1911 dissassemby/assembly tools

Hi People,i want recommendations for the essential tools for dissassembly 1911 frame for cleaning and maintenance. Thanks.

I've got it down to a barrel bushing wrench, screwdriver for the grips (get a gunsmith set or you will bung up the slots on tight screws), a punch (get a set) to remove mainspring housing and depressing the firing pin to remove the firing pin block, a tweezers to place the sear & disconnector and a 10-8 plastic armorer tool to push the safety detent spring in while reassembling the safety (thin screwdriver works too). Brass/plastic hammer might be needed to reinsert the mainspring housing pin. 

Don't forget to use a small tray for parts, they tend to go missing.

I'd suggest watching a couple of videos and see what they use.

- Dave .

Darn, I'm not a very brave person. I've never torn a frame down and have owned about 85 handguns, almost all auto's.

dronning wrote:I've got it down to a barrel bushing wrench, screwdriver for the grips (get a gunsmith set or you will bung up the slots on tight screws), a punch (get a set) to remove mainspring housing and depressing the firing pin to remove the firing pin block, a tweezers to place the sear & disconnector and a 10-8 plastic armorer tool to push the safety detent spring in while reassembling the safety (thin screwdriver works too). Brass/plastic hammer might be needed to reinsert the mainspring housing pin. 

Don't forget to use a small tray for parts, they tend to go missing.

I'd suggest watching a couple of videos and see what they use.

- Dave .

Thanks Dave!

You need a little hammer for the punch set.

Hey SW-52,

You've been doing this for how long now? You're just now thinking about cleaning that thing? Better include a pressure washer in you list of tools!

Jim

JKR wrote:Hey SW-52,

You've been doing this for how long now? You're just now thinking about cleaning that thing? Better include a pressure washer in you list of tools!

Jim

Lol

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/gunsmithing-tool-kits/1911-armorer-s-add-on-pak-prod41515.aspx

That appears over priced.

Get a brass punch kit, brass hammer, gunsmith flathead set, bushing wrench. Thats all you NEED, some other stuff might be nice to have not not essential.

zanemoseley wrote:That appears over priced.

Get a brass punch kit, brass hammer, gunsmith flathead set, bushing wrench. Thats all you NEED, some other stuff might be nice to have not not essential.

Thanks zane!

Basics,

Brownells 1911 Magnetip bit set:  https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/screwdrivers-sets/magna-tip-bit-sets/1911-screwdriver-sets-prod25472.aspx 

And a wooden block or mallet if you want to be fancy.  If you want to get really fancy you can use a barrel bushing wrench but remember to unlock the barrel by about a 1/2" before rotating the bushing to prevent wear on the fit.

Sc0 wrote:Basics,

Brownells 1911 Magnetip bit set:  https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/screwdrivers-sets/magna-tip-bit-sets/1911-screwdriver-sets-prod25472.aspx 

And a wooden block or mallet if you want to be fancy.  If you want to get really fancy you can use a barrel bushing wrench but remember to unlock the barrel by about a 1/2" before rotating the bushing to prevent wear on the fit.

Unlock the barrel a 1/2 is the most important to prevent wear on the fit, i learn this in joy2shoot youtube video and is very important detail.

If you're going to do repeated strip downs, as when doing trigger work, you're going to want one of these.

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/handgun-tools/mainspring-tools/mainspring-housing-pin-tool-prod930.aspx

Not to set off a storm, but in my opinion you don't need a bushing wrench since you shouldn't be turning it in the first place.
Phil

you can take an entire 1911 apart without a single tool....ask me how i know.

Chris Miceli wrote:you can take an entire 1911 apart without a single tool....ask me how i know.

Reassembly too - just harder lol

At a minimum, I would recommend a nice set of hollow-ground screwdrivers and punches. A plastic or rubber mallet is nice to have, but not necessary.

Joel