Think I'm turning in my autos

My first love was a 38 Special.I now have 4 of 'em.
And I have a few other revolvers.

But a bit of American history resides in the 1911.
So while I love revolvers, a 1911 will always be a part of my collection.

NOTHING irrates those worshipping at certain semi auto (or revolver) alters than someone else nailing it with something you are competent with.

Nail those Wheelies! Buy more of them if that is what you truly shot better, and have more fun at the range with.

That force is yours and with you.

They are your guns to do with as you please but if I were you I wouldn’t jump to selling them off too quickly.

I would put them away for a while and when you are ready I would see about getting some coaching. Shoot them and then decide.

I have sold a few guns that I regret selling because I rushed things. I have also sold guns that I am glad that I did, but these days when I decide I do not “need” a gun I put it away for a while to decide if that is what I really want to do.

On another note I learned to shoot handguns by shooting revolvers. When I was in the Navy I was a Gunner’s Mate and had to qualify with a 1911. I was a terrible shot but somehow always managed to qualify. After I got out of the Navy I bought my own 1911, but I paid an instructor to help me learn to shoot it properly. It was money well spent, and I still shot revolvers just as well as I did before. It wasn’t like I converted to “auto pistol only” or anything like that.
I still shoot revolvers and semi autos and I love shooting them all.

Don’t limit yourself.

Variety is the spice of life....

You may be doing what I do when switching from my LCP my 1911's, over pressing the trigger. I get get used to the long heavy double action trigger on the LCP and will press on the trigger of the 1911 with the same force I use on the LCP. Instead of just pressing to the break I push past past it and push the gun off target.

If you have been shooting handgun for only about a year or so, and as you state, you just picked up your 1911's this year, I would submit you need to get a little more trigger time... and I'm not talking about just round count. Spend a little money and take a class, or if you have a good shooting friend with more experience, and, again, I'm not talking about taking an advanced combat class... just basic pistol shooting... preferably one-on-one instruction with someone that is willing to take the time with you. That is not to say one type of pistol won't be your favorite, but you should be able to shoot anything well with proper technique.

My introduction to handguns in general, and revolvers specifically, was with my brother's S&W .41 Magnum... shooting full-house Magnum factory. Not the best idea, and I'm not going to lie... it took me almost 10 YEARS to overcome the bad habits I developed taking on that .41 as my first pistol. After a lot of work, and a return to .22LR pistols for a bit, I am a much better shooter today, and while I like to shoot 1911's the most, I am reasonable with most any handgun if I take my time and apply proper technique.

Two other things... 1) Sometimes a change of grips will help (or hurt) how you shoot a pistol... I found that out with a J-frame Smith I had; and 2) some people shoot one kind of pistol better than another. I am a 1911 man, they just fit my hand and my way of shooting. I don't shoot small revolvers very well. You may find (or have found) the very same thing...

Practice by yourself or with 'buddies' may never be a good solution. Find a good basic handgun techniques class. Not a self-defense, shoot 'em up class but a how to shoot well class.
You cannot always see your faults, nor can untrained casual gun users.

Bones741 said:

So I think I'm going to sell the two 1911's and get another revolver or two. I shoot them better, and enjoy them more. Kind of a random post, but was wondering if anyone else has gone through the same thing?

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Not quite the same with me, but I hear ya! I have been trying for decades to prefer the auto pistol, but I just don't. More ammo on board, faster and simpler reloading, often a better trigger too, I understand all that...but naah. Whether it is reasonable or not, I like revolvers more.

