Field strip WWII M1911A1 after each trip to range ???

[bushmaster1313]

Just got a 1943 M1911A1 in used but not abused condition. Field stripping showed it to be clean but very dry and I lubed all metal to metal surfaces with Rem Oil.

Two days ago I took it to the range and fired 28 rounds of Winchester factory ammo -- 1 round, 2 rounds and 5 sets of 5 rounds. Operated flawlessly.

Took it home and ran an oily patch through the barrel into the open chamber and wiped the outer surfaces with an oiled silicone cloth.

Now the QUESTION
I expect to shoot a handful of rounds through this gun each trip to the range.
Do I field strip, clean and oil NOW or do I wait till I shoot a hundred rounds or a few months, whichever comes first.

Thank you in advance

 

[old bear]

I've always believed in Jeff Coopers theory, "The sun should never set on a dirty gun." Be careful not to over oil, as oil can attract and hold dirt and grime.

 

[Pisgah]

It's up to you, but I'll say I've never seen a 1911 that really NEEDED stripping after 28 rounds, or even after 100. After a few dozen rounds I will often just wipe down a gun to prevent any potential external rusting, then put it away 'til next time -- although I do prefer my carry gun what I call "clean"-clean and tend to do a thorough job on it after an airing out.

 

[arjay]

If it's going to sit for a long time,I'll clean it.My reloads are pretty dirty and things get sticky around 100 rounds or so.

 

[Arik]

It's neither good or bad. It's not necessary but if you do there's no problem. I wouldn't bother with it if it's only a box of ammo or less

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[torizus]

It's neither good or bad. It's not necessary but if you do there's no problem. I wouldn't bother with it if it's only a box of ammo or less

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

^^^What he said. J. Browning & the military at the time knew that the design and tolerances were critical to combat conditions and every day cleaning might not be an option. A handfull of rounds here or there between cleaning wont hurt as long as the condition and steps you took with the Rem oil hold. You have the most proven and dependable combat handgun ever made.

 

[Alpo]

Cooper was a Marine. I believe they beat that attitude into them in boot camp. "What are you standing around for, with nothing to do? Go clean your rifle."

 

[Muss Muggins]

I would strip it and clean it each time, but I like taking stuff apart . . .

 

[dusty3030]

You're more likely to idiot scratch it tearing it down and putting it together all the time.

Bore snake and most of everything that needs to be wiped down can be wiped down with the slide locked back.

Keep the outside wiped down to prevent rust.

If you get a few hundred rounds or so through it and just feel the need then yes but otherwise you aren't hurting it by not tearing it down all the time.

Also for lube get something that sticks around a little better for the rails and on the barrel, barrel lug, link and link pin. Shooters Choice FP10, or Breakfree CLP, or even just a little 1/2 ounce or so tube of white lithium grease from the auto parts store.

 

[bushmaster1313]

^^^What he said. J. Browning & the military at the time knew that the design and tolerances were critical to combat conditions and every day cleaning might not be an option. A handfull of rounds here or there between cleaning wont hurt as long as the condition and steps you took with the Rem oil hold. You have the most proven and dependable combat handgun ever made.

I keep the 1911 in a humidity controlled safe

 

[Mule Packer]

I always clean my firearms after shooting, a habit I got into 54 years ago. I certainly don't mind doing it and I can think of a lot worse habits to have.

As to lube...I use Slide Glide on my 1911's. Doesn't gum up and does a great job.

 

[VaTom]

I purchased a 1943 Ithaca 1911A1 seven years ago and take to range occassionally. All correct. I took out and kept the original recoil and firing pin spring and replaced with Wolff springs.

If you haven't taken out the firing pin and ejector and cleaned inside of those areas I highly recommend. Use a long q-tip or swab. I did after I had the pistol for about 6 months and there was original 1940's crud it in there! A picture of mine with my S&W 1917 .45 ACP.

Enjoy shooting your piece of history!

 

[H Richard]

While not really necessary, a clean gun doesn't wear the parts like a dirty gun. The net effect after 20 years of this probably wouldn't be noticeable, but I trust a clean gun more than a dirty one.

