Range day with the RI Tactical

[TacoBubba]

Went to the indoor range over at Barnetts Guns in Hampton. I worked out the 1911. I put a couple of hundred down the pipe. The more I shoot this gun, the more awesome it becomes! So far, I've put about 500 rounds down the pipe since buying it in February. I have noticed that it shoots low. I'm having to aim high a 3-4 to get it to hit where I want. I can adjust easily. However, should I go down to a 180 or 200 grain bullet to get it to find the sweet spot? Currently, I'm just shooting 230 round nose. Mostly just getting the gun broke in.



Here are a few pics from my day.




Another of the same type of target.

[gregintenn]

File the front sight and keep on keepin' on.

[hipower]

Some great shooting, especially if you are having to compensate for the sight being off.

[TacoBubba]

Thanks! I try to improve each time that I go. I'm just trying to figure out, do I file the sight down, buy new ones, or reduce the load that I'm shooting.

[hipower]

Not a professional by any stretch of my imagination, but my 2 cents of opinion coming here.

 

The easiest thing to do is try a lighter bullet. My Colt Officers shoots best with 185 grain loads. Your gun may or may not. Simply trial and error on it.

 

Hmm, you said Tactical model though. Does it have fiber optic sights? Seem like I remember some do.

 

What type does yours have? Wouldn't that be difficult to file down?

[graycrait]

Try it on a good pistol rest at 25yrds and with a couple other guys shooting the gun.  Then you might get a better assessment on the bullet lashup with the mechanical accuracy in human hands.

[TacoBubba]

Not a professional by any stretch of my imagination, but my 2 cents of opinion coming here.

The easiest thing to do is try a lighter bullet. My Colt Officers shoots best with 185 grain loads. Your gun may or may not. Simply trial and error on it.

Hmm, you said Tactical model though. Does it have fiber optic sights? Seem like I remember some do.

What type does yours have? Wouldn't that be difficult to file down?

It has a Novak style rear with dove tail front blade. One of range officers suggested that try thr 185 as you have mentioned. I was going to try those, but 185 has been hard to find. I did pick-up some 200, I haven't shot those yet.

[TacoBubba]

Try it on a good pistol rest at 25yrds and with a couple other guys shooting the gun. Then you might get a better assessment on the bullet lashup with the mechanical accuracy in human hands.

I will do that the next time that I shoot. Thanks for the tip!

[Clod Stomper]

According to common "rules", and my experience also, lighter bullets will hit lower.  Reason being is that the pistol starts recoiling as soon as the bullet leaves the case.  A heavier bullet recoils more AND moves slower, so the muzzle has more time to rise before the bullet leaves the muzzle.  So they hit higher.

 

However, it never hurts to try and see what a lighter bullet will do. 

[TNWNGR]

If you have dovetailed Novak style front and rear sights then research the available front sight blade heights. Once you determine the correct height purchase it, then place a witness mark on the front slide for easy sight replacement. The same process works for fiber optic sights on the slide as once set for normal pistol ranges windage is fairly consistent.

[DWARREN123]

Call the company that made it and tell them the problem and ask for suggestions. They may have a easy (or easier) cure.

My first suggestion is shorter front sight.

Most 45 ACP 1911s are set up to shoot 230gr bullets.

Pretty good groups.

[gregintenn]

Call the company that made it and tell them the problem and ask for suggestions. They may have a easy (or easier) cure.

My first suggestion is shorter front sight.

Most 45 ACP 1911s are set up to shoot 230gr bullets.

Pretty good groups.

....and this can be accomplished in seconds with the judicious use of a file.

 

Lighter bullets will shoot lower, but the 45 is made for the 230 grain projectile.

[Clod Stomper]

Actually my very first move, unless you are absolutely sure you aren't anticipating the shot, would be to let a couple other people shoot it. "Bucking" (the opposite of flinching) will cause low shots too.

It may well not be the problem, but you may want to rule it out.

[TacoBubba]

Actually my very first move, unless you are absolutely sure you aren't anticipating the shot, would be to let a couple other people shoot it. "Bucking" (the opposite of flinching) will cause low shots too.

It may well not be the problem, but you may want to rule it out.

I know that i'm not flintching or bucking. Just to reassure myself, I let the ol man sling some lead down range and the same result happened with him shooting.

I am either going to take a file to the front sight, buy new ones or just keep on trucking with it. I know what I can do with it and know how it shoots. All I know is that I love shooting this gun, and I am going to continue until I wear out or the gun wears out.

[hipower]

I know that i'm not flintching or bucking. Just to reassure myself, I let the ol man sling some lead down range and the same result happened with him shooting.

