Author Topic: springfield mil spec 1911 (Read 1523 times)

tgaines · « **on:** February 03, 2004, 03:21:27 PM »

hi
i bought a mil spec 1911 from springfield about a year ago. i've put about 500 rounds through it and i still have the same problem, it's all over the paper @15 yds. and i have to aim really high. it was my first handgun so i thought at first i just didn't know how to shoot it properly, but i don't have these problems with my glock (a later purchase). it's very accurate @15 yds (glock 27).
so here's my question, did i get a dud? are mil specs just not that accurate? or is there a break in period for 1911's and i've just not reached it?
please help, i fear i'm about to get fed up and sell it, haha :lol:

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** February 04, 2004, 04:16:33 AM »

tgains: I had the same dang problem with mine when I first got it and no matter what I did to it she would still group 7" high, 7" to the left and give me a 7" group at 25 yds. I even threw in some other GI bbls I had but to no benefit. Then, I saw an article in Gun Tests Magazine about drop-in accuracy bbls and the Ed Brown drop in accuracy bbl took a shooter like yours and turned it into a 2.5" grouper at 25 yds with military sights. I purchased one of those Ed Brown bbls and it did just what they said it did.

From the first magazine after installation the shots strung from 6" high and dead center right down to the X, with a 6 o'clock hold - every round after that grouped to 2 - 2.5 inches right on the X with S&B ball at 25 yds.

You may want to consider that sort of an enhnacement. HTH. Mikey.

Bob_K · « **Reply #2 on:** February 04, 2004, 06:15:36 AM »

The Springfield basic pistol is an excellent base to build up a superbly shooting pistol over time. You'll need to swap out the barrel for a match grade one, you'll need a trigger job, and you may want to put better sights on it. For a barrel, look to BARSTO or KART. BARSTO has a drop in barrel that will improve accuracy right off the bat, but better accuracy can be obtained if you get the oversized match barrel and have a qualified gunsmith fit it. KART has a minimal fit barrel that you might be able to do yourself. Gil Hebard Guns, 125 Public Square, Knoxville, Illinois 61448 carries the KART barrel and a bunch of other pistol accuracy stuff. If you are military or police, ask for his discount schedule.

Savage · « **Reply #3 on:** February 04, 2004, 10:56:51 AM »

Hummm, I have seen two Springer Champions display this same trait! Both shot 2'-3' low at 15yds. Couldn't get a rear sight high enough or a front one low enough to bring it on target. Both were traded off. It is my understanding that the Springfield barrels are two piece and welded together. Wonder if they could have been misaligned?--------
Savage

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2004, 10:12:56 AM »

Most people I know with a Mil-spec Springfield likes them, and they shoot very good. :grin:

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2004, 11:51:19 AM »

I have one I bought a year ago also. It shot better than my Kimber Stainless Target model, just the way I got it out of the box. All shots in a 4 inch circle at 25 yards. I sold my Kimber after that. I still have the Springfield Mil-Spec and would not get rid of it for anything. I wanted to dress it up a bit, so I added a stainless mag well, installed a stainless beavertail, a stainless barrel bushing, Hogue grips and stainless screws. I also installed a 2 piece guide rod, replaced the trigger and sear with Wilson parts. All the parts I installed were Wilson parts. I did not make the modification due to poor accuracy, but I just wanted to dress it up a bit and smooth out the action. The gun looks and shoots nice. But as I said it shot like a dream right out of the box. My buddy got one in 38 Super and it shoots as well as my 45ACP.

Nanook 450 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2004, 02:50:20 PM »

Quote from: tgaines

hi
i bought a mil spec 1911 from springfield about a year ago. i've put about 500 rounds through it and i still have the same problem, it's all over the paper @15 yds. and i have to aim really high. it was my first handgun so i thought at first i just didn't know how to shoot it properly, but i don't have these problems with my glock (a later purchase). it's very accurate @15 yds (glock 27).
so here's my question, did i get a dud? are mil specs just not that accurate? or is there a break in period for 1911's and i've just not reached it?
please help, i fear i'm about to get fed up and sell it, haha :lol:

Do you use a two handed grip? Are both of your thumbs pointed upward? Are you pressing the trigger with the end of your finger? Was that Glock a 9mm? Does the 45 recoil bother you? You should be right at the break in period - are you cleaning that barrel and the rest of the pistol well? Sit down at the bench with sand bag rests and check your grouping, then consider your grip, form and stance . . .

Old Syko · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2004, 05:33:23 PM »

My mil spec came out of the blue plastic box, was checked for barrel obstructions, loaded and put the first 3 rounds through the same cloverleaf shaped hole. This thing loves Speer Gold Dot 200 grainers. I'm yet to find anything it will handle better. PMC 230gr. ball leaves something that looks like a shotgun group. Ammo makes a big difference.

clamman · « **Reply #8 on:** February 09, 2004, 10:55:20 AM »

HEY-I LOVE my 1911 Springfield!!! Got 3" groups (a big ol' hole) at 25 yards. Though, I have had 3 jams (empty shell got stuck in the slide) I've shot it 500 times and this is the only problem. My gunsmith has ordered a longer ejector for it, he says springfield warranty sucks-all they will do is shoot a clip through it and say its ok.. It had a trigger job today, 3 lbs. I cant wait to kill that brunswick bowling pin tomorrow. YEE HAA!! Can anybody tell me where I can get a parkerized extended trigger??

paladyn · « **Reply #9 on:** June 01, 2004, 11:31:17 AM »

I just bought a new Milspec, and I'm hitting the target fairly well from the first time I've shot it out of the box, no modifications.

jimbo444 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 16, 2004, 10:26:27 AM »

I've had my mil spec for less than a year but its shoots fine the only problems I've ever had with accuracy are mine and not the guns. Its usually because I've been shooting rifles for a few hours and by the time I get to the pistols I am just wore down.

Nanook 450 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 19, 2004, 02:33:31 AM »

Quote from: clamman

HEY-I LOVE my 1911 Springfield!!! Got 3" groups (a big ol' hole) at 25 yards. Though, I have had 3 jams (empty shell got stuck in the slide) I've shot it 500 times and this is the only problem. My gunsmith has ordered a longer ejector for it, he says springfield warranty sucks-all they will do is shoot a clip through it and say its ok.. It had a trigger job today, 3 lbs. I cant wait to kill that brunswick bowling pin tomorrow. YEE HAA!! Can anybody tell me where I can get a parkerized extended trigger??

Springfield traded me straigh-up for a 3 year old Trophy Match - gave me a new TRP ($300 more) because I was not satisfied with the target sights. Your gunsmith must not understand that Springfield's lifetime warranty means lifetime. He probably sells Kimber's as Kimber allows the wholesaler to make more money per pistol than does Springfield.

You were erroneously prejudiced by your smith.

C96 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 22, 2004, 08:36:55 PM »

clamman your gunsmith didn't do you any favors bad mouthing SA warranty
service. They often do a good job and the warranty is lifetime.

I will sometimes use a local smith for convenience/small jobs but not because
SA won't do it right or free.

tgaines - I think you have a poorly fitted barrel, talk to SA about your problem.
There could also be an extractor problem. At least your milspec
has a larger opening in the slide than my GI version.

To sell firearms as cheaply as the GI and Milspec series, SA does cut out a
lot of hand fitting and testing. In my opinion they are some of the very best
for the money. I'm sure mine will get some money spent on it for a beaver
tail safety and most likely a Brown Hardcore extractor. But that's just me.

allan