[Samuel Adams]

I posted this on the 1911 forum but I would like to see some input from this forum also.

Two weeks ago I bought a pre-owned Charles Daly full size 1911 for $300. I couldn't pass on the deal because I always wanted a 1911. The gun appears to have been made in 2000 and has many of the features of a new CD 1911 but with basic military sights.

Today I took it to the local indoor range and fired it from a sitting position with the gun on a brace. The target was at 25 yards. I focused on the front site blade and controlled my breathing like Uncle Sam tought me years ago. I shot 2 7-round magazines at the target and when I brought it back, the group was all over the right lower quadrant of the target.

I put up a new target and sent it back out to 25 yards and shot again sitting and with the gun in a brace. This time I aimed at the top of the "5" Ring and all of the rounds ended up in the black area in the center of the target and slightly to the right.

In addition, during the 75 total rounds fired, I had one failure to eject and two jams.

I have a good idea what needs to be done about the jams and the ejection issues. I'm also aware that the 45 acp bullet will only drop about 2.5 inches at 25 yards.

What can be done to tighten up the groups and bring them closer to the center of the target? By the way, I was told at the range just to aim high.

[patrolman]

may want to try filing the front sight down little by little. best to do this while shooting for groups at whatever range you want to zero (25 yards?) shorter front sight will raise your groups into the bullseye and you won't have to replace the front sight. as far as for the groups landing slightly to the right, try drifting the rear sight (if it is dovetailed...) to the right little by little until the groups are centered.

[Jim K]

I don't know exactly what you mean by a "brace", but before you adjust anything try this. Set up a sandbag or a padded block so you can rest your WRISTS on it. Don't let any part of the gun touch the bench or anything except your hands.

Use a two hand hold and put the top of the front sight even with the top of the rear, with the entire bullseye sitting on top of the front sight (six-o'clock hold). Squeeze off and see what happens.

Jim

[Samuel Adams]

I used the sight alignment you mentioned. I will, however, use sandbags to rest my wrists instead of the gun. Thanks.

[jaybar]

may want to try filing the front sight down little by little. best to do this while shooting for groups at whatever range you want to zero (25 yards?) shorter front sight will raise your groups into the bullseye and you won't have to replace the front sight. as far as for the groups landing slightly to the right, try drifting the rear sight (if it is dovetailed...) to the right little by little until the groups are centered.

Patrolmen - methinks you gave a bit of wrong advice.

He said his errant groups were to the right - He should drift the rear sight to the LEFT to move his groups left.

[rcmodel]

+1

Also, not very much front sight there on a Mil-Spec 1911 to be filing any more off of it.
Pretty quickly, you would be out of sight, and down to the slide!

rcmodel

[patrolman]

:uhoh:oops,

caught me, there, jaybar. little bilateral dyslexia, i suspect. true, there isn't much height on the front sight to begin with, but it has worked for me in the past (so has swapping out a flat MSH for an arched one).