Is the 1911 harder to shoot than other pistols?
- Thread starter Monkeyleg
- Start date
1911's sometimes get a reputation for being difficult to handle from military users who didn't have any prior experience with handguns. It's simply not true.
If you've been shooting other handguns for a while, and ignoring your 1911's, it may take a few rounds to reagin the proper "touch", however.
If you've been shooting other handguns for a while, and ignoring your 1911's, it may take a few rounds to reagin the proper "touch", however.
Most of the myths about the 1911 arose from its use in the military. Many generations of recruits, many of whom had never fired a gun before, where suddenly handed a .45 automatic and made to fire one-handed at a 25 yard target, often with no ear or eye protection. The pistols they had to use were often sloppily fit, worn out, and/or had banged-up sights and a stiff trigger with anywhere from a 6 to 10 pound pull weight.
No wonder they couldn't hit anything! Add to that the notion that guns don't kick (adopted from the movies), then suddenly feeling the noise, recoil and slide action of the .45, and eventually the soldiers felt they had a pathetically inaccurate hand cannon that was powerful enough to stop a tank.
Soldiers are shooting much better scores with the M9 these days. They're also shooting tight new pistols, using a two-hand hold, and with eye and ear protection. No wonder!
No wonder they couldn't hit anything! Add to that the notion that guns don't kick (adopted from the movies), then suddenly feeling the noise, recoil and slide action of the .45, and eventually the soldiers felt they had a pathetically inaccurate hand cannon that was powerful enough to stop a tank.
Soldiers are shooting much better scores with the M9 these days. They're also shooting tight new pistols, using a two-hand hold, and with eye and ear protection. No wonder!
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
I had only shot BB guns and .22 rifles, from around age six to age 14; my uncle let me shoot his "Army .45". I already understood sights. I thought shooting it was easy.
I still think so, 53 years later...
, Art
I still think so, 53 years later...
, ArtStuporDave
Inactive
in a word, NO!
Started shooting 1911's about a year and a half ago. Had several revolvers and a Walther P-38 before that.
I'm a better shot with either of my two 1911's than any of my other handguns.
The reason?.......the trigger. I never could master a double action trigger and the Walthers trigger just sucks.
Started shooting 1911's about a year and a half ago. Had several revolvers and a Walther P-38 before that.
I'm a better shot with either of my two 1911's than any of my other handguns.
The reason?.......the trigger. I never could master a double action trigger and the Walthers trigger just sucks.
Greeting's All,
I've always been sucessful shooting 1911 style
variant's; such as Colt's Government Model,
Combat Commander's, Gold Cup's etc. I must
admit, I haven't tried the Springfield's,
Kimber's, Para-Ordance's and etc. I once
owned a clone consisting of a SafariArms
frame, with a Colt barrel and slide. This
gun was custom built for me by Larry Snow
of Snow's Gunrack; located here in central
Alabama. Equipped with B0-MAR sight's, this
pistol was a dream to shoot; it was a bulls-eye
gun indeed. Like an idiot, I let another friend
talk me out of it; although I made money on the
deal. Sure wish I had it back. But, to answer
your question; NO, SIR 1911's aren't harder
to shoot than revolver's; just depends on what
the user's preference's are?
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.
I've always been sucessful shooting 1911 style
variant's; such as Colt's Government Model,
Combat Commander's, Gold Cup's etc. I must
admit, I haven't tried the Springfield's,
Kimber's, Para-Ordance's and etc. I once
owned a clone consisting of a SafariArms
frame, with a Colt barrel and slide. This
gun was custom built for me by Larry Snow
of Snow's Gunrack; located here in central
Alabama. Equipped with B0-MAR sight's, this
pistol was a dream to shoot; it was a bulls-eye
gun indeed. Like an idiot, I let another friend
talk me out of it; although I made money on the
deal. Sure wish I had it back. But, to answer
your question; NO, SIR 1911's aren't harder
to shoot than revolver's; just depends on what
the user's preference's are?
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.
My experience is limited, but I suggest that the following is a possible ranking of handguns from the easiest to the hardest to shoot accurately:
full size autos shot single action
full size revolvers shot single action
full size autos shot double action
full size revolvers shot double action
smaller autos and revolvers shot single action
smaller autos and revolvers shot double action
small DAO autos
(I consider Glocks to be closer to single action than double action.)
