Colt...who woulda thunk

[doc2rn]

I took my dad shooting today since he hasn't fired a weapon in 30 yrs. He tried every handgun I own (7) and the only thing he could hit the broad side of a barn with was a 1956 Colt MIM 1911.
Now this is not a .45 ACP vs. 9mm rant, but he couldn't hit the barn from the inside with a modern pistol. The range owner who instructed my dad, since he didn't want instruction from his boy, even let him go through modern .45 rental guns, to no avail.
Not to knock dad he was dead on with a 6" grouping at 10 yds, and was 9.75" at 15 yds with my Colt.
So my questions are, does anyone else find it hard to shoot well with a modern firearm? Was dad just trying to prove the point they don't make 'em like they used to?

[Jimmy Newman]

It was probably that the famed 1911 trigger made it harder to anticipate recoil and flinch.

[KyJim]

It probably was the trigger plus good ergonomics.

[Majic]

Just what is a modern pistol? Although the materials used to make them can be different they still use a similar action that has been around for about 100 years.

[The Bushmaster]

A Colt is a Colt is a Colt is a Colt....Period

[ceadermtnboy]

oops

[Jim PHL]

Not necessarily the age of the design. Just the design itself. One of the many things that has made the 1911 so popular for so long is the combination of single-stack grip width, grip angle and that great trigger. When I shot my first 1911 for the first time, I put 15 rounds (2 mags plus 1) pretty much into one hole you could just about cover with a tic-tic box. My father also shot it very well last week after not having shot a 1911 since his service days and my daughter also did very well with it the first time she ever went shooting.
So easy to hit with. Love it!

[Feud]

So my questions are, does anyone else find it hard to shoot well with a modern firearm? Was dad just trying to prove the point they don't make 'em like they used to?

Could be the trigger works better for him, could be that he shoots single stacks better than double, any number of reasons. The important thing is that he found one he is good with, which means that everyone can enjoy themselves more!

[Geronimo45]

The trigger. Usually lighter, or at least with a shorter throw, than 'modern' designs. Since trigger weight tends to be equal to or higher than the weight of the gun, jerking the trigger on a handgun can throw you off quite a bit. A lesser weight throws you off less.
Or he could've just had more confidence in the Colt. Confidence in your weapon can influence your shooting.

[doc2rn]

By modern design I am talking about polymer and steel designs. FN 9mm, Glock 32 3rd Gen, Sig, or Kimber none of them where as accurate as the Colt in my dad's hands. I cant wait to get a Styer M9A1 and see how he handles it. I prefer single stacks but I like a little different grip angle. I shoot the FN9 better than any of the others. Everyone is different, but I guess you are right about the trigger being the key.

[doc2rn]

I should tell you he really wanted to shoot the Glock more than any other, and he was all over the place with .357 Sig.

[Seancass]

I'm sure it was the trigger. i still have trouble with double action triggers even after practicing. The single action has always been easier for me. short crisp pull.