Johnny Paratrooper’s 1911’s – Just the Facts on Fit and Finish: A How to Guide

As mentioned on Sons Of Liberty Live, when NC Scout and the Circle Back Boys were discussing the 1911 weapon platform, I discussed my experience with the manufacture of an 80% aluminum lower 1911 I had performed several years ago.

This effort took no less than 10 hours. It is no easy task, but for the enthusiast and the hobbyist, this is purely a labor of love.

And I learned A LOT about the 1911 design.

Namely how to assemble and disassemble one. Which I did dozens and dozens of times during the process. ( And again recently when I relearned the process in the writing of this post)

Another lesson I learned from this project was how to fit a trigger, and the various parts that are contained in the lower receiver with a little bit of polish and filing.

The disassembly, and reassembly, of the 1911 is a bit tricky. Similar to the M1a, it demands a certain degree of finger magic and just the right amount of swearing.

There are a few notes to remember for the 1911.

It must be reassembled in the correct order, and geometry, to avoid damaging any parts and/or failing the required functions tests.

I recommend practicing this. My best time is about 4 minutes. Start to finish. Unlike many military firearms, which are basically idiot proof, the 1911 can be field stripped incorrectly.

Some tools you will need. You’ll also want the smallest punch in your kit than the steel one shown.

The image below is what I call “Position 1”.

Note the Safety ON position.

This locks the slide so you can properly manipulate the weapon.

The Bushing is turned like a key using the tool. This will take some practice, and new guns can be VERY tight. Especially with a Parkerized Finish

This is the “Upper Receiver” when disassembled.

A simple push on the rear of the firing pin with a brass punch will drop the Firing Pin Retaining Plate.

Revealing the Extractor, Firing Pin, and Firing Pin Spring.

Let’s get ready for “Position 2”. Begin in the Hammer Back, Safety in “Fire” Position.

Now, place the weapon into the “Safe” Position. One Click up.

Now into the Beginning on the Puzzle. Click up once more again into the priming position for Field Strip.

Next, Wiggle the Left side of the Safety while dropping it down into the “Safe” position and pulling.

Below you can see both sides of the safety, the Slide Stop Plunger and Safety Lock Assembly, and the Grip Safety.

Next, in the Photo Below, we see a punch set into the indent on the Mainspring Housing Retaining Pin

A couple stiff whacks with a hammer will drop that pin out. Make sure to use your tool as a base plate for clearance from your working surface.

Here we have the Sear Spring (The Flat Tri-Bar), The Mainspring Housing Retaining Pin, and The Mainspring housing. The Mainspring Housing drives the Hammer. The Sear Spring drives the trigger and Grip Safety.

Next pull the Hammer retaining pin from the left side of the firearm and the Hammer with rat tail will fall freely.

Next, pull the smaller Sear Pin and the Sear and Disconnector will fall free.

You can see from the back of the weapon that it has been gutted.

Next we prepare to remove the magazine release.

Insert the smallest flathead you have and slowly apply a counter clockwise pressure while depressing the magazine release

After the magazine release is removed, The trigger is removed from the rear of the grip as shown.

Stand the Mainspring housing up and depress the Mainspring cap while pushing the Mainspring cap pin out from the checkered side of the grip.

The exploded view. You will want to wear eye protection during this process.

There you have it. Now, Simply perform this in reverse and you will should be just fine.

Remember the parts will require a bit of wiggling to fall into place, you may need to rotate the weapon to use gravity to help, the the only part(s) that require any force is the Mainspring housing pin and resetting the Barrel Bushing and Recoil Spring Plug.

ProTip: Use your Mainspring housing to hold your sear spring in place and your grip safety to center align the rattail (AKA Hammer Strut) on the hammer. (Photo Below)

Also, during the assembly process, beware of the relationship between the Disconnector, Sear, and Sear Springs (The Flat Tri-Spring). They can slip around during the assembly and cause quite a headache.