Easiest 1911 to re-assemble?

L

Lower

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Hi, friends,

could you give me a pointer as to which 1911 is the easiest to dis-assemble and then to re-assemble - if you're not an expert?

Probably not a small version like the .22 LR 1911 from Browning, right? Smaller must mean harder?

But are there any makers who really designed the whole thing with assembly and disassembly in mind? Kind of the Glock of the 1911 world?

Does this animation video give a good idea of dis-assembling and re-assembling a 1911?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P4XJTKzKEU

Thanks,

Lower
 
Generally speaking, all 1911 models will disassemble and re-assemble the exact same way since they are by definition all based on Browning's design.

There are some caveats to that however:

1. 22lr 1911's parts are not interchangeable with 45 ACP 1911 parts in most cases as they use a lot of different sized and even in some cases different components.

2. Some specialty manufacturers have specially sized parts, but the procedure to strip and put it back together as still generally the same.

For the mot part, if you are looking at the average run-of-the-mill, 45ACP 1911 model pistol from people like Colt, Springfield, Ruger, Sig, Remington, S&W, they will all disassemble and re-assemble the exact same way (minus the difference of internal vs. external extractor which is not a big deal at all).
 
For field stripping,

The what type of guide rod is used can complicate things. The guide rod used determines what spring plug is used. The spring plug is the visible circle underneath the muzzle of the barrel if you look at the pistol from the business end. During disassembly the original design let you simply push down on the solid spring plug with your finger, and rotate the barrel bushing. Then the contents of the slide could come out if the slide release pin was removed.

The original designs was a short guide rod. Some "upgrade" to a full length guide rod either for more weight or supposedly more accuracy, or gun came that way. A full length guide rod would impact a standard spring plug when the slide retracts after firing, so the spring plug in that case is hollow to let the guide rod protrude through. Not much to press on with your fingers. Some use a barrel wrench. It can be a little slower but not too bad. I use my fingers.

Some fancy recoil spring assemblies (guide rod/spring/spring plug combined) require the slide to be retracted and a paper clip or pin to be inserted to take tension off. I don't like the idea of needing a tool for disassembly.

Full length or short guide rod- neither make that much difference to me. I've never needed to field strip in a hurry so a few seconds more doesn't matter that much.

watch out for "idiot scratch"
 
The browning 1911-22 is significantly easier to take apart, the only real difficult part in re assembly for me at least, is lining the barrel link up, the browning being a blowback operated .22 has a block attached to the barrel in lieu of the swinging link, so much easier.
 
Lower said:
could you give me a pointer as to which 1911 is the easiest to dis-assemble and then to re-assemble - if you're not an expert?
Click to expand...
Literally any basic 1911. The M1911 was designed from the ground up as a military weapon that could be easily be taken apart and reassembled by the dumbest soldier in the Army.

Just avoid modern 1911s with full-length guide rods.
 
I am not sure what the O P is after as most 1911's disassemble in a like manner. A 1911 variant is the Star pistol and in the Super series a lever is simply rotated forward to remove the slide. Since i have never thought the 1911 take down process to be slow or complicated i do not understand " fastest takedown".
 
While not difficult, takedown and reassembly of the 1911 is tedious when compared to just about any other modern designs. There's no real trick, its just a lot more involved than the BERSA HC9 for instance(flip lever down, remove slide).
 
could you give me a pointer as to which 1911 is the easiest to dis-assemble and then to re-assemble - if you're not an expert?
Click to expand...

All 1911s, in standard configuration and centerfire calibers, disassemble and reassemble the same way. Easy if you've done it once or twice; slow and trembling if you're a virgin. ;) But not painful.

Takedown of a .22 rimfire 1911 may be different, depending on who made it.

In all cases, read the owner's manual that comes with the firearm and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

After all, that's the American way. :cool:
 
All 1911's that have a barrel bushing come apart the same way .../ although you may vary your method if it has a GI guide rod or a full length one piece rod or a 2 piece full length guide rod. Personally I like the full length guide rod...and taking it apart is no big deal...

1911's with "bull barrels - or no barrel bushing"...have a hole in the guide rod where you insert a "paper clip type" tool to hold it ...and you disassemble it from there....again, no big deal.

Get a buddy who has been around the 1911 world for awhile....to walk you thru it step by step.
 
I have several 1911s, and for my money the Rock Island 22TCM is the easiest to work with, largely because of its light recoil spring. Very easy to shoot also, and fun. But for just getting the mechanics of assembly and disassembly down, this is a good learning platform. Next is my Remington R-1 Enhanced. Avoid the ones with the full-length spring guide for ease of assembly and disassembly.
 
There are some exceptions.....Peter Stahls designed 1911 Omega is actually a linkless version of the 1911 and disassembles similar to the Glock. There is no barrel bushing and calibers can be changed out in seconds. Technically it's not a true 1911 clone....but based on a 1911 frame.

IMG_0381_zps611f2731.jpg


Omega_zps8926a483.jpg
 
re:

In its original configuration, the 1911 can be field stripped in about 12 seconds and reassembled in about 20.

It can be detail-stripped...excluding the grips...in about a minute and reassembled in about two.

It's not complicated.
 
In its original configuration, the 1911 can be field stripped in about 12 seconds and reassembled in about 20.

It can be detail-stripped...excluding the grips...in about a minute and reassembled in about two.

It's not complicated.
Click to expand...

That's about 3 minutes / 12 minutes / 18 minutes ahead of me.:eek:
 
Series 80 1911's with the firing pin block have a few more steps involved when reassembling them. Also, 1911's with 2 piece guide rods (TRP) can be a pain to disasemble and reasemble. They need a special allen wrench tool too either unscrew apart the 2 piece or fit in a pin hole on the side of the rod for takedown.
 
Lower,
Can you tell me what is hard?

I only know SA's to be hard because the internal dimensions of the plunger tube are off causing the plunger to interfere with the slide stop going back in. It can be learned though.
 
Nothing difficult about field stripping a 1911 and putting it back. Once one has accomplished it two or three times, it can be done almost blindfolded. Lots of videos on You Tube. Some good. Some bad. Follow it step by step and you will be amazed at how simple it is. Before you know it, you will want to detail strip it.
 
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