I have always been interested in getting a pistol, I have a Beretta 92 but I want something else. I can't decide if I should get a Glock or a 1911. What are the pro's and con's to each. If I was going to get a 1911 then what should I be looking for. I see all these nice models but I cant tell any difference with like Kimber, Nighthawk, Colt, Springfield and so on. What should I do?

Both camps have very devoted followers.

I own both with two 1911s and several Glocks. The 1911 is the classic pistol, and there is a reason it has been around this long and continues to thrive. However, if I had to choose one or the other, I would go with the Glock. It's a very simple design. It's very reliable and is comparatively easy on the wallet.

Of course, the 1911 crowd will be here soon to say that there shouldn't be other pistols.

I hate Glock's. I have large hands and EVERY time I have been out with a buddys I have had a Glock take a bite outta my hand.

Both are great choices. I have 3 1911's and 4 Glocks. I would recommend the Glock for a first pistol...if it was you very first, but since you already have a pistol and are familiar, I would go with the 1911. Both come in different sizes and calibers, this also needs to be considered.

Of course, you need to consider what you are going to do with it, Is it for everyday carry, do you want accuracy?, Is it an investment?

I'd go with the Glock for everyday carry and defense, simply for the magazine capacity and ease of carry. If you want an investment and accuracy, the 1911 is preferably. Of course these are my opinions.

Both have countless accessories and good reputations, I have a SW1911PD, A Kimber Grand Raptor II and a Wilson Combat CQB LE in the 1911's. I love then and find them more enjoyable to shoot at the range, simply because they are more accurate. All the manufacturer's mentioned are reputable, and the biggest difference is production versus custom built guns and of course the price is reflected.

You have a tough choice. I guess it boils down to what you are wanting to do with it, money and personal preference on looks.

How is it getting you, and what grip are you using when shooting?

This can be a VERY heated discussion topic. When you boil it all down it will just come to you making the decision. I have a 1911 and have a G19, G21 and G17 (till dad needed it more). If I was to do it all over again myself I would have bought Glocks and stuck with them. Don't get me wrong I love the 1911. I just think with the Glock you get more bang for your buck.

Funny how everything goes in circles ya know. I've got a couple 1911's, one a Colt series 80 that's been customized by a superb gunsmith & is way more accurate than I am & I've got a single G-19, but wanting to get a 2nd G-19.

I equate the customized 1911 to a Lamborghini & the Glock to a Chevy, they both work & will get ya where ya need to go, but in what kind of style & will ya be upset when your 1911 gets scratched Vs when the Glock gets banged up.

The web of my thumb gets caught under the slide. I had to teach myself to hold my right thumb down with the thumb from my left hand. I honestly cant remember the kinda of grip. I have heard that other folks with Larger hands have had the same problem though.

Your best bet is going to honestly be to seek someone out who has one or more of each so you can try them out. You may even be able to find a range that has different models of each that you can rent to see what you like. You also need to think about Caliber. What caliber do you want? You already have the Beretta 92. Why not stick with 9mm. It's enough to do the job as long as you do your part that way you are only buying one caliber. Plus 9mm is a lot cheaper.

Have you shot the 22 or 17, it is the large frame pistol?

I like both, Glocks are great because they are as low maintenance as it gets, fairly cheap compared to a high quality 1911, and have a higher capacity than a 1911. 1911's are great because they are more refined, in my opinion more accurate (but both are usually more accurate than the shooter wielding them), and just feel right in my hand.

I am surgical with my Kimbers.

As far as brands go in 1911's, Wilson Combat, Les Baer, Nighthawk Custom, etc... are your custom houses. They are very expensive but you get a 1911 you can have tailored to your exact specifications, and the parts are fitted and tuned by a master gunsmith.

Kimber, Springfield, and Colt are your production 1911's. They all use MIM parts to some degree (Metal Injected Molded) as opposed to the more desirable forged parts found in the custom houses. They are assembled by an employee who probably has little to no interest in guns making $10 bucks an hour and they get looked over in a QA department by a competent gunsmith to ensure the quality is there. They cost a lot less than the custom houses and in my opinion are the better way to go unless you have oodles of cash to blow. I have Kimber's, I prefer them to the Colts and Springers. Their quality of finishing internally and externally is a little better than the other two from my experience.

There are some caveats from both Glocks and 1911's. Glocks generally suffer from shooters with poor trigger control technique. With the unique trigger the Glock has, those who do not practice a lot tend to shoot low left with the Glock because of poor trigger pull, the Glock requires a lot more of practice to get a good trigger pull technique down. Also the Glock is one size fits some, the grip is what it is and there is two things you can do about it, nothing and like it. There is a lot of aftermarket crap for Glocks to address these two things but I would just avoid them. If the Glock does not fit your hand or you can reach the trigger comfortably look at something else, don't think there is some wonder rubber sleeve, furry tape, or sandpaper that will fix it.

1911's require more maintenance than a Glock. They must be cleaned after every range outing, and extended shooting sessions. I usually find after about 400 - 500 rounds on extended shooting sessions I need to give my Kimber a quick cleaning to ensure full reliability. Also 1911's are usually very magazine picky. Some work well with Kimber, ACT, and surplus generic mags, a lot don't, same with other mags. Usually staying with high quality mags like Tripp Research, Wilson Combat, Chip McCormick, and the like eliminates this problem.

There you go, I hope that helps.