1911 Barrel Break-in

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Hunterdad

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Took me new RIA 1911 9mm out on Saturday and its shooting about an inch left and 2-3 inches high. It seemed like the more I shot it, that it started to straighten out a bit or its just my imagination. So, my question is, is it possible that it will become more accurate the more I shoot it, or will it forever be inaccurate? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks
Adam
 
More likely, you are subconsciously compensating for the sights being off a bit. At what range is it hitting this far off? If 25 yards I wouldn't necessarily worry much, if under 10 you may want to adjust the rear sight to the right slightly and perhaps file the top of it as well to bring the groups down. In either case you will be well within "minute of bad-guy".
 
Took me new RIA 1911 9mm out on Saturday and its shooting about an inch left and 2-3 inches high. It seemed like the more I shot it, that it started to straighten out a bit or its just my imagination. So, my question is, is it possible that it will become more accurate the more I shoot it, or will it forever be inaccurate? Any help is appreciated.
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The bullseye shooters will know, but shooting left it is likely you are pushing on the gun as the hammer falls.

Can't tell you about high. For me, that means I need a taller front sight.
 
At these short distance it more than likely the person pulling the trigger not the pistol have other with experiance with that type pistol shoot it. . Their are charts that will tell you what your doing wrong .
 
Actually, you haven't mentioned anything that indicates accuracy. You're describing point of impact, not accuracy. Shooting left and high might simply be because it's a new gun and you haven't adjusted to the trigger or grip yet.

If it continues to shoot left, then just drift the rear sight to compensate. If it continues to shoot high, things get a bit more complicated. You can try different bullet weights, but you may just have to order a taller front sight.
 
As a general rule, heavier ammo impacts higher in a pistol. Counter-intuitive . . . but at short range it impacts higher than lighter rounds.

Unless you can push the heavier round just as fast the lighter, which usually isn't possible and remain safe.


Usually I'd recommend a trying lighter round, but 115 is about as light as you want to get. Try a different brand next time. You can't do much about fixed sights hitting too high or low. Most try different ammo and see how it works. Others just learn to live with it.
 
My gun has fixed sights. I was checking out adjustable sights today and really have no clue what to look for.

Being a 1911 style you should have a fixed dove tail site on both ends. Look for a adj. site that has a dove tail base and hammer the old out.
Bomar is a good target site but takes some drilling and tappping(if I remember right). but that is for a .45.
Might want to Google "1911 adj. sites" and check them out.

BTW... benching it is better that somebody else shooting your gun. Your eyes, grip and sight picture is different than others.

WAY back when in high school I broke my rt. wrist in gym. I shoot in USPSA and nobody can shoot my gun and hit what they're aiming at.
It's tuned into me.

That which does not kill me makes me stronger. - Friedrich Nietzsche
 
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Many of the 1911's have proprietary dovetail cuts,just make sure it will fit your make and model gun before you buy. You didn't say how it was grouping so adjusting the sights may not work for you at this time.

The best advice is shooting off a stable platform with your wrists resting on sandbags and see if that changes POI. Even if someone else shoots your gun you may not see the sights the way they do so it's usually better if you do the shooting. Don't be afraid to start close and work your way back.

Bring at least two different brands of ammo and keep notes. Before moving the sights make sure you are hitting good groups,otherwise you'll end up chasing the sights around the paper. 115 grain will likely be the lowest shooting ammo you can find reasonably priced. Like others have said heavier slugs hit higher. Sometimes shooting a new gun takes some getting used to especially if it's your first fixed sight pistol.

Don't get discouraged it will work out,plus shooting is the fun part of the sport.
 
Hunterdad said:
My gun has fixed sights. I was checking out adjustable sights today and really have no clue what to look for.
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If this is your gun here -
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7267253#post7267253

There's very little you can do besides have a set of sights cut and fit into it. Those GI sights leave you almost no options. The front sight on those is very small, and staked in, not dovetailed.

2011-04-23_14-57-56_986-1.jpg
 
My gun has fixed sights. I was checking out adjustable sights today and really have no clue what to look for.
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Your RIA is advertised as having GI sights which are drift adjustable. You can adjust it by drifting the rear sight right or left.
 
Drift for windage corrections. Not for elevation.
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The photo in #17 shows the elevation to be correct, he just needs to tap the rear sight a skootch to the right. We also don't even know what range he was shooting at. Most pistols are zeroed for 15 or 25 yards and for a particular bullet weight.
 
I was shooting at 7 yds. I think it might have been the stock grips that are on there too. My other 1911 has the Packmayr American Legend grips it those fit my hand great. The stock grips are a bit skinny for my hands. I picked up a Pearce finger groove insert and it feels much better.
 
Try a Google Image search for "handgun correction target". Use one for left or right handed as appropriate. It will identify errors in your form that affect point of impact. Shooting pistols is far more difficult than a long gun and even little things you do subconsciously will affect where the bullet strikes.
 
I agree. The vertical looks OK, and he should be able to drift the rear sight if it continues to shoot left after he gets accustomed to it. Accuracy looks fine. Very consistent shooting.
 
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