Drakejake
full size autos shot single action
full size revolvers shot single action
full size autos shot double action
full size revolvers shot double action
smaller autos and revolvers shot single action
smaller autos and revolvers shot double action
small DAO autos
(I consider Glocks to be closer to single action than double action.)
Drakejake
Different strokes for different folks!
It may be hard to accept but, the 1911 may not be the right gun for you, or for anybody else who's having a hard time shooting them well. Since "hardness" to shoot is very subjective (like our differences in recoil perception/reaction, overall gun handling skills, or motivation to learn), I guess its better for us to search for the pistol make that could be "tamed" faster, and stick to it.
Best regards,
New_comer
PS: Hurray! This is my 100th post! I'll shoot again this weekend to celebr8!
It may be hard to accept but, the 1911 may not be the right gun for you, or for anybody else who's having a hard time shooting them well. Since "hardness" to shoot is very subjective (like our differences in recoil perception/reaction, overall gun handling skills, or motivation to learn), I guess its better for us to search for the pistol make that could be "tamed" faster, and stick to it.
Best regards,
New_comer
PS: Hurray! This is my 100th post! I'll shoot again this weekend to celebr8!
Worked with more than a few non shooters, with issue .45 as their first experience. Seems to fit small and large hands alike, points naturally for most. recoil minimal usin ball ammo. Once they get over the strange noises and start payin attention to the sight picture, most get pretty proficient pretty quickly.
Some are afraid of recoil before they shoot it. Two finger demo (with only one round loaded) puts the lie to that. Gun stays pointed down range. They are aprehensive about noise......tell em it's a GUN, supposed to be noisy. Works for most.
Many things work for most, but not all. People come in all shapes, sizes and hardwire options. That's why we have so very many good guns that work so well for so many.
Sam
Some are afraid of recoil before they shoot it. Two finger demo (with only one round loaded) puts the lie to that. Gun stays pointed down range. They are aprehensive about noise......tell em it's a GUN, supposed to be noisy. Works for most.
Many things work for most, but not all. People come in all shapes, sizes and hardwire options. That's why we have so very many good guns that work so well for so many.
Sam
carslog, what you're saying is what my friends have been saying: once you've mastered a 1911, all other guns are a breeze to shoot.
I've been shooting pistols for decades, although it's only in the last couple of years that the 1911 bug has bitten me. Recoil doesn't bother me (if it doesn't go "boom", I don't want it). And the SA trigger on my .45's is about the same pull as on my revolvers.
Maybe this notion of the .45 1911 being harder to shoot is old-timer legend. Certainly, a light .38 special is easier to handle than a light .45. And a .22 is easier than a .38.
I've been shooting pistols for decades, although it's only in the last couple of years that the 1911 bug has bitten me. Recoil doesn't bother me (if it doesn't go "boom", I don't want it). And the SA trigger on my .45's is about the same pull as on my revolvers.
Maybe this notion of the .45 1911 being harder to shoot is old-timer legend. Certainly, a light .38 special is easier to handle than a light .45. And a .22 is easier than a .38.
When i did not have a .45 yet, I have the same perception that .45 is hard to handle bec. of it's strong kick. But when I had one and keep shooting at the range and had 3 local competitions already, then, that fear I have, had gone. Now, I love my .45 more than my 9mm, but both are in 1911 model.
FEAR IS THE ONLY OBSTACLE WHY MANY DON'T LIKE THE .45 ACP.
FEAR IS THE ONLY OBSTACLE WHY MANY DON'T LIKE THE .45 ACP.
Can't shoot 1911 accurately
IMHO, the greatest accuracy progress is made at short distance (3-5 yards) until you can put all rounds in one ragged hole before increasing distance.
It'l like putting a golf ball. Start short, build confidence, simplify the mental process, concentrate on sights and trigger. Expect success! Master the one-hole string at seven yards and you're well on your way.
Anyone else tried this?
IMHO, the greatest accuracy progress is made at short distance (3-5 yards) until you can put all rounds in one ragged hole before increasing distance.
