Posted on 12/06/2019 7:32:29 AM PST by w1n1
There is always this never-ending 1911 vs Glock argument. The two guns are as different as night and day. Its time to look at another popular debate. Which is better, the 1911 or the Sig P220? Right off the bat most gun advocates in the shooting crowd that are not die-hard 1911 users have recognize the Sig P220 taking the lead on this. Yet, there are still debates among the hard core users.
The short answer why Sig P220 trumps the 1911:
Simple Operation - Some might argue that a 1911 is as simple as it gets, with one trigger pull to master. I see your one trigger pull, and I raise you the the two separate external safeties (grip and thumb) that must be correctly actuated for a 1911 to go off, plus the need to carry "cocked and locked" (hammer back on a loaded chamber, thumb safety engaged) for the pistol to be truly combat-ready. Read the rest of 1911 vs Sig P220.
An argument looking for relevance. Use the one that serves you the best.
The best gun is the one you have on you when the shooting starts.
Right?
Either/or is so often posited when both/and is the much better answer!
First rule of a gun fight: Have a gun.
As the owner of 3 P220s, I have an obvious bias.
1. Reliable and sturdy.
2. Safe to carry with a round in the chamber
3. Ready to fire.
4. Great balance for a .45 when fired.
Your mileage may vary.
Personally, the Sig S/S 1911 .45 acp is a very nice friend to have. Very accurate and dependable.
Is it, really?
You mistake preference for fact: one does not need to do anything to a stock 1911. But, you can do almost anything to make it unique to your needs and preference.
One cannot do much at all to a P220.
As a Left handed shooter, the only modification I have on a 1911A1 is a low profile ambi safety lock.
They are (were) all fine so far as I am concerned, but then so are my 1911's and my Glocks.
They are (were) all safe to carry with a round in the chamber.
Agreed. The best is the one you shoot best and feel most comfortable and confident with. I prefer 9mm. If others prefer the 45 acp then go with it.
I collect classic militaria and old west firearms.
When shooting my Garand I often carry my Remington Rand 1911A1. Nice. I am unfamiliar with many modern weapons and am familiar with some. I used to hump through the woods deer hunting with a rifle and my Ruger redhawk.44 magnum with 7.5 barrel. As I grew older just lifting it at the range is a bit of a chore. My 1911a1 is not as heavy but when I carry its my light glass filled nylon Ruger LC9 Pro. Strictly for the weight.
I know Sig makes fine weapons. It appears to be as heavy as a 1911. My military 1911a1 hits the target at pistol distances every time unless I screw up
The Sig appears to come in single and double action versions. I dont see much difference in magazine capacity in .45acp. But if you are more comfortable with one or the other. By all means carry that. At this time in my life both are too big for long term carrying.
“...and I raise you the the two separate external safeties (grip and thumb) that must be correctly actuated for a 1911 to go off”
Full disclosure: I have a Springfield 1911 that was modified for carry by Novak, including polishing the feed ramp and making the ejection port larger, both to increase reliability.
Though I own a 1911, and certainly recognize the thing of beauty that it is (especially when tuned correctly), it is a design that is about 110 years old. This means that the experience of, and lessons from, hundreds of millions of people firing pistols of various types over that time span were not incorporated into its design. I daresay that if JMB were alive and healthy today, he’d design the 1911 a bit differently. I’m willing to look at newer designs, but they actually have to be better, not just newer. New isn’t always better, but sometimes it is.
I have had several of both: fine pistols. Both are accurate, dependable, rugged. The P220 is taller, double action for the first shot and features a decocker.
The 1911 is more compact and all steel and you have an original, made of beautiful machining and exudes quality.
Disclaimer: I carried a .45 as a backup weapon in Vietnam, so I am prejudiced. Damn thing ALWAYS worked in horrible conditions.
We can’t start a new gun argument until we’ve resolved the first argument: .270 or 30-06 as the best hunting rifle.
.308 Winchester.
The only handgun better than a 1911 was John Browning’s next handgun, the Hi Power, imho.
Hey! What about 9mm vs. .45? Or pistol vs. revolver? Or AR vs. AK? Or Chevy vs. Ford?
Good one! LOL.
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