1911 Key holing

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Safety First

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Did I spell key holing correctly? Anyway, I had not shot my 1911 in quite some time and took it out the other day and nearly all the holes in the paper elongated rather than round. I thought maybe limp wresting so I tightened up and still had the same problem. Using Remington Golden Saber 230 jhp and Winchester USA white box 230 fmj. Oh, the gun is a S&W Scandium commander. Any thoughts or help will be appreciated.
 
Free hanging paper target by chance?

Without a hard backer board the paper is trying to get out of the way before the bullet can punch a clean hole in it.

Just so you know, there is no way no day you can limp wrest a gun bad enough to cause bullets to the be unstabilized coming out of the rifling.
It't simply not possible to un-stabilize a bullet by moving the gun.

rc
 
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Yes , it was hanging paper but I have not had that happen with another round from different guns. It is possible that maybe this target paper was not pulled as tight as others. I had not thought about that aspect of it. Next time out I will be sure the paper is pulled tight and not loose.
thanks
 
Damp target paper can also cause tears and rips that look like an elongated target hole. Use a solid stiff backing and see if that solves the problem.

Jim
 
Tape it too a sheet of cardboard box, or a yard sign, or something or plywood.

It needs something behind for a backer it to keep it from running away from the bullet!

rc
 
I should have thought about that! Thanks guys for your tips. Next time out I will put a solid backing behind the paper target and hopefully that will solve the issue. I was beginning to think there was an issue with my gun but your logic makes sense, thanks again.
 
I agree with the above, we have seen it happen many times here. Since you're shooting factory ammo it's highly unlikely the ammo is the cause. (but of course not impossible)

It just might be your 1911 punishing you for neglecting it! LOL
 
i shoot reloads extensively and cast my own. my lead round nose tear the target and it appears to key hole--indoor range and hanging paper. i also use semi wad cutters--perfect hole all the time. guess it depends on your bullet.:D
 
Check the barrel crown. Even a small ding can cause this. And if it's shooting where you want it to, hey, sideways bullets make bigger holes. I'm not saying this is ideal (especially with expensive GS JHP's), but if you hit it. you hit it. Like the others said, get a backer board of some type and quit shooting paper with expensive ammo. Just a thought.
 
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