Zero Distance for a 1911

[okie john]

At what distance do you zero a 1911 for conealed carry?
Do you zero at a different distance for general-purpose use?

thanks,


Okie John

[kraigwy]

Unless you shoot bullseye pistol matches (50 yards) then 25 yards will probably suit your needs. Even zeroing at 50 yards will keep you right there at normal SD ranges.

This pretty much works for any pistol/revolver, not just the 1911s.

[AZretired]

25 yards and you came aim dead on out to 50

[Centenniel]

Set the pistol up to hit POA at 25 yards. Make certain your chosen ammo is 100% reliable and acceptably accurate in your gun. For serious social purposes, your equipment is good-to-go.

[OKFC05]

Originally Posted by AZretired

25 yards and you came aim dead on out to 50

with 25yd zero, 50 yd will be 3 in low with ball ammo from a GI 45

[Bekeart]

Zero at a general use distance.

SD will be at shorter distance, and impact point will be quite close to the aiming pint. This aiming error is not a problem unless you are aiming for a testicle or circumcision. Center of Mass shots do not require "shirt button" accuracy.

Bekeart

[SWID]

Use a 10mm and don't worry about it.

(I'm sorry, I just can't help it sometimes.)

[Fishslayer]

Originally Posted by SWID

Use a .357 Magnum and don't worry about it.

Fixed it for ya. Obviously a typo...

[SWID]

Originally Posted by Fishslayer

Fixed it for ya. Obviously a typo...

You know, something that really annoys me is when somebody quotes me and changes what I said. You didn't fix anything. You get a .357 and I get a 10mm. We start 100 meters apart and advance as much as you want. You game? I live in Idaho.

[WC145]

Originally Posted by SWID

You know, something that really annoys me is when somebody quotes me and changes what I said. You didn't fix anything. You get a .357 and I get a 10mm. We start 100 meters apart and advance as much as you want. You game? I live in Idaho.

Oooh, someone's a little testy!
"Touch my stuff and I kill ya"
Lighten up, Francis!

Oh yeah, my 1911's all shoot close enough to POA it isn't an issue. Point and shoot.

[Legitmw]

almost all self defense shootings occur at 7yds. dont even need sights. point and shoot

[cp1969]

Originally Posted by OKFC05

with 25yd zero, 50 yd will be 3 in low with ball ammo from a GI 45

That doesn't seem right. If the bullet crosses the line of sight at 25 yards, it is still ascending for some distance. To have crossed line-of-sight again and be three inches low at 50 seems like a lot of drop, even for a slow bullet.

[OKFC05]

Originally Posted by cp1969

That doesn't seem right. If the bullet crosses the line of sight at 25 yards, it is still ascending for some distance. To have crossed line-of-sight again and be three inches low at 50 seems like a lot of drop, even for a slow bullet.

The bullet starts dropping as soon as it leaves the barrel and follows a parabola. Tht's why they make ballistics programs:

Range Velocity Impact
0 800 -0.5
10 794 0.12
20 788 0.18
30 783 -0.32
40 777 -1.38
50 772 -3.03

Total drop from line of departure (bore axis) is 7 inches at 50 yards.


With a 50 yards zero, the bullet is only 1 1/2 in high from line of sight at mid-range.

Range Velocity Impact Drop
0 800 -0.5 0
10 794 0.72 0.35
20 788 1.39 1.25
30 783 1.5 2.72
40 777 1.04 4.75
50 772 0 7.36

The bullet still drops the same 7 inches from the line of departure(bore axis).

[gregintenn]

I can throw my 1911 more accurately than I can shoot it.

[Jellybean]

Originally Posted by cp1969

That doesn't seem right. If the bullet crosses the line of sight at 25 yards, it is still ascending for some distance. To have crossed line-of-sight again and be three inches low at 50 seems like a lot of drop, even for a slow bullet.

If it is zeroed in at 25yds, it is actually on its' way back down after having initially crossed the line of sight much closer. The mid range trajectory of a .45acp, 230 gr. FMJ bullet with a BC. of .160 zeroed in at 25 yards is 0.4". Which means it had first crossed the line of sight before the 12 yard mark and was just under 1/2" above the LOS at 12 yards. This may vary depending on the source of ballistic data, but it's going to be in the ballpark.

[Jellybean]

To answer the original question, and in an attempt to avoid the popularity I achieved the last time I answered this question, I would suggest the furthest distance that you can reliably hit a man sized target.

[okie john]

Thanks to everyone who answered. Especially you, Jellybean.


Okie John

[HCD]

Originally Posted by WC145

Oooh, someone's a little testy!
"Touch my stuff and I kill ya"
Lighten up, Francis!

Oh yeah, my 1911's all shoot close enough to POA it isn't an issue. Point and shoot.

Good One, me likey

[Legitmw]

Originally Posted by gregintenn

I can throw my 1911 more accurately than I can shoot it.

I wasnt aware the Hi-Point was making 1911's

[40cal]

IMO - zero in 2" high @ 25 yds. You will probably pull your shots low when shooting fast under stress anyway. This would also give you a 50 yd. zero. JMO

[jkc]

All of my SD guns have XS Big Dot front sights, with which you simply cover the intended point of impact with the "dot" out to 15 yards, (kinda like using a red-dot device), and are plenty accurate using that sight picture. For longer ranges, a six o'clock hold is good to +/- 25 yards. As has been said, pinpoint accuracy is seldom an overwhelming concern for civilian SD weapons.

[Jellybean]

Originally Posted by okie john

Thanks to everyone who answered. Especially you, Jellybean.


Okie John

You're welcome, glad I could be of help.

[gregintenn]

Originally Posted by Legitmw

I wasnt aware the Hi-Point was making 1911's

It's a 70 series Colt Gold Cup.It looks like new, but I can't hit anything with it. I assume it's me and not the gun.

[paladin42]

You're challenging someone to a duel over a small joke?!

Originally Posted by SWID

You know, something that really annoys me is when somebody quotes me and changes what I said. You didn't fix anything. You get a .357 and I get a 10mm. We start 100 meters apart and advance as much as you want. You game? I live in Idaho.

[keith44spl]

Originally Posted by Jellybean

To answer the original question, and in an attempt to avoid the popularity I achieved the last time I answered this question, I would suggest the furthest distance that you can reliably hit a man sized target.

Hey Jelly,

Video a 10...Fightin' distance

Su Amigo,
Dave

[M29since14]

My .45s are usually adjusted to hit 2-inches high at 25-yards, which is to say you can count on the bullet landing "on top of the front sight" at that distance. If they shoot a bit higher, I prefer that to shooting lower, or "covered by the front sight."

[hiredhand]

Since you are talking about a concealed carry pistol, then "set" the sites for no more than 8 to 10 yards. I would just about bet that this is the most distance that you can justify shooting at someone. If you want to shoot at longer distances, use another gun of your choice.

[Jellybean]

Originally Posted by keith44spl

Hey Jelly,

Video a 10...Fightin' distance

Su Amigo,
Dave

Dave, you have no idea of what I'd give to be able to oblige your request.