Get the File?

[Detachment Charlie]

Just got new 1911 and am very pleased, with one exception. After about 150 rounds of two different brands (Blaser & WWB) 230gr. ball, it shoots consistently 4+" low at 12 yds.
The questions are:
1. Should I get out the file & start knocking down the frint sight?
2, Get a new, lower front site?
3. Get an adjustable rear sight?
4. Buy more ammo, different weights and brands and then re-ask the questions?
Thanks

 

[1911 guy]

Depends on what you want.

If you want it to look all pretty when you're done, replace it with a shorter front sight. If you don't care and just want to be able to make hits on target, measure the height, do the math and break out the file. Installing adjustable rear sights often involves milling the slide and will cost considerable more money than a new front.

The math mentioned is as follows:
1) divide error by range, in your case 4" divided by 432".
2) Multiply this by the sight radius (distance between front and rear sight).

Just remember to convert all yardage to inches and pay attention to your decimal point. Shooting from a rest at longer ranges will give you a more accurate starting point before you start removing metal.

 

[Bottom Gun]

I would try a few other brands of ammo to see how they do first.
With my luck, I would file the sight down and then find out the new lot of ammo I bought shoots 4" high.

Are you shooting from a rest?