So now I'm a 1911 guy...(pics)

[StrikeFire83]

Okay, well, I should probably start at the beginning. I turned 21 in September of 2004, and the day after my birthday I went out to buy my first handgun. I decided that I wanted a .45, and it came down to a decision between the Ruger P345 and a Springfield GI 1911. The Ruger was about $150 less than the Springfield, and seemed to have fewer “rough edges” and a better fit and finish, although admittedly I didn’t know anything about handguns at that point. So I bought the Ruger and began pistol shooting.

Needless to say the Ruger was a good gun. Only 3 jams in about 1500 rounds, shooting mostly Winchester White Box FMJ and a few hollow points here and there. Nevertheless I was discouraged, I was NEVER able to get very accurate with the gun. I often had a small cluster in the middle of the target, with almost as many “flyers” all over the place. And I almost always shot at about 15-20 yards.

Fast forward to a month ago. I’m pretty dissatisfied with my performance, and decide that I’m a crappy pistol shooter. I read up on small carry 9mms and decide to get a Kahr K9. I bought the K9 with some graduation money and today was my first day to test it out. Well, here are the results at 20 yards, half Winchester White Box and half CCI Blazer aluminum casing. Here are the results:


These results are much better than what I was getting with my Ruger, believe it or not. At this point you’re probably asking why I titled this post a 1911 post. Well, on a whim, I decided that I should try out a 1911 pistol before writing off the .45 ACP cartridge for good. The guy at the range told me that the Kimber was the way to go, and he rented me a very worn and battered rental Kimber Classic. I was not “trying” very hard with this gun, but it just fit my hand so perfectly and seemed so natural.

Here’s what I did with it. Please note that the circled holes were NOT being aimed at the center but rather at the corner targets.


Needless to say I was amazed. Not that these results are that great compared to what many of you pros here can do, but these results are great for me, especially after picking up a foreign gun, and a rental at that, and just shooting it. I just traded the Ruger P345 for a Kimber Custom II, which they tell me is pretty much the exact same gun as the Classic. I can’t wait to get to the range again!

PHEW, that was a long post, thanks for sticking with it. And I welcome everyone’s responses/comments.

 

[Azrael256]

You got any pics of the gun? I'd like to see it. 1911s just feel so right, it's hard to miss with them.

 

[grimjaw]

Glad you like the 1911! I was surprised at the accuracy and relatively low recoil of the platform when I first tried it out.

I have been considering a .45 autoloader, but can't make up my mind about which one. The Ruger P345 was on the list to try if I ever got the chance.

I have the Kahr K9 and I must say, I'm a better shot with it than you. Seriously though, was that rapid fire practice, and what bullet weight were you using? The trigger has taken a little getting use to, but I'm very comfortable with it now.

jmm

 

[StrikeFire83]

Here's a pic of my brand spanking new Kimber Custom II.



Haven't shot her yet, and I probably don't know when I'll get the chance, probably next week.

 

[StrikeFire83]

Glad you like the 1911! I was surprised at the accuracy and relatively low recoil of the platform when I first tried it out.

I have been considering a .45 autoloader, but can't make up my mind about which one. The Ruger P345 was on the list to try if I ever got the chance.

I have the Kahr K9 and I must say, I'm a better shot with it than you. Seriously though, was that rapid fire practice, and what bullet weight were you using? The trigger has taken a little getting use to, but I'm very comfortable with it now.

jmm

No, it wasn't rapid fire. Bullets were half a box of Winchester White Box and half a box of CCI Blazer, whatever the grain they sell at Academy. Like I said, I'm not the best pistol shooter in the world. Probably pretty shoddy compared to most of the guys here. But at least with the Kahr I can put all my rounds into an area less wide than the average human at 20 yards, which I think is a decent place to start out at least. This was the first time I shot this gun, and believe me I plan of putting a ton more of practice rounds through her in the comming weeks/months.

As for the P345, like I said it is an excellent firearm. We've established that I'm not the most accurate pistol shooter, so maybe with you it will be better. Like i said before, the gun only jammed 3 times in roughly 1500 rounds, pretty f-ing good if you ask me. The bullets just wouldn't go where I wanted them to, and I shot this gun almost exculsively for over a year. Granted, I only make it out to the range ever few months or so, but I did spend a lot of time with it. Contrast that with picking up a dirty, scuffed up, range rental gun with a TON of rounds through it and having tons better luck, I was amazed. Bought it today. But the Ruger is about 390-410 street, and I paid $669 for my Kimber Custom II. The Ruger is a great gun, just not right for me.

 

[jeepmor]

1911, please follow up

Since you just bought a NEW pistol, please keep us privy to it's behavior. I've read here that the Kimbers can be finnicky until broken it, just wondering. I've read alot about how these 1911 pistols just aim well, thanks for providing actual evidence of your experience.

jeepmor

 

[trickyasafox]

congrats! and dont worry i've had more then a few shoddy targets i wont show anyone at the pistol range

 

[IndianaDean]

Very nice! I'm in the same boat, I have 3 1911s (4th if the last one arrives by the end of the week), that I have not been able to take to the range yet, and I'm goin' nuts waiting for this weekend to arrive so I can shoot them. That's a super looking Kimber!

