1911 compact disassembly?

[AZAndy]

I'm thinking about replacing the recoil plug in my Colt Compact with one of these heavy-duty numbers from Clark:

The tab on the factory plug has a reputation for breaking off, and I'm thinking that could be a bad thing. If I do the switch, then how will the pistol go back together and disassemble? Currently, I stick a screwdriver in the slot on the plug, push in, turn, and remove the plug. It's not like a full-size where you can turn the bushing to get the plug out. I'm stumped. I'd ask Clark, but it's Sunday and I know somebody here knows. ;-)

 

[CapnMac]

Well, there is the "other" way you can knock down a 1911.
Remove Mag
Check chamber clear
Cock hammer
Using both hands, retract slide until the dissassembly notch aligns to the slide catch
Push slide catch pin out
Carefully remove slide from frame.

Now, the geometry of this is a bit more complex with a compact, but it works despite full-length guide rods, funky bushings, comps or the like.

Just my 2¢

 

[WC145]

It's a reverse plug, you insert it from behind.

 

[kBob]

Couple of decades ago I shot Ayoob's LFI-1 class with a stock Colt Officer's ACP.

I had broken it in before the class then shot it in the class and the following weekend decide to see how it would do at 100 meters. I know I am silly but I do enjoy hitting kneeling man targets a football field away.

Any how I went to a table on our city rifle range, Laid my forearms over a bag and let fly. First shot would have been a hit in the liver. Great! Then I noticed that the slide was back. It did not snap forward when I gave it a push. It did slide forward. At that point someone asked what was on the ground in front of my position. About ten feet out was the two springs and that plunger, sans tit.

I called Colt Monday morning to BM&C and talked to a nice lady. Thursday I received via Post a yellow parts envelope with a replacement for the broken part AND a new set of springs along with a note explaining that since my springs ended up in the sand they thought I might like a new set.

Has not broken since but is not carried or shot much.

Just thought I would mention it.

-kBob