Springfield Armory 1911 9mm disassembly question

[gunsrfun1]

Hello - I just picked up a Springfield Armory 9mm stainless Loaded and I am a bit unsure how to strip it down. I have a Kimber .45, and to field-strip that one, you simply push in on the guide rod, then rotate the barrel bushing. The SA has an Allen wrench hole in the guide rod, and the manual isn't really clear what to do. Do I turn the guide rod with the Allen wrench in a particular direction, etc. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[ugaarguy]

Use the allen wrench to turn the guide rod counter clockwise - this separates it into two pieces. Drop the separated piece out the front, and then disassemble as you would on your Kimber.

I put GI short guide rods & plugs in all my 1911s to simplify disassembly.

 

[WC145]

Your Springfield has a two piece full length guide rod. Use the included allen wrench to loosen and remove the front half of the guide rod (turn it counter clockwise) then disassemble as you would any other 1911. Reverse the process to reassemble.

 

[WC145]

Aaargh!! Ya beat me!

BTW, on your Kimber you're pushing in the recoil spring plug, not the guide rod. The guide rod is the short thing that your recoil spring rides on.

 

[gunsrfun1]

Thanks all and pardon my mistaken use of terms, you are correct. I'm not a 1911 expert as you can tell. THR to the rescue as usual. Two quick followup questions: 1) When you say "counterclockwise," I assume you mean when facing the back of the gun. In other words, the normal "lefty loosey" counterclockwise that is standard on threads. 2) When I reassemble the gun, how tight will I turn the Allen screw clockwise -- just hand tight? Thanks again all.

 

[WC145]

Thanks all and pardon my mistaken use of terms, you are correct. I'm not a 1911 expert as you can tell. THR to the rescue as usual. Two quick followup questions: 1) When you say "counterclockwise," I assume you mean when facing the back of the gun. In other words, the normal "lefty loosey" counterclockwise that is standard on threads. 2) When I reassemble the gun, how tight will I turn the Allen screw clockwise -- just hand tight? Thanks again all.

I meant counter clockwise/lefty loosey when looking at the muzzle.

I tighten the guide rod on my Loaded pretty snug, using the allen wrench. It's tighter than "hand tight" but not a whole lot, maybe like grip screws. I don't want it working loose while I'm shooting it.

 

[gunsrfun1]

OK, I watched this video and now I get it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko6dBPGJo8Y&feature=related
What I don't get is what the advantage is of a two-piece guide rod. Anyhow ... is there any risk/hazard/disadvantage of replacing the two-piece with a one-piece, and is the replacement a simple "drop in." (Remember this is a 9mm 1911, not a .45). Thanks

 

[w2fnt]

I just replaced that stupid 2 piece guide rod in mine with a Wilson Combat FLG that sold for $24.95...problem solved for me.

 

[gunsrfun1]

Thanks. Are the full-length guide rods normally a drop-in replacement, or do they need fitting?