revolver guy transitioning to semis

[nn3453]

Hello gents/ladies,

A little background. I learned to shoot with a S&W 19. Then I got a S&W 686. Now I have a 625 and 617 as well. I've been shooting revolvers for over 10 years now.

Now that I have some cash in the bank, I am thinking of purchasing a medium/higher end 1911 like a Les Baer but don't want to be disappointed due to my lack of shooting skills and have to sell it for a loss.

I reload my ammo and my weekend shooter is my 625. I can manage to hit a 10" diameter plate at 50 yards 4 times out of 5 with a revolver, but I just can't with a 1911. With revolvers (S&W. No experience with Colts) I'm at the point where I naturally focus on the front sight without even thinking. I have been trying to get acquainted with my friends Springfield GI but I don't know why I am so bad with it. There is just too much muzzle flip and I feel like I'm doing something wrong. Or is it the gun? Everyone tells me that revolvers are inherently more accurate. Do higher end semis have the same accuracy potential as a $600 revolver?

Should I just give up on semi-autos because I'm too dense? My goal is to be able to hit a 10" plate twice (first shot and follow up). I can't even hit it the first time.

Should I save my money and reload more ammo or buy a Les Baer?

thanks.

[J-cat]

Do higher end semis have the same accuracy potential as a $600 revolver?

High-end semis have twice the accuracy potential of a $600 revolver.

[HowardW56]

DOn't underestimate the accuracy of a S&W 625, depending on the version.... My 625-2 is as accurate than any of my 1911's. My S&W 25-2 is better...

[nn3453]

DOn't underestimate the accuracy of a S&W 625, depending on the version.... My 625-2 is as accurate than any of my 1911's. My S&W 25-2 is better...

Howard I have th 625 JM. I got it when they first sold it and have held on to it since. It feels just natural.

[HowardW56]

Howard I have th 625 JM. I got it when they first sold it and have held on to it since. It feels just natural.

I made the transition to semi-auto pistols a long time ago, but I still love my revolvers...

Beretta 92 at first, then S&W 5906, Then to a to Sig P229... I have a few 1911's for fun.

The hardest part of the transition was mastering the trigger reset...

[SCMA-1]

I assume you shoot your revolvers in single action mode mostly? If that's the case, then you are spoiled by the light hair trigger of revolvers in single action mode. Sounds like you need to relearn the basics but with a trigger that is more characteristic of most semi-autos. Also sounds like you have developed a flinch if you are noticing the muzzle flip; that will certainly degrade your concentration and accuracy. You don't need to spend lots of money on a 1911 to get decent accuracy. Most 1911's nowadays benefit from the tight tolerances that CNC and EDM machining yields, and most guns will be more accurate than the average shooter can shoot. Any Springfield Armory up to and including the loaded models will give you plenty of accuracy. Even the budget Rock Island Armory 1911's are plenty accurate. My point is it's not the equipment, it's the shooter.

SCMA-1

[Regulus]

High-end semis have twice the accuracy potential of a $600 revolver.

Hmmm... I find it highly unlikely that any semi is any more accurate than a $600 revolver, much less twice as accurate (potentially).
We could clamp them both down and see?

Adding a human element, you could potentially find someone who is twice as accurate with their pistol than another is with a revolver.

That just means they need to learn how to shoot their revolver.

OP, I wouldn't discourage you from your high-end pistol, especially if you can afford it. Shooting pistols is slightly different and with a little instruction (if needed) and more practice, I'll bet you could become AS accurate as you are with your revolver.

[nn3453]

I assume you shoot your revolvers in single action mode mostly?

Nope, I almost never cock back the hammer. DA most of the time.

I agree that it is me. I am wondering what it is that I'm doing wrong.

With a revolver, there is a flip but it doesn't twist. It goes straight up and then I'm back on target. My friends 1911 seems to twist. I can't get it to follow through and back on target after the shot.

thanks.

[J-cat]

Hmmm... I find it highly unlikely that any semi is any more accurate than a $600 revolver, much less twice as accurate (potentially).
We could clamp them both down and see?

