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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Replace barrel or upgrade rear sight?

Posted: 5/24/2015 9:20:28 PM EDT

I've got a Springfield Armory loaded 1911 that came with the Trijicon sights on it (I assume they all did). Its always shot low but not so much that it was a problem. Lately I've started shooting it at farther distances so the issue is becoming more apparent as the hits are even lower now. Also, the groups are getting larger too. My groups with other .45s at the same distances are much better.

So, to correct the issue would you guys replace the barrel with a Wilson or something in hopes that it would fix both the low hits and poor groups? The other plan would be to accept the fact that the gun isnt going to be a tack driver and just replace the rear sight with one thats adjustable so I can correct for the low hits and move on.

Id rather not do both because that will put me at nearly a grand in this pistol and Im just not feeling that. I'd rather trade it away on something else before I sink that kind of dough into it.

What do you guys think?

Posted: 5/24/2015 9:38:24 PM EDT

[#1]

Nowlin is another barrel maker I would add to the list. I had a Colt Commander that went to shitz accuracy wise, got a Nowlin barrel, MGW bushing and saw 100% improvement.

Posted: 5/24/2015 9:51:43 PM EDT

[#2]

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Quoted:

Nowlin is another barrel maker I would add to the list. I had a Colt Commander that went to shitz accuracy wise, got a Nowlin barrel, MGW bushing and saw 100% improvement.

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Thanks for the heads up. This particular gun has nearly 2k rounds through it and its getting worse as the round count increases.

Posted: 5/24/2015 10:33:00 PM EDT

[#3]

i would call sprinfield and talk to them. they may ask you to send it in for them to check it out. many times it will be on thier dime. don;t throw money at it till you know whats wrong. it could be a wrong link etc

Posted: 5/25/2015 4:54:34 AM EDT

[#4]

I agree send it to Springfield. It sound like a wear issue.
Another thought here is send it to the Springfield Custom shop. They can fix the problem and do any upgrades you may want.

Posted: 5/25/2015 11:27:02 AM EDT

[#5]

Try a better fitted bushing first.

Posted: 5/25/2015 11:29:47 AM EDT

[#6]

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Quoted:

Try a better fitted bushing first.

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You mean one that has to be fitted by a gunsmith or an upgraded drop in piece?

Also, this is an excellent point and one that I hadnt thought of. I guess if there is too much slop between the barrel and the bushing, the barrel isnt really pointing where im aiming the pistol.

Edit to add, if I mic the od of my barrel and the id of the bushing what kind of dimension is acceptable?

Posted: 5/25/2015 11:48:07 AM EDT

[#7]

I have yet to see a SA Loaded that wouldn't benefit from a fitted match barrel, some much more than others. In your case, I'd sell it and buy something else. Chances are you'll still have to replace the front sight with a shorter one anyway to bring your groups up.

Posted: 5/25/2015 3:39:06 PM EDT

[#8]

I second what Ken said. I would contact someone like Dawson Precision. They are cool because they will exchange the sight until the height is right. I did it with a glock 41.

Posted: 5/25/2015 4:10:25 PM EDT

[#9]

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Quoted:

I second what Ken said. I would contact someone like Dawson Precision. They are cool because they will exchange the sight until the height is right. I did it with a glock 41.

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Im not asking to be argumentative, I honestly dont know. Whats the advantage to changing the front sight instead of the rear. I assumed the option to make adjustments would be a preference. Im really curious to hear what the answer is.

Posted: 5/26/2015 8:02:59 AM EDT

[#10]

Some dont like adjustable sights as the feel they are weaker so one would purchase a lower front sight or a tall gunsmith sight and file to zero.

I'd try a EGW custom fit bushing the one where you send them measurments and they machine it for you. I will not move your grooups, but it will shrink them down some. How much depends on bad the bushing was fit before the change.

Posted: 5/26/2015 8:24:53 AM EDT

[#11]

When trouble shooting always go from cheapest most easily replaced part and go up from there. 1911 barrels simply
Do not wear out very fast ( many competitive shooters get well over 50k through a barrel prior to replacement ) I would start with a bushing , possibly a link and pin then the taller rear sight and replacing the barrel would be my last step personally.
What sort of groups are you getting ? Even with a poorly fit 1911 you should be getting sub 5" groups at 25 yards as a starting point. Shooting 25 yards will accentuate any issues and tell
You things about your shooting and the guns performance that do not show up as readily when shooting up close

Posted: 5/26/2015 8:42:46 AM EDT

[#12]

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Quoted:

Some dont like adjustable sights as the feel they are weaker so one would purchase a lower front sight or a tall gunsmith sight and file to zero.

I'd try a EGW custom fit bushing the one where you send them measurments and they machine it for you. I will not move your grooups, but it will shrink them down some. How much depends on bad the bushing was fit before the change.