 

[StrikeFire83]

Since you just bought a NEW pistol, please keep us privy to it's behavior. I've read here that the Kimbers can be finnicky until broken it, just wondering. I've read alot about how these 1911 pistols just aim well, thanks for providing actual evidence of your experience.

jeepmor

As soon as I go to the range with her, I'll write a report.

 

[Steelharp]

Well, I'm a lousy shot, I'll admit it... but this is the other day with my 1918 Colt/Springfield, first five shots out of her by me... I just wanted to pass it along because of the thread nature... oh, and my Kahr target would look very similar to yours...

 

[timn]

Strikefire,
Congrats on your new Kimber. I have the Pro Carry in stainless.
Which Red's do you shoot at, N or S? My wife and I shoot at the N red' pretty much every Monday. My son and I shoot there anytime we can grab a spare hour or so.

 

[brickboy240]

Welcome to the addiction.

I see you have a Hi-Power, too.

Lets see...a 1911 and a Hi-Power. Good start.

Now you need a Sig 220 and some sort of Springfield XD and you have the autopistol world covered and theres really no need for anything else!

- Brickboy240

 

[StrikeFire83]

Strikefire,
Congrats on your new Kimber. I have the Pro Carry in stainless.
Which Red's do you shoot at, N or S? My wife and I shoot at the N red' pretty much every Monday. My son and I shoot there anytime we can grab a spare hour or so.

Well, I've been shooting at Red's South, because I thought it was closer to where I live. However, i went to red's North on Pecan several weeks ago and it was a good experience, much bigger than the south range.

Contemplating a membership, as I have been shooting twice in the past 3 weeks.

 

[brewer90]

I just got the 1911 bug about four months ago and started off with a Kimber. I've since traded away a few other pistols I never shot and picked up another Kimber and a STI both in .45. I shoot at Red's North too and have been pondering a membership. I just need to sit down and run the numbers to see if it makes sense. I also need to get a reloading setup so I don't break the bank since .45 is pretty expensive and yes I'm using the $20/100 WWB at Wally World.

 

[HighVelocity]

This is a perfect example of what I was talking about a while back... A natural gun/shooter match.

Congrats on your new Kimber. I can't wait to hear how she does.

 

[waterhouse]

Wow, that sure is a big difference in results!

Congrats on the new purchase. Consider bringing it to THR Austin shoot:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=165512&page=2

 

[strambo]

The Kahr trigger is harder to control (awesome carry gun though, I love mine!) Starting out at 20 yards is way too far in general (for a newer shooter), especially with a new, unfamiliar gun. Start out at 5-7 yards and work out as you get more comfortable. Great shootin' with the 1911...that's why they're so popular, easier to shoot accurately. Nice Kimber.

 

[Master Blaster]

Often when a shooter has targets that look like yours, it indicates that they are looking at the target, or alternating between the frontsight and the target, rather than focusing on the front sight.

You really need to focus your eye ONLY on the front sight. Groups will shrink significantly when you can do this consistently.

Of the pistols you own and shoot the Kimber offers the best sight picture, as well as the best fit to your hand.

The other thing is trigger control, pressing only with the tip pad of your finger and increasing the pressure very very slowly until the trigger breaks as a surprise to you.

Try these two things and your groups will shrink drastically.

 

[Gordon Fink]

I’m pretty dissatisfied with my performance, and decide that I’m a crappy pistol shooter.…

Don’t worry. You just have to keep practicing, and before too long, you’ll be a mediocre pistol shooter.

~G. Fink, mediocre shooter

 

[sgb]

Kimbers shoot very well.....10 yards, controlled pairs.

 

[MarshallDodge]

Congrats on your purchase. I own two Series I Kimbers and am very happy with both. I had similar results as you years ago with my Taurus PT99, even with a trigger job. I bought a Norinco 1911 and noticed how much my groups were shrinking. After that I traded the Taurus to a guy that HAD to have a hi-cap gun for his Gold Cup.

As far as your targets go, try a white sheet of paper with a 1" black dot or similar. Then look through the rear site at the front site while centering the front site on the black dot. This will teach you to focus.
Always remember to squeeze the trigger....let the gun "surprise" you when it goes off.

 

[MarshallDodge]

sgb, nice shootin!

I like everything about the Kimber Warrior except the light rail. I wish Kimber would put the Novak sights on more models.

 

[roo_ster]

Welcome to the 1911 club.

I find it the easiest handgun to shoot well.

BTW, my 1911 is a SW1911.

Also, if you ever get a litle cocky, thinking, "Hey, I'm a pretty good shot," just hand your 1911 off to an old bullseye competition shoooter and he'll do with one hand things you can't do with two. BT, DT, got the humble pie.