1911 Disassembly

[RiskyBusiness]

Planning on sending out a springfield to get hardchromed and they charge $55 for dissassembly and to put it back together. I was curious on how difficulty and time consuming this might be for a first timer? I've completed an ar15 pretty easily but i feel like a handgun has more intricate parts and could cause me problems with the tight fittings. Am I exaggerating or would most of you just shell out the $55 and be done with it.

[jfwlb]

Just watch some youtube videos and do it, it takes a screwdriver and a pin punch. Getting it apart is easy, putting it back together the first time not so much.

John

[dk94044]

1911 is easy just take your time during reassembly.
http://https://youtu.be/ZIETNijG-DM

[RiskyBusiness]

1911 is easy just take your time during reassembly.
http://https://youtu.be/ZIETNijG-DM

okay cool! thanks, im getting there slowly but so far not that bad. I sent an email to the company regarding how much they want the gun stripped, (front/rear sights, mainspring housing, etc.) to apply the new finish.

[tr6guns]

The only thing is that if somethings don't fit exactly when you get it back
after applying a finish as it might change dimensions( don't blame them )
at least they can refit everything before sending it back..

[RiskyBusiness]

The only thing is that if somethings don't fit exactly when you get it back
after applying a finish as it might change dimensions( don't blame them )
at least they can refit everything before sending it back..

that's so true, i even thought of that. I've read the same issues with a thick cerakote application, that certain pins would not fit afterwards.

[alland]

I have had several 1911s hard chromed and never had any problem with the fit when reassembling them.

[RiskyBusiness]

I have had several 1911s hard chromed and never had any problem with the fit when reassembling them.

Where did you get them done?

[alland]

Where did you get them done?

Techplate in Anaheim.

http://www.techplate.com/

[ar15barrels]

Most plating companies will just do the plating.
You really want to use a gunsmith to do the fitting of the parts after plating.
It sounds like techplate is including the after plating fitting as part of their service.
That's a good thing.

If you go to non-gunsmith platers, expect to be doing the fitting yourself.

[RickD427]

The 1911 is very easily disassembled, but it still requires some skill and knowledge.

There are a couple of predictable problems the uneducated often encounter:

1) The screw that you see on the starboard side of the magazine release is not a screw. It looks like one, but it isn't. Don't try to unscrew it. It's a catch and only turns about 90 degrees.

2) You have to carefully index the thumb safety before you can remove it from the frame.

3} Don't secure the grip in a vise without using a filler block in the magazine well.

4) When replacing the slide stop, fully seat the pin such that the beveled surface of the stop is resting against the spring plunger. With those two surfaces in contact the push upwards and inwards with equal force to seat the stop. You'll see the infamous "Idiot Mark" when folks have used other methods to seat this stop.

[therealnickb]

$55 sounds like a good deal to be sure it’s running correctly when you get it back.

[slixx1320]

Just had one of my 1911 hard chromed (brushed flats, matte rounds) and everything went back smoothly. No issues and no gunsmith needed to refit parts.

OP, who's doing your hard chrome and how much? Also if you can build an AR15 build, you'll be fine with assembly of a 1911.

[tr6guns]

The 1911 is very easily disassembled, but it still requires some skill and knowledge.

There are a couple of predictable problems the uneducated often encounter:

4) When replacing the slide stop, fully seat the pin such that the beveled surface of the stop is resting against the spring plunger. With those two surfaces in contact the push upwards and inwards with equal force to seat the stop. You'll see the infamous "Idiot Mark" when folks have used other methods to seat this stop.

I just slip a credit card in behind the safety and push in the spring while seating the safety..

[tr6guns]

[QUOTE=slixx1320;21817644]Just had one of my 1911 hard chromed (brushed flats, matte rounds) and everything went back smoothly. No issues and no gunsmith needed to refit parts.

That depends how precise or sloppy the parts are fitting to start with.