1911 stripping question

2stonedbirds

2stonedbirds

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Hi all.

I'm the proud owner of my first restricted, a series 80 colt 1911 gov't length. I had it out at the range for its maiden voyage on the weekend. I'm in the process of stripping it for a good cleaning and I'm stuck. I feel like I'm missing something really simple here but I'm not sure what.

I watched a few dif videos on how to strip your 1911. I'm stuck at basically the first step.

After moving the bushing clockwise (when facing the muzzle end) and removing the plug, I cant seem to remove the spring. It feels like it's hung up. I don't want to pull too hard as I dont want to stretch the spring. Every example of field stripping I've seen shows the spring sliding out tickity boo. No dice here.

Any suggestions? Sorry for the stupid question but this is my first time stripping a 1911 and I don't want to bugger it up.
 
Never In my life...

Ok. So i pulled the spring out. The video I watched stated to turn the bushing at the 3 oclock position if facing the muzzle end. This wont work with my colt, there is no locating groove (I hope this makes sense) in that side of the frame. Nuts. Ok. I find another video of a guy stripping my exact model. He left the spring in after removing the plug, left the bushing at the 9 oclock position, moved the slide to the takedown notch, and pulled the takedown lever out like nothing. Piece of cake.

My takedown lever backed out, but will not come out.

Is it just because this thing is new it's so tight? I don't get it. Should be able to strip this thing in about 45 seconds and I've been at it for damn near a half hour.

Sorry guys I feel like a fish out of water here, and I enjoy stripping my other firearms.

Edit: would like to add I now can't get the takedown lever to seat back into the frame.
 
We have all been there. There are a number of 1911 takedown tools and little plastic inserts that avoid scratches when you reinstall the pieces. These should all show up on YouTube as well. I have an Ed Brown Molon Labe edition 1911 and I was very nervous taking it down the first time, as all my other handguns seem so simple by comparison. After a few times, you will strip it with your eyes closed.
 
Thanks, yes I was a little nervous. First time stripping it, I didn't want to bugger anything up. What held my takedown lever up was the spring loaded slide plunger. After using a small screwdriver to push it back, viola. Takedown achieved. So simple but I couldn't see that.

After that I actually had fun cleaning it and reassembly was a cinch.
 
I clean my 1911's alot and after thousands of tear downs you can literally do it with your eyes closed. I found youtube a big help with tons of 1911 vids. Enjoy your 1911!
 
Look up the Logman 1911 slide stop modification. One of the first things I did to my STI 1911's. Really helps with holding the slide stop in position during reassembly.

plinker 777 said:
I see a scratch on the frame in your future.:p...go slow, don't force anything into or out of place and you'll be alright. If anything seems to be fighting you, you're doing something wrong.
Click to expand...
 
I watched Hitman Agent 47 on the weekend and the female character did a full strip of Agent 47's 1911s. And I'm thinking, how'd she do that without any tools?! Then she had it reassembled within 10secs to run out to join a fight?! WTF! lol

That Logman mod looks interesting. I just use a little plastic jig I made up to prevent idiot scratches. Looks like an easy to do mod with a file or Dremel.

SLIDESTOP.jpg
 
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Trinimon said:
That Logman mod looks interesting. I just use a little plastic jig I made up to prevent idiot scratches. Looks like an easy to do mod with a file or Dremel.

SLIDESTOP.jpg
Click to expand...

I'm a +1 for the little plastic thingy to help prevent the idiot scratch.....

With some standard hard plastic packaging material, a sharpie, a hole punch, a pair of scissors & a few minutes of time you can make yourself a handy-dandy idiot scratch prevention tool:

DSCN5389.jpg


DSCN5388.jpg


Easily slips on & off for disassembly & reassembly. Prevents the underside of the rear of the slide stop from scoring the frame.

Too late for many of the 'oldies' but worthwhile if you've bought a spankin' new 1911........... ;)

And for me personally, way better than taking a Dremel etc & altering the slide stop.

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NAA.
 
Yep. I have a nice Sig Sauer Scorpion and should have read more about noob scratches. Oh well. No I know how to keep from making it deeper.
 
Is this mod to help getting the take down lever/pin back in. I always have a hard time getting it to push the pin back to lock in. This looks like the groove will allow the pin to slide in. If so it's getting done for sure.

Trinimon said:
I watched Hitman Agent 47 on the weekend and the female character did a full strip of Agent 47's 1911s. And I'm thinking, how'd she do that without any tools?! Then she had it reassembled within 10secs to run out to join a fight?! WTF! lol

That Logman mod looks interesting. I just use a little plastic jig I made up to prevent idiot scratches. Looks like an easy to do mod with a file or Dremel.

SLIDESTOP.jpg
Click to expand...
 
Some guns you need to compress the plunger to get the stop in, and some like my Ruger just pop back in.

My Trojan I had to dress down a small lip on the stop that was hanging up the plunger badly.


Word to the OP - make darn sure that you know what you're in for before detail stripping a Series 80 Colt. There's no reason to take it down that far unless you're replacing internals or the trigger.

Better to just take the grips off and hose it out with some gun blaster product or other if it gets filthy.
 
I had the same challenge with my Trojan and TargetMaster. Doing the "Logman" mod to my slide stops eliminated that problem too.

Mark-II said:
Some guns you need to compress the plunger to get the stop in, and some like my Ruger just pop back in.

My Trojan I had to dress down a small lip on the stop that was hanging up the plunger badly.


Word to the OP - make darn sure that you know what you're in for before detail stripping a Series 80 Colt. There's no reason to take it down that far unless you're replacing internals or the trigger.

Better to just take the grips off and hose it out with some gun blaster product or other if it gets filthy.
Click to expand...
 
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