 

[Sebring Pop]

It's your gun and either way is correct to me. but I would do what ever one will make you sleep better at night.
I strip mine every 6 months and I sleep just fine.

 

[DWalt]

You really do not need to clean it every time you fire it. But it won't hurt anything if you want to. The old "Never let the sun go down on an uncleaned gun" saying originated back in the days of corrosive primers when bores could rust overnight if not cleaned promptly after shooting. Not really necessary today. But there is still corrosive-primed ammunition to be found, especially in foreign military calibers. The residue from such primers is best cleaned with water, as it is a soluble salt.

 

[30-30remchester]

Unlike Mule Packer and most others that answered so far, I belong to the other camp. I remember cleaning a gun a decade or so ago. That time I took the grips off my model 19 and took the gun to the car wash. I then taped it to the roof rack and headed back to camp. Nothing beats a good blow drying. I do on occasion spray an auto loader with starting fluid when it starts getting gummy. An old saying that I do not totally believe is true states, more good guns were ruined by over cleaning than by over shooting. After elk season I wipe down the old 06 and run a wet then dry patch down the bore before it goes to sleep in the safe. I guess that constitutes a cleaning. Some of the guns I saw while working with a gunsmith were impressively dirty. I remember one Winchester model 54 that was originally chambered in 30WCF and later converted to 30-06, a conversion many a knowledgeable gun crank swore was not possible but it functioned flawlessly, had leaves and 2 small tree branches lodged in the magazine box. The owner brought it in saying that he could not get the blind magazine to hold more than 3 rounds rather than the 5 it had once held. The rest of the gun appeared to have been drug by a horse for several miles sometime in the distant past. I LIKED that gun.

 

[Brasky]

I clean and strip every range trip regardless of round count. Better to know it is clean and oiled than to pull it out of the safe later and find orange

That and field stripping regularly helps you become familiar with the firearm

 

[Brasky]

Unlike Mule Packer and most others that answered so far, I belong to the other camp. I remember cleaning a gun a decade or so ago. That time I took the grips off my model 19 and took the gun to the car wash. I then taped it to the roof rack and headed back to camp. Nothing beats a good blow drying. I do on occasion spray an auto loader with starting fluid when it starts getting gummy. An old saying that I do not totally believe is true states, more good guns were ruined by over cleaning than by over shooting. After elk season I wipe down the old 06 and run a wet then dry patch down the bore before it goes to sleep in the safe. I guess that constitutes a cleaning. Some of the guns I saw while working with a gunsmith were impressively dirty. I remember one Winchester model 54 that was originally chambered in 30WCF and later converted to 30-06, a conversion many a knowledgeable gun crank swore was not possible but it functioned flawlessly, had leaves and 2 small tree branches lodged in the magazine box. The owner brought it in saying that he could not get the blind magazine to hold more than 3 rounds rather than the 5 it had once held. The rest of the gun appeared to have been drug by a horse for several miles sometime in the distant past. I LIKED that gun.

I know quite a few people who argue and practice the same thing as you. Problem is many of their firearms have extremely faded bluing due to fingerprints and powder that never was removed before it caused damage. Many of these firearms have small speckles of rust in random places and some had extremely pitted bores.

Does it still function? Yes but the value of that firearm has been significantly destroyed

 

[murphydog]

After 28 rounds of (presumably) non-corrosive jacketed .45 ACP and the gun not exposed to a severe environment, I would do exactly what you did. After 200 (?) rounds or every 6 months in addition to that, I'd field strip it, clean and lube the slide bearing surfaces, take a toothbrush to all visible crud and be good to go.

 

[30-30remchester]

I know suite a few people who argue and practice the same thing as you. Problem is many of their firearms have extremely faded bluing due to fingerprints and powder that never was removed before it caused damage. Many of these firearms have small speckles of rust in random places and some had extremely pitted bores.

Does it still function? Yes but the value of that firearm has been significantly destroyed

You sir describe most of the firearms in my safe and under the bed. Pristine and new are not my cup of tea and if I get such a gun I usually sell it before I use it and it is no longer in pristine condition.