The Gun Digest Book of Tactical Weapons Assembly/Disassembly. J B Wood

AMT Skipper Argentine Model 1927 Auto-Ordnance M1911A1 Pit Bull Auto-Ordnance M1911A1 Thompson Colt Combat Commander Colt Combat Elite Colt Combat Grade Government Colt Commander Colt Delta Elite Colt Gold Cup Colt Gold Cup 38 Special Colt Lightweight Commander Colt Mark IV Series 70 Colt Mark IV Series 80 Colt Model 1911 Colt Super 39 Colt National Match 45 Colt Officers ACP Detonics Scoremaster Essex Model 1911A1 Falcon Portsider Federal Ordnance Ranger M1911A1 Llama Model IIIA Llama Model VIII Llama Model IXA Llama Model XA Llama Model XI Llama Model XV M-S Safari Arms Enforcer M-S Safari Arms Model 81 M-S Safari Arms Model 81 BD M-S Safari Arms Model 81 M-S Safari Arms Model 81 BP Super NM Olympic/Safari Arms Enforcer Olympic/Safari Arms Randall Compact Service Matchmaster Model Randall Curtis LeMay Four Star Randall Raider Randall Service Model Springfield Armory M1911A1 Springfield Armory Springfield Armory M1911A1 M1911A1 Commander Compact Springfield Armory M1911A1 Defender Vega 45

Data:	Colt Model 1911
Origin:	United States
Manufacturer:	Colt’s ManufacturingCompany, LLCHartford, Connecticut
Cartridge:	45 ACP, 38 Super,9mm Luger
Magazine capacity:	45—7 rounds 38/9mm—9 rounds
Overall length:	8 inches (Commander—8 inches)
Height:	5 inches
Barrel length:	5 inches (Commander—4½ inches)
Weight:	40 ounces

      Our standard military pistol from 1911 to 1985, the Colt 45 Auto is so well known that it really needs no comment or background data here. The target model, the Gold Cup, has one or two small differences in the internal mechanism. The Series 80 versions have an added firing pin block safety system, consisting of a lever in the frame and a plunger and spring in the slide. These are not complicated, and should cause no takedown problems. The old Government Model has also been copied many times over the years, and the instructions will generally apply to all of these.

       Field Strip:

      1. With the magazine removed and the hammer down, depress the checkered button below the barrel and turn the barrel bushing toward the right side of the gun until the plug and recoil spring are free to come out. CAUTION: The recoil spring is under tension, so keep strong pressure on the checkered end of the plug and ease it out. The barrel bushing can ordinarily be turned easily with the fingers, but on some tight older guns, and especially on the new Mark IV Series 70 guns with the barrel-gripping bushing, a special wrench may be necessary.

      2. After easing out the plug, remove it from the end of the spring. In rare cases, it may be locked on by an internal tab, and a slight turn will be necessary to free it.

      3. Cock the hammer, and move the slide back until the small semi-circular cut at its lower edge aligns with the top