I have pistols ranging from the Colt N1903 ,25 cal to the Gold Cup Trophy and even a lettered 1918 year 1911. I shoot most, not all on a rotating basis and find that practice makes a difference as each model can print differently, so I practice if I'm way off target to improve. Moving on, I have SAA Colts, and double action Pythons, Diamondbacks, Troopers. Triggers all vary so it might take me a few rounds to get where I want to be. I began decades ago (almost 69) and a Vet and learned from some great instructors inclusive of a few classes. Own A CHL that I've had for well over a decade and my last renewal will be the final and then it's a for life deal in Texas, Renew online. Might carry a Detective Special or a LW Commander depending. My regular carry is a SIG P239 9mm that fits the bill for concealability, accuracy and reliability and I really like the double action and decocker features and the controls are ergonomically excellent. To be proficient with your firearms, it takes range time and lots of it. Pick one firearm and when you are in the black consistently, pick another and so on. Some folks are naturals, some not so much and need that time firing the weapon. Just my opinion. I'd hold on to what you have and learn to shoot em all with confidence.

WestTexShooter said:

NOTHING irrates those worshipping at certain semi auto (or revolver) alters than someone else nailing it with something you are competent with.

Nail those Wheelies! Buy more of them if that is what you truly shot better, and have more fun at the range with.

That force is yours and with you.

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In my experience if one is proficient with a revolver they are probably a better than decent shot with a semi, so I find the OP’s dilemma interesting, especially with a Glock.

huntsman said:

In my experience if one is proficient with a revolver they are probably a better than decent shot with a semi.

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This has been my experience as well.

The first handgun I fired was at Parris Island SC, the 1911A1-45ACP for familiarization. If memory serves me correctly the first revolver I fired was a S&W M15-38Spl. As this is written I still have a limited collection of revolvers but predominantly shoot semiautomatic pistols. In my experience shot Bullseye competition extensively 25&50Yds mostly with a 1911 series pistol and on occasion a S&W M25 revolver 45ACP/AR. As this is written shoot mostly semiautomatic pistols 9X19mm which is a matter of economics mostly. Semiautomatic and or Revolver hold/sight (picture) alignment - trigger press & recoil management. I shoot mostly semiautomatic pistols 9X19mm (Matter of Economics) and 45ACP. As for revolvers I still have examples in 38Spl - 357Mag & 44 Mag/Spl but seldom shoot them.

Bones741 said:

Well I decided to hang onto the Ruger 1911. It's a solid gun and I just need improve with it. Besides every American gun owner should have a 1911 in there collection.

However I'm going to sell off the ria xt22 to fund a 22 revolver. Yea I won't get to practice on a 1911 frame,but I just plain enjoy revolvers and shoot them better so I might as well get a 22 cal one.

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Good move.

I carried an M1911A1 for 16 years in the Army before they betrayed me and gave me a Beretta for my last 4 years. I competed in IPSC and Bianchi Cup with a CZ-75. I sold my last semiautomatic almost 20 years ago IIRC. Why? My wife couldn't get past the brass ejecting, thought it was going to hit her in the face, called them "guns that shoot back." While wearing a badge, I carried revolvers the whole time, even after almost all my officers carried Glock 22s.

Now, I'm retired and have become my wife's primary caregiver. I keep looking at the longer barreled 9mm pistols but continue to carry my .38s and .357s. I can place rounds on a B-27 or CLEET qualification target out to 100 yards, so I don't really feel I'm missing much.

Bones741 said:

Besides every American gun owner should have a 1911 in there collection.

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Nope, not me. The largest caliber handgun I own is a GP-100 4" in .357. That being said I DO own 4 SA pistols, 2 inherited, 2 bought. They are a Junior Colt .25 ACP that was still NIB until I got it, a Colt .32 ACP that is almost 100 years old, an Astra .380 I've owned for about 40 years, and a Keltec PMR-30 in .22 Mag.

For the last few years I thought the way the OP did, in my opinion I shot my revolvers better than my 1911s or G17s. So for about 2 years all I shot was revolver. The a few months ago I was headed out with a friend and took my G17, shot at steel with a timer and discovered that I'm not that bad with an auto-loader after all. So for next years match season will prolly do some production class in steel challenge. Still, revolver is my main thing.

