1911 vs 2011 – Pistol Guide

The 1911 is a legendary firearm with a storied history that helped win two world wars. Chambered in 45 ACP, it features more firepower but less capacity than the newer, 9mm-chambered 2011.

The Backstory on 1911’s and the 2011 Upstart

Read any magazine article, book, or blog post about the Colt M1911 and you’ll inevitably come across the word “iconic.” It’s a cliche but, like most cliches, it’s true: the 1911 is an icon.

Created over a century ago, this classic double-stack firearm has been a standard for military and civilian purposes. It’s reliable and, thanks in large part to the standard .45 ACP load, extremely powerful. But it’s also sleek and elegant, one of the main reasons the 1911 profile has been such a commercial success.

The handgun does deliver a significant drawback though. Mainly, the typical magazine only carries eight rounds. Granted, that’s eight rounds (plus the chamber) of hard-smashing .45 Auto ammo, but it’s still only eight. A standard Glock 19, by comparison, carries 15 rounds.

To address this concern, firearms innovators created the 2011, a handgun that looks nearly identical to a 1911 but has a few important features that make it vastly different…

1911 vs 2011 Handguns: Features/Characteristics

To understand the 1911 and 2011 handguns, it helps to understand how they are similar and (probably more important) how they are different.

Before we dive in, we should mention an important point. When we discuss these two firearms, we are discussing standard or typical models. The 1911 has been around for nearly a century; as such, there are numerous types and variations, including double-stack and 9mm versions. (Purists would not consider a 9mm handgun to be a true 1911.) For this discussion, we are talking about the typical or traditional versions, regardless of all the available variations.

With that aside, let’s start with the similarities. It may surprise you to discover that these two rounds are closer than think…

The Similarities Between the 1911 and 2011

The main similarity between these two handguns is their overall size and shape. The 2011 was made, essentially, to mimic the appearance of the 1911 handgun. It largely achieved this goal by using a similar slide, trigger, and overall shape.

The trigger is arguably the most important similarity. The 1911 was built with a trigger that pulls straight back instead of pivoting on a pin. This creates a smooth pull that helps maintain the target. Every 1911, regardless of price range, uses this style; it’s one reason the 1911 is popular for competition shooting; the trigger supports accurate shooting. The 2011 kept this trigger style.

The size is virtually the same as well. Both are just shy of nine inches in overall length, with a height of about six inches. The 2011 is a bit thick because of the double-stack profile, but overall the dimensions are similar.

The Differences Between the 1911 and 2011

From the outside, these two cartridges seem very different. However, if we take a closer look at the internal factors, including the cartridge, magazine style, capacity, and customizability, we see many differences between the two.

Ammo/Cartridges

The larger 45 ACP cartridges (left) used with 1911 pistols side by side with the smaller 9mm cartridge used by 2011 shooters (right).

Possibly the most important factor for many users, these two handguns use two different cartridges. A traditional 1911 uses .45 ACP ammo, which is one of the most powerful handgun cartridges on the market. The 2011, on the other hand, uses the smaller but far more popular 9mm Luger ammo. That round is incredibly popular for self-defense and target shooting. This means 1911 handguns pack a larger round, heavier bullets, and more power. However, because the 9mm Luger is smaller, it can back more rounds in a similar magazine.

Magazine: Double or Single Stack

A standard 1911 magazine uses a single-stack design. This means the rounds are stacked exactly one on top of the other. The 2011 was made with a double-stack, which stacks the rounds essentially beside each other. This makes the magazine wider, even with the smaller 9mm Luger, but allows the handgun to double the ammo capacity. While a 1911 magazine holds eight rounds, a typical 2011 holds 16.

(A double-stack 1911 with .45 ACP is available, as are 1911s chambered for 9mm. But again we are talking about a standard or typical model.)

Modularity (The Grip)

If there is one defining feature of the 2011, a characteristic that this handgun holds but the 1911 does not, it’s grip modularity. The grip design is, in fact, a key aspect, arguably the defining feature of a 2011.

On the classic 1911, the grip is a single construction. You can remove the grip panels, but the rest of the grip is built into the body of the handgun. Conversely, the 2011 has a detachable grip, often referred to as a “modular” grip. (As in, you can modify it.) The grip construction encompasses the grip, magazine well, and trigger guard.

Essentially, the 1911 is a single component, while the 2011 is built with a separate body and grip frame.

This creates a visual marker for the pistol. On a 2011 handgun, you’ll see a screw above the trigger guard on the right side of the weapon. This is the screw that is removed to detach the grip from the body, and it’s one of the quickest ways to identify a 2011 against a 1911.

Pricing

While you can easily spend $3,000 on a 1911, these handguns are usually more affordable. Shoppers will inevitably find overlapping prices, but the 1911 has budget-friendly models that are currently lacking in the 2011. Also, the 2011 is made with a more complex construction and built to tighter tolerances, increasing the retail cost for these models.

1911 vs 2011 Pistol: Making the Choice

Advantages of the 1911:

• A classic handgun; one of the most historic weapons in America.
• Many budget-friendly handgun options are available.
• The more powerful, larger .45 ACP is a devastating self-defense load.

Advantages of the 2011:

• Modular grip allows for more customization.
• Built to tight tolerances, the 2011 is considered by many to be more accurate.
• 9mm Luger is a well-balanced, light-recoil cartridge.
• Although there are cheaper 1911 handguns, the 9mm Luger is cheaper, potentially making the 2011 more affordable in the long run.