1911's Own Tool Box

[Don Sarkisian]

I completely understand many of us adding lots of doo-dads to our plain jane 1911's.But,I feel we all should remember that at least one of our shooting irons should be pure mill spec.so as to allow complete diss-assembly using the guns own parts right down to the grip screws!That same gun should be 100% function reliable,have a good trigger and sights that one can see and shoot well with.The above can be critical if one finds oneself in a long term survival situation with a 1911 and no tools.

Best,
Don

[Joni Lynn]

I can see your point there, the 1911 as originally designed was a pretty great weapon.

[Norton]

Well said, I'm in total agreement.
Norton

[joffe]

The only items I can see that deteriorate from this function are things like full-length guide rods, bull barrels and bushings fitted so tightly you need a dedicated wrench to remove them. Personally, I can't see any reason for any of those 'improvements' and my 1911 won't have any of them. Not because I foresee myself fighting off a zombie apocalypse without any tools, but because I like being able to take things apart without fumbling through a toolbox.

[ranburr]

If there were no doodads for 1911s, I never would have gotten into the gun. I have never been able to fire a stock model without coming away bloody.

ranburr

[John]

Well, that's how I set up my pistols, all of them. I do not care for bells and whistles. OK, I admit I deviate a little, I sometimes use hex-head screws for the grips (not a big issue), and both my pistols have beavertails, but that's a necessity for me. As Ranburr says, firing a 1911 with a spur hammer and a standard, GI grip safety is a bloody pass-time for me and since I do like my hands, I try to avoid them.

[gfavaron]

Yeah me too John. For years, the first thing I did to a new (to me) Colt was install a beavertail. Now to my astonishment, I found that the spur hammer/grip safety combination on my new 01091 adequately protects my hand without a beavertail.

My fascination with pre 80 Commanders had limited my experience to them, and to their smaller(?) grip safeties. Apparently, either my hand has changed shape or Colt extended the tang of the standard safety on the government model after the GI models.

Sometimes I feel like Rip Van Winkle. I doze and the world passes me by. :-(

[Don Sarkisian]

It is interesting to note that in years gone by that I too suffered bite with standard grip safetys but not so today.Either Colt and Springfield have lengthened the GI grip safetys or my hand has also changed.It would be interesting to know the answer to this issue.Maybe Tuner knows.

I did forget to add that the hammer spurs have changed over the years.

Best,
Don

[garrettwc]

I feel we all should remember that at least one of our shooting irons should be pure mill spec.so as to allow complete diss-assembly using the guns own parts right down to the grip screws!That same gun should be 100% function reliable,have a good trigger and sights that one can see and shoot well with.The above can be critical if one finds oneself in a long term survival situation with a 1911 and no tools.
I'm beginning to think they all should be setup that way.

Something about like this:
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=41186

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p235/SADt53/SAJG_Left2.jpg

[OD*]

Even with the "doo-dads" they can be taken-down without tools (unless to change the stocks screws ;)).

[rondawg]

What's used as a screwdriver for the grip screws...the bottom end of the sear spring?

[1911Tuner]

What's used as a screwdriver for the grip screws...the bottom end of the sear spring?

In days of old, when knights were bold, and pistols were built to spec...the cartridge rim was used therein, and grips were kept in check.

[rondawg]

In days of old, when knights were bold, and pistols were built to spec...the cartridge rim was used therein, and grips were kept in check.
Ah, never would have thought of using the cart. rim! Thanks!

[kcshooter]

Check it out, Tuner's rappin'!

[Richard]

No rappin' just yell'n
He is speaking 1911

[1911Tuner]

Rappin? No no, lads. Merely waxing poetic. A side that few people ever see.

Cheer-o!

[Don Sarkisian]

Ah, never would have thought of using the cart. rim! Thanks!
Tuner's 100% as usual regarding using the cartridge rim on the stock screws but be carefull not to get any of those new fangled narrow slot stock screws cause then your back to the screwdriver.

Oh yes,try taking one of them there two piece guide rods out without your Allen wrench especially if you cranked it in tightly last time.

Best,
Don

[1911Tuner]

Yep...The 1911 is its own tool box, as long as it really is a 1911 and not somebody's idea of what the specs should be. That's why I like mine Plain-Jane and built to genuine USGI specs. No need for ramp and throat jobs...No need for mirror polishin'...No need for designer magazines...no need for recoil springs that egg-shape the slidestop pin hole...No need for nuttin' 'cept pullin' the trigger and watchin'em run.

In fact...Two of my regular carry guns...ARE...USGI pistols. One is bone-stock. The other has a Kart barrel, and was rebuilt to minimum ordnance specs. Right...not tight....with a clean 5-pound trigger and both have new springs throughout. Wouldn't trade'em for a peanut farm in Georgia.

[garrettwc]

Ah, never would have thought of using the cart. rim! Thanks!
If you have a 1911 with the proper (in-spec) slots in them, you will also notice the slot is not cut flat. It is cut on the same radius as the cartridge rim.

By the way, the sear spring is for the screw in the mag catch. ;)

[dakota1911]

Just tried it on one screw of my WWI Repro and it worked fine. I used a fired Win. case.

This came up many years ago and my Grandfather who was in WWI and carried a 1911 said most guys used their pocket screwdrivers. He died in 1973, but now I would like to know what their pocket screwdrivers were. What brand, etc.

[garrettwc]

This came up many years ago and my Grandfather who was in WWI and carried a 1911 said most guys used their pocket screwdrivers.
I'm guessing it was either a dime, a P-38 can opener, or if my memory is correct, back then the Army issued a steel version of the Swiss Army knife that had a screwdriver in it.