1911 problems

bigamehunter93 · February 18, 2013, 10:59 AM

Hey guys just bought a PT1911 and am curious about about how to solve an issue with how it shoots. Out of the box it shot about 2 inches right and and inch low, but grouped pretty well. after about 20 rds they started hitting waaaay low. I am talking about 10 inches low, and this was at maybe 10 yards or so, no more than 15. The only thing i did was adjust the rear sight, but after they started shooting low I moved it back to its original position to make sure it wasn't that. Any ideas or suggestions to whats causing this? I have only shot 50 rds through it, and they were Remington 230 gr. FMJ's. I am not much of a pistol guy so any help would be greatly appreciated!

polyphemus · February 18, 2013, 12:06 PM

Rather than make adjustments to the sights,you could concentrate on proper
handling,grip,stance and especially finger control.Low shot placement is likely
to be caused by pulling too hard on the trigger.Until you are familiar with your
pistol you should accept a little inaccuracy as part of the process.

RickB · February 18, 2013, 12:29 PM

That's often the case, but it sounds like he was getting good groups, then the groups suddenly changed location on the target, even as he was getting more familiar with it.
I might check for a crack or other issue with the barrel bushing.
Are the sights securely mounted, so holding your adjustments?

bigamehunter93 · February 18, 2013, 01:07 PM

yes I made sure the adjustments were tight and solid. Where would the bushing be cracked at?

Murdock · February 18, 2013, 01:12 PM

Have another (experienced) shooter try the gun and see where and how well it groups.

bigamehunter93 · February 18, 2013, 01:20 PM

yes thats what Ill do next for sure. I would be hoping its not the gun and just me

buckfynn · February 18, 2013, 02:41 PM

Your barrel bushing is in the front end of your slide. It holds your main spring and guide rod in place within the slide. You need to perform a field strip to inspect the barrel bushing.

bigamehunter93 · February 18, 2013, 03:15 PM

Since there has only been 50 rds through the gun this should more than likely not be the case though right?

buckfynn · February 18, 2013, 03:58 PM

Being a new firearm, it is not likely the barrel bushing is the problem, but stranger things have happened.

As many others have already said on this forum, have an experienced shooter put several rounds though your 1911 and see what the results are.

If the problem does not seam to be technique related than move on to other possible problems.

RickB · February 18, 2013, 03:58 PM

You'd like to think, but a sudden change should have a sudden reason, and that's why I suggested a mechanical problem.
The barrel is held by the lugs and slide stop at the back and bushing at the front. If there was an issue at the back, the gun probably wouldn't function at all, but a problem with the bushing might initially change the point of impact. It was something of a wild guess, but easy to investigate.

bigamehunter93 · February 18, 2013, 04:25 PM

makes perfect sense because I was only 10 yards away at most. Shouldnt be shooting that low at that range. And the rear lugs are out of the picture since the gun function flawlessly. Ill check the bushing out and have a real pistol shooter put a few through it haha. Thanks for the input guys.

February 18, 2013, 10:59 AM	#1
bigamehunter93 Member Join Date: March 27, 2010 Posts: 55	1911 problems Hey guys just bought a PT1911 and am curious about about how to solve an issue with how it shoots. Out of the box it shot about 2 inches right and and inch low, but grouped pretty well. after about 20 rds they started hitting waaaay low. I am talking about 10 inches low, and this was at maybe 10 yards or so, no more than 15. The only thing i did was adjust the rear sight, but after they started shooting low I moved it back to its original position to make sure it wasn't that. Any ideas or suggestions to whats causing this? I have only shot 50 rds through it, and they were Remington 230 gr. FMJ's. I am not much of a pistol guy so any help would be greatly appreciated! __________________ " It's easier close the distance by pulling the trigger than by walking 800 yards up the mountain, that is, if your gun will let you."

February 18, 2013, 01:07 PM	#4
bigamehunter93 Member Join Date: March 27, 2010 Posts: 55	yes I made sure the adjustments were tight and solid. Where would the bushing be cracked at? __________________ " It's easier close the distance by pulling the trigger than by walking 800 yards up the mountain, that is, if your gun will let you."

February 18, 2013, 01:12 PM	#5
Murdock Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2008 Location: Down East Maine Posts: 431	Have another (experienced) shooter try the gun and see where and how well it groups. __________________ The United States Marine Corps: Providing the enemies of America the opportunity to die for their countries since 1775. Semper fi.

February 18, 2013, 01:20 PM	#6
bigamehunter93 Member Join Date: March 27, 2010 Posts: 55	yes thats what Ill do next for sure. I would be hoping its not the gun and just me __________________ " It's easier close the distance by pulling the trigger than by walking 800 yards up the mountain, that is, if your gun will let you."

February 18, 2013, 03:15 PM	#8
bigamehunter93 Member Join Date: March 27, 2010 Posts: 55	Since there has only been 50 rds through the gun this should more than likely not be the case though right? __________________ " It's easier close the distance by pulling the trigger than by walking 800 yards up the mountain, that is, if your gun will let you."

February 18, 2013, 12:06 PM	#2
polyphemus Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2012 Posts: 1,055	Rather than make adjustments to the sights,you could concentrate on proper handling,grip,stance and especially finger control.Low shot placement is likely to be caused by pulling too hard on the trigger.Until you are familiar with your pistol you should accept a little inaccuracy as part of the process.

February 18, 2013, 12:29 PM	#3
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	That's often the case, but it sounds like he was getting good groups, then the groups suddenly changed location on the target, even as he was getting more familiar with it. I might check for a crack or other issue with the barrel bushing. Are the sights securely mounted, so holding your adjustments?

February 18, 2013, 02:41 PM	#7
buckfynn Member Join Date: March 23, 2010 Location: Central Idaho Posts: 95	Your barrel bushing is in the front end of your slide. It holds your main spring and guide rod in place within the slide. You need to perform a field strip to inspect the barrel bushing.

February 18, 2013, 03:58 PM	#9
buckfynn Member Join Date: March 23, 2010 Location: Central Idaho Posts: 95	Being a new firearm, it is not likely the barrel bushing is the problem, but stranger things have happened. As many others have already said on this forum, have an experienced shooter put several rounds though your 1911 and see what the results are. If the problem does not seam to be technique related than move on to other possible problems.

February 18, 2013, 04:25 PM	#11
bigamehunter93 Member Join Date: March 27, 2010 Posts: 55	makes perfect sense because I was only 10 yards away at most. Shouldnt be shooting that low at that range. And the rear lugs are out of the picture since the gun function flawlessly. Ill check the bushing out and have a real pistol shooter put a few through it haha. Thanks for the input guys. __________________ " It's easier close the distance by pulling the trigger than by walking 800 yards up the mountain, that is, if your gun will let you."