Difference between Wadcutter and Ball gun

[thwkman]

Greetings,

New to bullseye, shooting for that matter. I just started competing with my club's pistol team in a winter gallery league. Looking forward to shooting my first 900 in Feb. But I'm having some much fun now that I'm now forthing at the mouth to a get a .45 and try 1800 and 2700 matches. Yes, I know I'm probably going too quickly, so my plan is to learn as much about the 1911 so I can make an intelligent purchase when I have the peso's. Enough of the autobiography already;-))

Now to the question: What is the difference between a Bullseye wadcutter 1911 and a so called ball gun? My plan has been to aim towards the best bullseye wadcutter I can get as I understand ball competition is usually down the road a bit. I'm thinking that unless you are a top shooter you probably use one gun for both types of matches and that type is a wadcutter?

How far off am I.

Thanks.

[govtmodel]

The differences are in the Rules :D NRA Conventional Pistol Rule 3.3 governs the wad gun, technically known as "Any 45 Caliber Pistol or Revolver." Here's the rule-

NRA Rule 3.3 Any .45 Caliber Semiautomatic Pistol or Revolver - Any .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol or revolver; barrel length, including cylinders, not more than 10 inches. Trigger pull for revolvers not less than 2 1/2 pounds, .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol trigger pull not less than 3 1/2 pounds. Sights may be adjustable but not over 10 inches apart measured from the apex of the rear sight to the apex of the front sight. All standard safety features of guns must operate properly. Any sights, including telescopic, are permitted with the exception of those sights which project an image on the target. Any sighting device programmed to activate the firing mechanism is prohibited.

As you can see, that leaves a lot to the imagination. Also, the ammunition is governed by Rule 3.17(b)- Ammunition of any description that may be fired without danger to competitors, range personnel or equipment.

The 185 grain and 200 grain semiwadcutter style bullets in the 750 fps range dominate. Virtually all civilian shooters handload.

The Service Pistol or Ball Gun is a slightly different animal. It is required in Excellence in Competition (EIC) matches, known colloquially as Hardball. The relevant rule is Civilian Markmanship Program Rule 6.4. Here it is-

6.4 Pistols Permitted and Specific Requirements
Competitors may use any of the following U. S. service pistols in the National Trophy Pistol Matches and CMP sanctioned EIC Matches.
6.4.1 U.S. Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911 or M1911A1
The pistol must be a pistol that was issued by the U.S. Armed Forces or a commercial pistol of the same type and caliber. The pistol must also comply with the following specific requirements.
(1) The stock must not cover the mainspring housing or prevent holstering in the standard service holster. The stock must not be more than 1.3” wide between right and left extremities.
(2) The trigger may be extended, adjustable and vented.
(3) The mainspring housing may be straight or arched, checkered or stippled. The mainspring housing may not be covered with any material.
(4) The slide may have the curved “relief cut” (Gold Cup dimple) at the rear of the ejection port.
(5) The ejection port may be lowered to aid in ejection.
(6) A flat surface may be milled immediately in front of and behind the dovetail to aid in securely mounting adjustable rear sights.
(7) A cut may be made at the extreme rear of the slide to allow for rear sight clearance and vertical movement.
(8) The distance between sights, measured from the apex of the front sight to the rear face of the rear sight, must not be more than 7.25".

6.4.2 U.S. Pistol, 9mm, M9
The pistol must be a pistol that was issued by the U.S. Armed Forces or a commercial pistol of the same type and caliber. The pistol must also comply with the following specific requirements.
(1) The pistol may have either a standard M9–type slide or a non-standard (i.e. Brigadier) slide.
(2) Barrel length of no less than 4.9" or no longer than 5.0".
(3) Overall length of no less than 8.52" or no longer than 8.62".
(4) A specially designed barrel may be used providing it does not measure more than 0.70” outside diameter and meets the length measurements of the issued barrel. This barrel dimension may be achieved with the use of a larger barrel or a sleeve fitted to the end of the barrel. Threading the barrel to fit the sleeve is permitted.
(5) The distance between sights, measured from the apex of the front sight to the rear face of the rear sight, must not be more than 7.50”.
(6) The stock must not be more than 1.5” wide between left and right extremities.
(7) The trigger may be extended, adjustable and vented.
(8) The fore strap and rear of the grip may be covered with a non-slip adhesive tape, but the tape may not be continuously wrapped around the grip.
(9) The double action capability of the firing mechanism must be operable.

EIC matches are held in conjunction with NRA State and Regional Championships.

Hope to see you at the range this season!

[Maj Tom]

Your question has been answered completely.

Welcome to the wonderful addiction of Bullseye!

[thwkman]

Thanks for the comprehnsive reply. Answered my question AND piqued my interested in surfing the CMP pages. MORE STUFF for me to over commit myself to;-))) As they used to say when I was a wee lad and suagr was good for you.

Can't get enough of thet Sugar Crisp!

[edski]

I started with a "ball" gun because that's what I could afford (a Springfield Armory Mil-Spec -- not the GI version but the next step up). I found a supply of "wad loads" (LSWC bullets with a lesser load of propellant, see http://www.nsksales.com and tell Neil that Ed Skinner sent you) and put a lighter recoil spring in the gun to compensate. That combination functioned well in the NRA Conventional competitions. (But the SA in its otherwise unmodified form will have a hard time holding the 8 ring at the long line.)

After the Bullseye match, we often shoot a hardball match. Between the two, I snake the barrel several times -- the lead residue from the LSWC [Lead Semi-WadCutter] bullets would otherwise be "packed" outward and into the barrel by the jacketed hardball bullets (I'm told) so you want to get as much of the lead out as practical.

I then change the recoil spring back to the stronger original to cope with the heavier loads in ball ammo and then fire away.

Switching back and forth means that the gun will always be a in slightly compromised configuration, adequate for both styles but ideal for neither.

Eventually, I sent the gun off and had it made into a precision shooter for wad loads and a red dot attached. It's a real tack driver now and gets a diet of nothing but LSWC wad loads. No hardball anymore with that gun which means I need a new gun (Christmas?) for the EIC matches -- shooting hardball is definately different, challenging, and a lot of fun.