J.B. Wood - Gun Digest Colt 1911 Assembly/Disassembly Instructions

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.

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.

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.

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

Push the end of the slide stop shaft, on the right side of the gun, and remove the slide stop from the left side.

The slide assembly can now be run forward off the frame.

Remove the recoil spring and its guide from the slide, together or separately.

Turn the barrel bushing back toward the left side of the slide, until its lug aligns with the opening, and remove the bushing from the front of the slide.

Tip the barrel link over forward to clear the recoil spring tunnel.

Remove the barrel from the front of the slide. Gun is now field-stripped.

Colt Mk IV/Series 70 field-stripped

With a tool of appropriate size, depress the firing pin and slide the retainer downward to free the firing pin. CAUTION:The firing pin spring is under some compression, and can eject the firing pin with force when the retainer is removed.