This brief article describes how to field strip a Colt 1911-type pistol. Because of the large number of variations that have been produced in the last eighty-five years, not every step of this procedure may apply to every variant of this pistol.
SAFETY FIRST: Before you begin, make absolutely sure the pistol is unloaded, as follows:
With the pistol unloaded, disassembly can now begin.
The first step is to release the recoil spring and spring-stop. To do this, push the spring-stop into the slide slightly and rotate the barrel bushing clockwise about 45 degrees. On some 1911-type pistols, the bushing may not turn easily by hand (especially collet type bushings). If this is the case, the use of a barrel bushing wrench is recommended.
When the bushing has been rotated far enough, the spring tension will be released, and the spring will push the spring-stop forward out of the slide. The release of spring tension may cause the spring to fly out of the slide, so it is a good idea to keep a hand in front of the slide to catch it just in case.
On some pistols the spring-stop and spring will come out easily, in which case they may be set aside now. Otherwise, leave the spring hanging out of the slide until it is time to remove the guide rod (in a later step).
The next step is to remove the slide release lever from the frame. To do this, the slide must first be pulled back until the disassembly notch on the slide is lined up with the back end of the slide release lever. Then pull the slide release lever straight out of the frame.
Now that the slide release lever has been removed from the frame, the slide may be pulled forward off the frame. If the recoil spring has already been removed, the guide rod will probably drop to the bench as the slide clears the frame.
With the slide removed from the frame, the removal of parts from the slide can begin. If the guide rod is still snug in the back end of the recoil spring, pull it out now and set the spring and guide rod aside.
The next step is to remove the barrel bushing from the slide. The bushing must be rotated counterclockwise about 30 degrees from its normally assembled position before it can be removed.
When the bushing has been rotated to the correct position, it may be pulled forward out of the slide.
With the bushing out of the way, the barrel may now be removed. Pull the barrel forward out of the slide. The barrel link may need to be tilted forward in order for the barrel to clear the slide.
The barrel link may be removed from the barrel by pushing out the pin that holds the link and barrel together. Often the link is left in place during field stripping unless it is to be replaced with a new link.
The pistol has now been completely field stripped. While stripped, you have access to the major components of the pistol for inspection, cleaning and oiling. Colt recommends against further disassembly of their pistols by consumers.
To reassemble the pistol, simply put the parts back together in the reverse order of the disassembly procedure.