S&W 1911 Disassembly

[Ron456]

Hello Folks:

Have been away from the forum for quite a while. I just recently puchased a S&W 1911, full size blue. Very nice looking.

Before I take it out to shoot I like to give it a real going over and disassemble it which I did. When I tried to remove the magazine release button I pressed it in but could not find the slot that the screw fits into which locks the release button and allows it to be removed. I wanted to remove the trigger because it has a bit of a wobble but that means I have remove the mag release button first. Anyway I was getting very frustrated so I put it all back together and hope to get to the range tomorrow to try it out.

So how can I remove the magazine release button? While attempting to disassemble I pressed the button quite hard, my next move may be to push the button with a block of wood so I can expose the slot and then turn the screw to remove the magazine release button then the trigger.

One thing I did not remove the grips. In the past I have had bad experiences removing the grips because the bushings sometimes would come out with the screw, so I avoid removing the grips when possible.

Guys any thoughts or tricks on removing the magazine release button?

Many Thanks

 

[LuddhaBuddha]

You don't have to push the release in all the way to turn the the screw, push the release in slowly while turning the screw counter clockwise you will feel when it gets to the slot.

 

[oldman45]

You are a brave man. I spent almost $2,000 on my S&W 1911 and about all I am willing to do is field strip it. The magazine, the slide, the guide rod spring and barrel is my limits.

A friend of mine (much older than I) back in the 70's considered himself sort of a gunsmith. He disassembled his gun and reassembled it. Somehow he did it wrong and it did not fire when he needed it to do such. All ended well for him though and he never tore another gun down other than for cleaning until the day he died man years later. His gun at the time was a Colt 1911. I offered to buy it from his family after he passed away but they would not sell it.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Hello Folks:

Have been away from the forum for quite a while. I just recently puchased a S&W 1911, full size blue. Very nice looking.

Before I take it out to shoot I like to give it a real going over and disassemble it which I did. When I tried to remove the magazine release button I pressed it in but could not find the slot that the screw fits into which locks the release button and allows it to be removed. I wanted to remove the trigger because it has a bit of a wobble but that means I have remove the mag release button first. Anyway I was getting very frustrated so I put it all back together and hope to get to the range tomorrow to try it out.

So how can I remove the magazine release button? While attempting to disassemble I pressed the button quite hard, my next move may be to push the button with a block of wood so I can expose the slot and then turn the screw to remove the magazine release button then the trigger.

One thing I did not remove the grips. In the past I have had bad experiences removing the grips because the bushings sometimes would come out with the screw, so I avoid removing the grips when possible.

Guys any thoughts or tricks on removing the magazine release button?

Many Thanks

You are trying too hard!

You don't have to push it in that far. No need to use a block of wood.

Push the mag release button in so that it is somewhat short of flush, and at the same time turn the lock with the blade of a properly fitting hollow ground screwdriver. Turn easy and push the button in at the same time and you can "feel" it when it hits the slot.

This is easier to demonstrate than to write about. Go to YouTube and look up the AGI video where gunsmith Bob Dunlap completely disassembles a 1911. It is shown on there, along with a great explanation of how, if you disassemble a 1911 in the wrong order, you can lock the sear in place and have to cut off your thumb safety. Best to watch the AGI video first. It is available on YouTube free.

 

[billpear]

You don't have to push the release in all the way to turn the the screw, push the release in slowly while turning the screw counter clockwise you will feel when it gets to the slot.

Like LuddhaBuddha said, and as far as your bushing problem I take the grips off and remove the bushings clean them and there corresponding frame threads and reinstall with a little Loctite 222 (purple and removable) I cant see why you ever need to take them out! But my Esmeraldas are not going to be treated to gun cleaner!

 

[kscardsfan]

I rarely remove mine. But when I give mine it's once a year bath they come off and I've never had a bushing back out with em.

 

[Ron456]

Mag Button

Hi Guys:

Thanks for the advice, I tried to remove the magazine button with a little more patience this time and it came off. I always have an extra magazine catch screw around in case I bugger up the screw head.

The trigger has a lot of slop in it, both side to side and up and down, I was going to send it back to Smith but I'll wait. I have taken 1911's apart for years but am still always anxious that I will scratch something or not be careful enough.

I live in Massachusetts, so we cannot buy new Kimber's, but before they passed the law I had a Kimber 1911 and took the grips off. Two of the bushing came off with the screws. I tried everything to get the bushing off the screws but in the end I had to take a pair of pliers and mush them up and back off the screws at the same time. Of course replacement bushing were not 100% the same but they worked. I did lock tite all the bushing in after that.

I am told that a good pistol will always have the bushings staked on, but I ended up selling that Kimber for $400 more than I paid for it because new ones cannot be sold in this State unless they get certified. I am really sorry I ever sold it.

I have messed up to many guns over the years to not be careful and have good documentation when I take something apart. I also have a friend who is a part time gun smith and several times I needed help.

Again thanks for the advice.

 

[starbucks107]

Hello, Does any of the members have an exploded view of S&W 1911. Mine was produced in the first year (2003) and has had the recall done. I am having trouble assembling from the hammer-sear-main spring to the main spring housing! I keep on breaking the Sear spring (leaf). Yeah they are only $6. But does the sear spring have to be "tuned" by a gunsmith? I owns; Glock, Browning and 92FS. This has me stumped...Thanks anyone who can help...Steve

 

[SW CQB 45]

Hello, Does any of the members have an exploded view of S&W 1911. Mine was produced in the first year (2003) and has had the recall done. I am having trouble assembling from the hammer-sear-main spring to the main spring housing! I keep on breaking the Sear spring (leaf). Yeah they are only $6. But does the sear spring have to be "tuned" by a gunsmith? I owns; Glock, Browning and 92FS. This has me stumped...Thanks anyone who can help...Steve

by chance you in Victoria Tx, I can help. some springs come close. if you keep breaking it, its not going together right.

let me know. youtube has a lot of good videos.

 

[ultratec00]

I replaced the trigger in my 1911ES last weekend and was too a little apprehensive about breaking my S&W down as well. The stock trigger had some slop, and I prefer a medium vs. the long anyways.

It's been a while since I broke down a 1911. Watched a couple you tube videos and took my time. Turned out real well. As noted, the mag release took a little playing with, but did come out. Same with the install. Fitted the new trigger and polished some of the bearing surfaces. Fits tight and improved the overall pull. It was easier and quicker doing this than sending it back to S&W. Wouldn't hesitate to break it down again. The S&W 1911 does have one extra part. Not sure what it's called, but it wasn't hard to put back in.

Hi Guys:

Thanks for the advice, I tried to remove the magazine button with a little more patience this time and it came off. I always have an extra magazine catch screw around in case I bugger up the screw head.

The trigger has a lot of slop in it, both side to side and up and down, I was going to send it back to Smith but I'll wait. I have taken 1911's apart for years but am still always anxious that I will scratch something or not be careful enough.

 

[Simmy952]

I take my 1911 apart all the time. Take a little time and patience. Included in those are Sig, SA, and Les Baer. You will get more comfortable each time you do. The mag release should not turn hard. You just have to find the slot for it. Took apart a 1918 Colt the other day that had not been cleaned in a long time and still did not have to much difficulty getting it out. Use a good screwdriver or tools and take your time. This may help - Wilson Combat - Complete Disassembly of a 1911 - YouTube or there are several others there that are good info. There are also several animations.