1911 VS Glock: What's the Difference?

In the world of self-defense and precision shooting guns, the 1911s and Glocks have their own place. These two gun variants have proven accuracy and reliability, which has only increased over time through various modifications. The iconic firearms have a distinct aura as they have withstood the test of time. This makes the 1911 vs. Glock comparison interesting and insightful. Read on to understand how these pistol models are unique.

1911 Vs. Glock - Size and Weight

It is not easy to compare the size and weight of 1911 and Glock because of the diversity of models. Broadly, 1911s tend to be larger than Glock guns in both dimensions and weight. This difference is also due to the polymer frame of Glocks as opposed to steel in the 1911s.

The heavier and larger 1911s are the Government model, followed by the Commander model and Officer model. The lightest model is the American Tactical Polymer FHX45 1911, weighing just 1.72 lb. Still, the subcompact Glock 30 is even lighter, weighing 1.49 lb.

Differences in Grip Angle

The grip angle of a pistol is the angle between the sight plane and the gun's grip. It impacts the comfort and natural pointing of the gun. The grip angle of 1911 variants is almost square to the slide or about 18 degrees off square, while that of Glocks is raked or about 22 degrees off square.

A good grip angle is anywhere in the range 18 to 22 degrees. You just need to find which feels natural to you, which can be done by holding the pistol with both hands near the abdomen and pointing the muzzle at a target downrange. Extend the pistol fully and see where the sights point. If they point below your target, the grip angle of the pistol you are holding is not natural for you.

Differences in Grip Thickness

The 1911, with a single-stack magazine in general, has a slimmer grip than a Glock. This makes it more comfortable for shooters with smaller hands. They can have a firm, wrap-around grip on the firearm and shoot accurately.

Glocks use double-stack magazines (except for a few models). Double-stack magazines accommodate higher round capacities and have a thicker grip than single-stack pistols. For example, the Glock 17 has a capacity of 17 rounds of 9mm ammo, compared to 7-8 rounds of .45 ACP in 1911.

Differences in Trigger Mechanism and Safety

The 1911 has a single-action trigger with a hammer, which differs from the Safe Action striker-fired trigger in the Glock models. They don't have an external hammer. The trigger mechanism in 1911 is often considered more crisp because of the lighter trigger pull than the Glock.

It has three safeties: the manual safety, grip safety, and the firing pin safety, which is located on the pistol's slide. Due to these safeties, you need to hold the gun perfectly to be able to shoot.

The Glock's trigger mechanism is a passive safety system designed for efficient self-defense. It has three distinct safety features that disengage in succession, which is not the case with 1911's trigger.

Differences in Sights

The 1911 models come with improved high-visibility sights that are not installed. The Government model, especially, has light rails beside sights. These models typically have a rear sight dovetail and a staked front sight. Still, the sight options are not quite beneficial for everyday use, but you can upgrade them.

Similarly, Glock comes with plastic sights, which are not strong enough for regular use. You can upgrade them with GLOCK Steel self-luminescent sights. They are fitted with a tritium element. Additionally, GLOCK Modular Optic System (MOS) configuration is also available. This configuration makes mounting common optical sights on pistols easy.

1911 Vs. Glock - Accuracy

1911s were some of the most accurate pistols in the world. They are highly accurate at 20 to 30 yards. The standard that was set by the Government for 1911's accuracy was 5-inch and 10-inch dispersions at 25 yards and 50 yards, respectively. Within this range, some 1911s are more accurate while others are not. To enhance the accuracy further, properly fitting the barrel hood and locking lugs is crucial. Fit a match-grade and large barrel to your 1911, and you will feel the difference.

Glocks are also known to be accurate at self-defense yards. However, more than accuracy, they are built for reliability. At distances beyond 25 yards, the Glock's design focuses on reliability and reduces accuracy. You can upgrade the pistol with match-grade barrels or fit different sighting systems to increase accuracy and precision.

Recoil Management

Both the 1911 models and Glock pistols have recoil, but they can be managed. Also, the standard 1911 does not have any parts made of high-strength nylon-based polymer. The only exception to this is the recent ATI Firepower Xtreme Hybrid FXH-45.

The polymer frame in Glocks soaks recoil fast and leads to less impact. Still, the high grip of 1911 helps in recoil management. By practicing push-pull or grip shift techniques, you can manage the recoil of 1911 easily.

Subcompact and compact Glock models, like the Glock 29, 27, and 43, have more recoil than bigger models, like the Glock 17. The higher weight of the gun distributes recoil and, in turn, facilitates quick follow-up shots.

Capacity and Firepower

Glock excels when it comes to ammo power. The standard 9mm Glock 17 has a nice 17-round magazine with replacement mags bumping it up to 33 rounds!

A .45-caliber Colt 1911 has only a 7-round magazine. You can increase it to 8 rounds using some aftermarket magazines. The average Glock models are double-stack pistols, and even those chambered in .45 caliber have double or more capacity than the average 1911 pistol. This makes a Glock more suitable for self-defense than a 1911.

An average Colt M1911 pistol uses a .45 ACP cartridge, unlike the 9mm Luger in Glock models. While there are 9mm 1911 variants, the most common design of 1911s is for .45 ACP. .45 ACP rounds have higher stopping power than 9mm Luger, but their muzzle energy is lower.

However, advancements in the .45 ACP rounds are ongoing, and soon enough, we may reach a stage where the performance of both calibers is almost equal.

1911 Vs. Glock - What to Choose?

The pistol you choose depends on your personal preference and purpose. When comparing 1911 and Glock, we find that the Glock pistols are more ergonomically designed and, so, are easier for a beginner to master than 1911. In highly stressful situations, when self-defense is crucial, the three safeties in 1911 can feel more difficult to navigate than a Glock. Both the gun models are highly reliable, and with ongoing advancements, they are becoming more customizable than before. Don't forget to feel and try out your preferred Glock or 1911 model before making the final decision.