Bowling Pin Gun

[2 Wild Dueces]

Mostly played with revolvers a bit in the past....but not much handgun experience. I'll be spending some time this winter where they do some pin shoots......and have been considering a gun best suited for that purpose....and range plinking.

My current interest is in the Springfiled Range Officer in 45 ACP. Seems like a reasonable price for this a quality 1911.....and I think I'm in the right area here....but would like some feedback.

Never owned a 1911 before....and looking for a new toy and a new pin shooting hobby.

Are adjustable sights a good idea for pin shooting?

 

[wally]

Are adjustable sights a good idea for pin shooting?

Generally so you can adjust it for the sight picture you can pick up the fastest and gives the best hit probability on the "fat part" of the pin.

Momentum means a lot in this game so .45ACP is really common.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Used to shoot pin matches in the mid 1970's and every one of the top competitors used a 1911 in .45....stuff like Gold Cups and customized pistols with 5" barrels. I used a Dan Wesson .357 mag with 6" barrel and gave a good account of myself but was never really in the running to win.

The best guys were devilishly fast and accurate and cleared a table about as fast as I could pull the trigger. Tremendous fun.

VooDoo

 

[wisconsin]

My favorite pin wrecker is my 1911. I load up some 255grs. They only push 650-750 fps but hit like a howitzer!

 

[chaosrob]

You need this

 

[Phaedrus/69]

Is the field wide open to anything? It would be pretty hard to be competitive with any stock gun if the other folks are running tricked out 1911s (ie comp'd, RDS, etc).

 

[2 Wild Dueces]

I'm waiting to hear more information on the rules for the guys I will be shooting with. It's my understanding that its all open sights. I think it's pretty informal so far, but growing each month. I am staying in this area over the winter....but have not been to one of their shoots.

I've lusted for a 1911 for a long time. Getting myself down to two choices for a 45 ACP range and pin gun. A new Ruger SR 1911 or a Springfield Range Officer.

For pin shooting.....I am wondering if the "Bomar-style" adjustable sights found on a Springfield Range Officer are preferred over the Novak-style combat sights such as found on a Ruger SR 1911.

 

[98Redline]

At the typical pin shooting distances, I think either set of sights will work fine to get you started. Bowling pins is more about getting into a rhythm and getting your sight picture back more than pure accuracy. Spinning a pin off the table is just as good as a dead center hit.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you like the .45 ACP but don't want to use a 1911 there is always the S&W M625 in .45 ACP. You get the best of both worlds IMO.

 

[Harry1969]

Edit: I forgot this was for a semi auto only, but a 357 magnum with 230 grain lead pencils from Penn bullets would work well in a revolver.

 

[2 Wild Dueces]

Lots of good advice guys....thanks.

I may try to shoot a few of these choices at our local gun range before making the trek to AZ. I have read allot about the "lincoln log" 230 grn slugs outta a 38 Special case at about 900 fps. Sounds like that would move some pins.

I may do more research before popping for a new gun....still, I got an itch to own at 1911. If one of those R.O.'s fits my hand.....I'm not sure I can resist. Just soaking in some ideas for now. Thanks.

 

[Sunray]

A standard .45 Government with good sights(adjustables are better. Should have gone with 'em myself ,long ago.) and cast 230's will clear a table as well as a full blown 'race gun'. Just not as fast. You will have so much fun shooting pins you won't care who wins too.
As to revolver, net search Jerry Miculek. No great big bullets for him out of a .357. Used a stock Smith, as I recall.
"...other folks are running tricked out..." That's why there are multiple classes. You don't compete against pin guns with a stock pistol. Unless it's informal club shoots.

 

[2 Wild Dueces]

^ Thanks Sunray. That helps allot. I believe I just need to watch and shoot a few matches to know how to play the game.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

You will have so much fun shooting pins you won't care who wins too.

You don't compete against pin guns with a stock pistol. Unless it's informal club shoots.

This was my experience exactly. I had more fun and met more great guys and great shooters shooting pins than anything I have ever done with hand guns. I'm not a competitive person and don't have to win to have a great time. And I did...

VooDoo