1911 Shooting help

[Fabio760]

So I just got my first 1911 have maybe 100 rounds through it and ive noticed I shoot down and to the right quite a bit now after some research Ive chalked this up to jerking the trigger since when I aim off to the left quite a bit I hit. Now my question is it soley my jerking of the trigger or CAN it be in the realm of possibility the sight be slightly off if so how would I test for that? Secondly how far should my target be on average say whats a typical close range shot and whats stretching the capabilities of a handgun? Thanks all.

[AeroEngi]

The only way to know for sure is to shoot the gun from a rest. This will tell you if the sights are off or if it's you. Maybe have someone else shoot it if you don't have a rest.

[gsparesa]

If your the original owner of a new firearm and have not messed with it then it's most probably you. Otherwise what Aero said. ^^^

[davidb]

Start at 7 yards and work your way out further. Slow down, make sure sights are aligned, and shoot off the reset. Could be that the sights are set for 25 yards hence the shooting low, the shooting right is probably you though.

[Kappy]

Well... a few good questions here.

For the first question, are you getting a consistent group? I would suggest having a really good shooter try a few shots with it. I would also (as mentioned above) try a rest. Try a few changes to your grip. Perhaps try shooting with both thumbs pointing towards the target. I recently started shooting one of my guns with the left thumb pointing up.

How far should you be shooting? That depends upon your purpose. 25 yards is somewhat common. 10 or 12 yards is also common. I'll shoot closer than that if I'm doing point-shooting. NRA Bullseye shooting (which is usually off-hand) is 50ft (roughly 17 yards). I very rarely shoot farther than 25 yards.

[tanks]

...NRA Bullseye shooting (which is usually off-hand) is 50ft (roughly 17 yards)...

It is 50 yards, not 50ft for NRA Bullseye slow fire shooting. BTW, one can use the 1911 or both the centerfire and .45 phases.

[static2126]

So I just got my first 1911 have maybe 100 rounds through it and ive noticed I shoot down and to the right quite a bit now after some research Ive chalked this up to jerking the trigger since when I aim off to the left quite a bit I hit. Now my question is it soley my jerking of the trigger or CAN it be in the realm of possibility the sight be slightly off if so how would I test for that? Secondly how far should my target be on average say whats a typical close range shot and whats stretching the capabilities of a handgun? Thanks all.

If you are grouping consistently but location is off (fist to palm sized at 10 yards) then it may be the sights. If the shots are everywhere (no pattern) it is the shooter.

For handgun imo once you get the basics down, spend your range time from 10 to 25 yards. At 10 yards shoot small dots too (thumbnail sized). Everything I can do at 25 yards I can do faster at 10 and even faster at 7, etc.

1911 is an easy gun to reach out with i can hit paper on a standard NRA 25 yard pistol target (the square ones) at 100 with a 45 1911 all day. This is paper at 100 not the bulls bullseye)

If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area I will be at Reeds this morning at 11:30 or so. If you bring your 1911 and 20 rounds I will let you know if your sights are off and if they are not what sight picture you should use

[static2126]

Well... a few good questions here.

For the first question, are you getting a consistent group? I would suggest having a really good shooter try a few shots with it. I would also (as mentioned above) try a rest. Try a few changes to your grip. Perhaps try shooting with both thumbs pointing towards the target. I recently started shooting one of my guns with the left thumb pointing up.

How far should you be shooting? That depends upon your purpose. 25 yards is somewhat common. 10 or 12 yards is also common. I'll shoot closer than that if I'm doing point-shooting. NRA Bullseye shooting (which is usually off-hand) is 50ft (roughly 17 yards). I very rarely shoot farther than 25 yards.

NRA bullseye is 50 yards not ft

[RR.44]

Your sights could be off, what brand is your 1911?

[ACfixer]

I shoot almost every new (to me) firearm I get low/left, to the point I thought the sights needed adjustment... The bottom line is that if I would have adjusted the sights I would now be shooting them high/right. In other words, it was all me.

Are you left eye dominant?

Search the web for low/right and make sure you aren't doing those things. Tighten your grip and shoot another 100 rounds and see what happens.

[Dinosaur Jr]

[Gem1950]

If your hands are not large/beefy could be an arched MSH would help...that and the right trigger length combo.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=842831

http://www.coltforum.com/forums/colt-semiauto-pistols/48858-arched-mainspring-housings.html

[rogervzv]

Yes, how about more details, OP?

When one of my guns is off, if I don't have a rest handy I always ask one of the ROs who is a good shot to try the gun. Often this tells me if it is me or the sight.

[aklon]

Grip is important, but often overlooked is how you actually put pressure on the trigger. This is a consideration when using the 1911 (IMNSHO) and my long experience with the pistol has taught me that the only part of your trigger finger that ever touches the gun is the tip only and that on the trigger. Rather than pivot your finger on the second knuckle and thereby pulling it, depress the trigger in a straight line back towards the joint between your thumb and finger (or the center of the grip safety).

Whatever you end up doing, in the long run the 1911 will make you a better shot as you learn how to meet the gun's potential.

(And if you can, do take up static2126' invitation. Even if the sights don't need fixing, you'll pick up valuable advice, tips, and insights.)

[Calif Hunter]

Plus the above! Having started with revolvers, I was using the first joint of my trigger finger instead of the tip when I started with 1911s.