[Buck Commander]

I recently was given a Star PD .45 ACP. I did some reading up about it and most of the reviews were great. It was a good 1911 made from 1975 to 1990. Unfortunately mine has not lived up to that expectation. It seems to shoot incredibly low and then about once every 4 or 5 shots it shoots right on target. At first I thought it had to be the ammo, but I've since tried 3 or 4 different brands and each one has given me the same result. A buddy of mine heard about the recoil buffers being bad on this gun. I couldn't find much information about this though. If anybody knows what the problem is or how to fix it that would be much appreciated.

 

[MikeG]

Make sure the sights aren't loose. We had a member report a similar issue (different gun) and the next range trip the front sight came completely off.....

 

[pisgah]

Buck, no offense intended, here, but -- has someone else fired the gun to confirm the problem? Most folks I see who begin firing a small gun that has significant kick will suddenly find themselves shooting low -- a result, I believe, of having gotten used to the different sensation of a full-size gun. Seems to me the more boisterous small guns encourage the shooter to anticipate the recoil and, in effect, flinch downward to counteract the recoil. Happens more often with DA guns, but I have seen it with SA guns, too.

 

[Mainspring]

Give some more info please...
- What distance are the targets?
- How far are the bullets dropping?
- What bullet weight are you shooting?

The rear sight is adjustable, it comes up to raise the point of impact. Check for signs of the rear sight leaf having been altered across the top.

The guns are usually built around the 230gr FMJ cartridge.

If the buffer is bad, don't shoot the gun anymore. The buffer cushions the blow of the slide when it bottoms out on it's rearward stroke. The frame, being aluminum, is softer than the slide and will sustain damage.

 

[Buck Commander]

MikeG, i understand what you are saying. This is the first .45 caliber handgun I have ever shot more than on one occasion. I like to think of myself as not flinching, but it may happen. However, the same friend of mine who suggested the recoil buffer being bad shot the gun himself and we saw the same problem.

Mainspring, the distance was about 10 yards and the bullet drop varied from 18 inches to 24 inches. The reason for the 6 inch difference being due to my not so consistent accuracy. However, the drops were consistently in that 18 to 24 range from where I believed to be aiming. And yes, the most recent and most used round I've used is the Winchester .45 FMJ's.

I took the gun apart today looked at the spring and the plastic buffer. I could tell the buffer was definitely one from a gun that had been shot a lot, but it didn't strike me as broken or defected.

The talk about the sights being off would make sense except for the fact that one out of roughly 5 shots follows directly where I have the sights aimed the entire time.

 

[Mainspring]

That drop seems beyond normal at that distance. I'm guessing that you might have a nasty flinch.

Do a little dry-fire practice with your eyes closed, concentrate on the trigger pull and movement of the pistol. Flinching needs to be ruled in or ruled out as a factor.

Pull the trigger with one finger only, don't tighten the entire hand. The gun needs to recoil "normally" also, if you are resting the gun on a bench or gripping too tightly the bullets can impact low.

While the elimination goes on, keep in mind that there may be several contributing factors and not just one issue.

 

[HURRICANECOWBOY]

Are the flyers coming at from the same bullet position in the magazine, last or next to last bullet in the mag? Are the barrel bushing and locking lugs clean?

 

[leverite]

I bought one new back when I could still hear things. At that time, I don't recall a recoil buffer. I know I used buffers for 1911's with mine. Tou might try shooting it without the buffer and see haow it reacts.

Col Cooper praised the Star PD but advised that it was to be carrried a lot and shot a little.

Steel hammering aluminum....not a long term sustainable situation for the aluminum.