Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    South East of disorder
    Posts
    3,572
    Rep Power
    21474853

    Default 1943 1911a1 Union switch and signal vs. 2017 1911 Rock Island

    I went shooting the other day with a friend. He took his Rock Island and shot all over the target 7,8,9, rings. Then he took my 1943/1911 and knocked the bulls eye out. What is your opinion on such a discrepancy in shooting such similar guns. We both have a mutual friend who is older, he though it was just a matter of break in. What say ye 1911 gun slingers?

    *** we were in an indoor range, no weather, sun glare or other factors were present. Targets were the same distance apart and the ammo was the same***
    Aggies Coach Really ??? Take off the tin foil bro.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
    (Lehigh County)
    Posts
    3,146
    Rep Power
    21474850

    Default Re: 1943 1911a1 Union switch and signal vs. 2017 1911 Rock Island

    Quote Originally Posted by Daycrawler View Post
    I went shooting the other day with a friend. He took his Rock Island and shot all over the target 7,8,9, rings. Then he took my 1943/1911 and knocked the bulls eye out. What is your opinion on such a discrepancy in shooting such similar guns. We both have a mutual friend who is older, he though it was just a matter of break in. What say ye 1911 gun slingers?

    *** we were in an indoor range, no weather, sun glare or other factors were present. Targets were the same distance apart and the ammo was the same***
    I would give this some weight. A good smith could make the Rock shoot as well as the vintage gun.
    Illegitimus non carborundum est

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    East side of the ANF, Pennsylvania
    (Elk County)
    Posts
    7,018
    Rep Power
    21474859

    Default Re: 1943 1911a1 Union switch and signal vs. 2017 1911 Rock Island

    In my experience with four (4) RIA 1911s I would have expected the opposite to be the case. Rock Island 1911s are all state-of-art CNC machined, and the barrel to slide / slide to frame fits are generally worthy of competition guns. Every one I've picked up is TIGHT.

    However, the factors that influence my ability to shoot a 1911 well (accurately) are these:

    1) 1911 trigger vs 1911A1 trigger. With my hands, I can shoot a long (1911) trigger much better than a short (1911A1) trigger. NONE of my 1911s of any flavor wear a short trigger. I repaired hundreds of 1911/1911A1 pistols while a 2111 in the USMC/USMCR from '72 to '86. I could never get used to the short 1911A1 trigger.

    2) The trigger pull better be in the range of 4.0 to 4.5 lbs, because anything higher and I'll "shoot all over the target" myself. A friend bought a Springfield Armory MIL Spec 1911 about 10 yrs ago and it had a horrendous 7.3 lb pull. He could not hit with it, and when I tried it, I could barely keep them on the paper at 50 ft let alone group. I tuned the hammer, trigger, sear, and adjusted the sear spring, go the pull down a good 3 lbs to around 4.2 lbs and I was then hitting 8, 9, and 10 rings at 50 feet without trying. After a few mags full of ammo, my friend could hit claybirds on edge at 25 yds.

    3) Mainspring housings can throw me off temporarily if I switch from a gun with an arched MSH (1911A1) to one with a flat MSH (1911). It's temporary, because after a mag or two I find my "sweet spot" and can do OK with either type of MSH, all other things equal (long trigger, =/> 4.5 lb trigger).

    If your friend did that poorly with the RIA, then that well with the US&S 1911A1, then I would have handed the RIA back to him to "do the other half of the experiment." Maybe he was a bit jumpy at first 1911 and his nerves settled before shooting the second gun.

    Noah
    Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Quakertown, Pennsylvania
    (Bucks County)
    Posts
    5,877
    Rep Power
    21474856

    Default Re: 1943 1911a1 Union switch and signal vs. 2017 1911 Rock Island

    I have a RIA plain Jane USGI model that is retarded accurate, and was right out of the box. Everyone that shoots it doesn't want to give it back to me.

    I was looking at them for a while, but one of Noah's rave reviews was what made me finally get one.