I am either going to take a file to the front sight, buy new ones or just keep on trucking with it. I know what I can do with it and know how it shoots. All I know is that I love shooting this gun, and I am going to continue until I wear out or the gun wears out.

 

If you like it that much, and I do mine, keep at it. You might decide to upgrade the sights, do a trigger job, or any number of things. They are addicting. I'm trying to not buy another one.

[TacoBubba]

If you like it that much, and I do mine, keep at it. You might decide to upgrade the sights, do a trigger job, or any number of things. They are addicting. I'm trying to not buy another one.

Its too late for me! I have already started saving for my next 1911. I have some extravagant taste that's for sure. I plan on doing just simple upgrades, nothing crazy.

As far as extravagant tastes go, a dream gun would be something like a Dan Wesson. Honestly though, its hard to justify paying that much for what in my opinion I consider a tool. A very well maintained tool, but a tool none the less. But a feller and dream right?

[DaveTN]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/185714/kensight-adjustable-defensive-rear-sight-1911-novak-lomount-cut-steel-black-recessed-blade

[raildog]

Hey Taco don't knock buying the best tool you can. When i was still turning wrenches i would buy snap-on then my wife would see the same thing at lowes and complain about me over paying there is a difference in fit and finish on the high end stuff. Im the same way i like the good stuff but can only afford to dream about it lol

[JPR1959]

I feel the same way.  I looked at a lot of different manufacturers when shopping for a 1911.  There were a lot of different features I was looking for.  Every model seemed to keep raising the price point.  Dan Wesson makes really nice 1911s, but I don't like stainless steel guns.  I ended up purchasing a Colt and I'm trying NOT to buy another.

[hipower]

Its too late for me! I have already started saving for my next 1911. I have some extravagant taste that's for sure. I plan on doing just simple upgrades, nothing crazy.

As far as extravagant tastes go, a dream gun would be something like a Dan Wesson. Honestly though, its hard to justify paying that much for what in my opinion I consider a tool. A very well maintained tool, but a tool none the less. But a feller and dream right?

 

I'm probably going to step on some toes with this one. But I wasn't impressed with the Dan Wesson I had. I didn't think it any better than the Sig TacOps, Nightmare, or RC3 I own. jmo

[TacoBubba]

I'm probably going to step on some toes with this one. But I wasn't impressed with the Dan Wesson I had. I didn't think it any better than the Sig TacOps, Nightmare, or RC3 I own. jmo

I'm open to anything really. I was just using the DW as an example. I know that there are plenty of high end 1911's out there.

I'll find something. I have been lucky so far. I bought my Rock blindly. I had not shot one until I purchased it. Which was a first for me. I like to test things out before I buy them. It's doubtful that I'll ever shoot a high end 1911 before purchasing one. I'll basically go on reputation and word of mouth.

I really appreciate all of the information that you and everyone has given to me.

[TacoBubba]

I feel the same way. I looked at a lot of different manufacturers when shopping for a 1911. There were a lot of different features I was looking for. Every model seemed to keep raising the price point. Dan Wesson makes really nice 1911s, but I don't like stainless steel guns. I ended up purchasing a Colt and I'm trying NOT to buy another.

I will say that they are addictive. I came from shooting and owning glocks. This being my first 1911 I really didn't know what to expect. But I do know this; I really enjoy shooting this gun!

Now I'm not gonna rid the safe of my glocks. But I have a feeling that the glocks are going to have to make room for more 1911's

[hipower]

I will say that they are addictive. I came from shooting and owning glocks. This being my first 1911 I really didn't know what to expect. But I do know this; I really enjoy shooting this gun!

Now I'm not gonna rid the safe of my glocks. But I have a feeling that the glocks are going to have to make room for more 1911's

Do not shoot the new GEN4 G34 MOS. You will want one!

[TacoBubba]

Do not shoot the new GEN4 G34 MOS. You will want one!

I could see myself getting one of these. I have been wanting to do something similar to my 17. Buy a custom slide/optic.

That's something else I'm saving for as well. I have been wanting a glock with rails and optics. It's nice to now see that option from the factory.

My glocks are older. 2nd gen gen17 and 3rd gen g26.

[hipower]

I could see myself getting one of these. I have been wanting to do something similar to my 17. Buy a custom slide/optic.

That's something else I'm saving for as well. I have been wanting a glock with rails and optics. It's nice to now see that option from the factory.

My glocks are older. 2nd gen gen17 and 3rd gen g26.

 

That's the nice thing about Glocks...nobody cares how old they are. Just that they function.