1911 vs Glock for CCW

[Lightsped]

While I already own a full size Colt 1911 and a Glock 19c, I want to get one of the following for CCW.

A compact 1911 (3 or 4 inch barrel). Something like a Colt Defender or Kimber Pro Carry. Or a Glock 30.

Which would be more suited for CCW?

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Glock 30 gets my vote but if I was looking to carry -- I'd go with the Glock 26. Either should be a great choice. Inexpensive, accurate, no fuss.

 

[critter]

I currently own and use for carry a Kimber compact stainless and a colt officers model. The two are essentially 'twins' as to size and manual of operation. They work extremely well for me as ccw firearms. They shoot really well, have sufficient power and conceal very well indeed. The weight does not bother me at all-in fact is not even noticed on long days.

I am not enamoured with Glocks but have fired the 30. It would not be a bad choice either, but I prefer the compact 1911 type .45's.

 

[Rob96]

I question the reliability of 3" barreled 1911's. I wouldn't carry a 1911 with less than a 4" barrel.

 

[Zip06]

While both the Kimber and the Glock 30 are excellent firearms, I would tend to agree that the shorter the barrel length of a 1911 pattern pistol the more associated problems seem to appear. Thats been my expereince and I have also had a Glock 30, an excellent performer but bulky. I would downsize the Glock to the G26/27/33 or upsize the Kimber to a Commander sized model. I could live with either choice.

 

[VG]

Don't forget the SIG P220 & P245. They're accurate, reliable, light, and cheap compared to compact M1911's

 

[Oracle]

I prefer a Glock to the 1911, but that's mainly because of grip angle. The 1911 just doesn't point well for me, no matter what I do. The main advantage I see in carrying the 1911 is that it is pretty thin, and generally carries well in an IWB holster. The Glock, however, doesn't have a hammer, beavertail, external safety, or anything else that can get easily hung up on clothing when you're drawing it, it's edges are smoothed out like a well-worn bar of soap. Other than that, it's all a matter of preference. Try both out if you can, and pick the one that fits you better.

 

[Lightsped]

A Sig 220 is just a tad big for CCW on me. I am pretty slim. A 220 is just too big. I already have a 229 anyways (great gun).

Yes, the rounded edges on the G27 I carried were a great feature. I am happy the rounded edges are on the G30 too. The Colt Defender also has slightly rounded edges.

Ok, how about if I throw a G36 into the pot?

So here are the guns under consideration:

Colt or Kimber 1911 with a 3 or 4 inch barrel.
Glock 30
Glock 36

I hate decisions like this.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

I have gone round and round between the Glock 30, 3" 1911s, and 4" 1911s.

Here are my general thoughts.

The Glock 30 is great, reliable, accurate, and has lots of capacity. Also, you can get it really nasty with little concern for finish damage. The only downside is it is very thick. IWB carry is hard to do unless your clothes are big, loose, and sloppy. OWB is comfortable, but printing is more of an issue, again because of thickness. I don't IWB carry the G30, but I do frequently carry one in a belt or pancake holster, when my attire permits. Even with OWB carry you have to wear loose clothing. Trying to cover it with a tucked out polo style shirt prints badly, but its not so bad with a camp or Hawaiian style shirt.

3" and 4" 1911s give you more choices. IWB carry is much easier, because of they are thinner. The 3" models are very easy to conceal.

As for the reliability of the short barrelled 1911s, I would say the 4 and 4.25 inch models are as reliable as 5" models. Maybe the three inch models are not as reliable, but the one I have has never jammed.

It doesnt matter how reliable the 3" models are in general, it only matters how reliable yours is.

 

[9x19]

I've got the Kimber Ultra Carry, and Springfield Micro models (both 3" 1911s), whose performance have completely disproved the old-timer notion that sub-compact 1911s can't be reliabile.

I aslo own each model of Glock sub-compact, and they would be my first choice for carry based on weight vs capacity, ease of use, and durability.

FWIW

 

[Kaylee]

well, to counter 9x19's point..

Once upon a time I carried a G30. Felt like a brick.
Given those options I'd go with a lightweight 1911 pattern every time.


but then, I'm guilty of putting "comfort" ahead of "comforting" on a pretty regular basis.

-K

 

[sm]

Prefer 1911's myself. Prefer 5" but I will only go as small as Commander myself. My BB carries a Pro Carry, I have carried a Lt Wt Commander. My first 1911 was an all steel combat Commander. For me flat and easy to tote. Never did ,still don't notice weight with the right set up. Of course I have been known to just stick IWB w/o holster and go on.

If a glock carries for you and you can get quick accurate hits with it...so be it.

 

[defense2]

Shoot any gun you're thinking about carrying. Pick the one that *you* feel most comfortable with (for safety, accuracy, and speed - not carry comfort).

