New 1911, disassembly question

[epsylum]

I got a new Springfield 1911-A1 Champion Lightweight Operator today.

Here it is.

http://www.photodump.com/direct/epsylum/SA1911Operator1a.jpg

Anyhow, I went to clean it as soon as I got it home. I am fimiliar with the regular 1911 disassembly process, but this has a bull barrel and a funky guidrod and spring assembly. None of the instructions in the manual seem to pertain to mine. It is either a completely different system or shows the use of tools that did not come with mine.

Mine came with a little bent piece of metal, so I assumed it was the one that you put the pin through the guidrod. Nope, no hole anywhere to be seen on it. The one I think it is has a little piece of plastic that clamps onto the guiderod so it compresses it and allows it to come out the slide. I do not have that piece in my case.

I e-mail Springfield about it, but got an auto-reply that said they are at the SHOT show and will not be back until next week. I would like to clean it so I can shoot it this weekend, but I guess I will have to wait.

If anyone has any clue to get the guiderod and spring out, I would appreciate it.

Thanks.

[txminime]

My guess is the combination of a short slide and long dust cover is hiding the hole in the guide rod. Here's how I take apart my TRP Operator, couldn't hurt to give it a try...

1) Clear chamber and remove magazine.
2) Align take down notch on slide and push out slide stop.
3) Slide the whole top half (slide, barrel, guide rod) off the frame.
4) Push the guide rod out the front of the slide (against the recoil spring) and see if there is a pin hole on the guide rod.
5) Insert bent metal rod to lock down guide rod and slide the guide rod assembly out the back of the slide.
6) Continue with disassembly normally.

[pangris]

I'm sure I could get it into pieces with a hammer, but re-assembly would be tough


;)


I'd check the springer section over at 1911forum.

[epsylum]

Originally posted by txminime
My guess is the combination of a short slide and long dust cover is hiding the hole in the guide rod. Here's how I take apart my TRP Operator, couldn't hurt to give it a try...

1) Clear chamber and remove magazine.
2) Align take down notch on slide and push out slide stop.
3) Slide the whole top half (slide, barrel, guide rod) off the frame.
4) Push the guide rod out the front of the slide (against the recoil spring) and see if there is a pin hole on the guide rod.
5) Insert bent metal rod to lock down guide rod and slide the guide rod assembly out the back of the slide.
6) Continue with disassembly normally.

I will check again, but I got up to step 4 on your list and for the life of me, I cannot find a hole in the guide rod. I had it completely compressed and I still cannot find it. I will break out the Surefire and see if it is not just lost in the shadows or something.

Just checked. No hole in the guide rod. I locked the slide back and it compresses the spring more than I ever could by hand. I looked at it with a flashlight and there is no hole in the guiderod that I can see. Now I am even more confused. What the heck is the stupid bent piece of metal for then? Did they screw up and send me the wrong doo-hicky?

Thanks though.

[10mm4ever]

Very nice Epsylum. I'd agree, go to the 1911 forum and ask. I really like the new Springer grip panels(wish mine would have came with those).

[dirksterG30]

Epsylum,

I wonder if they didn't include the right piece (the small plastic part that clamps on the guiderod). Does your Champion have a 2-piece guiderod? If you're not sure, the way to tell is lock the slide back, and try to unscrew the front of the guiderod. (also see the third photo down on this link: http://www.gunsandhunting.com/articles/the%20champ/middleweight.html )

I have a Stainless Champion, and mine has the 2 piece guiderod. I don't use the small plastic clip for the guiderod though, all I do is push the slide back until the slidestop is lined up with the cutout in the slide to push the stop out.

[epsylum]

Originally posted by dirksterG30
Epsylum,

I wonder if they didn't include the right piece (the small plastic part that clamps on the guiderod).

That is what I was thinking.

Originally posted by dirksterG30
Does your Champion have a 2-piece guiderod? If you're not sure, the way to tell is lock the slide back, and try to unscrew the front of the guiderod. (also see the third photo down on this link: http://www.gunsandhunting.com/articles/the%20champ/middleweight.html )

No, it is a double spring setup a lot like a Glock 30s recoil spring/guiderod. I had a Springer 1911 with a two-piece before and it is not like that one.

I am going to ask my friend who has worked on them and if that doesn't work it is off to the 1911 forum.

Thanks.

ETA:

It is just like the one on the 3rd picture on your link. It does not unscrew though.

Also here is another pic I took. I set it up for home defense with my TLR-1 and CMC 8 round power mag. Looks pretty sweeet IMO.

Now all I want to do is checker the front strap and bobtail the frame and I will have a great do-all 1911 I think.

http://www.photodump.com/direct/epsylum/SA1911Operator2a.jpg

[dogsoldier]

YOu might want to check your manual carefully, they use 1 manual for all models with different "chapters" on each class of pistols, I found this out on my old longslide. I think the 4inch 1911s are at the back, and I do recall a plastic gizmo to attach to the guide rod for fieldstripping.

[epsylum]

Originally posted by dogsoldier
YOu might want to check your manual carefully, they use 1 manual for all models with different "chapters" on each class of pistols, I found this out on my old longslide. I think the 4inch 1911s are at the back, and I do recall a plastic gizmo to attach to the guide rod for fieldstripping.

Yeah I flipped through all of them. I am really thinking it requires the "plastic gizmo" and someone at SA just forgot to put it in with mine.

I have a thread on m1911.org right now, but so far no answers that work yet.

I might try to make my own "plastic gizmo" and see if that works. I should have an old pen or two laying around that I can cut up.

[Wolfgang]

Would a cap from an ink pen work? cut to fit then slipped over the guide rod?

[epsylum]

Originally posted by Wolfgang
Would a cap from an ink pen work? cut to fit then slipped over the guide rod?

Possibly, or the body of one with its interals pulled out (like one of those cheapy desk-mate or whatever they are called ones).

[epsylum]

I GOT IT!!

After asking around, I found two people who knew about this setup and how to get the guiderod out. It turns out, no tool needed. It comes out the back like most other guns, but it is very hard to get over the barrel link. It takes some fiddling, but it comes out and goes in without a tool.

So if anyone else gets one like this, that is how it works. Just keep wiggling it around until it pops out.

Thanks for the help though.

[epsylum]

Well I finally shot it today. Overall, I like it. It is very accurate and the trigger is very nice. It is pretty snappy as most Aluminum framed 1911s tend to be (to me at least), but nothing a good grip and proper stance couldn't solve. I was doing quick and controllable double taps at the end of my session. I did have one fail to feed in the very beginning of my session, but that was it for failures. I calked that up to it breaking in. The slide action felt smoother after I was done and it seemed to chamber rounds more easily.

All I need is a good holster for a railed 1911 and I will try carrying it. I e-mailed Comp-Tac about it and said they haven't had my model in their shop yet.

Overall, I am pretty pleased with the gun (annoying disassembly/reassembly aside).

[Big_Jim]

Originally posted by epsylum
I GOT IT!!

After asking around, I found two people who knew about this setup and how to get the guiderod out. It turns out, no tool needed. It comes out the back like most other guns, but it is very hard to get over the barrel link. It takes some fiddling, but it comes out and goes in without a tool.

So if anyone else gets one like this, that is how it works. Just keep wiggling it around until it pops out.

Thanks for the help though.

Glad you figured it out, I had to do it the hard way. The plastic guide rod clip is the dumbest thing I've ever seen and was determined not to use it. My GI champion comes apart just fine without it. Plus it has been totally reliable.