So I shot my first .45 for the first time today...

[thegoodfight]

I took my brand new Kimber Custom II out to the range today. Let's just say I didn't shoot so well. Out of 93 rounds....I hit an 8x11 piece of paper about 9 times lol. I was probably standing at about 30 feet. The first 7 rounds I just shot at dirt to get the feel of the recoil. Also out of 100 rounds I had 3 FTF's but I'm guessing it was my grip, not to mention I hear this is fairly common when breaking in a new 1911.

This was also my first time shooting a pistol. Is it normal to suck this bad? Any advice? Maybe my aim was off because I found out my girlfriend lied to me this morning. Who knows.

 

[greener]

My aim would have been off only if my girl friend had called my wife, but I'm sure wife's aim would have been pretty good Best for me not to have a girl friend.

You've got a great shooting pistol that should give you years of enjoyable service. I'm not sure about new Kimbers and FTF's but I've never had FTF's with new handguns fired directly after purchase without being cleaned. Perhaps I'm just lucky.

Shooting a handgun requires attention to a several areas: grip, sight alignment, trigger control and stance, among others. If you can find a decent handgun class in your area it would be a good investment. You can find some excellent tips in the Army Marksmanship Manual: http://www.bullseyepistol.com/amucover.htm

Also, this video is good on shooting techniques: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4584332856867071363

The only thing I don't like about the Jarret video is he shoots fast. For a new shooter, and us old codgers still trying to learn to shoot after all these years, it's better to take your time with each shot. Concentrate on the fundamentals. Speed comes later.

I don't own a Kimber, but the nice thing about every one I've fired is that the bullet goes where the pistol is pointed when you fire it. Sometimes that's not where I thought it was pointed.

 

[GunDoctor]

Sights could be off, you could be off, and a .45 is a big first pistol.

 

[THE MACHINIST]

its called flinching, when you ran out of ammo ,did you tug at the pistol ,only to find out its empty, thats flinching. learn to not fear the recoil of the gun, untill all your trigger pulls are smooth ,be fluid. hell of a caliber to learn on. good luck

 

[bang_bang]

A 45 is a big pistol to start learning on, but after you practice with it, anything smaller won't be as much fun.
Practice your trigger pull, that's the most important issue with hitting the target or not. Learn how to best manage the recoil and put full concentration on your target. After a while, the recoil is not felt and you'll just be concentrating on your marks.
You might also look into Snap Caps, makes dry firing a little easier on the gun and helps you practice your pull.

 

[Mad Magyar]

I had 3 FTF's but I'm guessing it was my grip, not to mention I hear this is fairly common when breaking in a new 1911.

I doubt it.... You made a nice purchase...Practice safe & often...

 

[Hanzerik]

I would move the target a little bit closer if I were you. Sure the pistol should able to group nicely at 30', but until you get to the point were you are very comfortable with the pistol, recoil, sites, grip, etc, I would keep the target in close. A .45 is a pretty big caliber to learn on.

 

[johnson_n]

You sure bought an expensive caliber to learn on...

Move the target closer, learn to control your breathing, and practice dry firing often. Biggest mistake I see people make is anticipating the recoil. Bring someone with you to watch or even record your shooting so you can learn what you're doing wrong. Ive seen people jerk the gun right before the bullet fires. It doesnt matter what caliber gun. Practice more but learn what you're doing wrong first. 9 out of 93 is bad.

Every gun is going to be different so just because it's a .45 doesnt mean itll have more muzzle flip than a 9mm. I shot an H&K USP Tactical .45 (the grip on this is huge for me) and the gun raised over my head when shooting. On a Kimber Pro Tac II shot last weekend, muzzle flip was no more if not less than my CZ 75B 9mm.

 

[SuperNaut]

This has been posted often, but with good reason:

Todd Jarrett breaks it down

 

[FEG]

You need to start closer to the target, if only so your "misses" are at least on paper. It's hard to learn much about your shooting without a grouping to analyze.

 

[Mad Magyar]

Todd Jarrett breaks it down

When Todd starts shooting factory "powered" ammo; let me know...

 

[SuperNaut]

When Todd starts shooting factory "powered" ammo; let me know...

I'm not sure how that would affect grip technique.

 

[CountGlockula]

Take a class...also, start at 3 yards and work your way out.

Welcome to the world of pistols my friend.

