Accuracy question: 1911 vs P220

[VFX_man]

Hi all, am trying to "de-bug" an issue I am having.

Scenario: 2 guns, both .45 ACP's shooting same ammo

Gun #1: Kimber Custom CDP II - 1911
Gun #2: Sig Sauer P220

Shooting one then the other. I am getting tight grouping from the Kimber [<2 inches] and a much looser grouping from the Sig [3.5 inch] . Am wondering if it is a grip difference? The 1911 does feel more "attached" to my hand due to the course handle, and the Sig is a sexy smooth handle.

Thoughts? Granted the Kimber is more expensive . . .

[BDH]

100 years of evolution for the 1911, about 20 for the 220.
I've had both, but the 1911 always felt more at home in my hand. The 220 was a pleasure to to carry though. Wish I had one in .38 Super.
Bruce

[CSACANNONEER]

It's probably more about how each gun fits your hand than anything else.

The only reason I don't own a Sig is because, I would end up owning a bunch of them. For now, I'll stick with my Kimbers for throwing .452 dia pieces of lead down range.

[The Original Godfather]

I wouldn't say it's the actual guns themselves, more so how YOUR hands fit to the said guns.

I shoot the 1911 with a little more precision, mainly because its a smaller grip for my small hands, but if I had to pick one to go into battle and/or carry on my person, p220 hands down.

[VFX_man]

My grip, figured as much. The Kimber is my target range gun and the P220 is my Carry and back-up hunting gun.

I've shot my father-in-law's police service [retired] Glock and the pattern I get from that would be great . . . for a shotgun

[sammy]

It is all about you. Both these guns will shoot a singe hole at say 15 yards. Out to 25 yards they should be with in 1/2" of each other. The only thing the 1911 has over the Sig is a better trigger. Cleaner break will help get smaller groups.

[Kruzr]

If the 220 had a trigger like the Kimber, you would probably shoot it almost the same.

[Low-Pressure]

I've owned my P220 for almost 20 years! It was my favorite gun until I fired my 1911. My grouping on my 1911 is much better than the P220. For me, I think the 1911's is are more accurate flat form than the P series guns.

[stormvet]

I own all three sizes of Kimber 1911s also a Sig P220 Elite SAO. I will out shoot the Sig with all three of my Kimbers including the 3" Ultra CDP. Your test does not surprise me.

[9mmepiphany]

I stared with a Colt 1911 when Colt was the only game in town, I've carried a SIG 220 for over 10 years as a duty, off-duty and teaching gun.

Out of the box, shooting both off a rest, in SA at 25 yards the SIG 220 has always been the more accurate. At 7-15 yards, I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference, as both would drop bullets on previous shots.

Just reading your post and looking at the picture posted...without even asking which grip style you are using...I'd say that the grip panels on the SIG are too large for your hand. If you wanted a level plane comparison, you could replace the panels oin the Kimber with some from a RIA (thickest I've handled) and replace the MSH with an arched one. Or you could go the other way and just slap some Hogue G-10 panels on the SIG (thinnest I've handled)

[fullrearview]

I've seen guys shot the lights out with a hi point, then lack the ability to "hit water if they fell out of a boat" while shooting glocks, sigs, 1911's...

It really depends on the shooter. There are days where I have the crappiest groups ever, then on other days (in training), have to fight a guy for two minutes, run a good distance and be able to hit a silhouette at 60+ yards 15 out of 15.

I have found, more times than not, missed shots are all in your head.

[dem0critus]

If the 220 had a trigger like the Kimber, you would probably shoot it almost the same.

This is exactly what I was thinking.

[ap3572001]

A tunned 1911 made for BE shooting with 185SWC or 200SWC loaded is a pistol of chice for BE shooting. I would not compare it to P220. A stock P220 with service ammunition will be more accurate and more reliable than a new 1911 that cost the same.

[jcaoloveshine]

Mechanical accuracy is probably very similar when shot from a Ransom rest. f

Practical accuracy, however, accounts for ergonomics, trigger, and just fit/feel in a shooter's hand. That's up to you, not the gun at that point.

I shoot best with the 1911 platform, something about polymers that makes it harder for me to control recoil.

[huckberry668]

So I'm going to ask some stupid questions first. How far were you shooting the groups? How did you hold the guns? benched on sand bags or off hand standing? One handed or 2 hand hold?

From my 20 experience with 1911s and 17 with P220s... for most shooters...

1. Trigger stop (over travel adjusted) - the Kimber has one and P220 doesn't. Before the 'instructors' jump in about pulling the trigger straight back old crap. The over travel on the P220 is quite long and could cause you the yank the shots off. Especially for inexperienced shooters. The thing is, you don't even realize it's affecting your shooting.

2. Sight radius - 1911 has about 7" and p220 has 6.25". Advantage 1911.

3. Sight post-gap - the front sight of the 1911 probably fills the rear sight gap more than the p220. This will allow for more precised sight picture.

4. Balance - they both weigh the same but the 1911 does have a longer slide/barrel. It may feel a bit better balanced.