Another poster asked about the OP shooting revolver in DA I didn't see a response did I miss it?

jrmiddleton425 said:

You don't need to get rid of the autos...you need 30 minutes with a competent instructor to show you WHAT and HOW to correct.

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I would love to find a good instructor and I don't mean a certified NRA instructor. I mean someone that can diagnose what I am doing wrong and what to do to correct it. I don't need someone to tell me what a magazine is or how a slide works or what the difference is between fixed and adjustable sights. Some of the NRA instructors I've seen are no better shooters than the rest of us, they just spent the money on the video and work book so they can be labeled "certified".

I'm a revolver guy but there are a few semi autos I want on my side of the fence, primarily a 1911 and a good quality .22 target pistol.

MoreIsLess said:

I would love to find a good instructor and I don't mean a certified NRA instructor. I mean someone that can diagnose what I am doing wrong and what to do to correct it. I don't need someone to tell me what a magazine is or how a slide works or what the difference is between fixed and adjustable sights. Some of the NRA instructors I've seen are no better shooters than the rest of us, they just spent the money on the video and work book so they can be labeled "certified".

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If you come in my direction you could spend some time with my buddy, Manny, he would get you shooting straight.
https://twoalphadefense.net/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_ZzupsnO3QIVE6sBCh11YACvEAEYASAAEgI9ofD_BwE

My first pistol shooting was with single actions. When I tried my first semi-auto, a High Standard HD-M, I could barely hit the ground with it. This was back in the dark ages to a lot of you and nothing was available to help me and I had to figure it out on my own. It finally soaked into my feeble brain that it was the difference in the grip and things improved greatly after that. Today I have no trouble switching between SA, DA, and semi-auto. Now if I just had the steady hands and sharp eyesight I had back then I might be a decent shot still.

I still have that HD-M and enjoy shooting it now and then.

You won't ever get better with the autos if you stop shooting them.

I also tend to prefer revolvers over autos with 1911's and 22 autos being exceptions to the rule... I like autos too but I find that the average revolver tends to shoot a little better than the average auto, at least they do for me when I'm shooting the revolvers single action. I have some autos that I shoot pretty well also but they are a bit different... If I haven't shot for a while I can just pick up a revolver and shoot it pretty good right off.. On the other hand though, if I haven't shot my autos for a while it sometimes takes me a little bit of practice before I get back to shooting really decent groups with one...

Ultimately follow what makes you the happiest. Shooting any of these takes practice though some do come easier. One aspect is challenging your abilities and progress as far as you may desire to take it. In the past I've tended to take the ones that I did the worst with and shoot them more. Gradually learned what technique was needed to get consistent results. I may not shoot them as well/easily as some others though being able to go from one to another with consistency was a challenge for me.

Keep at it.

Some guns you just shoot better than others. And you can learn to shoot the semi-autos better.

If you have a 1911 that runs well - is reliable - it might be a good idea to hang on to it, and come back to it later when you have some training or expert advice available. Because you can "learn" (grip, trigger control, etc.) to shoot it better.

The 1911 has a lot of accuracy potential if it is built right, but folks spend a lot of money on parts and tuning, chasing that high level of accuracy. Most run-of-the-mil plastic striker-fired pistols do not achieve that level of accuracy easily, but obviously competition shooters get an awful lot of goodness out of them. So the gun itself is a huge variable (as is the ammo sometimes) and you have to just keep working at it until you find what works for you.

I've had to work at shooting my semi-autos well. I sold off the striker-fired pistols in favor of several hammer-fired pistols, DAO/SAO, because I work better with that trigger set-up and it gives me more practical accuracy. And I've upgraded factory sights on the semi-autos to Trijicon HD XR's (with a .169 rear U opening and a .122 front post) which really work for me. I'm keeping the semi-autos and the revolvers, but far and away the most accurate (for me) gun in the collection is a S&W Mdl 586 L Comp. What works for you is what you will probably enjoy the most.