Last time I fired an M1911 .45 I couldn't have killed myself with a shot to the temple it was so inaccurate. I'd keep the Beretta, unless they're coming out with an new/accurate .45 design.
Your gun must have been a piece of garbage. My Kimber .45 is extremely accurate.
I agree that its better to hit with a .22 than miss with a .44, but the .45 accuracy issue is all about the particular model and upgrades. My brother can empty the clip in five seconds and hit a hand sized target with every shot at 70 feet. I sure am glad he's MY brother.
I saw a guy put 5 in the x ring with a 1911 in three seconds from 50 feet.
Holding the pistol upside down, one hand on his knee, bent over and firing with his pinkie.
He was the coach of the USMC pistol team in 1975.
I guess you just have to shoot it right.
Last time I fired an M1911 .45 I couldn't have killed myself with a shot to the temple it was so inaccurate.
Your barrel must have been bent. Marines Force Recon uses the .45 M1911 and have no problems shooting expert.
That's odd because when I was on the 9th Infantry Division Pistol Team (Composite Bullseye) we only used Colt Gold Cup 1911A1 45's. Still, if I had to choose ONE 45 for a "go to war" gun straight out of the box, knowing it would be 100% accurate and 100% reliable I go with the H&K USP Tactical. It'll take a threaded suppressor, too. I currently CCW an H&K USP (45) standard size. 12+1 in the gun and 12 in a spare mag on my left hip. I usually carry OWB in a Galco model "Concealable" open top and I use the "Concealable" 1.5 tapered belt with a Galco quick remove ammo carrier. Using components made to go together makes this an extremely comfortable rig and it virtually disappears under a XXL Hawaiian shirt here in Miami, FL. I wear a pastel t-shirt underneath and I'm just another tourist with a big belly. I compete IDPA with the exact same rig.
A service issue .45, particularly if worn has a main source of inaccuracy. The barrel is aligned with the sights by the barrel bushing which wears. If the .45 with the action closed allows significant movement of the barrel in the slide, then it will not shoot acccurately.
This is very easily remedied by using eitehr a new bushing or a slightly tighter National Match bushing. Less than $10.
I have one built by Springfield Armory and it is a pretty good shooter.
I shot the .45 in 1987 while at OBC. I loved it. Mine was so accurate that I was able to purposefully shot out one of the wooden posts holding the target.
I bet my buddy a beer that I would be able to pull it off, everyone else thought I was just a bad shot...
The .45 is designed for close range, as would any sidearm be designed.
Funny, I used one to get a perfect score in the qualifying test for my concealed carry license. Perhaps your head is really tiny and requires exceptionally precise shooting?
I've got 2 .45 1911s that are both more accurate than I can fire them... And I've shot a 1911 that grouped 1" at 50 yards from a Ransom Rest.
Believe me, the 1911 can be one heck of an accurate pistol.
Mark
I managed to hit myself in the temple with a riccochet from a .38 at 15 yards shooting at something I shouldn't have been shooting at. Scared me, but enough force had gone out of the round before it boomeranged back on me. Raised a welt but for someone stubborn as a mule and....more.
Pleased to meet the acquaintance of someone else just as stubborn.
Beretta makes a pretty good .45, the 8045 Cougar. I've got one and I love it.
My husband picked up the 1911 and put five in the black. Made the sgt apoplectic. (He didn't know that my hubby was on his college rifle and pistol team and one of the starters . . . )
Maybe you should try to work in a little range time. 1911A1 variants are the race gun of choice for IDPA matches. What I'm getting at is, the design isn't inherently inaccurate.