I just picked up a 1911 and I am wondering where I can find the basics about how to operate it. I read most of the manual, but it isn't the best written and references incorrect diagrams etc. I have never used a handgun with an external hammer (I am used to a glock) so it is a little foreign to me. I watched a youtube video (nutnfancy?) and it was pretty useless. I may be over thinking this, but it is a lot different than what I am used to. Thanks.
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1911 Basics
- Thread starter Maxpower
- Start date
The only thing you need to "learn" on a 1911 is how to take it apart. That's the hardest part. You can probably find a video on youtube that will show you how to field strip it. Watch out for the f-ing plunger. You can injure yourself with it if you're not careful, or lose it if you fire the plunger across the basement or whatever. ![[laugh]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/012.gif "Laugh [laugh]")
Also, when reassembling it, watch the slide lock reinsertion. Do not "wipe" the mag engagement catch part of the slide lock on the frame, otherwise you will make what is called a "newbie mark" on the gun. If this is a used 1911 it probably already has one on it, but if it is new, slow down and do it right and you can avoid getting a newb scratch.
Everything else is easy, particularly if you treat it as it was designed, as a single action only firearm. Don't get into this BS where some people advocate slowly lowering the hammer on a live round, or to half cock, or any of that garbage. Cocked and locked is the only way to go if you're going to carry it. If I want to put it away unloaded I just unload the gun, double check it, slowly release the slide, and dry fire the gun in a safe direction.
If your life depends on the gun keep it cleaned and lubed after every range trip. A 1911 will punish you if you don't keep it maintained, unless the whole gun is a rattly slopbucket, and most are not that loose.
Do not drop the slide on an empty chamber. This may cause sear bounce and foul up the trigger. Just release it slowly from the slide lock position. Do not "chamber load" cartridges into the gun without a magazine. This will f**k up your extractor, at least on a typical 1911, if you do it enough. (I generally don't like doing it with autos at all, but on a 1911, extractor tuning/tension is important. )
Ironically enough the external hammer rarely needs to be cocked by hand. The only time I ever do it is if I am teaching a newb, cocking the hammer before giving them an empty gun makes it easier for them to pull the slide back to load the first round. That's about the only time I ever use the hammer spur on a 1911, otherwise it gets completely ignored.
-Mike
Also, when reassembling it, watch the slide lock reinsertion. Do not "wipe" the mag engagement catch part of the slide lock on the frame, otherwise you will make what is called a "newbie mark" on the gun. If this is a used 1911 it probably already has one on it, but if it is new, slow down and do it right and you can avoid getting a newb scratch.
Everything else is easy, particularly if you treat it as it was designed, as a single action only firearm. Don't get into this BS where some people advocate slowly lowering the hammer on a live round, or to half cock, or any of that garbage. Cocked and locked is the only way to go if you're going to carry it. If I want to put it away unloaded I just unload the gun, double check it, slowly release the slide, and dry fire the gun in a safe direction.
If your life depends on the gun keep it cleaned and lubed after every range trip. A 1911 will punish you if you don't keep it maintained, unless the whole gun is a rattly slopbucket, and most are not that loose.
Do not drop the slide on an empty chamber. This may cause sear bounce and foul up the trigger. Just release it slowly from the slide lock position. Do not "chamber load" cartridges into the gun without a magazine. This will f**k up your extractor, at least on a typical 1911, if you do it enough. (I generally don't like doing it with autos at all, but on a 1911, extractor tuning/tension is important. )
Ironically enough the external hammer rarely needs to be cocked by hand. The only time I ever do it is if I am teaching a newb, cocking the hammer before giving them an empty gun makes it easier for them to pull the slide back to load the first round. That's about the only time I ever use the hammer spur on a 1911, otherwise it gets completely ignored.
-Mike
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This is book will show you how to detail strip and reassemble, along with what parts need to be lubricated: http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Wilson-...enance-Manual-by-Bill-Wilson/productinfo/401/
J
Jose
nutnfancy IS pretty useless himself
Point and shoot. Works great. Browning was a true genius. What more do you need to know?
