My 1911 has become inaccurate?

Can't see anything wrong with the link from these pics, but as stated where the lugs meet the barrel there appear to be chip(s)?? If true, not sure what that would cause, but the cause of the chip would be disturbing to me, and perhaps the problem.

You don't have to be a great mechanic to change some parts and see what happens, and upgrade in the process. If the barrel lugs are chipped, you might need a barrel with the link, but if that's true, there may be more to this than changing parts will handle.

Otherwise, if no major damage to any parts, I would sandbag the pistol at known range with proven ammo and see what groups it gets. If you reload, you might try high quality factory ammo as a control. Given circumstances you may be beyond that point.

Springfield usually has good service and I would send it in and get it covered under warranty, of course you only shoot factory ammo. If you don't want to send it in, 12" at 12yd is still within minute of bad guy's chest, unless it freezes up.
 
Mark that spot where the chip is with permanent marker and shoot 20 rounds, if it's shiny there afterwards, something is hitting it and it should back. Springfield has good cs, they will flip it in a week or two. what does the end of the guide rod look like? Is it a flgr?
 
Why, if the problem is fairly sudden inaccuracy, is there so much focus on the link?
If the link were cracked or broken you'd probably have functional issues, but it probably wouldn't affect accuracy.
The barrel should not be "standing" on the link when in battery, the link being along for the ride at that point.
 
It's only a picture and unless you have that loupe on it there's only guessing,
but the front surface of the lug also looks slightly damaged and there are rough spots on it which could be causing the link to snag.
OP neds to look at the slide stop crosspin,and the guide rod collar if the lug is indeed damaged as it appears to be.The lug would have been stressed in a place which was not designed to bear stress,if so the barrel is suspect he'll have to decide how to proceed.
 
The barrel should not be "standing" on the link when in battery, the link being along for the ride at that point.
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Agreed,the barrel lug as it is beeing pushed forward contacts the crosspin and
cams up then moves a little ways horizontally until it seats on it.By then the link has begun to rotate down. and it is holding the barrel,so we have pressure down and forward the bushing does the rest.
 
Are you shooting reloads? If so, did you load them? I don't see anywhere in this post where the OP states he loaded the ammo and it's the exact same load he used since he got the gun. Everything else is guessing unless that is established first. It might be something else, but I'd start right off with the basic question.......different ammo?
 
Have only fired factory ammo through the gun. Mostly 230gr Winchester brass cased, with a lot of S&B brasw cased, and federal both brass and aluminum.

It worries me that you guys appear to see damage to my lower lug? Ill have to inspect it closer as i have not noticed this. Shot it today though
 
Not all ammo shoots the same, even if it's new. Is the accuracy problem with something you've shot well before or is it some new ammo you're trying? Even keeping the same brand but a different weight bullet can make a big difference.
 
I would send it back to Springfield for their professional opinion. There seems to be a lot of variables here, this part nicked, cracked link, parts changed and there needs to be a base line established. I know you said its your only gun but what good is keeping a gun that could be on the verge of breaking down and is already inaccurate?

P.S. It would also be another reason to have more then one pistol.
 
Field stripped the pistol tonight, a few minutes ago, inspecting the lower lug. There is zero wear or chipping of the lower lug, i guess the pictures make it look like there is, but there isnt. What does seem to me though is that the link may be a tad bit long, maybe this is causing the link to get beat up and abused. I am thinking about getting a replacement barrel link, just have to research how to take the measurements to order the proper size.

I shot the pistol today, and fired a few mags through my dads kimber custom 2 5" as well. I was shooting my springfield better today, averaging 3" 5shot groups at 10yds standing two handed. i however did shoot my dads kimber better, and he shot it better too, but that could just be a grip thing (his has hogue rubber palm swell grips which are awful nice, and i have an arched mainspring housing and short trigger on my springfield)

I will eventually order a new link from a quality producer. Until then, i think i need to work on shooting form and re-sharpen my skills, as this is most likely the issue. I had a walther ppq .40 for about 3 months that i shot primarily, although i did shoot my 1911 better than it, until i focused solely on the ppq and shot it once a week for about a month and a half.
 
What does seem to me though is that the link may be a tad bit long, maybe this is causing the link to get beat up and abused.
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Normally, it would be a short link that is abused. When the barrel is fully linked down the link should be in compression, but a too-short link will be "stretched" with each shot, and that's when you'll see broken links.
 
Springfield RO

I purchased a Springfield RO and I could not get an good groups. Well I shot about 200 rounds and I later sold it. It looked good on the outside, Blueing and had all of the accessories but if it doesn't shoot right, get rid of it.
Purchased a Sig 225 and now that is my carry gun.
 
Looking at that picture I see no sign that the barrel is contacting the frame or its seat in the frame. That indicates to me that the barrel is stopping on the pin, which will eventually lead to the link or pin trying to break the lower lug.

I think it is likely that you will need a new barrel, plus a new link and then have the whole thing fitted properly, either by the factory or by a good pistolsmith.

Jim
 
Good eye,James.I would think with his round count the rear vertical face would look more "kissed"
Maybe,at the lower,radiused edges of the feet I see a witness that could be from contact.Maybe.
Ideal? Prussian blue Hi-Spot ink.It transfers from surface to Its made for the job.

You might get by with a heavy buildup coat of magic marker applied to the vertical impact surface of the frame.Get it clear to the lower corners.

Put it back together and cycle it a few times,then strip it.You sould see some ink transferred to the rear vertical face of the barrel underlug.If you don't,JamesK called it.Now!.If you are really lucky.The cutter they used to cut that matching surface in the frame was worn,and it left a bad corner condition.That would cause that lower corner/edge to contact,and that is not good.Those surfaces should have contact near where the lug joins the barrel.
If you do the ink test,let us know how it goes.If you only get contact around that lower edge,we might be able to improve it.If the corner of the frame bridge is not chamfered,it can interfere with the inside corner where the underlug joins the barrel.
It would be good news to find a corner condition interference that was holding those vertical faces apart.
And frankly,I have seen some problems here on a Springfield
Its not as simple as a longer link.That would lift your barrel feet up off the slide stop pin,and the link would be holding lockup.Not the link's job.You may also cause interference locking lugs to slide.

It makes me wonder that the group was described as a foot "wide" at 15 yds.

I'd expect the dispersion to be mostly vertical from link/lug/lockup problems.

Maybe.
 
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Field stripped the pistol tonight, a few minutes ago, inspecting the lower lug. There is zero wear or chipping of the lower lug
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That should settle it.
I was shooting my springfield better today, averaging 3" 5shot groups at 10yds standing two handed
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Can't argue with success.
 
I noticed sunday when shooting that my first and usually second mark shot close to where i was aiming, just a tad high. Actually the pistol has been shooting high lately, but also after the first and second shot, number 3, 4, and 5 all would be higher. This could be me, but i am afraid my pistol may need a trip to springfield? I would rather them check it out than any damage getting worse. I appreciate the feedback guys.
 
You went from 12" groups to 3" groups, I don't think it's the gun. Keep practicing. Try shooting at 25 yards and then back to 10. 10 will seem much easier after shooting at 25 and 25 will narrow your focus. Front sight...front sight.
 
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