Notes on the Automatic Pistol, Cal. 45, Model 1911.
The pistol is known as the Automatic Pistol, Cal. 45, Model 1911. By caliber is meant the caliber of the bore. All pistols used in the service are marked on the left side of the receiver, “United States Property,” and on the right side with the serial number, which must be memorized by the person to whom the pistol is issued.
It is important that every man have a thorough knowledge of the nomenclature, care and repair, method of assembling and dismounting the pistol as well as its use and operation.
The principal parts of the pistol are the receiver, the barrel and the slide.
To Dismount and Assemble the Pistol:—Press the magazine catch and remove the magazine. Press the plug inward, turn the barrel bushing to the right and by easing off on the spring let the plug and spring protrude gradually. Draw the slide to the rear until the small recess is opposite the thumb piece of the slide stop. Press gently against the end of the pin of the slide stop on the opposite side and remove the slide stop. This releases the link and allows the barrel and the slide with all its parts to be slid forward off the guide rails of the receiver.
To Disassemble the Slide:—Remove the plug by turning it to the left and withdraw the recoil spring with its guide from the rear; or remove the recoil spring guide and withdraw the coil spring with its plug from the front. Turn the barrel bushing to the left and withdraw it forward from the slide. The barrel may now be withdrawn from the slide. To remove the firing pin, press the rear end of the pin forward until it clears the firing pin stop. Then withdraw the stop downward from its seat, whereupon the firing pin, the firing pin spring, and the extractor are removed by withdrawing them to the rear.
For ordinary cleaning, no further dismounting will be found necessary and no disassembling of the receiver should be permitted except by permission of an officer. When the interior of the pistol has been exposed to water, or when it is desired to make repairs, the receiver may be completely dismounted as follows:
Cock the hammer, move the safety lock to a position half way between its upper and lower position. Press the end of the safety lock pin on the opposite side and withdraw the safety lock. Now lower the hammer by pressing the trigger. Push out the hammer pin and take out the hammer and strut. Next push out the housing pin. This may require a little extra pressure. It is the only pin pushed out by pressure from the left side of the receiver. The main-spring housing may then be withdrawn downward and the grip safety withdrawn to the rear. This exposes the sear spring, which is easily removed. By pushing out the sear pin, the sear and the disconnector are released.
The main-spring housing is disassembled by compressing the main spring, pushing out the small main-spring cap pin, whereupon the main-spring cap, the main spring and the housing pin retainer will come out. The main spring may be easily compressed by using the pin of the slide stop.