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That makes sense, thanks for the info.

Posted: 5/26/2015 9:02:15 AM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:

When trouble shooting always go from cheapest most easily replaced part and go up from there. 1911 barrels simply

Do not wear out very fast ( many competitive shooters get well over 50k through a barrel prior to replacement ) I would start with a bushing , possibly a link and pin then the taller rear sight and replacing the barrel would be my last step personally.

What sort of groups are you getting ? Even with a poorly fit 1911 you should be getting sub 5" groups at 25 yards as a starting point. Shooting 25 yards will accentuate any issues and tell

You things about your shooting and the guns performance that do not show up as readily when shooting up close

View Quote

I started shooting it at 25 yards recently and thats when I realized that there was a significant difference between it and my other pistols. Honestly, I don't shoot pistols very
often since its such a pain to recover the brass at the range I use so my groups arent that good regardless. I
know thats a pitiful excuse but its the truth. I shoot rifles every weekend though.

Youve given goods advice about replacing the cheapest stuff first. thanks

Posted: 5/26/2015 12:54:08 PM EDT

[#14]

My point being if you are shooting low but with say an 8-10 inch group it may be you breaking your wrist or jerking the trigger. Get a known skilled shooter shoot the gun and make sure the gun is really at fault

Posted: 5/26/2015 1:10:35 PM EDT

[#15]

Before my bushing swap I was easily getting 15 inch plus 8 round groups at 15 yards, but I could also easily see and move my barrel in the bushing when in battery (using pinky finger). I had EGW undersize/ovesize the bushing by about .001 and my groups went in the 3" range at 15 with only changing the bushing. Now the first 50 shots the gun would fail to go into battery, but the barrel and bushing had to wear in.

Posted: 5/26/2015 3:04:51 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:

Before my bushing swap I was easily getting 15 inch plus 8 round groups at 15 yards, but I could also easily see and move my barrel in the bushing when in battery (using pinky finger). I had EGW undersize/ovesize the bushing by about .001 and my groups went in the 3" range at 15 with only changing the bushing. Now the first 50 shots the gun would fail to go into battery, but the barrel and bushing had to wear in.

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This is an excellent reply. Thanks for the info.

Posted: 5/26/2015 3:07:14 PM EDT

[#17]

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Quoted:

My point being if you are shooting low but with say an 8-10 inch group it may be you breaking your wrist or jerking the trigger. Get a known skilled shooter shoot the gun and make sure the gun is really at fault

View Quote

Im going to check out the bushing fitment tonight after work and see how it looks. If it warrants a repair I'll start there and if no improvements are made I'll have to find someone who is a better shot than me to check it out.

Posted: 5/26/2015 3:37:01 PM EDT

[#18]

I agree that the bushing could use replacing. A lower front sight would help too.

Posted: 5/28/2015 8:39:34 PM EDT

[#19]

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Quoted:
I have yet to see a SA Loaded that wouldn't benefit from a fitted match barrel, some much more than others. In your case, I'd sell it and buy something else. Chances are you'll still have to replace the front sight with a shorter one anyway to bring your groups up.

View Quote

I'm surprised no one has said "blasphemy!"

My experience, when I give my opinion, has been that there is NOTHING bad to say about Springfield.

Posted: 5/28/2015 11:37:34 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'm surprised no one has said "blasphemy!"

My experience, when I give my opinion, has been that there is NOTHING bad to say about Springfield.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:

I have yet to see a SA Loaded that wouldn't benefit from a fitted match barrel, some much more than others. In your case, I'd sell it and buy something else. Chances are you'll still have to replace the front sight with a shorter one anyway to bring your groups up.

I'm surprised no one has said "blasphemy!"

My experience, when I give my opinion, has been that there is NOTHING bad to say about Springfield.

Well, for what its worth, my M1As and XDMs have all been excellent guns. This one has been a disappointment however. Unfortunately its my first 1911 so I wasnt sure if if Ive gotten my first bad Springfield or the 1911 that I read about all the time in GD.

Posted: 5/29/2015 1:05:52 AM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:

I'm surprised no one has said "blasphemy!"

My experience, when I give my opinion, has been that there is NOTHING bad to say about Springfield.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I have yet to see a SA Loaded that wouldn't benefit from a fitted match barrel, some much more than others. In your case, I'd sell it and buy something else. Chances are you'll still have to replace the front sight with a shorter one anyway to bring your groups up.

I'm surprised no one has said "blasphemy!"

My experience, when I give my opinion, has been that there is NOTHING bad to say about Springfield.

I've worked on enough of them to know better. The higher end Springfields are not so inconsistent, but the Loadeds can be all over the map.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Replace barrel or upgrade rear sight?

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