Colt Mark IV 70 Series

[Lynyrd]

Well, I finally bit the bullet and bought my first 1911 45ACP. It's a Colt Mark IV 70 Series in stainless. Colts model number is O1070A1CS. I've put 100 rounds through it so far, and my first observation is that the trigger is so light that after the 1st shot I'm shooting before I get back on target. Shooting 6 rounds in about 5 seconds, my best group at 15 yards was about 4 inches.

Do the experts out there want to throw any advice my way about this gun? Care, worries, break in, technique? Anything I should know?

[G.A. Heath]

Trigger discipline needs works.
First: you are probably not following through with the trigger after the shot. This is why you are firing again before your back on target.
Second: you are probably "pre-loading" the trigger, stop doing so.
Third: Go back and work on the basics with the 1911, use dry-fire drills, let it teach you how to be a better shooter.
Fourth: get a friend to go with you when you shoot and observe what you are doing wrong, or take a video camera and record yourself.

[Lynyrd]

Trigger discipline needs works.
First: you are probably not following through with the trigger after the shot. This is why you are firing again before your back on target.
Second: you are probably "pre-loading" the trigger, stop doing so.
Third: Go back and work on the basics with the 1911, use dry-fire drills, let it teach you how to be a better shooter.
Fourth: get a friend to go with you when you shoot and observe what you are doing wrong, or take a video camera and record yourself.

I think am I guilty of "pre-loading." The reset on this trigger is the shortest of anything I have ever owned, and it's crazy light. Wish I had a trigger pull gauge.

[The Annoyed Man]

Trigger discipline needs works.
First: you are probably not following through with the trigger after the shot. This is why you are firing again before your back on target.
Second: you are probably "pre-loading" the trigger, stop doing so.
Third: Go back and work on the basics with the 1911, use dry-fire drills, let it teach you how to be a better shooter.
Fourth: get a friend to go with you when you shoot and observe what you are doing wrong, or take a video camera and record yourself.

I think am I guilty of "pre-loading." The reset on this trigger is the shortest of anything I have ever owned, and it's crazy light. Wish I had a trigger pull gauge.

Most 1911s worth their salt have a trigger pull in the 4-5 lb range. It's not so much the trigger weight as it is that as a single action pistol, the trigger breaks like a glass rod without a lot of overtravel and a short reset. For me, the key to avoiding your issue was to make sure that I did not relax my grip at all with my shooting hand after pulling the trigger, so that the trigger stays pulled until I deliberately allow it forward to reset.

You shoot deliberately that way enough times, and the speed will come. But the trick is to not allow the reset to happen until you do it deliberately.

[Lynyrd]

Most 1911s worth their salt have a trigger pull in the 4-5 lb range. It's not so much the trigger weight as it is that as a single action pistol, the trigger breaks like a glass rod without a lot of overtravel and a short reset. For me, the key to avoiding your issue was to make sure that I did not relax my grip at all with my shooting hand after pulling the trigger, so that the trigger stays pulled until I deliberately allow it forward to reset.

You shoot deliberately that way enough times, and the speed will come. But the trick is to not allow the reset to happen until you do it deliberately.

Thank you very much for the comment. Deliberate reset. I'll work on that.

[flechero]

You shoot deliberately that way enough times, and the speed will come. But the trick is to not allow the reset to happen until you do it deliberately.

A little dry firing will really highlight what you want to feel, and a lot of dry fire will help you to make it an unconscious action.