Glock vs. smith and wesson
What is the biggest difference in the Glock 19 to the Smith & Wesson 1911. I'm doing a research paper for my Criminal Justice class and would like more opinions then what I have found so far. Thanks[?]
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Hi, welcome to the forum.
Design. Two entirely different pistols. Glock is Double action only, synthetic frame with metal slide rail inserts. 1911 Style pistol (S&W or other) is a single action, all metal frame. If it is for a CJ paper then yhou can throw in the obligatory words about the Glock being accepted by more departments than 1911's because it is perceived to have the safer design ...
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
Well said CM, The only thing I could add is though there are 1911 models that will out perform the glock, but the Smith just can't touch the glock on reliability, durability or being easily carried. Oh yeah and it weighs less.
I know it sounds like I am a big Glock fan, I'm really not I just don't care for the S&W autos.
Good luck with your research paper shigby.[:)]
"There are those who make things happen, those that watch things happen and those that say, what happend?"
AC Tactical0 -
The above have stated some good arguments for both. They both are state of the art for the times they were intoduced. The 1911 design is battle proven and has had vast improvements and time tested, espec. the last 20 years. The 1911 is sometimes percieved as "more dangerous carry" as it was designed to be carried cocked and locked. The fact is that two (or more) safeties are employed, thumb and grip whereas the Glock has a trigger activated safety only. It has more to do with training and familiarity than inherent safety. The Glock intoduced not only the trigger safety, but also the "plastic" gun concept which was not only revolutionary, but light weight, durable, rust proof and functional. As the others have said, it's different ways to solve similiar issues. They both work well. 0 -
Actually the Glock has more than one safety. It has 3, the trigger safety, the drop safety and the firing pin safety. All three are passive. The only one visible is the trigger safety.
As previously mentioned the two guns are very different not only in the material used but the way they work. The 1911 design uses an external hammer and internal firing pin. The Glock uses a striker that also serves as the firing pin.
The 1911 has 2 external safeties, the grip and the thumb, and in the more recent models a firing pin safety.
One of the reasons Glocks are so popular in law enforcement is they are easy to transition to. Many agencies used revolvers before switching to Glocks. Like revolvers, Glocks dont have external safeties and decockers. Another attractive feature is the round count. The Glock 17 holds 3 times the ammo as the revolver before reloading.
Both the 1911 design and the Glock "Safe Action" design have their strong points. I know people who love one design and not the other.
Joe
"Never let school interfere with your education"0 -
Every Firearm an additional safety and thats the owner![;)] 0 -
Shigby: Just some random thoughts here:
Why the S&W 1911, and not the Colt 1911? I own a couple of both, and find all very satisfactory. The 1911 has been, and is, produced by so many manufacturers in so many countries I'm just wondering why the S&W product was selected for comparision with the Glock?
I also own a couple of Glocks. I won't conceal the fact that I like the 1911s better, and that they have a better heft and feel to me; I've used them for what is becoming a long lifetime, and Glocks weren't around for most of it. But I concede that there are many Glock fans. My personal choice, though, would be a 1911.
Notice that the U.S. Military used the 1911 for about 70 years as standard issue, and still uses it for special units in special applications; but has not traded in the Beretta M9 for the Glock. They could, but instead we find some units returning to the 1911, when they could opt for a Glock 21.
As a professional gunsmith I have had occassion to completely disassemble both types of pistol, and have to wonder how a Glock would fare with a big splop of mud right down inside those little sliding bars and coil springs protected by the slide? Of course, they aren't tested that way (with the side off), but when you take the slide off a 1911 there still isn't much exposed to be disabled.
If I were back in Law Enforcement, and allowed to choose my own personal sidearm (a rarity--there's always someone smarter than you that wants to tell you how and what to defend your life with!) I would choose a 1911. Were I in the military again, and allowed to choose, I would choose a 1911. I do work parttime in a high risk area of security, and I carry a 1911; well, sort of. We have "Smarter People" there too, so the closest I can come to a 1911 is a Para Ordance LDA 7:45.
Honestly, both are good pistols--and a person is best armed with what they have the most confidence in. Make mine a 1911. An S&W 1911 would be just fine.
Sure would like to read your paper.0 -
[8D]Yo Der Geb.,I have a colt 1911 Commander and a S&W 1911- The S&W under slow timed fire is competition ready-but the COLT CMDR has a feel like I could use it out of a deep sleep with confidencence.![^][^][:o)][:D]
On your mark-get set- go away!!0 -
Apples and oranges ,only thing they have in common is they are both firearms ,oh yeah they are also a subject of many debates on which is better on many forums
there are two types of people ,those who love 1911's ,and idiots ,I will put the reliability of my 1911 against any glock ,I have put 5,000 rounds through it this year with out a problem ,I see guys at the range and matches with glocks ,they are fine one shot at a time ,but put them through a shooting match where time and accuracy are a factor ,and you will see them choke ,and I couldn't tell you why anyone depends on their life with a gun like that
duck incoming0 -
[:D] Thanks for chiming in, fellas! Afterall, the young man was asking for opinions, not pabulum. Other than the 1911 vs. Glock arguement, I don't know where you will find more opinionated people; unless it might be 9mm vs. .45 ACP, or Ford vs. Chevy. So, you Glock fans had better jump in here with why your choice is better; and then all of you join me in urging Shigby to publish his findings on the Forum![8D] 0 -
I own both a glock and a 1911, I think the reason most LEO dept. have went to the glock is due to the fact the require less maintance than a 1911. As far as the differnce between them the glock is basicly a double action only requiring cocking after each shot and most 1911 are cock and ready to rock after each shot. I like each gun and would be hard pressed to pick a favorite. My 1911 is my far more accurate than my glock. But the Glock is far more comfortable for conceal carry. If pressed for a opinion on which is better. I could not make one because they both have there pros and cons. 0
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