    I take it out to play more than my 70 Series Gold Cup.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Apolacon Township, Pennsylvania
    (Susquehanna County)
    Age
    77
    Posts
    5,797
    Rep Power
    21474859

    Default Re: 1943 1911a1 Union switch and signal vs. 2017 1911 Rock Island

    Something overlooked is also the "psychological" effect or trying out a "new" or strange piece. That is because it is a "first time" one does everything right and applies all the basics very purposefully. Resulting in a beautiful target that can almost never be duplicated!


    "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities".

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    East side of the ANF, Pennsylvania
    (Elk County)
    Posts
    7,018
    Rep Power
    21474859

    Default Re: 1943 1911a1 Union switch and signal vs. 2017 1911 Rock Island

    Quote Originally Posted by RockIsland View Post
    I have a RIA plain Jane USGI model that is retarded accurate, and was right out of the box. Everyone that shoots it doesn't want to give it back to me.

    I was looking at them for a while, but one of Noah's rave reviews was what made me finally get one.

    I take it out to play more than my 70 Series Gold Cup.

    Yeah, that's it, blame it on me.

    Noah
    Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Apolacon Township, Pennsylvania
    (Susquehanna County)
    Age
    77
    Posts
    5,797
    Rep Power
    21474859

    Default Re: 1943 1911a1 Union switch and signal vs. 2017 1911 Rock Island

    Quote Originally Posted by Noah_Zark View Post
    Yeah, that's it, blame it on me.

    Noah
    AWWW! Heck! Everyone knows you're only responsible for two things...Everything that happens and everything that doesn't happen!


    "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities".

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    South East of disorder
    Posts
    3,572
    Rep Power
    21474853

    Default Re: 1943 1911a1 Union switch and signal vs. 2017 1911 Rock Island

    I left out the best part of the story. Before we walked into the range he was telling be how he was going to beat my ass on the battle ship targets. I took him three for three. So he lost money and had to say "You sank my battle ship" LOL



    Quote Originally Posted by gghbi View Post
    I would give this some weight. A good smith could make the Rock shoot as well as the vintage gun.
    We are going to go shooting more often. I want him to put about 500 rounds through his 1911. Then see what happens.

    Quote Originally Posted by Noah_Zark View Post

    If your friend did that poorly with the RIA, then that well with the US&S 1911A1, then I would have handed the RIA back to him to "do the other half of the experiment." Maybe he was a bit jumpy at first 1911 and his nerves settled before shooting the second gun.

    Noah
    We shot several guns that day and over 100 rounds through his 1911. IDK if he was trying harder with mine or if break in really makes that much of a difference.

    Quote Originally Posted by Brick View Post
    Something overlooked is also the "psychological" effect or trying out a "new" or strange piece. That is because it is a "first time" one does everything right and applies all the basics very purposefully. Resulting in a beautiful target that can almost never be duplicated!
    He may have been trying harder. We will see what happens at the next range trip.
    Aggies Coach Really ??? Take off the tin foil bro.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
    Posts
    1,639
    Rep Power
    21474852

    Default Re: 1943 1911a1 Union switch and signal vs. 2017 1911 Rock Island

    how come no one's asked the all important question...

    pics of that old war horse!!!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Quakertown, Pennsylvania
    (Bucks County)
    Posts
    5,877
    Rep Power
    21474856

    Default Re: 1943 1911a1 Union switch and signal vs. 2017 1911 Rock Island

    Quote Originally Posted by Noah_Zark View Post
    Yeah, that's it, blame it on me.

    Noah
    Well, it's not entirely your fault.

    Like I said, they had piqued my interest for a while, and when it comes to 1911's (and most other things) I trust your judgement.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Rock Island 1911a1 4" Commander
    By 96D in forum Pistols
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: June 25th, 2010, 08:15 PM
  2. Rock Island 1911a1 45
    By 96D in forum General
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: August 15th, 2007, 06:06 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •