My new 1911 :(

[MaxxZer0]

So I brought my first 1911 to the range the other day, and the sights aren't even close. Its shooting high and left, consistently. I had a decent group just nowhere near where i was aiming lol.

I had my friend watch me to make sure I wasn't flinching or anything like that. It was even off when he shot it. Then I shot my friends 1911 GI model and it was right on.

So what should I do, should I try to find a gunsmith in my area? or just send it back to smith?

thanks

[gawker]

Send it back if its a new gun.

[sirgiles]

what kind of sights do you have?
manufacturer?

[WDE91]

what distance?
what brand of gun?
what brand of ammo?
can you legitimately shoot a pistol well?
could it be a flinching issue?

[PRCABR4Christ]

http://www.centerfiretraining.com/id15.html

I would suggest boresighting you gun to verify your sight package as well, in addition to that, have an experienced (read: GOOD) shooter test your gun, or test your gun on a sandbag and see where that gets you

[MaxxZer0]

what kind of sights do you have?
manufacturer?

This the gun I have minus the fancy grips.

http://www.impactguns.com/smith-and-wesson-1911-45acp-5-inch-novak-sights-crimson-trace-lasergrips-8rd-108295-022188082951.aspx

[JeremyS]

You can always drift the sights to compensate for the left/right aim. Drift the rear sight left to move bullet impact left, right for right. Opposite for the front sight, but typically people drift the rear.

Some guns are supposed to hit above the sight (i.e. the front sight is the body of the " i " and the bullet hole is the dot on the " i "). Some hit behind the sight (black out the target w/ the front sight dot). Neither is right or wrong or better than the other. Typically one is more for target shooting and one for defense, or for long or short distances, etc. Just something to get used to.

That said... you didn't mention at all how far off you're actually talking about and at what distance you're shooting.

[MaxxZer0]

That said... you didn't mention at all how far off you're actually talking about and at what distance you're shooting.

The target was about 20 feet away.

Once i learned to compensate for the drift by putting the left rear sight under my target and putting the front sight behind the right rear dot i was hitting pretty well. With a normal sight picture i was consistently hitting a spot about 4 inches up and over.

I made sure I was observed for flinching or anticipation and neither was observed.

My friend shot my gun and had the same issue with the sights.

Likewise when I shot my friends GI model my first shot was within an inch from the center of the bullseye.

[redcliff]

Does the rear sight look centerred in the dovetail? Were you shooting 230 gr FMJ? Were you using a 6 o'clock hold or a center hold on the target?

[ojisan]

^ Inquiring minds want to know.
New or used gun, what kind of sights does it have?
Both dovetail and stake-on front sights are available in different heights.
IARC

[PRCABR4Christ]

^ Inquiring minds want to know.
New or used gun, what kind of sights does it have?
Both dovetail and stake-on front sights are available in different heights.
IARC

if you'd clicked the link he posted you would have all that info

[MaxxZer0]

Does the rear sight look centerred in the dovetail? Were you shooting 230 gr FMJ? Were you using a 6 o'clock hold or a center hold on the target?

I was shooting Blazer brass FMJ, Not sure what the grain count was.

^ Inquiring minds want to know.
New or used gun, what kind of sights does it have?
Both dovetail and stake-on front sights are available in different heights.
IARC

Brand new. I belive they are dove tail Novak sights I linked the gun i have in an earlier post. The rear sight is more to left side of center.

[JeremyS]

The rear sight is more to left side of center.

Well... like I mentioned, move it left and your POI (point of impact) moves left. You're shooting left. Drift that puppy over to the right. Use a sandbag/rest so you can be as consistent as possible and really get the sight where it should be.

I'd also probably recommend throwing the target out there farther. 5" 1911 like that one might have a 25 yard (75 foot) distance in mind. Shooting farther out will exaggerate the sights being off, which can help you adjust it as close as possible to where it needs to be, and I'd bet it wont be shooting as high at that distance.

If you really feel a need to get your POI lower to match where you want to aim, you can either replace the front sight with a taller one, or file down the top of your rear sight. Obviously most people would put a new front sight on there first. Or, an elevation-adjustable rear would likely work.

[sammy]

If you want to meet up Sunday at USI I can see where it is shooting. I have a feeling it is not the gun. Smith & Wesson 1911's are great and I have never seen one that is as off as yours. PM me if interested. Sammy

[Lumpia is sarap!®]

With only 19 posts, is this your first gun?

I'd advise having a much more experienced shooter, like one of the range dudes, look at it.