muleymaniac81

Manual says: rear- heinie, novak cut, drift adjustable; front- heinie, novak cut

I bought a Taurus PT1911 a week ago, and I finally got to shoot it yesterday. It has a very decent trigger. Other than that, let the mods begin! The factory drift-adjustable sights will be the first to go. They are set to about 5" low at 15 yards, and not elevation adjustable. I've got my eye on a Kensight Adjustable Rear for the Novak cut, and a HIVIZ FO front. Any suggestions? Other mods (in no particular order) are: Extended Checkered slide stop, magwell/mainspring housing, and grips. If you have any opinions or suggestions, feel free to fire away. I am a rookie to this and would appreciate all the help I can get. Thanks, MM81 Mitch

Finally got to shoot my new Taurus 1911 yesterday. Looks like I'm gonna be spending about $300-400 more to get it right. That seems like the fun part to me. Definately gonna need new sights, factory sights are drift adjustable, but not for elevation. At 15 yards, my 7-shot groups were around 2", but about 5" low. I got the windage adjusted, but I still have to absolutely cover the plates to hit them. Not what I want. So, first mod will be adjustable rear sight and, I'm thinking, a FO front. Next, extended slide stop, magwell/mainspring housing, and grips. That should get me started. If anyone has any suggestions, fire away. I'm new at this and would appreciate all the help I can get. Thanks, MM81

Took the Concealed Carry Course today. The shooting aspect was not accuracy based, only safety. I learned some things on the range though. For one thing, I'm yanking the trigger. Group was consistenly slightly low-left of aiming point when trying to go at a slightly faster than normal speed. 20 shots in the size of a silver dollar. Not impressive from 3-5 yards, but not horrible. Transitions were slower than I would have liked (2 center mass, 1 head shot, 2 center mass), but accuracy was there. Most startling revelation was on the 5 rounds as fast as safely possible strings. Splits were not bad at all, but time is not as important as accuracy. I'm obviously focusing on the target and not the front sight when rapid firing. Also, I was forcing the gun back down during recoil instead of letting it recoil on its own. Result: 5" group about 5" low-left of other group (center to center as relating to group position.) I will admit that I haven't been getting any trigger time in over 3 months, just a ton of dry firing and airsoft training. Lesson learned: more trigger time, better trigger control, don't fight the recoil, and FRONT SIGHT, FRONT SIGHT, FRONT SIGHT. Any more suggestions? Thanks for your help, MM81

Slooooowwwwww, but consistent. 1)0.220 2)0.220 3)0.234 4)0.224 5)0.207 Mean=0.221

So, here's what I've been doing w/ a Walther P99 airsoft in my back yard, I do the following with 14 rounds in the magazine,7 yards to a pop can: 1)From Surrender, free-style 2)Low Relaxed, free-style 3)Surrender, strong hand only 4)LR, strong hand only 5)Surrender, weak hand only 6)LR, weak hand only 7)Table start, free-style 8)table, strong hand only 9)table, weak hand only 10)Surrender, turn and draw, free-style 11)LR, turn and draw, free-style 12)5 yards behind box, step up and shoot, free-style 13)3 yards to the left, step right and shoot, free-style 14)3 yards to the right, step left and shoot, free-style 15)3 magazines on transitions, both left and right 16)2 magazines on groups, free-style, not in a hurry Total: 266 shots, takes about 45 minutes

So, here's what I've been doing w/ a Walther P99 airsoft in my back yard I do the following(with 14 rounds in the magazine,7 yards to a pop can every time): 1)From Surrender, free-style 2)Low Relaxed, free-style 3)Surrender, strong hand only 4)LR, strong hand only 5)Surrender, weak hand only 6)LR, weak hand only 7)Table start, free-style 8)table, strong hand only 9)table, weak hand only 10)Surrender, turn and draw, free-style 11)LR, turn and draw, free-style 12)5 yards behind box, step up and shoot, free-style 13)3 yards to the left, step right and shoot, free-style 14)3 yards to the right, step left and shoot, free-style 15)3 magazines on transitions, both left and right 16)2 magazines on groups, free-style, not in a hurry Total: 266 shots, takes about 45 minutes

None whatsoever. I still have my eyes checked every year or two, just to be careful.

Bout that time a bird dog flew over...

FWIW, the laser surgery is definately worth the money. I was in a -6.75 and a -7.25 contact before surgery. I could see clearly for about 9-10 inches. Had surgery in 2002 after winning $400 off via a radio contest. The next morning, I had 20/15 vision and still do. Worth every penny!

I found an airsoft that is made of steel and weight 32 oz. Thanks for the link. I've checked out his list of drills, it actually in my bookmarks.

