Govt. 70 model shoots low

[webtaz99]

Using two different sets of sights, my 1911 shoots 5" low at 10 meters. Two other shooters (way better than me) have gotten the same results (with much tighter groups :mad: ).

What could make my 1911 shoot so low so consistently?

[Hunter]

Where are you lining up your front sight blade in relation to the rear sight? I am assuming you do not have an adjustable rear sight.

[webtaz99]

I have a 3-dot setup. I line up the three dots, and expect the point of impact to be just above the center dot. I started with a fixed rear sight, then tried an adjustable. The adjustable at its maximum height gives exactly the same results as the fixed sight.

[Hunter]

Have you checked the barrel to bushing fit? That could contribute to point of aim/point of impact. I would also check and be sure the barrel is not riding the link pushing the breech to high into the slide. If there not enough vertical clearance in the bushing that can cause lock up problems as well. On my 1911s the front sight is inline with the target and the top of the rear sight is level with the top of the front sight. The front sight will be in the rear sight groove with equal distance on both sides and level across the top..

[webtaz99]

The bushing is slightly loose, but I am more suspicious of the link. I think a bushing loose enough to allow that much drop would be visible. If nothing else comes to mind, I'll try a link set and see what works best.

[Hunter]

More than .003" on one side between the barrel and bushing will be close to out of spec while .004 will be on the line. I have heard recommended clearance to be .002" on one side for service pistols. Something else to try is to remove the slide from the frame on your 1911. Hold the slide in your hand with the sights parallel to the floor and using your thumb try and mash the barrel into the locking lugs in the slide. The barrel should move into the lugs and be solid if it is "springy" meaning you are stressing the barrel/bushing by having to force the lugs together and it will "spring" back against your thumb when you release pressure. Keep in mind the "spring" will not be much but will be noticeable if there is not enough vertical barrel to bushing clearance. You can measure the barrel link to be sure no one has installed a longer link causing the lugs to engage the lugs on the slide deeper. The standard link is .278" center to center and I believe the longer links come in .003" increments. The technical section tells how to check and see if the barrel is riding the link.

[John]

I line up the three dots, and expect the point of impact to be just above the center dot.

The target should not be above the dot, the dot should be on the target, in the center of the target. In other words, most probably your pistol is adjusted for center hold, and not 6 o'clock hold. Give it a try.

[Hawkmoon]

I have a 3-dot setup. I line up the three dots, and expect the point of impact to be just above the center dot. I started with a fixed rear sight, then tried an adjustable. The adjustable at its maximum height gives exactly the same results as the fixed sight.
That's your mistake.

I had the same experience when I bought my first pistol with 3-dot sights. After some asking around, I was informed in no uncertain terms that 3-dot sights are "combat" sights, and that they are intended to be used such that after lining the three dots up horizontally, you place the center (front) dot ON the intended point of impact. In other words, no 6:00 o'clock hold, no 12:00 o'clock hold, use a center-of-bullseye hold.

I don't like it ... it's hard to unlearn 50 years of training ... but that does appear to be the way they work.

[webtaz99]

The target should not be above the dot, the dot should be on the target, in the center of the target. In other words, most probably your pistol is adjusted for center hold, and not 6 o'clock hold. Give it a try.

How would a pistol be adjusted for center or 6 o'clock hold?

[OD*]

How would a pistol be adjusted for center or 6 o'clock hold?
Height of the front sight, try aiming with the target just sitting on the sight blade, not the dot.

[Hawkmoon]

How would a pistol be adjusted for center or 6 o'clock hold?
It IS adjusted for a center hold. Assuming that you wish to continue using the three dots, to adjust for a 6:00 o'clock hold you would have to either install a front sight with the dot lower (closer to the slide) or a rear sight with the dots raised higher off the slide -- or a combination of both.

I note you are shooting at 10 meters (30 feet.) Those 3-dot sights are intended as "combat" sights, and most self-defense shootings take place closer that 30 feet. (Generally about half that, in fact.) You might be better off giving up on 3-dot sights and having a set of target sights installed if you plan to do most of your shooting beyond self-defense distance.

[webtaz99]

I hang my head in shame.

I took my .45 apart and took a good look at the bushing. Ouch! I can see daylight all the way around the barrel. Time for a new bushing.

Also, my link seems too long. The front faces of the lugs are dirty where they should touch the slidstop crosspin (that should have been a dead giveaway), and the crosspin is worn more in the center than where the lugs touch.

BTW, how does one accurately measure the center-to-center "length" of a link?