1911 Detail Stripping

[Crow1108]

I was wondering how often you guys detail strip your 1911s? Is there a specific amount of ammo/time that passes, or is it more of a "whenever I feel like it" kind of thing?

 

[Spartacus451]

It depends is the only good answer. For me whenever I feel like it is more then often enough. You can go tens of thousands of rounds without detail stripping with no noticeable issues depending on how well made the gun is. Most people end up detail stripping for one reason or another well before it is absolutely necessary. Lubrication and ammunition is also a factor in how often that might become necessary.

 

[jr_roosa]

I do it when I get them and then only if I feel like it afterwards.

I'd pull the extractor and firing pin and clean the holes more often than a complete detail strip, since it's hard for very much gunk to get under the grip safety.

-J.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I rarely completely disassemble the whole pistol. I do, however disassemble the slide, extracter, firing pin and spring and thoroughly clean the slide inside and out at least once a year at the least....

 

[ElrodCod]

It can accumulate a lot of lint if you carry it on a daily basis. I detail strip & clean my carry gun about once a month regardless if it's been fired or not. The gun can get pretty sooty if you shoot cast lead reloads in it. I detail strip & clean about every 250 -300 rounds of cast lead. With jacketed ammo I'll probably go about 750-1000 rounds before another detail strip.

 

[Boats]

I detail strip the slide waaaay more than the frame. There really isn't much point to stripping the frame unless there is a specific problem to address.

 

[possum]

anyone got a link to instructions, either text or video on how to detail strip the slide? ie the extractor, firing pin, and firing pin spring etc?

 

[Lookn4Brass]

Ditto on the last two replies. I've spent waaaaay too much time with 1911-style guns(that's a good thing, though!) and found the most important area to take care of is around where the extractor hole is, the squared area around the breach face, the firing pin area(the spring gets real dirty with reloads) and the area where the slide release engages the magazine in the frame. The trigger/hammer areas don't need attention very often, unless you get lint in them or alot of dirt/grit from carrying them. If I go in the woods for a day, I usually clean the gun better. Had too many seeds/other crap end up in my action to aggravate me!

Something else that alot of people might not know: A very important thing on the 1911-A1 is the firing pin stop- it needs to fit well. One that is too loose is not good, because it affects how well the extractor stays in the proper position, and can cause problems if the firing pin spring is not very strong. Hasn't happened very often, but I've seen it happen enough. I use an oversize firing pin stop most of the time, and fit it to the gun - not hard to do. Use an "extra power firing pin return spring" (unless you have a titanium hammer), and change it about every 1,000 rounds or so, especially if you tend to dry-fire practice without using a good snap cap. Takes a few seconds to put in, and cost only a few bucks. Normally I change the recoil spring every 1,000 -2,000 rounds anyway, and the Wolff kit I use has the firing pin spring included already! Hope this info helps.

 

[firestarter]

Possum you can go to m1911.org for series 70 1911s. They show you pics on how to detail strip the slide (and frame). If you have a series 80 its a bit different but its also easy.
1)Push firing pin safety button in slide, hold it in then push the firing pin in.
2)let go of FP safety, firing pin should be stuck inside.
3)slide firing pin stop downwards.
4)push FP safety, the firing pin should fly out with the spring.
5)pull the extractor a little and the FP safety should fall w/ the spring.
6)after the safety falls, pull extractor out all the way.

 

[buenhec]

I took completely apart my 1911 after 5000 rounds. The frame and components were very clean. The exctractor I took out for the first time was very dirty. There are some videos in Youtube.com that take you step by step on disassemly and reassembly. What can be easier than that.

BTW I lubed in Militec and put in the oven at low heat for 25 min and it feels sweet!

 

[Black Majik]

I detail strip it once a year, or every 5000 rounds... whichever comes first.

It's really not all that necessary, the extractor channel and extractor (as mentioned earlier) needs the most attention.

 

[robctwo]

Winter, sometimes three or four times.