 

[Claude Clay]

factory ammo

4.5 gr titegroup (200gr SWC) for practice and plates--shoot all day.
4.9 is factory. transition between the two is seamless and poa out to 50' is unaffected. people's at my club interact a lot and i have received many positive comments regarding this load.
Todd's video is very good. try dry firing and grip/trigger finger placement till you find that the front sight does not move as and after the hammer drops. good luck

 

[Snapping Twig]

Focus on the front sight. It's all about the front sight.

Firm grip, death grip not needed.

Kimber suggests 500 rounds for break-in, mine was GTG after 350.

Don't forget to take out the extractor and keep it clean, especially during break-in.

You bought a great pistol.

 

[R&J]

I started with a .45 ACP and I shoot it very well. I later bought a 9 mm, as ammo had gone up three times in 18-months. My .45 is my bedside gun!

--Ray

 

[thegoodfight]

I started with a .45 ACP and I shoot it very well. I later bought a 9 mm, as ammo had gone up three times in 18-months. My .45 is my bedside gun!

--Ray

It's funny you say that...I just bought a new Glock 17 in OD green...I figured I wouldn't be able to shoot the .45 much...I blew threw 100 rounds VERY quickly...$43 right there

 

[R&J]

It's funny you say that...I just bought a new Glock 17 in OD green...I figured I wouldn't be able to shoot the .45 much...I blew threw 100 rounds VERY quickly...$43 right there

Great minds...

I bought my G17 in June of 2006. The gun paid for itself in a year on ammo savings alone. Over 11,000 rounds now, and not one hiccup!

Judy's G19 is in OD. Sweet little shooter!

Get the 33-round magazine!

As for practice ammo...

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=CC3509&src=tpCtg

--Ray

 

[CountGlockula]

Nice!!!

...I just bought a new Glock 17 in OD green...

Good choice!

 

[presspuller]

You didn't say but make sure you clean it good and lube per the instructions.
That won't help your aim but it may help the FTF.

 

[thegoodfight]

I didn't clean it first...

However I've been given some very good instruction since that first shoot...I'm gonna get out to the range on sat. It's embarrassing shooting that bad, but I think the 2nd time will be much different. thanks guys.

 

[FreeinAZ]

With the rounds that failed to fire, be sure to save them. It is important to learn how to clear a malfunction (both tap-rack-assess and class three) but when the gun jams or fails to fire, try to determine why. If there is a firing pin mark on the primer, it was a bad primer or a light primer strike. Try shooting the bullet again. If it goes off, it was more than likely a light primer strike. This usually happens when a gun fails to go into complete lock up after recoil. A firmer grip should help this. Good luck, and have fun!

 

[presspuller]

Get her cleaned and lubed and then get some trigger time. I have the same model and it is WAY more accurate than I am.
Do a LOT of dry firing practice before saturday and it will help a lot with the trigger pull.

 

[loop]

Ten yards is pretty long range to test a new self-stuffer. I test my new ones out at 5 yards. I end up shooting it at 50, but that isn't the point.

Your Kimber should print a one-hole group at 25 yards once you get used to it. To do that will require target-grade ammo that will either cost you $50 a box or you can handload for $4 a box.

You should have cleaned the gun before firing. It is packaged for sale, not for shooting. You probably did no harm in shooting it, but a nice light coat of Tetra Grease or Slide Glide on the rails and barrel, bushing would have helped. The rest of the parts should be lubed with a light oil (I use Break Free).

Your first adjustment should be windage. You'll need a good set of brass drifts to do that.

Once you have the right-to-left figured out you'll want to consider grips. The gun should not move in your hand from shot to shot. The right grips will cure that issue.

Regarding your FTFs, lock your wrists without using a rest. If the problem persists you need to consider a number of things. I'd start with the feed ramp and chamber and polishing. As a temporary fix during the break-in period you might consider replacing the recoil spring with a stronger one and the mag springs with stronger ones.

You are going through the normal "new 1911 shooter" issues. Nothing to worry about.

 

[rocinante]

This was also my first time shooting a pistol. Is it normal to suck this bad? Any advice?

YEP shooting is a skill and it takes practice. Advise is to get a ruger mark III 22/45 for range and a CO2 pistol for home practice. I have gotten markedly better with all my real guns by putting lots of BBs down range with a daisy co2 with a sucking double action trigger.