M1911A1 / 1911 Government Model

1. Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger.
2. Press the magazine release and remove the magazine.
   Removed at this step: Magazine
3. Retract the slide to eject any chambered round and lock the slide open with the slide stop.
4. Visually and physically confirm the chamber is empty.
   WarningLook and feel. Do not rely on either alone.
5. Clear all live ammunition from the work area.

Standard government-model takedown. If your pistol has a full-length guide rod, see the note in the safety section.

1. Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure, then let the slide forward and leave the hammer cocked with the thumb safety off.
2. Press the recoil spring plug inward against spring pressure with your thumb, and rotate the barrel bushing clockwise (as seen from the muzzle) until the plug is free of the bushing's shoulder.
   WarningKeep firm control of the plug. Released suddenly, it will launch several feet. Eye protection on.
3. Ease the recoil spring plug out slowly, letting the spring decompress under control.
   Removed at this step: Recoil spring plug
4. Retract the slide until the small takedown notch on the underside of the slide lines up with the round lug on the slide stop.
5. Push the slide stop pin from the right side of the frame and withdraw the slide stop from the left.
   TipIf it will not move, the notch is not aligned. Do not pry.
   Removed at this step: Slide stop
6. Push the slide assembly forward and off the front of the frame rails.
   Removed at this step: Slide assembly
7. Withdraw the recoil spring and recoil spring guide from the rear of the slide.
   Removed at this step: Recoil spring Recoil spring guide
8. Rotate the barrel bushing counterclockwise (as seen from the muzzle) and remove it from the front of the slide.
   Removed at this step: Barrel bushing
9. Push the barrel link forward toward the muzzle, then slide the barrel forward and out the front of the slide.
   Removed at this step: Barrel Barrel link

Continues the field strip (figures 18–19, steps 1–10, which the entry already has) through figure 20, steps 11–15: barrel link pin and link, firing pin stop, firing pin and spring, then the extractor. The TM is a direct and general support (DS/GS) maintenance manual — work beyond the scope of the using organization.

Follows TM 9-1005-211-34 Direct and General Support Maintenance Manual: Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1 — Headquarters, Department of the Army, para 29; fig. 20 (p. 25) archive.org [8]

1. Field strip the pistol so that the barrel group and the slide group are separate.
2. Push the barrel link pin out of the barrel lugs.
   TipThe figure notes the pin is installed from right to left.
   Removed at this step: Barrel link pin
3. Remove the barrel link from the barrel.
   Removed at this step: Barrel link
4. Press the firing pin forward into the slide with a punch, and slide the firing pin stop out while the firing pin is held compressed.
   WarningWherever springs are found to be under tension or pressure, extreme care should be exercised when removing components. Keep the finger and thumb over applicable components to prevent injury to personnel or loss of parts (TM para 29).
   Removed at this step: Firing pin stop
5. Remove the firing pin and firing pin spring from the rear of the slide.
   Removed at this step: Firing pin Firing pin spring
6. Unseat the cartridge extractor and withdraw it from its hole at the rear of the slide.
   TipThe extractor sits behind the firing pin stop slot; with the stop out it can be unseated and pulled to the rear.
   Removed at this step: Cartridge extractor

Figure 21: the staked front sight is driven out of the slide and the dovetailed rear sight is drifted out. Done only when a sight is damaged or loose (para 32 i–k). The TM is a direct and general support (DS/GS) maintenance manual — work beyond the scope of the using organization.

Follows TM 9-1005-211-34 Direct and General Support Maintenance Manual: Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1 — Headquarters, Department of the Army, para 29; fig. 21 (p. 26) archive.org [8]

1. Field strip the pistol and support the slide in a fixture.
2. Drive the front sight out of the slide.
   Removed at this step: Front sight
3. Drift the rear sight out of its dovetail slot from left to right.
   Removed at this step: Rear sight

Figures 26–30, steps 1–6 and 14–21. The hammer group and mainspring housing come out first; taking those two sub-assemblies apart (steps 7–13) is the separate procedure 'hammer-mainspring-housing-detail-strip'. Touches the sear and disconnector. The TM is a direct and general support (DS/GS) maintenance manual — work beyond the scope of the using organization.

