All that lightning and thunder had to come from someplace.
Full disclosure here Ive always enjoyed long range shooting with iron-sighted handguns of all sorts.
As a matter of fact, it was noteworthy to be able to best 3 with many sporting rifles.
The 1911 Mil-Spec offers a lot of performance at a great value. But can it go the distance when it comes to long-range shooting? Image: Michael Anschuetz
I still shudder at being taught point-hip shooting in the late 60s.
Nonetheless, most of the defensive shooting training today focuses on close-range tactics.
Nothing wrong with that, since most inconvenient incidents tend toward that trend.
The author used a nifty old Aimtech scope mount on the 1911 to mount this Leupold FX-II 2.5x28mm fixed power Scout Rifle scope. Image: Michael Anschuetz
But the ability to point and smite at some distance bears significant benefits, too yet is mostly ignored.
Ankle Weights
Have you ever worn ankle weights?
At first, they seem awkward, heavy and ridiculous.
The author shot a cross-section of .45 ammo to see what loads the Mil-Spec liked best. Some vintage ASYM 230-gr. ball and Black Hills 230-gr. ball bonded with the Mil-Spec. Image: Michael Anschuetz
But the magic takes place if you take them off.
Suddenly, you feel as if it’s possible for you to run faster and jump higher.
Unexpectedly, what seemed like a chore before (a short sprint?)
The author used his old Hy-Skore pistol rest for the iron sight portions at 25, 50 and 100. Note the “Eyepal USA” aperture on his shooting glasses.
now seems almost effortless.
Getting rid of those ankle weights made a seemingly difficult task less intimidating.
Long-distance shooting can do the same thing for you.
The 1911 Mil-Spec comes with a set of basic, but quite usable three-dot iron sights. Image: Michael Anschuetz
Struggling to stay on target at 15 yards?
I get it, red dots are all the rage today.
Lets not fight about it until you actually try a scope on your handgun, even a .22.
The double target set-up is at the far tree line. Roy says the 2.5X scope made getting a good sight picture much easier.
The difference is remarkable.
The Test
Im one of those blessed with the opportunity to shoot off my back deck.
I add a rolling target frame I made if Im zeroing or doing research.
Once scoped, the author used a Caldwell rest to shoot the Mil-Spec at 25, 50 and 100 yards.
I cant recommend it enough.
I have a comfortable Caldwell shooting bench I leave at-the-ready, so I geared up and went to work.
The first series of iron-sighted groups at 25 yards let me get familiar with the gun and the trigger.
You can see here that at 50 yards the Black Hills ammo delivered the goods with this solid, nicely shaped 2.25″ group from the scoped Mil-Spec. Image: Michael Anschuetz
Speaking of which, the trigger broke at an average of about 5 lbs.
with a tiny bit of creep.
Sounds like another test down the road.
In our case, it was Black Hills 230-gr.
Ball and some older ASYM 230-gr.
Ive always found both to be good benchmarks to use when trying for the best accuracy from a pistol.
I settled in and shot several five-shot groups, taking the best of them as my final say.
I found simply using the grip screws to hold the panel in place worked fine.
I tightened the screws after each magazine full and the zero didnt seem to wander.
Im not saying to do this, but it worked for me.
I mounted the scope and did a rough zero at 25 yards.
The scope made holding a firm sight picture vastly easier and more consistent at all the ranges.
Nonetheless, it surprised me.
As a side note, I noted after a few magazines the view through the scope was hazy.
Gas and powder residue was collecting on the front glass of the scope since its so near the muzzle.
Irons win that fight hands-down.
Alas, the culprit here is not the gun, but my 68-year-old eyes.
So, with irons, my best 25-yard group hovered in the 1.5 area with ASYM ammo.
At 50, I honestly surprised myself with a solid 3 group with Black Hills.
I admit I began to really respect the performance of this modest 1911 after that.
I was confident the gun could do better and was looking forward to using the scope.
I think younger eyes might have found 4 or 5 easily, with excellent trigger control in play.
I predict interesting results.
At 25 yards, scoped, the ASYM ammo delivered the best group, right at .75.
From a Mil-Spec, no less!
Perhaps the match-grade barrel plays a role?
At 50, Black Hills flaunted a 2.25 group as best of the day at that range.
Recoil wont matter as the weight of the added scope really tames things.
That higher magnification also allows you a more precise hold.
Performance Iron Sights
Performance Scoped
The Lessons?
Its hard to be reminded of your humanity.
Growing older and changing eyesight can really affect your ability to shoot accurately.
Its honestly like taking off ankle weights.
While sight pictures are important at any range, an excellent trigger press is paramount.
Write that down on a card and hang it above your gun bench.
I have one here next to my computer.
It just says, Press.
I see it 50 times a day as I work.
I can hear some scoffing out there.
Why even bother to do this past 25 yards?
Was all this simply a fantasy game we played?
Yet, who says you may not have to defend yourself out there someday?
The recent mall shooting showed the ability to hit a miscreant at distance saved the day.
Couldyouhave done the same?
I strongly advocate getting some long-distance shooting in with your daily carry gun.
I still target my small-frame revolvers and my pocket .380 out to 50 and even 100 yards regularly.
Now, go give it a try.
