So I shot my first .45 for the first time today...

[Powderman]

YEP shooting is a skill and it takes practice. Advise is to get a ruger mark III 22/45 for range and a CO2 pistol for home practice. I have gotten markedly better with all my real guns by putting lots of BBs down range with a daisy co2 with a sucking double action trigger.

Quite possibly the best advice in this thread.

When it is reduced to its lowest terms, there are two important facets--and ONLY two--that count in accurate handgun shooting; and those two are sight alignment/sight picture and trigger control.

Center the front sight in the rear notch, tops of all three even, and centered on where you want your bullet to hit. Now, roll the trigger straight back without sideways pressure while maintaining the perfect sight slignment and sight picture.

Don't worry about recoil. You already know that the gun is NOT going to buck out of your hand. Simply seat it down as far as possible in your hand, with a good firm grip.

Sights and trigger. That's what counts.

Now, guess what? You're going to have to start reloading. Competency with a semi auto pistol almost demands it.

 

[chute2thrill]

To do that will require target-grade ammo that will either cost you $50 a box or you can handload for $4 a box.

 

[chute2thrill]

it really only costs 4 bucks a box to handload .45acp once everythings paid for?

 

[loop]

I pay $70 for 1,500 bullets delivered to my door. That's 4.6 cents each.

Then $28 per 1,000 for primers, that's .028 cents.

Then $24 per pound of Bullseye powder that loads about 1,400 rounds, about .017 cents.

That's about $4.55 per box.

My first box cost me $300. Since then each box has been less that $5.

Cast your own bullets and it drops to about $2.25 a box.

Dang prices have been going up. I used to have it under $3 a box...

 

[Cloudpeak]

Very good advice in this thread.

Do lots of dry firing. It really helps. On my 1911's, instead of "Snap Caps", I use a little "O" ring over the firing pin. It's held in place by the cut in the rear of the slide.

I like to start at 7 yards. Shoot for group, not hitting the bullseye. Once you can shoot a good group, you can move the sights to hit the bullseye.

Another thing to consider is a .22 caliber conversion. I used a Marvel Unit 2 on my 1911's. (I've since sold it and have a 22 Kadet conversion coming for my CZ 9mm as I'm shooting the 9 way more than the 45's, now.)

Cloudpeak

 

[chute2thrill]

thanks loop... i know everyone always says reload but i never thought it was actually that cheap...

 

[Pilot]

Start reloading and you can make some light target loads and then gradually work up to full power. I like 200 grain LSWC over Clays, starting at 3.6 grains of powder working up from there to a max of 4.2 grains.

 

[kcshooter]

I pay $70 for 1,500 bullets delivered to my door.

Where are you getting your lead? That's about what I pay for a thousand, and I thought I had a good price!


OP, your inaccuracy most likely has to do with grip, stance, sight picture, and trigger control. Start there.

Dry fire a lot, watching your front sight to see if it is dropping as you fire. Shoot a lot, shoot slowly, pull the trigger slowly, and don't shoot at 30yds. Try half that or less (7-10yds is about right), then move out as your groups tighten up.

If you still have issues, before I bought the Ruger .22, I'd buy a 22lr conversion kit for the 1911. That way, your grip and controls are the same with both calibers. The .22 conversion will save you a ton of money in ammo too until you start reloading.