1911 Help?

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dal22ses

New member
Ok I have been shooting for many years now, mostly Glocks,smith & wessons & rugers as far as pistols. I recently bought a 1911 and for the life of me after 400 rounds I constantly hit low left if even on the paper from 25 yrds all the way down to 3yrds. Ive been told that it is because of my grip on the pistol but any advise would be great or any tips? I am about to sell the pistol because I feel I am wasting ammo.

Thanks
 
Low and left means you're probably jerking the trigger, maybe due to a flinch. I do it on occasion and it pulls me low and left.
 
The other pistols you mentioned all have swinging triggers that are relatively long-throw compared to a 1911. The 1911 trigger doesn't pivot on anything, it slides straight back ... and not very far. Where does your trigger finger fall on the triggers of those other pistols -- middle of the end pad, or at the first joint? Revolvers and swinging triggers are often shot with the first joint engaging the trigger, but with the 1911 trigger you need to be sure that the trigger travels straight back -- both before and after the BANG. If you're not already doing so, be sure that it's the middle of the pad that contacts the trigger.

Also -- dry fire, dry fire, dry fire. Watch your sights as you dry fire and see if they waver off the target. With no recoil, the sights should remain perfectly on the target -- if they move, you are flinching or otherwise pulling the trigger off-axis.
 
I dry fire a lot but when i shoot the 1911 i do so with just the tip of my trigger finger. I pay very close attention to the grip but never really thought about the trigger.when i shoot my glock it is so second nature to me since t is my edc abd I've owned it for 10 yrs plus shot competion idpa matches with it. This 1911 is just a hole different Beast apparently.
 
It took me a while to figure out the 1911 for accuracy too. I started out shooting revolvers in competition so i got use to a swing/pivot trigger as someone else here has stated and that is*hard to get away from especially when going to a 1911 which is total different ball game. What really helped me on the 1911 is a high grip dont be afraid to choke up on it, both thumbs forward keep your trigger hand thumb on the edge of the thumb safety pointing forward but not pressed against the slide or it can bite you. Your suppoert hand with thumb. Forward to this will help with accuracy and recoil recovery. This type of grip may not be for everyone but alot of competitive guys use it and it helped me for sure.
 
low and left

Before you throw out the baby with the bath water.
Set your target within reasonable pistol range, say 30 to 50 feet about 5ft
high off the ground.
Assuming you are right handed get a firm right hand grip and wrap your left
around and below both thumbs forward below the trigger guard but do not
tighten it remember it is only to support the right hand.If you tighten it the
shot goes left.
Now front sight on target,Breath,Relax,Aim,Slack,Squeeze.
You'll be fine.
 
dal22ses said:
Ok I have been shooting for many years now, mostly Glocks,smith & wessons & rugers as far as pistols. I recently bought a 1911 and for the life of me after 400 rounds I constantly hit low left if even on the paper from 25 yrds all the way down to 3yrds. Ive been told that it is because of my grip on the pistol but any advise would be great or any tips? I am about to sell the pistol because I feel I am wasting ammo.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Here is a chart to help you figure out what your problem is :

he3ere6u.jpg


:D
 
I just watched that Todd Jarrett video. Lots of great tips in there. I think I will give it another shot (pun intended). I thought maybe it was the gun (it's a metro arms American classic). After seeing that video I realized how wrong I am doing things with it.
When I was taught to shoot my Glock it was basically point shoot, grip was important but not nearly as important as the 1911 apparently. I just wonder how this will relate to carry the 1911,hopefully I will be able to get muscle memory for the grip like I do with my other edc guns.
Thanks
 
I have to comment on that target. It was originally developed for single handed bullseye shooters by the Army. It does not really apply to two handed pistol shooting. The feedback it gives you is not accurate. It is often posted and does not apply. :cool:
 
It sounds like you are pushing the pistol down in anticipation of recoil. The easiest way to see that is to load random snap caps, or have someone else load the gun for you and secretly leave the chamber empty once you start shooting low.

You'll see what's happening and stop doing it the first time you see the muzzle drop while you're pulling the trigger.
 
Presumably all the other pistols you mentioned are dble stacks. The grip is probably much wider. Depending on the size of your hand your trigger finger may be coming onto the trigger at more of a 90 degree angle. That helps promote a straight back trigger pull. With a thinner grip your angle onto the trigger is less. You may want to try a short trigger or a grip with Palm swells.
 
Thanks for the tips, i am hitting the range Friday so i will be trying some of these tips before i give up on the 1911
 
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