4. Draw the recoil spring and its guide to the rear
To do a good job of cleaning and inspecting the
and out of the slide.
weapon, you must know the names of the parts. By
knowing the names of the parts, you will also be able to
5. Take the barrel bushing out of the slide by
better understand how the weapon operates.
turning it counterclockwise as far as it will go, then
lifting up.
GENERAL DISASSEMBLY (FIELD-
STRIPPING).--Before you performing work on any
6. Lay the barrel link forward and pull the barrel
weapon, be sure the weapon is clear of ammunition. On
out of the muzzle end of the slide.
the M1911A1, you do this by removing the magazine,
7. Take out the firing pin by pressing on the rear of
pulling the slide to the rear, and inspecting the chamber.
the firing pin with any pointed object until you can slide
When you have cleared the weapon, perform the
out the firing pin stop. Keep your fingers over the firing
following steps:
pin, allowing the spring tension to ease; then lift both
1. Cock the hammer and put the safety lock in its
the firing pin and the spring from the slide.
UP (safe) position. Depress the recoil spring plug and
8. Pry the extractor out of the rear of the slide.
turn the barrel bushing about one-quarter turn
clockwise. This releases the tension on the spring.
Allow the spring to expand slowly, under control, to
Safeties
prevent injury or loss of parts. Turn the recoil spring
plug counterclockwise and remove it from the recoil
spring. Move the safety lock back down to its FIRE
There are three safety features and one positive
position.
safety on the .45-cal. pistol. The three safety features
2. Draw the slide to the rear until the half-moon
are the half-cock notch, the grip safety, and the
recess (on the slide) is directly above the projection on
disconnector. The positive safety is the safety lock
the slide stop. Push out the slide stop from right to left.
(sometimes called the thumb safe).
3. Turn the pistol upside down and draw the
The safety lock positively locks the slide in the
receiver to the rear, disengaging it from the slide. Lay
forward position. In addition, a stud on the safety lock
the receiver down.
(fig. 2-5, view A) blocks the shoulders of the sear to
Figure 2-5.--Safeties on the .45-cal. pistol.
2-6
