1911 Magazine Questions

[805thRCTank]

Greetings folks,

A coworker gave me his grandpas 1911 magazines in a canvas pouch dated 1918.

How do you disassemble it and clean it of rust?

Will this magazines work on any 1911?


Appreciate any help folks

[Sailormilan2]

Push the follower down about 1-1 1/2”. While holding it down, slip a punch(or something else that fits) through a hole UNDER the follower. This traps the spring, and allows the follower to loosen so that it can be removed. Then remove whatever is holding the spring and then remove the spring.
You can now clean everything.

[ojisan]

There are many ways to remove the rust, the idea is to remove the rust without removing the original (rust-blue) finish.
Do not use rust remover or citrus based products as they will remove all the finish.
Try a stiff brush first, then wipe with a coarse towel and some oil.
Next step is to get some # 0000 steel wool, stainless preferred, and lightly scrub with oil.

Yes these will fit all 1911 / 1911A1 Colt Government, Commander and similar models.

One of the mags in the picture has a marking on the top of the floorplate tip, I can't see the bottom of the plate or the other one at all.
Some mags are worth good money depending on make and condition.
What are the markings?

[805thRCTank]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate it greatly

I plan on scrubbing the rust with a brass brush. Would that be safe?


One of the mags earlier mentioned has the letters C-R on the floorplate tip. The other has nothing

[ojisan]

Should be R on top of tip and C-R on bottom of tip: Colt / Risdon Manufacturing for WW2 mags.
Risdon was a contractor to Colt for magazines, these were issued with the guns.
It's worth $40-50 if in good condition.

Unmarked is usually Colt as long as you are sure it is not a cheaper aftermarket copy.

[MajorSideburns]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate it greatly

I plan on scrubbing the rust with a brass brush. Would that be safe?


One of the mags earlier mentioned has the letters C-R on the floorplate tip. The other has nothing

Make sure it is actually brass and not brass colored steel like most cheap brushes or you will see a ton if little scratch marks in the good bluing areas around the rust. I would opt for pure copper brushes or scouring pads with some oil. The magazine on the right should clean up very easily, the one on the left looks like it has a thicker crust that might leave some light pitting when you finish. I'm sure they will both work fine especially if you install new springs. Just make sure the inside is smooth and clean so the follower doesn't hang on anything.

[805thRCTank]

I got it cleaned by steel wool but the one of the left is badly pitted. Can I use 000 steel wool? Guess I’ll lose the bluing.

Took a while to reply as I have difficulty logging in

[Grendel Guy]

Took a while to reply as I have difficulty logging in

Join the club.

[BrokerB]

They do make copper wool. Use lots of oil.

[MajorSideburns]

They do make copper wool. Use lots of oil.

Most of the "copper wool" I see in stores is actually steel that has been copper plated. Same with brushes. Finding actual copper brushes and wool scrubbers takes effort these days.

[bohoki]

id probably just let it soak overnight in some white vinegar rinse in water then go to town on it with a wire wheel then spray paint it (i used some appliance epoxy on a smith and weeson mag it seems to hold up) they are bad and have no collector value now

ya to disassemble i would load like 4 rounds then put a straightened paper clip through the topmost unoccupied witness hole then shake out the follower then pull the clip and launch the spring

[Abenaki]

They make a bronze wool for things like wood working.
You might want to seerch it out.

Take care
Abenaki

[eaglemike]

Evapo-Rust is your friend.
Harbor Freight sells it, Ace Hardware, etc

[M1A Rifleman]

Boil them in hot water to convert the rust back to iron oxide, then polish with steel wool 0000. This will maintain the black finish. Watch Gunsmith Mark Novak, this is how he handle rust to preserve the finish.

[Garbcollector]

I think I just put them back in the pouch and leave them alone.