Ruger SR1911--low left

[gypsyman]

Just recently bought a Ruger 1911. Read and viewed alot of reports and videos about this gun. Only had a chance to get to the range once, and ran about 120rds. thru it. Am very well pleased. Only had 2 jams, and they were with some unknown soft cast bullets I had loaded years ago for my Auto-Ord. in .45acp. I mixed HP and the lead round nose in 3 different mags. All the HP's went thru without a jam. In the last couple mags I shot, I paid more attention to were it was hitting. Only thing I had to shoot at, was a blank white 3x5 index card, I had stapled to a brown piece of cardboard. I had to aim at the top right corner, to hit at the bottom left corner of the index card.(All shooting was 12-15yds offhand) The groups could all be covered by the index card. I can change the rear sight,(Novak), but I'm trying to figure out how to raise point of aim. I can't put a shorter front sight in, as I don't think they make one. Somebody at the gun show this last weekend suggested a different slide spring, and maybe go to a little lighter spring. I think, the factory one is 14 or 15 lbs., but couldn't swear by it. It's not something that I can't live with, just would like it to shoot point of aim. Maybe try loading at the bottom end of the powder scale?? Any suggestions would be appreciated!! Thanks--gypsyman

[gcrank1]

One hand, two hand, stance, stiff armed or not all make a difference on the POI. I always shoot lower with a firm twohand hold and left is not unusual for a right handed shooter as you stroke the trigger. It wouldnt surprise me if you did a twohand benchtest with well padded forearms resting square to the target that it went center, or was that how you did it?

[gypsyman]

gcrank1, sorry about not getting back with a reply sooner. Christmas doings and all. All shooting at that first session was 2 handed hold,off hand, 12-15 yds. Will use a rest,forearms on pad, next time out. Will also have regular jacketed hardball loaded, to go along with the HP, and cast. Been told by an instructor that as the gun wears in, point of aim might change, but not usually by much, if it does. I know that a gun like this, isn't really broke in, untill you have around 500 rds. thru it. So, hopefully, in the next couple days, will try and get some range time, and get another 200+ rds thru it. Oh the work! Merry Christmas   gypsyman

[Mike in Virginia]

Yep, I'd shoot it off a solid sandbag rest.  Offhand shooting is no way to test a gun.  By the way, regarding a 1911, I was taught that too much finger across the trigger will cause the shooter to pull right, while not enough finger will push left.  I learned that in 1966, back when the military pistol was a 1911.  I still have my expert medal, and I believe I earned it using that principle.  Those old guns were terribly sloppy and the triggers would wear a blister on your finger after a day of shooting, but they could be mastered.  The new Rugers and Kimbers and Smiths and Colts are a piece of cake compared to the originals. 

[Alvin]

Heavier bullets and faster speeds will raise the point of impact.

[gypsyman]

Settled on a load of 5.5gr.s of 231, with a 230 trunencated cone cast bullet. Bought the point of aim up, and adjusted the rear sight to the right. Might have been me with the trigger, but then, very seldom will I shoot this gun over a rest. So, figured I'd compensate for my pushing trigger finger. Ran thru about 100 rds yesterday with about half going into a dueling tree I just finished up. That, can be very addictive. Now that the weather has broke, trips to the range are diffentley going to become much more often. gypsyman