Follows TM 9-1005-211-34 Direct and General Support Maintenance Manual: Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1 — Headquarters, Department of the Army, para 34; figs. 26–30 (pp. 29–33) archive.org [8]

1. Field strip the pistol and remove the magazine, leaving the receiver group.
2. Remove the safety.
   Removed at this step: Safety
3. Release the hammer so that it is down before you remove the hammer pin.
4. Push the hammer pin out of the receiver.
   TipWhen installed, the head of the hammer pin is on the left side.
   Removed at this step: Hammer pin
5. Remove the hammer group (hammer with hammer strut).
   Removed at this step: Hammer group
6. Drive out the mainspring housing pin with a punch.
   Removed at this step: Mainspring housing pin
7. Remove the mainspring housing assembly from the receiver.
   Removed at this step: Mainspring housing assembly
8. Remove the grip safety.
   Removed at this step: Grip safety
9. Remove the sear spring.
   Removed at this step: Sear spring
10. Push the sear pin out from right to left.
    Removed at this step: Sear pin
11. Remove the sear and disconnector.
    Removed at this step: Sear Disconnector
12. Separate the sear and disconnector.
13. Turn the magazine catch lock 90 degrees to unlock the magazine catch group, and remove the magazine catch group from the receiver.
    Removed at this step: Magazine catch group
14. Turn the magazine catch lock counterclockwise and separate the magazine catch lock and magazine catch spring from the magazine catch.
    WarningWherever springs are found to be under tension or pressure, extreme care should be exercised when removing components. Keep the finger and thumb over applicable components to prevent injury to personnel or loss of parts (TM para 29).
    Removed at this step: Magazine catch Magazine catch lock Magazine catch spring
15. Remove the trigger.
    Removed at this step: Trigger

Figures 28–29, steps 7–13, done after the hammer group and mainspring housing assembly are out of the receiver. The TM takes the mainspring out of the housing by depressing it and pushing out the straight headed pin; it lists no special housing tool for this. The TM is a direct and general support (DS/GS) maintenance manual — work beyond the scope of the using organization.

Follows TM 9-1005-211-34 Direct and General Support Maintenance Manual: Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1 — Headquarters, Department of the Army, para 34; fig. 28 (p. 31) archive.org [8]

1. Remove the hammer group and the mainspring housing assembly from the receiver (procedure 'receiver-fire-control-detail-strip', steps 2–7).
2. Drive the hammer strut pin out from left to right.
   Removed at this step: Hammer strut pin
3. Separate the hammer strut from the hammer.
   Removed at this step: Hammer strut Hammer
4. Depress the mainspring in the housing and push out the straight headed pin.
   WarningWherever springs are found to be under tension or pressure, extreme care should be exercised when removing components. Keep the finger and thumb over applicable components to prevent injury to personnel or loss of parts (TM para 29).
   Removed at this step: Straight headed pin
5. Remove the mainspring (helical compression spring), mainspring cap pin and detent plunger from the mainspring housing.
   Removed at this step: Mainspring Mainspring cap pin Detent plunger
6. Separate the detent plunger, helical compression spring and mainspring cap pin.
7. Drive out the lanyard loop spring pin.
   Removed at this step: Spring pin
8. Separate the lanyard loop from the housing.
   Removed at this step: Lanyard loop

Figures 31–32, steps 22–29. The plunger tube is staked to the receiver and the grip screw bushings are staked in; removing them is a replacement job for which the TM lists staking tools. The TM is a direct and general support (DS/GS) maintenance manual — work beyond the scope of the using organization.

Follows TM 9-1005-211-34 Direct and General Support Maintenance Manual: Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1 — Headquarters, Department of the Army, para 34, 37b; figs. 31–32 (pp. 34–35) archive.org [8]

1. Complete 'receiver-fire-control-detail-strip' so that the safety is out of the receiver.
2. Remove the slide stop plunger, helical compression spring and safety plunger from the plunger tube.
   WarningWherever springs are found to be under tension or pressure, extreme care should be exercised when removing components. Keep the finger and thumb over applicable components to prevent injury to personnel or loss of parts (TM para 29).
   Removed at this step: Slide stop plunger Slide stop plunger helical compression spring Safety plunger
3. Remove the grip screws.
   Removed at this step: Grip screws
4. Remove the plastic grips.
   Removed at this step: Left hand grip Right hand grip
5. Unseat the plunger tube.
   WarningOnly to replace the tube: it is staked to the receiver, and the TM reinstalls it with a staking tool (para 37b).
6. Remove the plunger tube.
   Removed at this step: Plunger tube
7. Drive the ejector pin out from left to right.
   Removed at this step: Ejector pin
8. Remove the cartridge ejector.
   Removed at this step: Cartridge ejector
9. Remove the grip screw bushings with a screwdriver only if their threads are stripped or worn.
   WarningGrip screw bushings will not be removed from the receiver unless threads are stripped or worn (fig. 32 note).
   Removed at this step: Grip screw bushings

