1911 Takedown Tool

[82lightfighter]

You haven't had a good gun cleaning day till you have launched the plug and spring across the room or into the ceiling!

So true -- I've got a ding in my living room wall about 2ft over my TV (which was 1 yr old at the time) from where my greasy fingers let the plug shoot out. I use it as a reminder to never cover anything with the muzzle that you don't want destroyed, even with a unloaded and disassembled gun lol.
I really like the Brownells plastic bushing wrench (Wilson one is nice too) -- the plastic doesn't mar the muzzle or slide at all.
10-8 armorer's tool and a set of punches is everything else you need for a 1911.

[RR.44]

Yeah, you're gonna want to point that thing in a safe direction before letting it fly.

[Dinosaur Jr]

these type holds the spring a bit better while you turn the bushings

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/handgun-tools/barrel-tools/barrel-bushing-tools/1911-auto-plug-capture-tool-prod54827.aspx

http://www.rainierarms.com/lynx-1911-bushing-wrench

That LYNX tool looks really interesting & easy. I'm thinking I need one...

[ACfixer]

You haven't had a good gun cleaning day till you have launched the plug and spring across the room or into the ceiling!

I might add, at least in my case... putting the proverbial idiot scratch on the frame. My Colt has a nice one.

[Chunky_lover]

You haven't had a good gun cleaning day till you have launched the plug and spring across the room or into the ceiling!

yep

ive also shot mine up and over my tv entertainment system with a million wires behind it, the little cap

strangely it was sitting in plain view but very far into the wires
probably would of never saw it but got lucky

[Chunky_lover]

im being serious here
I cant even push my slide like that guy did mine is so stiff and tight
been that way from day 1 but I may only have 500 rounds through it

ive seen many videos people just casually sliding it back, mine is soooo stiff

but I like how they did it in the video but I probably wouldnt be able to hold it open like he did

[chekmate]

Thanks everyone for your help (and stories). I have a set of punches so will try using that first before buying a bushing wrench. I'll also remember to point it away from any tv or computer monitors in case the spring gets away from me.

[epwegmann]

I don't think your colt is as tight as a Baer or Wilson, you should be able to just use the baseplate of the magazine to put tension on your plug, and then rotate out the bushing

[johnny_boy02]

I might add, at least in my case... putting the proverbial idiot scratch on the frame. My Colt has a nice one.

My first 1911 was a very expensive Kimber. I bought it before youtube, forums, etc were popular. Had no idea how to get it back together. So I asked my friends dad when was a "gun" guy for help...... Scratched the hell out of it.

[Flintlock Tom]

On a side note: the first time I saw a castlenut wrench for an AR I wondered why it had a bushing wrench for a 1911 on the other end.

?

[Chunky_lover]

On a side note: the first time I saw a castlenut wrench for an AR I wondered why it had a bushing wrench for a 1911 on the other end.

?

funny I got that tool too along with the plastic one kimber includes

maybe that one is used as a bottle opener, just happens to fit 1911

I bought that wrench for the castle nut years ago
because that really makes no sense castle nut for ar15 and also 1911 tool on the other end

[AGFNTB]

I believe the XSE does have the FLGR. I use the Wilson Combat tool (I got it for free) on both my and my wife's 1911s.

You may also want to look into getting an idiot scratch prevention tool. You can buy one (http://idiotscratch.com/) or make one fairly easy.