I am a fan of the plastic fantastic varieties for their utility ( I prefer M&Ps to Glocks ). That said they are just missing that "something" that you get with a 1911 (2011) or BHP. As far as reliability, the myth about glock being perfect and 1911s being terrible is so over done I'm beyond sick of it. I have multiple 1911 platforms that run like sewing machines, including one i havnt fully cleaned in over 5k rounds. I keep it lubed and it runs perfectly. I have enough confidence in it that it is my primary sidearm.
Comparing a $500 1911 to a $500 Glock is apples and oranges. A 1911 is a full machined gun that requires more man hours to complete and assemble. Labor is the major factor in any BOM. A $500 1911 is more like a $299 econo plastic pistol. At the same time you dont need to spend $1000s to get a reliable 1911. My Kimber is a $900ish gun that is as reliable as any Glock I have been around with a trigger that a Glock could only wish for. My Triarcs are a little over $2k each, but they are reliable, go to weapons that I will also eventually be handed down to my kids and maybe someday grand kids. There isnt a Glock made that will take the kind of generational wear that a 1911 will and still be a family heirloom. I still shoot my 1918 mfg 1911 and it just runs.
Dont hate on the Glock or the 1911.
Chris