How to prevent scratching of 1911???

[Jiml3]

I need help!! Can anybody tell where to find an illustrated copy on how to reasemble the 1911? All the manuals, when referring to reasembling the 1911
say, "repeat the previous instructions in reverse." My problem is how to properly line up and replace the slide release pin without scratching the gun? Is their some kind of trick technique?
Thanks in advance!!

 

[silent one]

Jiml3,

That slide stop has been a problem with many shooters. They usually attempt to insert the pin through the frame, then push up on the arm. This causes the frame to become scratched. what I do, is to insert the pin through the frame, and keep the arm in line with the plunger tube while pushing down on the slide stop, and manually pulling the slide to the rear.
This will usually seat the stop. You may have to hand cycle the slide a couple of times while keeping pressure on the slide stop before it seats itself. You can also put a playing card on the frame in the area of the slide stop, just in case it slips down. The card will take the abuse, and not the frame. I hope this helps. "GOOD LUCK"


SILENT ONE

 

[TRK2AJK]

WHAT I DO, IS TO PUT THE SLIDE RELEASE IN VERY CAREFULLY , before putting the recoil spring and bushing back in. some folks put the slide release in last., i do it sooner in reassembly.

 

[SLCDave]

I borrowed a 1911 from my wife's father, and was paranoid that I was going to scratch it during the takedown/reassembly. I was just careful, and it went together just fine.

 

[Black Majik]

Use a playing card, or a business card. It'll help.

Try to line up the slide stop with the plunger, but without resting the slidestop on the frame. As the slide stop is touching the plunger (but not the frame) push up and in at the same time and it should go straight into the frame without scratching the gun.

 

[FPrice]

silent one...

"what I do, is to insert the pin through the frame, and keep the arm in line with the plunger tube while pushing down on the slide stop, and manually pulling the slide to the rear."

How many hands do you have??? I just counted THREE simultaneous operations.

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

What TRK2AJK said.

 

[triage1998]

The first day I had my NRM Colt series 80 I put an "IDIOT" scratch in that same spot

 

[Ivy Mike]

Thats an easy one, buy a better gun!

CZ's are very plentiful.

 

[UberPhLuBB]

The last 3 images (and their respective descriptions) should help you if it's hard to visualize what these folks are saying.

http://www.m1911.org/full_striping.htm

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

I did it to my Charles Daly, a light scratch before I knew how to do it. Never did it to my Para Ordnance since I had read the instructions, and both my SA and Kimber came with it already done. Though the SA looks like they did it over and over and over again just to make sure it was scratched...

 

[silent one]

FPrice,

Only two hands are needed to do this I hold the weapon with my right hand, from under the trigger guard, and put pressure on the slide stop with my right thumb. Then I use my left hand to manually cycle the slide. It works great for me. [There are times when I wish I had three hands though]


SILENT ONE

 

[Jiml3]

Thanks to all for your responses and special thanks to UberPhLuBB for the
attachement showing the process. While I have already scratched two 1911's
I hope I don't do any further damage!!

 

[at-home-daddy]

TRK said: "WHAT I DO, IS TO PUT THE SLIDE RELEASE IN VERY CAREFULLY , before putting the recoil spring and bushing back in. some folks put the slide release in last., i do it sooner in reassembly."
---------------
That's how I do it, too -- and I've never had a scratch/ding problem...you just line things up while there's no tension and carefully insert. Snaps right in. That's the way I've always done it...since the directions clearly state "reassemble in reverse", that step to insert the slidestop seems apprpriately placed before the bushing and recoil spring.

 

[drf]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who put that little scratch on his new 1911 the first day I bought it....It bugs the you know what out of me though.....drf