Why am I so much better with one pistol than the other?

metalslug

metalslug

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I've got a Norc 1911A1 in .45ACP. Love the gun, and i've kept it bone stock. I started practicing at 25 yards, but I was terrible at it so I moved up to 10 yards. I can get all rounds on the paper, but it seems like even with the sights right on the bullseye, my bullets will stray off all over the paper. High, low, left, right, where ever they feel like going. It's kind of frustrating actually since I am aiming right on target!
Now, there's the Beretta M92 9mm. I borrowed one and went through 100 rounds with it, at 10 yards because that's what I was used to with the 1911, and right away I consistently got tight groups right on target. No guess work with that gun; it shot where I expected to every time.
I tried a flinch test (had a buddy load my gun for me, randomly loading and empty mag without me knowing) and that was fine.
So, is it the gun? The nature of the round? Should I just get the gun i'm naturally better with even though I love the 1911? WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN!?
 
Starting off with a 45 you'll develop bad habits why dont you get a 1911-22 gsg or sig and keep your 1911 and shoot at 5-7yards and move from there. And if you make good group's with the Beretta get your hands on a cz75.
 
Comparing a Norinco to a Beretta is like comparing a Corolla to a Porsche. My advice is shoot the 9mm, cheaper ammo less recoil. You'll put up better groups. I have a Ruger SR1911 and a 9mm Girsan Regard. I get much tighter groups with my 9mm.
 
Now, there's the Beretta M92 9mm. I borrowed one and went through 100 rounds with it, at 10 yards because that's what I was used to with the 1911, and right away I consistently got tight groups right on target. No guess work with that gun; it shot where I expected to every time.
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Sounds like you need a Beretta ;)

I'm not a 1911 guy buy I always show them well, Sig 1911 Cary that I had was probably my most accurate semi.
 
I got a norc 1911 first. It does shoot very straight, but I couldn't get decent groups either. Then I said what the hell and went to get a 9mm, and the overwhelming recommendation was the cz sp01 shadow. The trigger is night and day. It was so easy it's almost like just pointing in the general direction, pull the trigger and the shadow does the rest. My norc didn't have the new fiber optic front sight, which I find also helps on my shadow. I think a trigger job on the norc will make a difference. In fact my confidence went up so much I went out and got a ruger 22/45 to be able to practice more...
 
You're just not used to shooting the 1911 yet OP. Don't get too frustrated, it's you, not the gun:). Now that you're feeling better about yourself, understand that the Norc (and original Colt) have absolutely sh1tty sights. These are combat guns that are designed to hit a chest sized target out to about 25 yards with a single hand hold. This they do very well with some practice, and the 1911 platform can do more...much, much more. But only with practice. Ensure that the gun slide and barrel are in line with your forearm, to do this the gun handle is rotated counter clockwise (RH) until only the tip of your trigger finger can reach the trigger. Fill in the space on the left side grip panel with your off hand and put the sights on bulls. Now squeeze the gun between your hands until it begins to shake with the effort and back off on the squeeze only until the gun stops shaking...you now have the proper (two handed) grip for a 1911. Once you master the grip it will become 2nd nature and then when you squeeze the trigger...bulls will print (so long as you're controlling breathing, not flinching ect, ect,ect. :))

.45acp is a fairly big bore caliber and if your grip isn't locked secure the gun will move around in your hands between shots...9mm as well, but not to the same extreme. It's more forgiving and generally easier to shoot (unless its a Glock {flame suit on}).
 
I used to be obsessed with 1911s til I shot a $3000 nighthawk custom next to my Glock 26 and 23 and the groups were better with my Glocks.

Just sell the 1911 and buy something modern. Glock, M&P or a CZ are all better pistols.
 
cadgo said:
I used to be obsessed with 1911s til I shot a $3000 nighthawk custom next to my Glock 26 and 23 and the groups were better with my Glocks.

