Colt 1911 Lightweight Commander v. Glock 26 or Ruger SR9c

[Bart Solo]

I have been thinking seriously about an automatic for concealed carry.  I had been thinking seriously about one of the 9mm double stack compacts, but I have also looked at a Colt Lightweight Commander in SS.  After thinking about 9mm for weeks, I am drawn to the Colt.  Thoughts? Am I just being drawn by the pretty?  What are the advantages of the 1911 platform?  What about a Glock 26 or Ruger SR9c?  Is there an accuracy advantage? I want a pistol I can shoot a lot?  Can you wear out the alloy framed lightweight commander?

[williamlayton]

Which one do you like.
If you are taking my advice get the Colt and go about your business.
I don't care for the way Glocks fit my hand.
Blessings

[Dee]

I would prefer a Glock 27 or Glock 39 over a 1911, but would take a 38 special 2 shot derringer over the Glock 26 in 9mm.

[Bart Solo]

I had a Glock 17 several years ago.  I didn't like the way if fit my hand.  I had to distort my grip just to hold it.  I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with the darn thing. I traded it for a Remington Special Field.  Love that shotgun. Wonderful quail gun. That is why I was leaning to the Ruger. 

[Mikey]

I'm going to assume the colt is in 9mm, in which case you would never wear it out.  My LWC in 45 has over 10k round through it and is still accurate.  The 1911 is more accurate than either of the other two.  Get it and go.

[Bart Solo]

Actually it is in 45.  That isn't a problem.  I like big guns.  My reason for buying 9MM is I wanted something I can shoot a lot for cheap, but I reload 45 LC all the time.  I just need to buy a new set of dies, some cartridge cases and I am in business.  I have found some loads at the Hodgdon site that use the same bullets and powder I normally load for  practice and match fodder.  

It is good to know you have 10 K through your alloy framed LWC.  I had been wondering if the frame would hold up over time.

UPDATE:  Correction the bullet is slightly different.  (The bullets are a little harder than cowboy bullets.) I will need to buy some bullets, but they are the same price as my cowboy bullets.

[Bart Solo]

Update,

Since my last post my cowboy shooting club decided to host Wild Bunch shoots.  Wild Bunch shooting requires a full sized 1911 so the Colt LTW Commander has to wait.  I bought a Springfield Armory GI Mil Spec yesterday and took it to the range today.  I like it.  Less expensive than the Colt, but I intend to shoot the stuffings out of it.  Yep the Mil Spec is very traditional looking, but that is exactly what is needed if you want to shoot Wild Bunch.  Now to break it in and work up some lead bullet rounds for steel targets. 

Oh, one day at the range with the 1911 and I no longer find the tupperware guns the least bit attractive.

[SHOOTALL]

the LWC is a gun you can hit targets at distance . The 26 is a gut wrench. The Colt is thinner in the bbl area and hides more comfortable.

[Bigeasy]

I have no experience with the Ruger SR9C, but quite a bit with both the Aluminum Commander and the Glock 26.  First off, in terms of durability, the aluminum frame Colt will not be as long term durable as the steel frame version, but we are talking long term, as in many thousands of rounds.  Durability tests conducted by various folks have shown the aluminum frame more prone to cracking.  But again, unless you are a serious high volume shooter, it is something you shouldn't worry about.

How a gun fits in your hand is important, and there is a big difference in "feel" between a mini Glock and a 1911.  Which feels better in your hand?  I was apprehensive when I first purchased my Glock 26, as I have huge hands.  But I found I can control the gun well by wrapping my little finger under the grip when I fire.  I find muzzle flip roughly the same between the two, as is second shot recovery, at least for me.

Reliability wise, both can be good, but I would have to give the nod to the Glocks.  As long as you are using factory, or factory jacketed bullet equivalent reloads, The three Glocks I have owned just never jammed.  Now if you intend to use lead bullets, the 1911 is the better choice, mainly due to the rifling Glock uses not being compatible with lead, though my old Glock 19 shot them decently as long as they were hard cast, and sized the same as a jacked slug.

Concealability is about the same.  The Commanders full size grip is a little longer then the Glocks, and might "print" more under your clothing, but the Glock is thicker in width, so kind of a toss up.  In terms of accuracy, each gun is a law unto itself.  That said, both will have no problem hitting a man sized target at any reasonable self defence range you might encounter.  Don't let anyone tell you the Glock 26 is inaccurate.  My 26 will shoot fist sized groups at 25 yards with just about any ammo I feed it.

Both are good guns, it is just a matter of what floats your boat, really.  Right now, my main carry guns are a Kimber 1911 Ultra Carry with laser grips, and a Glock 26.  I feel well armed with either.

Larry

[docmagnum357]

As a ccw Instructor, I will say this once and only once.  Shoot a real combat course, such as the NRa Personal protection Inside the Home course of Fire.  Then see which one tickles your fancy.  The Colt 1911 platform was meant to fight.  The stubby "Baby Glocks"  are a lot like most fishing lures.  They are meant to catch fishermen, not fish.  with a proper holster, you can conceal a 6 inch Red hawk or Smith N frame.  Get a good belt, and "all that weight " won't pull your pants down.  A 1911 and two mags, even a steel frame 1911, is not nearly the burden you think it is.  I carried a 6.5" 629 classic , inside the waistband, Daily, for two years.  no one ever " made" me, that I am aware of.  I have since been convinced I can rely on a 1911, and that 230 grain bullets going less than 1000 feet per second will shoot through a 300 pound hog, so I carry a 1911 now. 

I have a lot of Confidence in the newer +p+ 9mm ammo as far as stopping ability is concerned, and I have  Cz 75.  It points very well, almost as fast and sure as a 1911, but it is a little different, and not what I am used to.  Almost every one who shoots it is very impressed , even beginners.  If your hand will adapt , by indecent contortions to the handle( no way I would call it a grip) on a GLOCK, by all means get one.  But remembert, the baby guns are not going to work for much distance.  It's not the inherent accuracy, which is like with a Good snubbie revolver, usually very good.  It is "how easy is it to hit with at speed" that matters.  I can do some fine shooting with a colt Dick special.  I always carry a full size gun. 

[Bart Solo]

I had a Glock 17.  I couldn't hold it properly.  I got rid of that sucker.  You can't miss fast enough to win a firefight.  A gun that doesn't hold and point properly in my hand is useless to me.  

I now have a 1911 and it is a dream to hold and shoot.