1911 5" barrel bushing change UPDATE

[SW CQB 45]

Howdy from Texas!!!!!

I have a Kart barreled Colt Series 70 5" 45acp that was originally set up for potential plain clothes duty carry.

the barrel bushing fit was requested back then to go on by hand for ease of disassembly and it basically installs itself if that gives any indication on how easy it installs.

the role of this gun has changed to LE Competitions where the principals of marksmanship are strongly required to shoot in the upper class.

This particular competition consists of a B27 target, 50 rounds, and all free hand (no barricade)
5 yds 1 hand timed (8 shots in 2 shot intervals at 3 sec)
7 yds 2 hand timed (12 shots 25 seconds)
15 yds 2 hand timed (12 shots 35 seconds)
25 yds 2 hand timed (18 shots 90 seconds)

Last year, this gun would shoot point of aim with the loose duty type barrel bushing and best score obtained was a 495/500 with the sun to my back and minimal to no wind. this was with handloads (allowed), 200lswc and 3.5 of VVN310 which is a snappy load.

I decided to hard fit a EGW bushing to wring out any potential accuracy loss with the duty bushing. the EGW bushing came turned to a tight fit based on my measurements and I fitted the rest of the way with no friction felt on the slide but still tighter tolerances than the prior Kart bushing.

last week I noticed my groups when testing to make sure the gun would work with the barrel bushing were low but I thought it was just me, having not shot this match since Oct 2010.

Today was the first match of the season and very windy, with gust from my right and the sun at 1000 hrs was to my right.

Revolver felt horrible with the wind pushing me and the gun around but still managed a 493/500.

Semi auto, I goofed and felt two muzzle drops at the 15 yd line and one muzzle drop at the 25 which is evident of 6:45 to 7:30 shots in the 8 and 9 ring. the wind was pushing me around but my entire group was low. 486/500

is in possible the tighter barrel bushing caused my sights to be off now?

I was aiming center X and when I noticed my groups going south, I aimed high X.

the gun runs very smooth, no hang ups but nothing other than the bushing and me getting older has changed.

my next match, that range will have the sun to our backs and before I do any filing on the front sight...I want to make sure.

I sure wished I knew somebody locally who had a ransom rest!!!!

any suggestions on what direction to take would be greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance

 

[OKFC05]

is in possible the tighter barrel bushing caused my sights to be off now?

Yes, fitting a new bushing can alter the POI.
Considering the conditions, it's hard to say.
A Ransom Rest may not match the POI with you holding the gun.
I'd just try it under better conditions and adjust your sights if needed.

 

[SW CQB 45]

I was thinking this is what happen.

Actually my target caused some controversy because they could not count my 50 shots or 10s and Xs.

I will definitely shoot one more match, and hold high before I get to filing.

I may even hold high 10ring at the 25.

 

[OKFC05]

Actually my target caused some controversy because they could not count my 50 shots or 10s and Xs.

Yeah, isn't that a gas when you can do it!

 

[pfcustom]

1911 5" barrel bushing change

When you fitted the new bushing, did you check for any springing in the barrel as it goes into battery.
With the barrel and bushing installed in the slide, does the barrel go fully up into the locking lugs or does it require you to push it up?

 

[kraigwy]

If it was the bushing, the group wouldnt be there. Looking at the target, it looks good except for the shots that went sount.

Years of coaching, (30+ to be exact) for the National Guard & LE, now as a CMP GSM MI, I've seen a lot of targets for the sole purpose of analizing them.

Looking at yours, it appears you have a follow through problem, what's causing your is you are worried about the Bushing, so as you fire, you drop the muzzle to see where your bullets have gone.

Several reasons for the lack of follow through, most are mental, meaning your subconscience whats to see where the bullet goes, so you fail to follow through and drop the muzzle.

There are two ways to combat this, One and the proper method, is turn target around where you cant see the scoring rings, all you see is a white sheet of paper, this allows you to concentrat on the trigger and followthought. No scoring rings no score, so you have one less thing to worry about.

The second: We know that 98% of shooting is mental. in your case, you're worried about the bushing, that interferes with your concentration.

Simple fix, go to Brownells web site and order a match bushing, fit it to the gun, and shoot it. It's not the cause of the problem, but if you arn't worrying about the bushing, you can concentrate on sight picture, smooth trigger pull and follow through.

Actually there is a third option, that being BOTH OF ABOVE.