Just sell the 1911 and buy something modern. Glock, M&P or a CZ are all better pistols.
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You do realize that you are going to Hell when you die, don't you? You might as well have criticized the Pope. It's like the guy on here who said his Nissan Sentra was better than his Aston Martin.

Oops! That was me. :redface:
 
Green Skull said:
Comparing a Norinco to a Beretta is like comparing a Corolla to a Porsche. My advice is shoot the 9mm, cheaper ammo less recoil. You'll put up better groups. I have a Ruger SR1911 and a 9mm Girsan Regard. I get much tighter groups with my 9mm.
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That's not fair. The difference between Corollas and Norincos is markedly greater than that between Berettas and Porsches.
 
My guess is it has more to do with the calibre tan the gun. .45ACP is 230grains of fatness and needs more hand/ wrist strength. 9mm is just such a little thing, everyone shoots it well.

My first experience with a handgun was a glock in 9 at a Dallas range. I thought I was a natural. Now that I have more experience, I realize the Glock in 9 requires minimal training and experience. That is why police are issued them.
 
metalslug said:
I've got a Norc 1911A1 in .45ACP. Love the gun, and i've kept it bone stock. I started practicing at 25 yards, but I was terrible at it so I moved up to 10 yards. I can get all rounds on the paper, but it seems like even with the sights right on the bullseye, my bullets will stray off all over the paper. High, low, left, right, where ever they feel like going. It's kind of frustrating actually since I am aiming right on target!
Now, there's the Beretta M92 9mm. I borrowed one and went through 100 rounds with it, at 10 yards because that's what I was used to with the 1911, and right away I consistently got tight groups right on target. No guess work with that gun; it shot where I expected to every time.
I tried a flinch test (had a buddy load my gun for me, randomly loading and empty mag without me knowing) and that was fine.
So, is it the gun? The nature of the round? Should I just get the gun i'm naturally better with even though I love the 1911? WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN!?
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Norks have notoriously bad sights and loose tolerances. Doesn't help. 45 has a little more punch than 9 and often requires more practice.

Green Skull said:
Comparing a Norinco to a Beretta is like comparing a Corolla to a Porsche. My advice is shoot the 9mm, cheaper ammo less recoil. You'll put up better groups. I have a Ruger SR1911 and a 9mm Girsan Regard. I get much tighter groups with my 9mm.
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Indeed. The quality of those two makes isn't comparable at all. However, even a Nork should do minute of barn accuracy @ 10 yards. Practice makes perfect.

cadgo said:
I used to be obsessed with 1911s til I shot a $3000 nighthawk custom next to my Glock 26 and 23 and the groups were better with my Glocks.

Just sell the 1911 and buy something modern. Glock, M&P or a CZ are all better pistols.
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Sounds like you have trouble handling 45 too. I have yet seen anyone so bold as to propose that the accuracy potential from a Nighthawk Custom can be rivaled by a factory pistol. You clearly have done your research so I won't try to say otherwise. ; )
 
Kveldulf said:
You do realize that you are going to Hell when you die, don't you? You might as well have criticized the Pope. It's like the guy on here who said his Nissan Sentra was better than his Aston Martin.

Oops! That was me. :redface:
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Maybe, but at least I won't die because some POS 1911 jams on me when I need it. :stirthepot2:
 
yohann160 said:
Sounds like you have trouble handling 45 too. I have yet seen anyone so bold as to propose that the accuracy potential from a Nighthawk Custom can be rivaled by a factory pistol. You clearly have done your research so I won't try to say otherwise. ; )
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While you are being a manly man and taming the mighty .45 at the range, I will be happily carrying my 9mm concealed or my .40sw out ATVing and shooting it in the woods with regular capacity magazines.

To be honest, the recoil from a .45acp in such a heavy pistol is very mild.
 
I am the proud owner of a cz orange, and I must say golly my group size improved by 300% compared to my sig p226
Sometimes its the shooter, sometimes it's the gun, sometimes it's both.
 
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