1911 Colt Auto Pistol

Bob Dunlap understands the design, function, and repair of John Browning’s masterpiece, the Colt Government Model of 1911, as well or better than anyone else alive today. If you want the “quick” course on how to get your gun apart, back together, and operating as Old John intended, then this course is for you (if you want the “long course”, look into our basic 108 hour Professional Gunsmith course).

Among the items covered are:

History

• The history of the gun’s design and acceptance by the US military, and the reasons why the .45 caliber was selected.
• The evolution from the Model 1911 to the 1911 A1 and their differences.
• Modern variations of the gun, including the basic Government Model, Commander, Officers’ Model, ParaOrdinance wide body, and the ParaOrdinance Compact are shown, and Bob tells you who is his favorite of the current builders.

Design & Function

• A clear explanation of the short recoil, tipping barrel locking system, and a visual demonstration, using a “cut-away” gun, of the unlock/lock mechanism in the firing cycle.
• An explanation and visual demonstration of the operation of the disconnector and its interaction with the sear and trigger to enable the firing cycle and prevent the gun from firing full auto.
• A demonstration of the operation of the inertial firing pin and explanation of the term “inertial”.
• An explanation of how the slide is stopped in its rearward motion by the contact of the rear portion of the spring tunnel with the spring guide rod and its contact with the frame. Relationships are shown and demonstrated.
• A detailed explanation and visual demonstration of the complete firing cycle of the fire control mechanism.
• His explanation and demonstration of the function and operation of the grip and thumb safeties.
• Lock-up is demonstrated, the minimum is discussed and how to achieve it.
• Frame feeding ramp to barrel ramp “jump” is shown and the rule for determining the proper amount is discussed. Proper shapes and polishing methods for both are hi-lighted.
• Why and how the top edge of the firing pin hole is chamfered.

Disassembly & Reassembly

• The complete disassembly of gun including the differences between the Series 80 and previous versions.
• Demonstration and explanation of the AGI non-solvent, non-toxic, cleaning method, and proper lubrication.
• Proper reassembly technique and order is demonstrated, as well as function tests for proper operation of the safeties.

Potential Trouble Areas

• Why you should remove the thumb safety prior to removing the mainspring housing and sear spring
• Common problems and how to repair them, i.e., grip screw bushing(s) backing out of frame with grip screw, loose plunger tube, loose breech (what is it and how much is acceptable) and why it is bad, follower bind in the magazine, trigger bind in the frame or on the magazine, extractor “spring out”, how much you need and how to get it, proper shaping of the extractor’s rim slot and hook, how to properly tighten a loose rear sight, what constitutes proper engagement of the magazine catch and how to get it, proper fit of the firing pin and why you should never use a 9mm, .38 Super, .40 S&W, or 10mm firing pin in a .45 ACP slide.

Bob’s “Do’s & Don’t’s”

• Last but not least, Bob tells you what accessories he likes and why, and what accessories to avoid for reliability, cost, or tactical reasons. Does an extended ”combat” slide stop make sense? How about a ramped barrel? Take a look and see what Bob has to say on the subjects.

If you noticed how often the terms “explanation”, and “visual demonstration” are used, you may be getting some idea of why this course is a “must have” for any 1911 owner, or someone who intends to be.