I just picked up my new Springfield Stainless "Loaded" fullsize 1911 tonight, and in preparation for the range session tomorrow, I decided I'd take it apart, clean it, and lube it. Well, after MUCH frustration and lots of time, I managed to get it apart, cleaned it, but I absolutely cannot figure out exactly how it goes back together. The manual is pitiful in its assembly instructions. It says to assemble, "do the reverse of disassembly" Gimme a break.
Here is what I am doing by step to assemble (with no success):
1) 1st of all the Hammer is fully cocked (is this correct?)
2) I put the barrel in the slide, and push the link forward so its pointing toward the muzzle end of the barrel. I then place the guide rod on the barrel, and place the recoil spring in it. Then I fit the slide and receiver together, and match up slide release detent (in slide) with hole of barrel link, and the hole in the receiver. Then when I try and insert the slide release lever, I cannot fully push it into the receiver and barrel link because some detent pin pointing out of the thumb safety device pointing toward the muzzle end is blocking its path and preventing it from seating properly in the hole in the receiver.
I have tried putting safety on and off, but the detent pin stays extended. ??
What am I doing wrong? I have looked on at least 3 1911 web sites sites that feature pics and disassembly instructions but none of the sites show anything like this. Your help is much appreciated. I have already scratched the hell out of the receiver trying to assemble it. This is my first 1911 handgun. All I had up to this point was SIG's. They are a piece of cake to assemble and disassemble without so many parts.
Nathan...
Here is what I am doing by step to assemble (with no success):
1) 1st of all the Hammer is fully cocked (is this correct?)
2) I put the barrel in the slide, and push the link forward so its pointing toward the muzzle end of the barrel. I then place the guide rod on the barrel, and place the recoil spring in it. Then I fit the slide and receiver together, and match up slide release detent (in slide) with hole of barrel link, and the hole in the receiver. Then when I try and insert the slide release lever, I cannot fully push it into the receiver and barrel link because some detent pin pointing out of the thumb safety device pointing toward the muzzle end is blocking its path and preventing it from seating properly in the hole in the receiver.
I have tried putting safety on and off, but the detent pin stays extended. ??
What am I doing wrong? I have looked on at least 3 1911 web sites sites that feature pics and disassembly instructions but none of the sites show anything like this. Your help is much appreciated. I have already scratched the hell out of the receiver trying to assemble it. This is my first 1911 handgun. All I had up to this point was SIG's. They are a piece of cake to assemble and disassemble without so many parts.
Nathan...