Adding a human element, you could potentially find someone who is twice as accurate with their pistol than another is with a revolver.

That just means they need to learn how to shoot their revolver.

OP, I wouldn't discourage you from your high-end pistol, especially if you can afford it. Shooting pistols is slightly different and with a little instruction (if needed) and more practice, I'll bet you could become AS accurate as you are with your revolver.

Any semi? Then I guess you have not heard of semi-auto pistols shooting 1" groups at 50 yards. Hell, you can get a Les Baer with a 1.5" 50-yard guarrantee! $600 revolvers struggle to deliver 1" accuracy at 25 yards.

[scr83jp]

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[Regulus]

Any semi? Then I guess you have not heard of semi-auto pistols shooting 1" groups at 50 yards. Hell, you can get a Les Baer with a 1.5" 50-yard guarrantee! $600 revolvers struggle to deliver 1" accuracy at 25 yards.

Looks like I stand corrected.

I have personally put 30 rounds in a 1" group at 25 yards with my revolver (and have a pretty shooting pin from LASD for my effort).
Nonetheless, I did some research and must concede that high-end pistols will likely be more accurate than out of the box revolvers at greater distances.

Twice as accurate? Remains to be seen. As SCMA-1 said, the shooter ultimately determines the accuracy of any firearm.

I've never shot revolvers or pistols out to even 50 yards for accuracy, but perhaps since we are both in Orange County, we could get together and see how we'd do.

[RolinThundr]

I suggest trying different 1911s. The sights on SA's GI series, well they suck. Other SA 1911s and most mid-/high-end 1911s offer better options on sights which should help. Try SA's MC and Lightweight Operators, and their TRPs and Loaded series as well as Kimber 1911s (you may be able to find various SA and Kimber models to rent). Wilson Combat, Nighthawk Custom, and Les Baer are a few high-end ones, but good luck finding one you can rent.

[J-cat]

I have personally put 30 rounds in a 1" group at 25 yards with my revolver (and have a pretty shooting pin from LASD for my effort).

My best these days is five shots into a .25" group at 15 yards from a benchrest, using a 9mm pistol. I once fired a 1" 50-yard group with an 8" 44 Mag Anaconda, but that gun was an anomaly.

[sargenv]

If it's double action you need as opposed to a crisp single action pull of a 1911, maybe you should take a look at the Para LDA. I absolutely love mine and my usual revolver to shoot is a tricked out S&W 610 with about a 6 pound, glass smooth trigger. The LDA stacks up and breaks similar to a DA Revo. See if you can find one at a store and give it a try. If you are in the bay area, I could meet you at the Richmond range sometime and you can try mine out.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

Transitioning from a revolver to a semi-automatic requires a number of adjustments. Grip, trigger manipulation and controls are the primary concerns.

Grip - ensure that the weapon is bedded down in your hand as far as possible. With the Springfield, the tang (the part of the frame that protrudes below the hammer) should be firmly bedded against the web of your hand. This minimizes muzzle flip. The grip should be firm, but not white-knuckle tight. The weapon should be placed in the firing hand such that the weapon is aligned with the forearm. The support hand should be placed so that the heel and thumb base fill the part of the grip not covered by the firing hand. Thumbs may be placed parallel and pointing toward the muzzle or the thumb of the support hand may be placed over the thumb of the firing hand, as you find comfortable.

Trigger manipulation - The trigger should cross the center of your fingerprint - revolver shooters commonly place their trigger fingers too far into the trigger, with the trigger crossing the first joint of the finger. When firing, try holding the trigger in until you have realigned the sights on target, then slowly releasing it until you feel/hear it reset. Don't release it any further; you are ready to begin adding pressure for the next shot.

Controls - You'll need to practice manipulating the thumb safety, magazine release and slide release. Dry practice is highly recommended for this.

Your best bet is to find a competent instructor with experience transitioning shooters from revolvers to semi-autos. I have done this for a number of LEOs over the years and it's not the same as basic shooting instruction.