Getting Rid of My 1911

CornCod said:

Well, the psychometricians say there are three kinds of intelligence, verbal, mathematical and visio-spatial. Putting together a 1911 is in the realm of the visio-spatial or what we call mechanical ability. When I was a wee lad my parents wanted to send me to plumber's school. Good thing I refused. I would have flunked out for sure. I hate to get rid of the gun since it shoots so well. Maybe as a last resort I will slap a 50 dollar bill on the counter at the gunsmith's and let him show me how to do it. The "how to" videos on the web somehow don't do it for me.

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I'll show you how for 6 pack and a 20 spot.

edwardware said:

Mine still has the Idiot Mark courtesy of the first owner. . .

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That would be my story too...

Weird, the only part that is even remotely complicated is the getting the slide stop back into place. You can look through the hole in the frame and see when it is closed to lined up. If your having a problem you can use a tooth pick to assist in getting everything lined up. Other than that the rest of the process is very intuitive once you know what you're doing.

There are 5 minute videos that walk through the process in exacting detail. I'm guessing the whole process can be done in under a minute.

regarding self defense and field stripping - you are going to be in a world of trouble if you have to field strip any pistol in a self defense scenario. Additionally I have no idea why anyone would do such a thing. Most likely if your gun is jammed a field strip is going to be impossible and wouldn't fix the problem.

Field stripping and reassembling a 1911 is not difficult. If you have trouble doing it practice. I bet you couldn't ride a bike the first time you tried either. There are lots of youtube videos that will walk you through it. Sit down take it apart and put it back together a dozen times or more, until you no how it's done rather than just following directions. It would be foolish to get rid of a gun you like rather than learning to assemble it.

Corn Cod Where do you live man. There has got to be someone near you that can work with you on it. If you are near me I will stop buy and help.

CornCod said:

And also, do some 1911's have a captive recoil spring system?

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Yes, several do, but you still have to line up the holes in the frame with the barrel link and insert the slide stop lever. CZs are somewhat similar, but when you align the assembly marks on the slide and frame it's pretty much lined up already.

I guess even with my first 1911 I got the hang of putting it back together after a few times. I make sure the guide rod is keeping the link down (or up if you install it upside down as some people do) That way when you push the slide on the frame you can see where the hole is and only have to move the barrel itself or the slide just a little bit to get the slide stop in.

And now for a response that might actually help the person who posted the original post rather than all the BS in most of these posts where people explain how smart they are..

CornCod, take your gun to a gunshop that actually has someone who works on guns. Ask them to watch while you put it back together and probably they can see if you are doing something wrong. Then they can correct you and you can get it done. It could be something simple.

And don't worry if you scratch the frame a little when you put in the slide stop. Real guns get used and get a few scratches and nicks here and there and it will not change how the gun operates. It just gives someone else a chance to be snotty. It is your gun. Use it and enjoy it.

Don't give up just yet. Good luck

CornCod

This is a captive recoil spring that Detonics used to make for 1911s. It's very well designed and constructed and I have used it over the years in a number of Colt Governments and a Gold Cup. Still uses the same slide stop that comes with the gun so the reassembly procedure remains the same.

460Shooter said:

then go buy an old Remington Nylon 66. Disassemble and then reassemble that gun.

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LoL.
There's like 5 youtube videos out on that.
Now.
Decades later

If putting them back together was the only problem I had with 1911's, I would still own one.

The only problem I have is inserting slide stop lever w/o scratching the frame. I always use piece of duct tape to prevent that. There is no doubt the G21 is easier on palm when shooting & much easier to take apart & put together.

1911s aren't the easiest to take apart even compared to other "old fashioned" non-striker fired pistols. The Beretta 92 series swing down release makes taking that portly beauty apart a snap. While I wouldnt do it i a fire-fight, fox hole maintenance is manageable.

That said, the 1911 isn't THAT bad. However, I will agree that fighting the recoil spring/guide rod, lining up the stop so that it doesnt scratch the gun can be a bit of a chore.

I like the 1911, and I think i'll always keep one, but i don't begrudge anyone who gets rid of a gun because they don't want to monkey with it. Life's too short.

The OP didn't mention what particular 1911 he had...and I wonder if some aftermarket parts aren't making it more difficult than the original design? We used to field strip, then reassemble our 1911's in under a minute...blindfolded. This was, of course, an issue 1911a1 while some of the newer add-ons like one piece guide rods and such DO make it more difficult to strip and assemble. Could this be a case of disparaging the 1911 (blasphemy!) when in reality he's disparaging the aftermarket?

It's possible RecoilRob,
My champion Springfield with a 1 piece guide rod is a real pain to take down.

GI guide rods are MUCH easier

Of the 7 1911s I own 2 give me fits in reassembly a RIA and a Springfield Armory both in 9 mm. Have to use a tooth pick to depress the the plunger to get the slide stop in place. Tbe suggestion of going to a LGS and have someone watch you take the pistol apart and give you tips on reassembly is a good one.

gotboostvr said:

My champion Springfield with a 1 piece guide rod is a real pain to take down.

GI guide rods are MUCH easier

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Yup, this is why I've gotten rid of all the one piece guide rods in my 1911s. I have one or two 2-piece guide rods still in service. I don't like having to need a wrench to disassemble these guide rods.

CornCod said:

Farewell 1911, I just don't need the aggravation and a potential heart attack at age 57! Its a fine gun for the mechanically inclined, but not for me.

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You know yourself best, if I was in your shoes I'd do the same. If I don't enjoy something thru and thru I part with it.

Reassembly is easy if you activate the thumb safety and then use a toothpick or paperclip to line up the link with the hole. Be mindful that the bottom of the slide stop is not flat so you should line it up before pressing it in.

Youtube is your friend, spend sometime browsing there and repeat the process few times until you know by heart.
If money is not an issue you will regret the move.

All it takes is a needle file and less than 5 minutes of your time to remedy your slide stop problems.
I know there's a link to process somewhere.
I've done this to all of my 1911's and the slide stop just snaps right in, no idiot scratch.

Bo said:

All it takes is a needle file and less than 5 minutes of your time to remedy your slide stop problems.
I know there's a link to process somewhere.
I've done this to all of my 1911's and the slide stop just snaps right in, no idiot scratch.

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That's actually great advice! Hope someone finds the link--I could not. I did the notch on a troublesome RIA slide stop I used to have and it worked perfectly from that point.

Here is the place to groove a slide stop for easy insertion past non-spec plungers.
https://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=214653&highlight=idiot

I hope the OP finds a gun he can reassemble.
A pistol meant for a horse driver who just might have finished grammar school is complex machinery for the 21st century.

I do not consider the CZ 75 to be one of them. You have to hold the slide back against recoil spring tension to line up the clearance for the slide stop. There is an alignment mark, but it is on the wrong side of the gun for the way I hold it.

Sig-Sauers aren't bad to field strip and reassemble. They are a pain in the neck to completely disassemble and get back together.

It takes a little finesse, but a tool like me can figure it out. The main thing is to do it the same way every time.

I echo others who have advised to not get rid if it. Use something else if you want to, but keep them all.

im lost on this. if ya had 1911s for 20 years plus.....how can it be hard now? hand dexterity abilities has changed with age, eyesight fading like mine? i dont find 1911s to be all that hard to assemble.