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So I have a new sprindfield 1911a1 I got from Santa. Out of the box I tried on the holster, and holstered it. Pulled it out and noticed now I have light scratches on my barrel.

Then, never having owned a 1911 I discover a small screwdriver is needed to field strip it, scratch 2!

Anyone know of any certain tools I should buy? If the holster thing normal?

lawrnk wrote:Anyone know If the holster thing normal?

It's like buying a new car. The first scratch is the worst!
Last month I took a class and we did some malfuction drills. After practicing clearing a couple of stovepipes I noticed a long scratch on the top of my slide.
I got over it pretty quick.

A bushing wrench will be good.

lawrnk wrote:Then, never having owned a 1911 I discover a small screwdriver is needed to field strip it, scratch 2!

Except for removing the grips, I don't see the need for a screwdriver.

Maybe you were using the wrong tool.

Go here for better instructions that what's in your manual.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/pistol1911/ ... /index.asp

OH my! You've ruined it...it's not safe to shoot....send it to me. I rescue 1911s. OK, so you're not gullible...

The original 1911's were designed to be stripped with no tools, i.e. parts of the pistol such as the firing pin could be used to drive out other pins, and the three leaf spring could be used as a screwdriver to take out the mag catch. With that said, I don't usually do this.

Depending on which Springfield you have, you could need extra tools to take out a guide rod, but generally, a punch to drift out the mainspring housing pin, and a screwdriver (or Allen wrench) for the grips and the mag catch is all that is needed to completely disassemble the pistol. If you take down the mainspring housing, its best to secure it in a vice or other fixture so you can control the spring and prevent it from launching across the room.

Click the link below for disassembly instructions.
http://www.m1911.org/full_striping.htm

some styles of 1911 with a guide rod need an additional tool.

A good friend of mine made a recomendation I eventually followed:
"When you buy a 1911, get a used one, preferably one with an idiot mark already on it."

And using it in a holster will wear the finish..it gives it character

You cant have a tool remain in PERFECT condition forever

Mike1951 wrote:

lawrnk wrote:Then, never having owned a 1911 I discover a small screwdriver is needed to field strip it, scratch 2!

Except for removing the grips, I don't see the need for a screwdriver.

Maybe you were using the wrong tool.

Go here for better instructions that what's in your manual.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/pistol1911/ ... /index.asp

Mike, it was that little pin that has to be pushed back?

You will also need either a small screwdriver to take the mag. release out of the frame, then you can take the trigger out.

Chas.

I had forgotten about the mag release button. But that's only once in a blue moon.

If you're talking about reinstalling the safety, I use a popsicle stick for that and it doesn't scratch the metal.

It was pushing in the tiny plunger tube to reinstall the slide stop that was causing the scratches. I'm going to find something thin and non-metallic to do it from now on. Makes field stripping without tools quite a chore. I like the gun...but that is a bit inconvienient.

Shouldn't really need tools for regular maintenance. When I got my first 1911 I thought they were the biggest pain in the butt to field strip. After years of doing it, I can now do it blindfolded. As for the scratches, if it's parkerized, just rub a little gun oil on it. Sometimes that does the trick.

You don't need to press that pin in to replace the slide stop. There is a bevel on the edge, if you set it just right (slightly below level) and push in and slightly up at the same time, it will pop into place. Put some tape on the frame while practicing to prevent more scratches.

It's actually pretty easy once you find the sweet spot, but it's not terribly easy to describe.

Oh yeah - and you have to hold your mouth just right when you are doing it.

30-30 wrote:Oh yeah - and you have to hold your mouth just right when you are doing it.

hey 30-30 that's what my dad told me to hold my mouth the right way to get the items to work right, your going to fit right in here and Welcome to board.


Doc