Decent grouping at 10 yds? full size 1911

[S&WForty]

I usually just shoot my .40 SW99s at 3-4 yds for defense practice. The first few times I took my 1911 to the range, I shot at those distances and maybe at 5-6 yds a time or two. My brother and dad have ribbed me over not shooting farther, so I shot 20 rds at 10 yds. The way I felt the instant the gun fired, I would have expected worse results. My worst shots were in the final 10 rds.

I am curious how good this is. Average, good, very good? I know there are two primary factors: the pistol's accuracy and the shooter's ability. I think I am a B- student most of the time, so I assume the pistol is an A to A+ helping me out...

Kimber Stainless TLE RL II and Federal 230 gr FMJ.

Edited October 16, 2012 by S&WForty

[monkeylizard]

I'd be happy with that. If you want to improve, check out a chart like this one. It suggests you're anticipating the recoil or breaking your wrist up (ie making recoil where there isn't any)

http://www.lasc.us/c...o_small.gif.jpg

Edited October 15, 2012 by monkeylizard

[gregintenn]

I'd personally be very happy with that. You'll have a lot of people tell you they can do much better. Some can. Many won't stand in front of you and demonstrate it live, however.

[LagerHead]

That's a good group. If it were a man sized target those would all be some serious hits. Practicing that far out will make the 3-4 yd shots seem much easier so there is benefit to doing it. If you can keep a group that tight at 10 yds it should be cake at half the distance.

[Jonnin]

well above average at 30 feet. I doubt very many, even professional or competition shooters could beat that by much using a stock gun, factory ammo, and iron sights. Depends on if your sights are off or if you did something on the group placement, but the actual group size is very good. The fliers.... anyone can make a mistake. I would try to get the group centered, whether that is YOU or the sights, but all in all, very good shooting.

Edited October 15, 2012 by Jonnin

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Good enough to defend yourself. I'm not that good.

[peejman]

How fast were you shooting?

[RobertNashville]

How fast were you shooting?

I was wondering that too!

OP - were you taking your time and aiming; point and shoot and/or trying to practice as if if was a "defensive situation"? Whichever, I think your overall accuracy at 10 yards is pretty damn good shooting!

[S&WForty]

I appreciate all the positive feedback. It's not every day that I feel "above average" if that makes sense. Everything is so hectic, and I feel like I could do everything better if I could slow down. For a while, I shot horrible with my .40s. The first time I shot the Kimber, I knew A. Single Action triggers are awesome, and B, I can aim!

I'd be happy with that. If you want to improve, check out a chart like this one. It suggests you're anticipating the recoil or breaking your wrist up (ie making recoil where there isn't any)

http://www.lasc.us/c...o_small.gif.jpg

Thanks for the chart! I shoot my .40s down at the 7-8 oclock position. It confirms what I thought about trigger jerk, but didn't know to check for tightening fingers. I'll have to study focus on your comments for my 10-11 oclock shots with the Kimber.

That's a good group. If it were a man sized target those would all be some serious hits. Practicing that far out will make the 3-4 yd shots seem much easier so there is benefit to doing it. If you can keep a group that tight at 10 yds it should be cake at half the distance.

That's a good point. I had not thought of that. Surprisingly, my groups at shorter ranges were not as good as I'd like as well as I did at 10 yds. I will attach more photo links.

I was wondering that too!

OP - were you taking your time and aiming; point and shoot and/or trying to practice as if if was a "defensive situation"? Whichever, I think your overall accuracy at 10 yards is pretty damn good shooting!

Definitely taking my time, but it seemed the harder I concentrated the worse I did. Or thought I'd do. Interestingly enough, when I shoot my .40s, I don't really worsen too much when shooting much faster. I'll have to try some faster drills with the Kimber next time out.

Speaking of sight accuracy, I really look forward to letting my friend shoot it. Whenever I have struggled with my SW99, he'd take it, and nail bullseyes within the size of a quarter at 3-4 yds confirming the pistol was perfectly fine. I would bet money he'll confirm the Kimber is dead on accurate.

More photos: all are with both hands except one that is strong hand only.

My first series of the day at 3.5 yds, about 20 rds:

another series of 20 rds at 3.0 yds:

strong hand only at 3.5 yds 20 rds:

a series at 6 yds (shot just before the 10 yds set):

Edit: moved images to Photobucket.

Edited October 16, 2012 by S&WForty

[Guest 6.8 AR]

I can't shoot worth a damn if I start out at 5 yds, but when I start out at 10, I do much better. It's probably in my head,

but I work like that. I agree with what LagerHead said.

[S&WForty]

I can't shoot worth a damn if I start out at 5 yds, but when I start out at 10, I do much better. It's probably in my head,

but I work like that. I agree with what LagerHead said.