A little story. I use to run the AK NG Marksmanship Unit. I shot mostly rifle which was the first week of the WP Wilson Matches. The combat matches was the second week. I stayed in Little Rock to assist my Combat Teams.

I use to hang around the Pistol Armor's Van, BSing with Gene Barnett (Barnett Barrels/NG Armorer).

Many times I'd see a shooter come to the van, drop off a pistol, complaining about it not grouping or dropping out the bottom, etc. Gene would tell them to leave it, come back in 20-30 minutes. Later the shooter would return for his pistol, Gene would tell them its ready, and should work (he never touched it). After the match the shooter would come back raving about how good a smith Barnett was, saying the pistol never shot better.

Shooting is 98% mental, and Barnett was as good a coach as a smith.
He removed the shooters lack of confidence in his gun, allowing him to concentrate on the fundamentals.

 

[CALREB]

Looking at the target,there are only 3 rds above the center X. If you are aiming at the X and the gun was shooting into the bottom of the x ring at 5 and 7 yrds its going to be at the bottom of the 10ring and just below at 25yrs using the same X point of aim.
For matches shot out to 25yrds, the gun has to be sighted in, AT, 25yrds.The other shorter distances will be fine. Once you know the gun is not sighted correctly, you can add the fact that your looking over your sights to peek where its hitting for a few of the low rounds.
The group looks good, so shorten the front sight or get a taller rear,or some different combo,or if adjustable about 3-4 clicks up ought to do it.
If anything I like my service guns to take out the top of the X ring at 5-7-15,that way ,if I do get HOLE watching, my 25 yrd shots will still be bottom of the X or low 10 ring but not out. Good luck Bob

 

[SW CQB 45]

thanks for the info.

I shot another match and definitely the front sight height is the issue. I already filed a little bit and need to head to the range with my file and ammo.

kraigwy, I agree sometimes I feel my muzzle start to drop right before the shot breaks. yep....mental. Maybe I need to stop talking to myself during a match.

this gun shoots low at 7 yds and it more at 25. there is no barrel springing, just very tight tolerances where the original fit kart bushing installs itself (figure of speech)

 

[CALREB]

CQB, I have eye problems , and like tall front and rear sights.It seems they allow more sight alignment and a better overall sight picture .Like the taller patridge sights on a Distinguished gun. I hate when the front sight is so short that you pick up some of the slide in the sight picture.
So on all my autos to achieve this, I had to get a really tall rear sight and then a tall front sight. Then sit at the range, (using the specific ammo Im going to shoot) at 25yrds, shooting and taking a couple passes off the front until they were dialed in. I like to be able to aim dead on the X at 25 yrds. Its a tedious process but you cant get in a hurry,cause if you take too much off the front you have to start all over. Helps to have a carbide lamp,or magic marker handy,to blacken the sights. Of course now for NRA competition you can use an adjustable rear sight so its alot easier,put on a tall enough front sight that you like,and get an adjustable rear sight that fits your gun,or a gun with one. On one of my 5906 P/C models I put the Novak extreme duty sights on it. Rear is adj for elevation,and tap it right or left for windage,great duty sight,but still has a tight enough sight alignment for good 25 yrd shooting.
To help with follow through at the 25 yrd/50 yrd stages hold your trigger to the rear for a count of one after each shot,then reset, plenty of time in those phases until it becomes automatic. Some guy named Pride taught me that 20 yrs ago or so. It still works when I get sloppy .Bob

 

[SW CQB 45]

Bob, excellant advice. and I am also going to take your advice on where I want this slug to impact. I aim X, but I want it a tad high as I have a tendancy to drop shots and the timer ticks away.

but your 1 count advice might minimize that.

Oh, I am shooting a fixed sight Colt.

 

[SW CQB 45]

Match this past weekend
OK, my front sight corrections had some improvements on moving my POI higher...now I just need to clean up my movements/follow through.

actually, I felt some shots get away and two of the nines around 12 o'clock were actually from the 15 yd line, were I aimed and shot high (urghh!!!!)....forgot that I made the sight correction.

to add further...no wind, temp around 100 degrees, sweat dripping of my forehead and 1030 hrs sun just above the bill of my cap. I also did not feel well likey due to the heat....felt like I need a boost but I did drink alot of water.

This is a 491/500 and the winner shot a 493/500. all were feeling the affects of high heat.

I shot the revolver first and shot a 494/500 and the winning score was a 495/500. I dropped a nine at the 7 yd line. I got doinked by brass on my left side face from the shooter to my left.....another urggghhhhh!!!!!!!!!