1911 Basic Disassembly/Assembly

 
Bear in mind my 1911 is a Kimber Custom II. Some of the disassembly process may differ if you do not own a series II Kimber 1911. However, much of it is the same, most differences include regular screws as opposed to hex screw etc. I apologize in advance for not owning every brand of 1911 available on the market (I would--if my wife would let me!) I also have a couple aftermarket accessories: Compensated barrel bushing and Hogue wrap-around grips. As far as these are concerned, the disassembly/assembly is the same as any Series II Kimber.
 

1. Properly clear your PISTOL (Place weapon on "safe", remove the magazine, pull or lock the slide to the rear, visually and physically inspect the chamber to ensure no round is inserted. Release the slide.
2. REMOVE THE BARREL BUSHING

Depress the recoil spring (I use a large punch) and move the barrel bushing clockwise. Be careful, if you move the bushing too far the spring will shoot out and hit you (or someone else!) in the face. Place your hand over the guide rod and spring, move the bushing further clockwise and catch the spring.
Photo of the spring  pushing out of the frame.

Take the spring out of the frame.
Remove the barrel bushing by turning it counter-clockwise until it releases. Pull it out of the frame.
Photo of the bushing and spring outside the frame/slide.
2. TAKE OFF THE SLIDE

Pull the slide to the rear until the little notch lines up with the notch of the slide lock (as seen in the photo to the right). Push the slide lock out of the frame from right-left.
Pull forward on the slide. It should pull freely from the frame.
3. REMOVE BARREL AND GUIDE ROD

Take the guide rod from the frame by simply lifting it out. Pull the barrel out from the front of the frame.

Your 1911 is now field stripped! Now for reassembly!
 

1. INSERT BARREL AND GUIDE ROD INTO SLIDE

The barrel inserts from the front of the slide, guide rod inserts from the top.
 

2. ATTACH SLIDE TO BARREL

Slide the slide (sounds funny right?) back onto the frame. For smooth operation, ensure that you are not holding down the grip safety.

Line-up the hole for the link-pin in the barrel with the hole in the slide stop. Replace slide-stop into frame. The slide will not come off the frame now.
3. ATTACH BARREL BUSHING AND SPRING

Insert the barrel bushing, turn it clockwise until it stops. Insert the spring and and piece. Depress them, then turn the barrel bushing counter-clockwise until the bushing clicks into place.
 

4. FUNCTIONS CHECK

Ensure the safety works and slide locks to the rear. A common problem is that the slide stop is not inserted fully.
 

For more information, visit the 1911 detailed disassembly/assembly page