During both the 6 and 10 yd sets, I pulled the target back in for a closer look thinking I had strayed from those glow targets. I was amazed that I did not have some wild strays.

Now, if only ammo grew on trees...

[gregintenn]

Now, if only ammo grew on trees...

It can be produced pretty inexpensively by pulling a handle.

[Jonnin]

You might like to try your hand at conventional pistol competition. Gets expensive if you take it seriously, but plenty of casual shooters have fun with modest equipment.

[S&WForty]

What can one expect to pay for the equipment if starting from scratch? What would be the expected cost per rd for .40 and .45 target grade ammo?

[S&WForty]

You might like to try your hand at conventional pistol competition. Gets expensive if you take it seriously, but plenty of casual shooters have fun with modest equipment.

I'll see how well I can duplicate that shooting next time I go to the range. I might consider that if I am consistent!

[Jonnin]

What can one expect to pay for the equipment if starting from scratch? What would be the expected cost per rd for .40 and .45 target grade ammo?

its .22 and 45, no one actually shoots centerfire in anything but 45 to keep from having to have 3 guns.

most shooters make their own .45 ammo and buy .22 that ranges from cheap to about what 9mm costs (for the pro stuff). I do not even know if anyone MAKES target grade .45. Lot of the guns have various reduced springs for ligher loads, so target ammo need to be tailored for the specific gun.

You can shoot it casually / locally with a ruger 22 and any 1911. Some clubs just do the .22 and some do both. Some shooters only do the .22 at the full matches. It varies. You have a 1911 so you just need a target .22, so you could play at it for $500 or less. If you get serious, throw in $300 more for a couple of red dot sights. If you get pro, new guns for $2-3k each is where the sport starts to really eat your wallet.

From scratch, $2500 would get you a 1911, a 22, and 2 red dots + a little gunsmithing like target grips or a 1911 bushing fit or something minor. Which is plenty for doing it casually. If you skimp on the 1911 you could reduce that by 300+

[TrickyNicky]

I think those are some damn good groupings! I don't usually get much chance to shoot closer than 12yrds but ill tell you I'd be mighty happy off all my groups looked like that.

I'm also curious as to what it would take to get started with reloading, nothing fancy but it would be nice to be able to crank out maybe 500 over a weekend without having to spend all day doing it.

[S&WForty]

Jonnin, thank you for the detailed information. I do have a Walther P22. Do those fair well against the Rugers?

[Guest 6.8 AR]

What can one expect to pay for the equipment if starting from scratch? What would be the expected cost per rd for .40 and .45 target grade ammo?

If you're going to take the plunge, I'd start buying primers, bullets and brass and then get the press,

the way David says primers and the like are getting to be.

You will find the price will go down with each batch loaded and see it's value. I stay about 1500 ahead on 9mm and .45acp

and have plenty of components to double it right now.

[S&WForty]

Thanks! About how much time is spent per loading session, and how many do you make per session?

I've got to decide if the Time Is Money factor makes it feasible.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[gregintenn]

LOL! It depends on how much $ you sink into your setup; another time versus money scenerio. You can make anywhere from a few rounds per hour to several hundred per hour. If you don't have some spare time, reloading probably isn't for you.

[S&WForty]

Thanks! I toy with cars most of the time. That and home upkeep, oh yeah, and a DOG take all of my time. LOL

[Jonnin]

Jonnin, thank you for the detailed information. I do have a Walther P22. Do those fair well against the Rugers?

I have only shot a p22 a few times, and no one I know has tried to make one a serious target pistol. I have no idea what the potential of this pistol might be, but no one uses them in the sport, even beginners, and there is probably a reason. The ruger, its easy to get target grips designed for 1h shooting, and quality trigger jobs are drop in parts, and they take an optic easily as well. The aftermarket is one of the big reasons you hear the ruger ruger ruger chant for the introductory pistol. A few use buckmarks or S&W 22a guns. A common theme here seems to be a fixed barrel, SAO trigger, and aftermarket options, along with modest to low cost.

I would go out on a limb here and say 'no' as an educated guess, but if you can hit the target with it, go for it!

Here is 20 shots with my ruger at 10 yards, 1 hand. It has a red dot sight and trigger job. I cannot even get close to this with my 1911. Its one of my best targets to date, a very good day.

Edited October 17, 2012 by Jonnin

[S&WForty]

Thanks for the added comments! I can group that tight with my P22 - with both hands - at 3-4 yds.

[peejman]

Time to move forward from making perforated paper to practicing skills. This should keep you busy for little while... http://www.handgunlaw.us/documents/HandgunDrills.pdf