacy and quality of the Colt.

Great gun. Wear it under a dress shirt in a belly band every day.

NQ

I have both, Glock 30 and a Springfield compact. I perfer the Glock for some of the reasons already stated, shoots anything I feed it, more rounds and a tack driver to boot! Yes it's thicker than the 1911 but weight wise they feel about the same. So the only advantage the 1911 has over the 30 is it's thiner. I will take the shoots everytime, holds more rounds and tack driver any day!

OP, why break down the question to a decision between a G30 and a compact 1911?

Once you start to carry every day, you'll find that a full-size 1911 is no more difficult to conceal and carry every day than a compact 1911. The full-sized gun is, however, easier to shoot quickly and accurately. If you only offer yourself two choices, I would make it between the G30 and a full-sized 1911.

My personal choice: a Springfield XD compact in .45 ACP. I carried a 1911 and a G36 for years. The XD beats them both for me.

In the end, I don't know that it really matters, though. Buy a quality gun, invest in good leather for it, and practice a lot. When you're ready for a change, try another style of gun or leather (or don't even wait that long). Remember, one choice is no choice!!

I recommend the Glock 30 SF if you are leaning toward the Glock. I used my Glock 30SF as a back up gun while I am at work. I will occaisionally carry it off duty when I need something smaller to carry.
The Glock 30 doesnt have the reliability issues of the compact 1911s, plus it has a 10+1 capacity.

Good Luck!