I came up with an idea that may be stupid, but I'm gonna try it anyway. I live in a small town (299 people) but I obviously still can't shoot in my yard. My idea to get in some practice every day is: I bought an airsoft 1911 to practice my draw and get some hybrid dry-fire practice inside city limits. Anyone try this?

Looking at my new Dillon catalog, I read an article about not being able to get over 30K rounds out of a 1911. Yeah, that's a ton of rounds out of 1 gun, but if a guy practices as much as we would all like to, that is actually not that unheard of. My question is, how many rounds can a person realistically expect before most, if not all, the parts are in need of replacement? I can only manage 100-300 rounds a week, but in 2 years, I could be up there in round count. Also, how many rounds do you guys shoot in a year? Thanks, Mitch

Any suggestions on swapping out the Novak rear on a Taurus with a Wilson adjustable? Is this a DIY project or should I get a gunsmith to do it? Thanks for your help, Mitch

I'm a beginner, and I feel like an idiot to ask this, but here goes: I read a lot of posts about adding a magwell, exactly what does that mean? Sorry if that is a stupid question, I just can't seem to wrap my tiny little brain around it. Thanks Mitch

I am planning to shoot USPSA Single Stack. Hopefully some 3-Gun stuff too. I shot a STI Trojan in 9mm, and was very impressed. The difference in scoring is what makes me lean toward the .45. I guess I could go with the 9 and work harder on hitting A's, but that's the goal no matter what you shoot. Decisions, decisions, decisions........

Still in the market for a new 1911, and I'm still trying to figure out if I want to get .45 or .38 super. Other than the ability to load up or down for other PFs, what advantage is there to going with the .38 super? I have a Dillon press and dies for the .45, but if the .38 is that much better, it's just a 1-time investment for new dies. Is the recoil of the .38 comparable to the .45? Thanks for your help, Mitch

I'm just trying to get started in this. I'll be off that day and was wondering if there's room for spectators? I'd love to come see a match and learn what it takes to shoot. It would be about a 4 hour drive to come and watch, but that's about the closest match I have found so far. I'd be more than willing to help with take-down and clean-up after the match. Mitch

I just looked at the price on a Kimber Custom Target II, about 950. Any opinions?

I have no experience with a Taurus, nor do I know anyone who has one. The price tag is appealing, but I'm almost leary of it, due to the price. If you have any experience with a Taurus; good, bad, or otherwise, could you please let me know what you think of it? Thanks, Mitch

Does anyone have any exercises to prevent back pain? I have missed the last 2 days of work due to a debilitating pain in my lower back. I've missed 5 days this year because of it. I'm 28, and that seems a little young to have back problems. I am about 20 pounds heavier than I want to be. 6'1 and 220 now, I feel best at 195-200. Would losing weight be enough, or are there any strecthes and/or exercises I can do to stop the pain before it gets started. Thanks in advance, Mitch

Invest in LASIK surgery. I had astigmatism and 20/6000 vision (-5.50 in one eye, -5.75 in the other, couldn't read large print at 18"). I had LASIK 7 years ago. The next morning, I woke up with 20/12 vision and I was checked in May as 20/15. The improvement will make it easier to focus than 20/20. Just my .02 Mitch

rh, just wanting the extra pop of the 40. Not really necessary, as the Ruger will probably become my CWC gun and the 1911 my competition gun, that is if I can find a club anywhere close to me. Also, I work Friday through Tuesday, so I'll have to take vacation to go to shoots. Bummer, but I can deal with it.

I was shooting my Ruger P95 today and I made a decision that I need something different. When I started, I was hitting 10-12 out of 15 at 15 yards on 4" swingers. Not shooting for great speed, probably 15 shots in 10-12 seconds. After about 60 rounds at 94 degrees outside, well aimed shots were spraying 9-12" in every direction. I was shooting once every 8 seconds or so, and my grip and form seemed fine to me. I let it cool about 20 minutes and was back to acceptable accuracy. What really bugs me is the horrendously long trigger travel. Around 3/4-7/8" from take-up to fire in both single- and double-action. Is that normal? I have been thinking of switching to an XD-40 or 1911 for some time now, and I'm leaning toward the 1911. I will have $800-1000 to spend, not counting ammo and reloading supplies. I have looked at Taurus, Springfield, and Armscor. I'm leaning towards the Springfield, but would like to hear what you all think would be my best course of action as a beginner. I have shot a 45 quite a bit and don't seem to have any trouble with the added recoil. Thanks for your input, Mitch P.S. A gunsmith and I have not been able to adjust the windage on the Ruger, so I have to aim about 2" low and 4" left of center to be dead on.

Thanks everyone! You guys are obviously a good group to help a beginner. You don't get that on some forums. Thanks again, Mitch