1911 Shooting Low

[Sergius]

Hi all, I've had a Colt Series 80 1991 that I've owned for a couple years and it consistently shoots low. I figured it might be that it hasn't broken in yet, so I waited until I shot a few hundred rounds through before I judged. It had a flat mainspring housing which I have switched out for an arched mainspring housing, which fits my big hands much better, along with a long trigger. I did this because I thought the pistol was shooting low because it didn't my hand well enough. Now I have maybe 4-500 rounds through it and it still shoots low. I don't think I'm the problem because when I tilt the muzzle up so the bottom of the front sight is level with the rear, it shoots POA/POI, although at first I figured that it might be user error and I was flinching, but to me .45 is very controllable and easy to manage. I shoot a modified Weaver stance, thumbs forward, hand high up on the pistol grip, and left eye dominant (I'm right handed and this is unorthodox for most right handed shooters).

What's the problem here? I'm thinking the front sight needs to be shorter but it has night sights and I don't want to get rid of the white dots or file down the front and lose it.

PS. This is at a distance of 10 yards shooting 230gr hardball. I can't really group at 25 yards so I can't tell if that's the problem.

[jonzer77]

What is the height of your front sight?

Also, have you tried shooting it from sandbags on a rest? That way you can take some of the user factor out of the equation.

['ol shooter]

Did you shoot it from a rest and get the same results? Might be you and not the gun, just worth a try if you haven't done that.

[Loubot10]

[Sergius]

What is the height of your front sight?

Also, have you tried shooting it from sandbags on a rest? That way you can take some of the user factor out of the equation.

Did you shoot it from a rest and get the same results? Might be you and not the gun, just worth a try if you haven't done that.

Unfortunately, my range doesn't have sandbags available, nor do I have any. I'd like to get some try, I'm not taking myself out of the equation.

My front sight height is whatever came stock on a Colt O1991. It looks pretty tall to me. Definitely not GI style. If I had to guess, I'd say the front sight is about 5mm's in height.

EDIT: Just measured the height and it is in fact 5mm's in height.

[Gio]

Where are you located at? Also have you tried shooting the same ammo everytime you've been to the range?

[Sergius]

Where are you located at? Also have you tried shooting the same ammo everytime you've been to the range?

Located in the Bay Area. I've always shot 230gr hardball, usually PMC. On my last outing I used Winchester. It's shot low with both.

[Black Majik]

If you have a chance, let someone else give it a try to see if it has the same results?

[Snoopy47]

PS. This is at a distance of 10 yards shooting 230gr hardball. I can't really group at 25 yards so I can't tell if that's the problem.

So all other pistols you have you're able to dill the 9 ring at 25 yards, and erase the X ring at 10?

Army Marksmanship Unit's Pistol Training Guide:

http://www.bullseyepistol.com/amucover.htm

All pistols are going to group if the sights aren't moving around. i.e. the barrel and sight relationship is constant with each shot.

My money is on flinching.

Oh yea.................why is it no one ever complains about shooing high?

[J-cat]

My Sig P210 shoots high, and to the left. So there!

They say cuz it's regulated for 55 yards, but I wish it wasn't.

[MauserMike]

i had the same probalem untill i figured out my novak sights. only took one more trip to the range and it was dead on. have to aim higher at closer distance its funky but thats how it works on my gun. i hope thats all you have to do.

[trigger945]

OP, before making any changes, benchrest it AND have someone proficient shoot it. Then see from there if changes are indeed needed.

Good luck!

[IntoForever]

Have someone load your magazine for you and put in a snap cap or two to see if you're pulling in anticipation of the recoil. I find that to be the problem with 99% of my students who have that problem.

[XDJYo]

Located in the Bay Area. I've always shot 230gr hardball, usually PMC. On my last outing I used Winchester. It's shot low with both.

Sergius, where in the Bay Area are you located? I know that the Livermore Range has a heavy rest as well as bags that you can use. Also, a lot of very good, experienced shooters and range masters there that can help out.

If not, during a break at your next range visit, just look for other 1911 shooters that are putting rounds on target and are grouping very well. Ask them to help out.

Also, if you let us know where you are, I'm sure there will be a willing CG-er to help out. I know I would! (Although I'm far from being a dead-eye shot).

Hope this helps and happy shooting and be safe!

[nahpungnome]

How low is it shooting at 10 yards? I find my Baer shoots about 1" low at 5 yards, but dead on at 10 yards. I have adjustable rears on mine, but I haven't touched them. Maybe yours is regulated further out?