Originally developed by John Browning, the 1911 pistol is renowned for its longevity, reliability and versatility. Even though a 1911 sidearm is durable and easy to use, it requires routine maintenance to ensure proper function and years of dependable service. You will need a well-lit workspace with sufficient room to lay out the parts of the pistol and the cleaning materials. Cleaning supplies include a toothbrush, gun oil, a cleaning rod and a bore cleaner as well as a clean lint-free cloth and a bore-cleaning brush. Cotton swabs, pipe cleaners and a dental tool make certain cleaning tasks easier.
Clear the Chamber
Before you perform any user maintenance on a firearm, you must ensure that it is not loaded. Hold the pistol in one hand, and place the other one under the magazine. Push the magazine release. Remove the magazine when it falls clear of the pistol. Pull the slide back while pressing up on the slide stop until it engages and locks the slide to the rear. Visually examine the chamber to ensure that no round is present. If no ammunition is present, release the stop by pulling the slide to the rear. Move the slide forward slowly. Point the muzzle in a safe direction and then pull the trigger.
Disassembling a 1911 Pistol
After ensuring that the pistol is clear and safe, disassemble it for cleaning. Ensure that you arrange the pieces so that you can systematically clean the firearm and then reassemble it correctly without misplacing any parts.
Depress the recoil spring plug. Carefully rotate the barrel bushing clockwise until you can release the tension on the recoil spring and plug. Use caution, point the pistol away from you and maintain a tight hold on the plug. The spring and plug are under significant pressure, which can forcefully eject these parts. You will experience physical injuries if they strike your eyes or face.
After removing the recoil spring tension, cock the hammer. Push the slide to the rear until it aligns with the disassembly notch. Push the portion of the slide stop that protrudes from the right side of the pistol inward. Remove the slide stop from the left-hand side of the pistol frame.
Move the slide forward and off the lower pistol frame. Rotate the barrel bushing counterclockwise, and remove it from the slide. Tip the barrel link forward and then remove the barrel and recoil spring.
Push on the end of the firing pin to remove it. Carefully remove the extractor that will be visible after the firing pin is removed. The pistol is now fieldstripped and ready for cleaning. Following the instructions in the owner’s manual, you can also disassemble the pistol further for a more thorough cleaning if necessary.
Cleaning and Lubricating a 1911
Use a gun cleaning kit designed for handguns. Attach the bore brush to the cleaning rod. After soaking the bore brush with bore cleaner, run the brush through the barrel several times. Allow the bore brush to soak in the cleaner for a few minutes between each cleaning. After the barrel is clean, remove the barrel brush and attach a clean, lint-free patch to the cleaning rod. Run patches through the barrel until it is dry, and there is no cleaner or copper fouling on the patches. Visually inspect the barrel to ensure that it is clean.
Soak the toothbrush in the cleaning compound, and brush the interior and exterior of the slide. Wipe the breech face. Clean the extractor. A cotton swab or pipe cleaners can be used to clean the extractor holes. A dental tool may be required to remove residue from the edges of the breech face and slide rail. Dry all the parts with the clean lint-free cloth. Use the toothbrush to clean the top slide rail and the exterior of the pistol body.
After they are clean and dry, apply a thin coat of gun oil to the barrel, the extractor and the interior of the slide. Apply a thin coat of gun oil to the exterior of the pistol. Wipe off any excess once it has been properly reassembled.
Lubricate the trigger, magazine catch and hammer as well as the mainspring housing, sear and disconnector. You should also apply a thin coating of oil to the thumb safety and slide stop.
Reassembling the Pistol
Once the pistol has been cleaned and properly oiled, reassemble the weapon in the reverse order of the steps used to disassemble the weapon. Use caution when reinserting the recoil spring and plug. Pull the slide to the rear, and engage the slide lock. The slide should be under tension. Release the lock. The slide should go forward on its own. Pull the trigger. If the weapon does not function properly, disassemble and reassemble the pistol again. When it functions properly, the 1911 is ready for use.
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