My toy is a .45 Ruger Blackhawk, Single Action. Mine has a barrel as long at Jim Arness's (Gunsmoke) and Richard Boone's (Have Gun-Will Travel). I call mine my peacemaker.
I'm quite accurate with that at a range of 45 to 60 feet. My Dad's 1911 was pretty random at that range. What was fun with my Dad's was shoving the magazine up into it, cocking it and blasting away like I knew what I was doing.
My brother spent 30 years as a cop. He had a city issued .38. For at least the last 10 years he worked, he carried a 9mm Glock. I always thought the magazine capacity meant more to him that the stopping power, since I suspect the two were comparable.
I thought I was a good shot until I bought a snub-nose .38. I’m still good with a longer barrel, but that snubbie takes a lot of practice. The 1911s I have shot were accurate at quite a distance. I’m thinking your Dad’s sidearm needed some work.