It'l like putting a golf ball. Start short, build confidence, simplify the mental process, concentrate on sights and trigger. Expect success! Master the one-hole string at seven yards and you're well on your way.
Anyone else tried this?
1911s are among the easiest pistols to shoot.
I imagine a list of the most shootable pistols consists entirely of single action pistols, of which the 1911 of course is one.
Now, some consider the 19911s manual of arms to be confusing. Perhaps that's what you've heard. You will not read that here, however, since folks who believe that are not likely bright enough to figure out how to post their comments.
I imagine a list of the most shootable pistols consists entirely of single action pistols, of which the 1911 of course is one.
Now, some consider the 19911s manual of arms to be confusing. Perhaps that's what you've heard. You will not read that here, however, since folks who believe that are not likely bright enough to figure out how to post their comments.
I learned to shoot handguns starting at 18. S&W Model 10 38 Special...
With 158 gr specials that pistol would shoot into one hole all day long. Single action...I also learned to shoot double action with that same pistol. My next choice was a Model 66 4" in .357 Mag that would do the same at 100 yds...I also shot that one both single and double action with an increased attention to double...After those two, it was various and sundry revolvers mostly and then a Government in 45 ACP that was surplus and had been coated with shiny nickel and nothing else. That one would shoot ball ammo forever without a jam of any kind. But...it would not group tighter than 4" at 25meters. Still...no problem for its' purpose as back-up to the model 66...My next back-up was a Detonics and things were very interesting then!
It WAS accurate...but...I couldn't shoot it!!! My 5'4" wife could shoot it, all my friends could shoot it...I could not shoot that pistol...It was the first time since I was 18 that I had to learn to shoot! I don't know why to this day. I just know that until I put 500 or so through that pistol I couldn't hit a beer-can at 20 ft!
After I learned to shoot it though...it never left me again, 'til a retired Marine Sniper friend asked me for it. I sold it to him for very little and bought a SA Champion...I haven't had to re-learn to shoot again and I don't expect to...
The purpose of this is just to show what can happen to anyone. You can go along just fine and suddenly get stumped by the smallest thing you can imagine...At that time...the smallest 45 acp 1911 style auto...was the Detonics!
Just different and only to me...not one single person had any trouble learning to shoot with that pistol but me...At the same time...I had no trouble with ANY of the other guns I've ever had EXCEPT that one!
Go Figure...
With 158 gr specials that pistol would shoot into one hole all day long. Single action...I also learned to shoot double action with that same pistol. My next choice was a Model 66 4" in .357 Mag that would do the same at 100 yds...I also shot that one both single and double action with an increased attention to double...After those two, it was various and sundry revolvers mostly and then a Government in 45 ACP that was surplus and had been coated with shiny nickel and nothing else. That one would shoot ball ammo forever without a jam of any kind. But...it would not group tighter than 4" at 25meters. Still...no problem for its' purpose as back-up to the model 66...My next back-up was a Detonics and things were very interesting then!
It WAS accurate...but...I couldn't shoot it!!! My 5'4" wife could shoot it, all my friends could shoot it...I could not shoot that pistol...It was the first time since I was 18 that I had to learn to shoot! I don't know why to this day. I just know that until I put 500 or so through that pistol I couldn't hit a beer-can at 20 ft!
After I learned to shoot it though...it never left me again, 'til a retired Marine Sniper friend asked me for it. I sold it to him for very little and bought a SA Champion...I haven't had to re-learn to shoot again and I don't expect to...
The purpose of this is just to show what can happen to anyone. You can go along just fine and suddenly get stumped by the smallest thing you can imagine...At that time...the smallest 45 acp 1911 style auto...was the Detonics!
Just different and only to me...not one single person had any trouble learning to shoot with that pistol but me...At the same time...I had no trouble with ANY of the other guns I've ever had EXCEPT that one!
Go Figure...
I find the 1911 pattern pistols among the easiest to shoot well. The constant trigger pull and the straight styling help. The rounded backstrap can help some shooters that seem to shoot low. I prefer the stright back , but have large beefy hands to hold with. Maybe you are not getting a good grip on the weapon. 1911's are not for everyone, try severl guns and see what feels better in your hand.