Figure 20 run in reverse (the black-arrow assembly steps). The TM is a direct and general support (DS/GS) maintenance manual — work beyond the scope of the using organization.

Follows TM 9-1005-211-34 Direct and General Support Maintenance Manual: Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1 — Headquarters, Department of the Army, para 33; fig. 20 (p. 25) archive.org [8]

1. Insert the cartridge extractor into its hole at the rear of the slide and seat it.
2. Align the slot of the extractor with the firing pin stop slot.
   TipThe figure shows the extractor's slot lying in line with the firing pin stop slot when it is correctly positioned.
3. Insert the firing pin spring onto the firing pin and insert both into the rear of the slide, with the small loop of the spring to the rear.
   TipPara 33 note: when assembling firing pin and recoil springs, the small loop of the springs goes to the rear.
4. Press the firing pin forward with a punch and slide the firing pin stop into its slot until it covers the firing pin.
   WarningWherever springs are found to be under tension or pressure, extreme care should be exercised when removing components. Keep the finger and thumb over applicable components to prevent injury to personnel or loss of parts (TM para 29).
5. Place the barrel link between the barrel lugs.
6. Install the barrel link pin from right to left.
7. Reassemble the pistol per the entry's reassembly procedure.

Figure 21 assembly steps and para 32 j–k: the front sight is riveted (staked) to the slide with a riveting fixture; a loose rear sight is refitted by peening the top of the dovetail and drifting the sight back in with a brass drift. The TM is a direct and general support (DS/GS) maintenance manual — work beyond the scope of the using organization.

Follows TM 9-1005-211-34 Direct and General Support Maintenance Manual: Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1 — Headquarters, Department of the Army, para 32 j–k; fig. 21 (p. 26) archive.org [8]

1. Insert the front sight into its location in the slide.
2. Rivet the front sight to the slide using the (improvised) riveting fixture.
   TipPara 32j: a loose front sight is restaked the same way.
3. If the rear sight was loose, peen the top portion of the dovetail slot.
4. Drift the rear sight into its dovetail slot from right to left with a brass drift.

Figures 31–32 black-arrow assembly steps 1–7. The TM is a direct and general support (DS/GS) maintenance manual — work beyond the scope of the using organization.

Follows TM 9-1005-211-34 Direct and General Support Maintenance Manual: Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1 — Headquarters, Department of the Army, para 38; figs. 31–32 (pp. 34–35) archive.org [8]

1. If the grip screw bushings were removed, install new bushings and stake them with the bushing staking tool, a punch and hammer.
2. Install the cartridge ejector.
3. Install the ejector pin from right to left.
4. If the plunger tube was removed, install it on the receiver and stake it with the staking tool and staking fixture (7/64-inch diameter drill rod).
5. Install the plastic grips.
6. Install the grip screws.
7. Install the safety plunger, helical compression spring and slide stop plunger in the plunger tube.
   WarningWherever springs are found to be under tension or pressure, extreme care should be exercised when removing components. Keep the finger and thumb over applicable components to prevent injury to personnel or loss of parts (TM para 29).

Figures 28–29 black-arrow assembly steps 14–20. The TM is a direct and general support (DS/GS) maintenance manual — work beyond the scope of the using organization.

Follows TM 9-1005-211-34 Direct and General Support Maintenance Manual: Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1 — Headquarters, Department of the Army, para 38; figs. 28–29 (pp. 31–32) archive.org [8]

1. Connect the lanyard loop to the mainspring housing.
2. Install the lanyard loop spring pin.
3. Connect the detent plunger, helical compression spring (mainspring) and mainspring cap pin.
4. Install the mainspring, cap pin and detent plunger into the mainspring housing.
5. Depress the mainspring and install the straight headed pin.
   WarningWherever springs are found to be under tension or pressure, extreme care should be exercised when removing components. Keep the finger and thumb over applicable components to prevent injury to personnel or loss of parts (TM para 29).
6. Connect the hammer strut to the hammer.
7. Install the hammer strut pin from right to left.

