45ACP field strip reassembly

[JSmith]

This is a dumber-than-dirt question but if anyone knows an answer you guys will.

OK... I've been to the range with my .45 Series 70, stripped it, cleaned it, and now I'm reassembling.

Is there some trick to keeping the barrel link aligned with the holes in the frame while inserting the slide stop pin? The thing wants to move around so I have to turn it and jiggle it this way and that way to get everything lined up again.

This is a fairly new gun that I've only disassembled/reassembled a few dozen times. Maybe you guys who have done this thousands of times know how to keep that annoying little part in the right place for the few seconds it takes to pick up the slide stop and reinsert it.

 

[kerreckt]

Just line it up and be quick and steady when you inset the pin. That's how I have always done it.

 

[rcmodel]

Hold the slide partially open with the left hand, then have your way with it.

You can use a slim tapered punch (or the firing pin) to reach in and align it if you have too.

rc

 

[HexHead]

Hold the slide partially open with the left hand, then have your way with it.

You can use a slim tapered punch (or the firing pin) to reach in and align it if you have too.

rc

Or a toothpick.

 

[JSmith]

I've used a short piece of thin wood dowel to do that. But when I see people who can slap a 1911 together blindfolded I think there must be some trick to it.

 

[rcmodel]

Well, I take them apart & put them back together with the recoil spring, plug, guide, & barrel bushing already assembled in place in the slide.

The compressed recoil spring kicks the barrel link right in line with the hole when I put the slide on.

The only trick to it is holding the compressed spring in place with your left hand and letting it go just as it is captured by the dust cover, but before you get your fingers pinched.

To do it:
Just assemble the slide off the gun with the link foreword. Then put the spring and plug in and hold it down in place with your left hard wrapped around the slide.

Then start the slide on the frame.

Once the barrel link and most of the compressed spring is inside the dust cover, run the slide all the way back hard and the barrel link will be kicked down in the proper place to put the pin in.

Yes, I can do it blindfolded!

rc

 

[JSmith]

Hmm. I am going to give that a try.

I have been installing the barrel bushing last, after everything else is in place. So there's a lot of slack for stuff like that pesky little barrel link to move around in.

 

[JSmith]

Yes, I can do it blindfolded!

I wouldn't have doubted it for a second, rc. Thanks for the tip - I tried it and it's a little awkward at first, but it's a big improvement over fishing around in there with a dowel to align the link.

 

[Jolly Rogers]

1911 Tuner has suggested a AR 15 firing pin as a multipurpose tool for detail stripping a 1911. The steps of the pins diameters match up well with the needed pin holes.
Joe

 

[Jim K]

With respect, here is how you reassemble the 1911 pistol:

1. Turn the slide upside down.
2. Install the barrel in the slide, all the way back and the link forward and down against the barrel.
3. Install the bushing and turn it so its skirt is at 9 o'clock as viewed from the front with the slide upright.
4. Install the recoil spring guide and spring as an assembly* from the rear, pushing the spring forward through the spring tunnel.
5. With the slide still upside down, place the frame on the slide and push the frame forward to approximately the normal position.
6. Turn the assembly upright.
7. Check to make sure you can SEE the hole in the link through the slide stop hole, and insert the slide stop pin. Pull the slide back until the rear lug of the slide stop will go into its notch in the slide and its hole in the frame. It should snap up and in with finger pressure if the parts are to spec. No tool should be needed.
8. Now close the slide and look at its front. Screw the plug onto the uncrimped end of the spring.** This will keep the plug from flying away the next time you disassemble the pistol.
9. Push the plug into the slide against spring tension.
10. Rotate the bushing until its skirt is downward. Release the tension on the plug so it comes forward and locks the bushing.

This takes a heckuva lot more time to write than it does to do.

*This assumes the rearmost spring coil is crimped to fasten securely to the recoil spring guide; if it doesn't, crimp it.

**This assumes the plug has a indented tab for that purpose; if it does not, get one that does or be prepared to chase plugs.

Jim