Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I have had a 92fs for a few months (a newer gun owner) and I am an ok shot with it (been shooting for 4 months). Nothing impressive at 15m though, probably good 8-10" grouping.

This past weekend I shot a Para GI Expert 1911 and at 15m I had a 5" grouping. This is the first time I shot a 1911 properly.
Proper grip and keeping the front sight in focus.

I have been trying to figure out why I shoot better with it than my 92. And its not the DA SA change that holds me up.

Any ideas? BTW the wife shot better with it as well.

I have the same problem. I shoot my SA 1911 a bit better than my SA XD45, I'm not sure why. Maybe the grip size is affecting your trigger reach (check out your firing grip closely with each gun to see if you're using more or less trigger finger or your firing grip is different in any way.)

I noticed that my Springfield Champion had less perceived recoil than my 4.5" XDm-9. I think part of it is that because 45 is a lot slower than 9mm, the recoil is different - it's more of a push back than a muzzle flip. This would allow you to get back on target more quickly. And, with less muzzle flip, you wouldn't anticipate the shot as much.

It could also just be the difference in trigger. I'm a better shot with my 4" 66-7 than I am with the Champion, usually, and I'm guessing the consistency/weight of the trigger is part of it.

I did notice that there is less movement of the gun and I am wondering like mentioned that its not compensating for the recoil.

Its good to know that its just not me, now to practice more with the beretta.

I think it could be that John Browning got the whole ergonomics thing better with the M1911 a hundred years ago than most modern designers. There are 2 huge differences between the Beretta and the Browning design, even though the Beretta is a 9MM, the double stack magazine makes for a very wide grip and the other big difference is the trigger slides straight back on the M1911 and the Beretta's trigger pivots around a pin. Has anybody else noticed that when folks take their Glocks and other polymer frame pistols and reshape and stipple them, they almost aways seem to reshape it to something closer to the M1911. Another thing about the Browning design is, it is the original changeable back-strap handgun. Between that and the long and short triggers, the easily changed grips and you have a pistol that can feel like it was made to fit your hand.

Grip angles, trigger length of pull, grip geometry and dimensions, etc. etc. Find what works for you and run with it. The perfect handgun ergonomics for a 6'5" 250lbs man is not the same for a 5'3" 100lbs women. I typically shoot 1911 worse than my Glocks, to each his own.

I agree that the M1911 ergos are just about perfect for the "average" person. The single-action trigger is second to none. It pulls straight back and breaks like a glass rod. John Moses Browning hit this one out of the park. I don't shoot any semi-auto better than a M1911, and never have. My experience with M1911s have made me a trigger snob.

I have a friend that has a Sig 228 - a very nice pistol that shoots well, but too bulky for him to carry routinely. I talked him into a M1911 Pro-model (4" barrel, full sized grip) for carrying. Right out of the box, he was shooting better groups with the M1911 than the Sig he'd had for many years.

There are good reasons that M1911s remain incredibly popular and in regular use after a hundred years of faithful service.

The 1911 wa designed for shooting things and people, rather making a fashion statement.

Jim

arkypete wrote:The 1911 wa designed for shooting things and people, rather making a fashion statement.

Jim

And yet it makes quite the fashion statement. The 1911 is simply the best looking pistol out there, IMO.

m4a1mustang wrote:

arkypete wrote:The 1911 wa designed for shooting things and people, rather making a fashion statement.

Jim

And yet it makes quite the fashion statement. The 1911 is simply the best looking pistol out there, IMO.

Agreed! Case in point:

trigger, trigger, trigger


grip angle and fit in hand maybe second

In my experience it comes down to the single action trigger... There is so much less travel, also less tug and pull...

I had a 92FS, didnt do much for me and my accuracy with it was marginal, so I sold it. So far, the only pistol that I feel I am very accurate with, and enjoy shooting, are my Kimbers, and my CZ 75 SA Target (very 1911-like feel to it).

When I shot my first 1911, the skys parted, angels sang, and it was then that I understood why the 1911 has been favored by so many!

I might be going to hell for saying this but I have never liked shooting the 1911. It looks good, and I can appreciate the historical aspects of it, but it just doesn't feel right to me. Even though i did reshape my glock 20 into more of a 1911 grip angle. Something i have noticed about target shooting is when switching to a new gun you put less pressure on yourself because you have no expectation to perform well and just shoot. Also to anyone looking to improve on the range try feeling aggressive. I have never heard anyone mention this but it works. It must be implied huh.
YOUR DONE FOR YOU PAPERY BASTARD!