Figures 26–30 black-arrow assembly steps 8–13 and 21–28: trigger, magazine catch, sear and disconnector, hammer, sear spring, grip safety, safety, then the mainspring housing. Sets the sear spring against sear, disconnector and grip safety. The TM is a direct and general support (DS/GS) maintenance manual — work beyond the scope of the using organization.

Follows TM 9-1005-211-34 Direct and General Support Maintenance Manual: Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1 — Headquarters, Department of the Army, para 38; figs. 26–30 (pp. 29–33) archive.org [8]

1. Install the trigger.
2. Assemble the magazine catch spring and magazine catch lock into the magazine catch: align the magazine catch lock lug with the magazine catch opening and turn the lock clockwise.
3. Position the magazine catch group in the receiver and turn the lock 90 degrees to lock the group in place.
4. Connect the sear and disconnector.
5. Install the sear and disconnector in the receiver.
6. Install the sear pin with the head of the pin on the left side.
7. Install the hammer group and hammer pin, with the head of the pin on the left side.
8. Raise the hammer strut and install the sear spring.
   TipFigure 28 shows a rear view of where the sear spring sits behind the sear and disconnector.
9. Partially install the mainspring housing assembly to hold the sear spring in position.
10. Drop the hammer strut and install the grip safety.
11. Cock the hammer before installing the safety.
12. Install and position the safety.
    TipThe figure marks the slide stop plunger at this step: the safety's pin portion goes in past the plunger in the plunger tube.
13. Release the hammer and position the hammer strut into the mainspring housing assembly.
14. Install the mainspring housing pin.
15. Reassemble the slide group to the receiver and complete the final inspection checks of chapter 6 (trigger pull, safety and functioning).

Reverse order. The barrel link must be tipped forward for the slide stop pin to pass through it.

1. Insert the barrel into the front of the slide, chamber end first, and seat it fully.
2. Install the barrel bushing over the barrel and rotate it clockwise (viewed from the muzzle) until it locks in place.
3. Insert the recoil spring guide into the rear of the slide so it seats against the barrel lug.
4. Slip the recoil spring over the guide from the front.
5. Set the slide assembly onto the frame rails from the front and push it rearward.
6. Align the takedown notch with the slide stop hole, tip the barrel link forward so its hole lines up with the frame hole, then insert the slide stop from the left and press it fully home.
   WarningNever force the slide stop. If it does not pass through, the barrel link is not aligned. Forcing it bends the link or scars the frame.
   TipA fingertip through the magazine well can tip the link forward into position.
7. Install the recoil spring plug over the front of the recoil spring, press it in against spring pressure, and rotate the barrel bushing counterclockwise (viewed from the muzzle) to capture it.
   WarningThumb over the plug the entire time.
8. Rack the slide several times to confirm it runs freely, then perform the function check.

These are reproduced from government technical manuals, which are not subject to copyright. Manufacturer manual diagrams are not reproduced here — the entry links to the manual instead.

Drawings from US patents on this design. A patent shows the invention as the inventor filed it; the firearm that shipped can differ in detail, and later production often does. Use them to see how the parts relate, not as a parts reference or a procedure. Per the USPTO, the text and drawings of a patent are typically not subject to copyright; each patent here was checked for a copyright notice.

US Patent 984,519 — Firearm

John M. Browning · filed 1910-02-17 · granted 1911-02-14. Full patent (USPTO)

The complete Browning .45 pistol adopted as the M1911: slide (breech-slide) on the frame, single swinging-link barrel lock, barrel bushing, recoil (reaction) spring and plug, combined link-pin/slide stop, grip safety and magazine catch.

Why this is the M1911A1 / 1911 Government Model’s patent: named by a historical source — John Browning’s Valentine’s Day Gift to the US Military: the M1911 — Soldier of Fortune Magazine sofmag.com [12]: “On February 14, 1911, U.S. Patent No. 984,519 was issued to a quiet Ogden man: John Moses Browning. The document itself is dry and formal. But the words in its opening lines carry weight. That preamble marks the birth of the pistol that would become the Colt M1911.”