Some people like a manual safety, some prefer a double-action system, and on and on. In the end it comes down to your personal preference.

Glocks and 1911's both great weapon families. Pick the one that fits *you.* I'm a small guy (5'7, 135) and I can carry a 5" 1911 with little or no printing IWB, and I like the single-action, safety engaged carry mode. My primary carry weapon is an HK USP Tactical in an OWB holster, and I carry that in a single-action, safety engaged mode as well. But that *me,* so take it as subjective.

My two cents.

 

[sanchezero]

I like Glocks; I'm currently carrying a 19.

That said, between the 30 and a commander sized 1911 that is reliable , I'd take the 1911. You get 9 rnds v 11 in the Glock; not a huge difference. You get the slimmer, more comfortable profile. You get the significantly better trigger.

Now, if you're talking those officer models with their teeny lil mags, I'd take the 30.

 

[Alfadog]

Before shelling out $500+ for a new gun, why don't you try carrying the 5" 1911 or G19? I'm not a big guy (5'10", about 175#), but I can comfortably and discretely carry my Colt Gov't. Model in either an IWB holster or a strong side belt holster, wearing only an untucked polo shirt for concealment.

A new holster is a lot cheaper than a new gun.

 

[10-Ring]

I really like my Glock 36 & the Commmander 1911. It would really depend on which one you can commit & train with.

 

[Lightsped]

To be honest, I just want a new gun. I have not bought a new gun in almost two years. There for a while I was buying several guns a year.

I have had my eye on the G30 for 3 years. Just keep putting it off. I also like the short 1911s from Colt and Kimber too. I just recently began checking into the possiblity of getting a G36.

Is the G36 really that much smaller than the G30?

 

[Dave T]

The G36 is the same hight and length as the G30. The differences are in width and weight. With less ammunition and a thinner (less metal) slide and barrel the overall weight of the loaded 36 is enough less than the loaded 30 to be noticable.

I carried various 1911s for over 20 years (LEO career) then played with Glocks for 4 years. Carried all the 45 caliber Glocks and a couple 40s. I am back to the 1911 as there is not replacement IMO for the surpurb trigger possible on the Colt/Browning design.

This is so subjective a decision that it is almost silly for someone else to advise you, other than general information like what I posted above about the 30 & 36. What works for you may be a disaster for someone else, and vice-versa.

 

[Obiwan]

I would put a non-ported barrel in your G19

and practice...practice....practice

Caliber matters little if you hit what you aim at.

There.................I just saved you $3-400

We'll split it!!!!!!!!

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I, personally, would opt for the Glock 30. Of course, I would be equally comfortable carrying a Commander sized (4 inch) 1911 pattern gun. I just like Glocks better, so that would be my choice providing you can tolerate the difference in width of the grip. I really don't care for 3 inch 1911, alot of times it takes some gunsmithing to get them to run completely reliably.

 

[dwestfall]

Don't forget the mag thickness comparison. If you stuff a Glock 30 IWB and carry a G30 or G21 mag on your off side, you've added, what, nearly 4" to your overall width? (Assuming thin Kydex gear -- leather would be even more.)

With a thin 1911 like a TRS IWB and a mag on the off side and you've added more like 2.5". The biggest difference being in the single-stack vs double-stack mag.

If you wear a hawaiian shirt it probably doesn't make much difference but under any normal shirt it is like night and day for me.

I find it easier to conceal a full-size 1911 than a Glock 30 given similar gear. And I shoot the 1911 much better.

 

[pistolwhipped]

I've carried Kimber Pro,Glock's 36 and 23 in past and present. I have had no problem concealing any of them. The Kimber was the best shooter. The 36 was easiest to conceal. The 30 is a little ehh, wider than the 36. But not enough to get in a twist about.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

My recommendation is drop by the gun shop and feel the different Glock sizes out. It's not the caliber that matters as much as shot placement. See which fits the most comfortable and run with it....

 

[Tamara]

Glock 30 is a fine gun.

When carrying IWB, I question the necessity of 3"-4" 1911's; if the barrel is going to be down inside your trousers, what difference does it make how long it is? IWB, a 5" 1911 is no harder to carry than a Commander.

 

[sm]

When carrying IWB, I question the necessity of 3"-4" 1911's;

Necessity of a 4" 1911 for Me? Just "because"
I didn't have one, price was right, money was burning my pocket...one of those deals. You know - I betcha.
I agree, 5" carries the same, grip is the same...then a 5" came along I wanted more and well that old horse trade fever hit, bye bye 4"...I'm addicted, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.


Still the 3" and reliability I've seen, takes a bit more TLC.
I'm not known for TLC. The 5" does what I want and carries fine for me.