Cleaning a vintage 1911

[tbrowner]

Fellow Cal gunners, I have a vintage military 1911, meaning the serial number is in the low 19,000s and it was manufactured in early 1913. It was my grandfather's sidearm when he was in the 14th Cavalry, and he stayed in the service for 29 years and kept the gun spotless and perfect.

When I was at a range yesterday, the rangemaster suggested that even though the gun is super clean on the outside, and I clean it regularly after I shoot it, that I have a gunsmith go through it and clean up the inner parts. My guy-friend (who spent 20 years in the Marines), gave a different take, saying that guns should be just a bit dirty. I do a regular field grade cleaning, removing the barrel and cleaning the chamber, but have never gone beyond that. So the last deep clean of this gun was in 1945-46.

Any advice from 1911 fiends? Are dirty guns a Marine thing?

[1911whore]

I would take it down and inspect all the internals just to make sure they are free from rust and give them a cleaning and a coat of oil. As for your Marine friend, he is not wrong. a little carbon is not a bad thing at all but a good detail strip and clean once in a while is good maintenance. At 70+ yrs, I think a good detail strip, clean , and inspection is over due.

[redhemi]

I would take it down and inspect all the internals just to make sure they are free from rust and give them a cleaning and a coat of oil. As for your Marine friend, he is not wrong. a little carbon is not a bad thing at all but a good detail strip and clean once in a while is good maintenance. At 70+ yrs, I think a good detail strip, clean , and inspection is over due.

^^This and if you don't do it yourself make sure you use a good gunsmith and let them know exactly what you want done so they don't ruin the finish on the outside.

[tbrowner]

That was quick, and thanks. I am going to be changing out the grips to a new walnut double diamond, as my grandfather changed then out to regular walnut in the 30s at some point, and they have shrunk down and are loose--can't be tightened. I think I'll just buy the grips and let the gunsmith change them and clean it up at the same time. Any recommendations on companies for high quality grips?

[redhemi]

The possibilities are endless. What brand is it? You might want to look in the Parts and acc. section for a good deal.

[Che762x39]

Fellow Cal gunners, I have a vintage military 1911, meaning the serial number is in the low 19,000s and it was manufactured in early 1913. It was my grandfather's sidearm when he was in the 14th Cavalry ...

I would go to the 1911 Forum for expert opinions. Also pictures would be nice.

https://forums.1911forum.com/

[Che762x39]

I would take it down and inspect all the internals just to make sure they are free from rust and give them a cleaning and a coat of oil. As for your Marine friend, he is not wrong. a little carbon is not a bad thing at all but a good detail strip and clean once in a while is good maintenance. At 70+ yrs, I think a good detail strip, clean , and inspection is over due.

Actually 104 years old.

[Che762x39]

That was quick, and thanks. I am going to be changing out the grips to a new walnut double diamond, as my grandfather changed then out to regular walnut in the 30s at some point, and they have shrunk down and are loose--can't be tightened ...

You should leave them be. Post pictures and see what the experts at 1911 Forum suggest. Especially on the issue of grips.

[ACfixer]

Fellow Cal gunners, I have a vintage military 1911, meaning the serial number is in the low 19,000s and it was manufactured in early 1913. It was my grandfather's sidearm when he was in the 14th Cavalry, and he stayed in the service for 29 years and kept the gun spotless and perfect.

That alone is awesome beyond words.

As far as grips go, why not search GB for some period correct grips?

[tbrowner]

The problem with the Cal Guns forum for pictures is that it doesn't seem to allow photo downloads directly from your desktop, and I don't do instagram. I am actually looking for correct period grips, which would be double diamond. And the gun is a Colt military issue, with lanyard loops, including on the gun and the mag (my grandfather qualified as expert marksman from the back of a horse with it). I have seen some grips on ebay but am suspicious, and am looking more along the lines of Hogue. So I guess what I am asking is the best company for authentic period grips, of really high quality. I also have the original holster, by Boyt (1917). If any of you are on Facebook, there is a Colt 1911 group, and I have photos of it there.

[tbrowner]

Oh, and the 1911 forum wants $$$ to join, and I am cheap ;-)

[RandyD]

Regarding the cleanliness of the handgun, I am a Marine, and it does not need any residue to enhance its functioning. The handgun should shoot even if it is filthy; it was designed to function in an environment where it could get debris in it.

I would fully disassemble the handgun, and clean each part. Look on YouTube, there are videos instructing you how to fully disassemble it. It is not overly complicated, and you will have the satisfaction of learning about the handgun. While it is apart, inspect the frame and all the parts for any cracks. If there are no cracks, then clean and reassemble the handgun, in the reverse order that it was disassembled. If your grandfather kept the gun as you stated, the worst problem you may have is some cleaning fluids, over the years, could turn to varnish on the parts, requiring additional scrubbing to get the varnish off.

Once it is clean and assembled, function test it. Check that the slide goes all the way forward, and the slide locks back. Check the trigger and hammer. Check the half cock on the hammer and insure that it does not go forward from that position by pressing the trigger. Check the grip and thumb safeties, and the slightly pull the slide back so that it is out of battery and check to see if the trigger can release the hammer in this position. Last check that it chambers a round and ejects it. At this point, you should have full confidence that it is safe to fire.

[billped]

Actually 104 years old.

He didn't say the gun was 70+ years old, but it had been that long since it was properly cleaned.

[MosinVirus]

Leaving things like this be is never a good idea in my opinion. Taking one apart doesn't harm it in any way. It is meant to be easily diassembled to be oiled and serviced.

I would advise going with complete diassembly including the main spring housing.

I would actually love to see pictures of all the parts as they come apart (before cleaning/wiping them).

The other thing is that I would probably advise changing out springs just in case. Those things get tired.

[tbrowner]

Gentlemen, just to be clear, I am a she, not a he. Randy D, this is what my Marine just said (and he has shot the gun): "Oiled yes. Do not clean it so its dry of all the aged residue on it. Clean it like you are in the field, like your grandpa was in a tent. Not perfect but good enough for the next day's firing.
I've had M-16s that if they were too clean they would jam every damn time I fired. Why weapons are like that I have no idea.
Too dirty is bad and too clean is just as bad."