Cleaning a model 1911

Jonny_Cannon

BANNED
BANNED
BANNED
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
7   0   0
The one thing I can't stand is the cleaning procedure on my 1911 .45. It's not like my 9mm - click the slide release, slide comes off, barrel comes out, spring comes off. No problem. With my .45: push down on the action while trying to hold the gun, swing the clip over the end of the barrel out, and then fire the spring and end piece off into parts unknown, time and time again. Then, once everything's oiled, putting it back together is impossible because it's like trying to grab a greased pig. Anyone have any slick tips, or am I just a ham-fisted gorilla?

Cannon
 
You probably have a full length guide rod. If you like having a flgr you may want to look into a two piece if you are having trouble. I know it seems to be a PITA.
 
I did a bit of perusing about the internet and I see what you mean. It indeed looks better. I've got to check my barrel length, and then I think I'll order the 2-piece guide rod. Thank-you for the advice.

Cannon
 
How you position the barrel bushing can make it a lot easier to take apart & put back together the 1911.
Put the barrel bushing at 9 oclock before removing the plunger & recoil spring. That way the bushing does not
come flying out. After the plunger & recoil spring is out then put the bushing to 3 oclock & take it right out.
 
JM's design is over 100 years old. Mind you, a 9mm can be that old too.
Quit putting so much oil on it and practice field stripping and assembling it.
 
The first couple times is a PITA. But once you get the hang of it, its comes second nature. Get one of those wrench tools to get the guide rod out without breaking your thumb. And hold on tight and wear glasses too!
 
I just use a little allen key with a rubber T handle. Rest the end of the T handle on plug, pull down, twist bushing, gently lift on the T handle, it's out, in like 2 seconds. Works great.
 
I decided to time myself and it only takes 10 seconds to field strip any of my 1911's and 5 min to detail strip. Practice practice practice. They also go together real quick too. The 10-8 Performance site has one of the best 1911 takedown and maintenence pictorials I've seen a truly excellent reference site for 1911 stuff.
 
Why not just pull the slide back to until the slide stop can be removed, pushed out from the right side. Then, remove the slide with barrel, springs intact. Then remove spring from the rear. Makes all a lot easier.
 
Bingo SubVet49! You're a 1911 "old hand"!
And a two piece guide rod makes the job even easier PROVIDING you "crack" the guide rod joint loose BEFORE you take the slide off. Re-assembly is simply done in reverse. Once the aft guide rod portion with spring is re-inserted from the BACK , the fore end portion of the guide rod is inserted through the recoil spring plug and screwed "finger tight" into the aft end of the guide rod. The assembled slide is replaced onto the frame and secured by the slide stop - and the two piece guide rod can then be tightened securely with the Allen wrench.
 
Get one of those wrench tools to get the guide rod out without breaking your thumb. And hold on tight and wear glasses too!

Bushing wrench....

+1 to both the bushing wrench and safety glasses. I wasn't much on the safety glasses for simple gun cleaning until another CGNer nearly lost an eye by getting a cleaning chemical in it. Now I wear the glasses to disassemble the spring loaded parts and keep them on for the chemical use as well.


Mark
 
I decided to time myself and it only takes 10 seconds to field strip any of my 1911's and 5 min to detail strip. Practice practice practice. They also go together real quick too. The 10-8 Performance site has one of the best 1911 takedown and maintenence pictorials I've seen a truly excellent reference site for 1911 stuff.

Field strip, no problem,, re assembly is a pain . I have full length guide rod, but practice makes perfect.
 
Back
Top Bottom