1911 fixed sight accuracy

6string · Dec 14, 2019

Old National Match Sight Rules

When the 1911 was first introduced, competitors at Camp Perry had to draw a pistol from inventory and shoot the course as is, using military hardball ammo.
As 1911s became commericially available, the NRA rules allowed the sights to be replaced but they still had to be fixed sights!
King's Gunsight Co. offered a fixed sight set for National Match use that incorporated a slightly taller front and rear sight with an excellent sight picture. The front sight had to be of the stake-on type, but could be of a Patridge type profile. You would adjust the rear sight (with its clear square notch) for windage and file down the front sight for elevation. Since match rules required the use of 230 gr hardball ammo, you weren't likely going to have a need to resight the gun. With such a set-up you had just as good a sight picture as with a nice set of adjustable sights, yet it still had all the qualities of a true service pistol.

See the attached image to view a sampling of the King front sights for 1911.

Jim

PS: Hi Mario (Kurusu), once again we seem to be drawn to the same threads, with similarly veined responses! Ha!!

walnutred · Dec 14, 2019

The stock sights were fine when my eyes were younger, a bit of a struggle now. Back in the last century I found myself part of a pistol qualification team along with another Sgt and a Lt. who was there to make it official. The requirements were fairly simple, 50 shots into a military knock down target at 25. IIRC you needed a minimum of 35 /50 hits to qualify. I got tired of the new Butter Bars complaining about how inaccurate the 1911A1 was and wishing they had the then new M9. So we set up a knock down target at 75 yards and during the safety briefing I would fire a magazine into the 75 yd target, then the other Sgt would explain that we were only expecting them to shoot at 25 yds. This was an as issue Remington 1911A1 and we picked 75 yards because that was the longest range I could consistently hit the target, I probably dropped a few shots but most of the time it was 7/7.

Watchdog · Dec 14, 2019

Empe said:
In an earlier post I mentioned I was seriously considering the purchase of a Colt 1911 Classic .It's a new release and is just a basic no frills 1911 with a National Match barrel . I have seen one in person & really like the looks of it . It comes with fixed sights similar to the GI type with the rear being adjustable for windage only and the front being staked in place.
I'm not interested in using the gun for any type of competition just for myself on targets both paper & steel.

That's the thing, right there, with stock 1911s and fixed sights. As long as you keep the fact in mind that the pistol wasn't designed to be a target pistol, you'll be fine and you won't be disappointed in its accuracy.

Fixed sight accuracy? This again boils down to the pistol's original purpose. It's a combat pistol, made for killing men at combat distances. When I say "combat distance", I mean within 50 yards.

Lots of detractors badmouth the standard 230-grain hardball load. That round isn't anything to sneer at. A bullet doesn't have to expand and/or fragment to kill someone.

But again...the gun will be accurate for your stated purpose with any load. You just have to do your part, that's all.

bigggbbruce · Dec 14, 2019

When I'm out shooting I pick targets in close and out to 50 yards maybe more.

I don't pull out a screwdriver to adjust between the different distances.

Only past 50 yards on most calibers do I start having a bullet drop issue (my 10mm solves that

).. most targets with a handgun are less than that.

wetdog1911 · Dec 14, 2019

6string said:
When the 1911 was first introduced, competitors at Camp Perry had to draw a pistol from inventory and shoot the course as is, using military hardball ammo.
As 1911s became commericially available, the NRA rules allowed the sights to be replaced but they still had to be fixed sights!
King's Gunsight Co. offered a fixed sight set for National Match use that incorporated a slightly taller front and rear sight with an excellent sight picture. The front sight had to be of the stake-on type, but could be of a Patridge type profile. You would adjust the rear sight (with its clear square notch) for windage and file down the front sight for elevation. Since match rules required the use of 230 gr hardball ammo, you weren't likely going to have a need to resight the gun. With such a set-up you had just as good a sight picture as with a nice set of adjustable sights, yet it still had all the qualities of a true service pistol.

See the attached image to view a sampling of the King front sights for 1911.

Jim

PS: Hi Mario (Kurusu), once again we seem to be drawn to the same threads, with similarly veined responses! Ha!!

Kings sights were great! I didn't get the NM set, but got the Kings/Tappan fixed combat sights installed on my 1985 SAI 1911A1. A bit lower than the NM to avoid holster problems and a 3 dot. Once centered and adjusted they haven't been touched in close to 40 years. POA=POI @ 15 yds. This was my carry gun until arthur took over my hands. Nothing fancy, just solid performance and dependablity.

Rob

stansdds · Dec 14, 2019

bigggbbruce said:
When I'm out shooting I pick targets in close and out to 50 yards maybe more.

I don't pull out a screwdriver to adjust between the different distances.

Only past 50 yards on most calibers do I start having a bullet drop issue (my 10mm solves that).. most targets with a handgun are less than that.

Yep. In competition you might be shooting at targets located 50 yards out or more, but generally speaking, handgun engagements are at 25 yards or less and often less than 7 yards.

max · Dec 14, 2019

Like Wet dog, I have King-Tappan sights on my Commander and really like them. Wish I would have put them on my Hi-Powers also.

1911 fixed sight accuracy

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