Cleaning a 1911 handgun isn’t as difficult as you may think. Here, we’ll outline the most common gun cleaning techniques and explain how to execute them properly. We’ll also cover the different parts of a 1911 handgun and provide tips on how best to clean them. Finally, we’ll provide a guide on how to clean stainless steel handgun like 1911 handgun in order to keep it in top condition. Bookmark this page and start cleaning your 1911 handgun today!
What items do you need to clean your 1911 Handgun?
You’ll need a gun cleaning kit containing the following items to clean your 1911 handgun properly:
- gun cleaner (lubricant)
- patches
- toothbrush
- brass brush (or metal rod)
- bore cleaning jag/rod and
- plastic bag
- soft cloth, rag or paper towel
Disassembling a 1911
Disassembly is important while you are going to start cleaning your gun. To do field-stripping, you’ll need to remove the grip, trigger assembly, and slide. Here’s a guide on how to do this:
1) Remove the grip by pushing down on two shoulder screws located at either side of the frame just above where it meets the grips frame. The screws are covered by plastic inserts so be careful not to lose them.
2) On the next step, push down on the front takedown screw and lift off both sides of the rear takedown bar with the disassembly notch. This exposes both the upper and lower receivers.
3) Slide the trigger assembly off of the rear takedown bar, and then pull out the hammer, disconnector, and firing pin. The spring plug is the one that moves the slide back and forth. To disassemble the pistol, it’s pretty simple to do so if you have a pair of snap ring pliers or just a punch type tool for removing the spring.
4) Lift off the slide by pushing down on one side at front of frame (just above where ejection port is), while simultaneously pulling up from rear. Remove the plug and barrel bushing using a barrel wrench by holding the plug in place with one hand whilst gripping the bushing wrenches. The slide can then be rotated back to let it rest on its rear end support while you remove the recoil spring plug.
Note: The recoil spring should still be attached to recoil spring guide located in barrel support below slide. Ensure the notch on your pistol slide is not damaged or worn down and in good condition. The slide stop notch should be aligned with the safety notch found on most of modern pistols, but check for a matching notch as certain models have different ones which may affect how you disassemble it from an older gun that has had its parts machined differently (older 1911s were all made using dies set at one specific angle).
5) Carefully clean all firearm parts using gun cleaner followed
Steps in cleaning a 1911
After you’ve disassembled your 1911 handgun, follow these steps to clean each part: cleaning through the barrel (using a bore cleaning jag or cleaning rod), the action (using brass brushes) and the magazine well. We’ll go over each of these in detail below.
Cleaning Through the Barrel
To clean your 1911’s barrel properly, you’ll need a bore cleaning jag or rod. There are a few steps on how to clean a handgun barrel as follows.
a. When it comes to cleaning the barrel, use a bore cleaning jag or rod from breech to muzzle. This will help dislodge any fouling and debris that may have built up over time. First, lubricate the cleaning device with gun oil and insert it into the barrel and push it all the way to the muzzle.
b. Hold your 1911 handgun up so that you can see around the edge of the barrel, then point it in a safe direction and pull back on the gun cleaner trigger (you may need two hands to do this). The liquid will start shooting out of every hole in your firearm, which is why you want to make sure your surroundings are safe before starting!
c . Hold your firearm as steady as possible and using a brass bore brush, start scrubbing the barrel clean. Make sure to focus on the inside of the barrel near where it meets the chamber, and around any obstructions (like magazine wells or bolt carriers).
d. When the barrel is clean, re-lubricate it with gun oil and insert the cleaning device back into the barrel. Push it all the way to where it meets muzzle and release the trigger once again; this will stop the fluid shooting out of every hole in your firearm.
Cleaning The Action
When it comes to cleaning the action on your 1911 handgun, you’ll need to use a brass brush and gun oil.
a. Lubricate the bristles of your brass brush with gun oil, then insert it into the action of your 1911 handgun. Make sure to scrub all around any obstructions like bolt carriers or magazines wells; this will help clear away any debris and fouling that may have built up over time.
b . Once you’ve cleaned everything out within the action, re-lubricate it with gun oil and insert the nylon brush back into the action. Push it all the way to where it meets muzzle and release trigger once again; this will stop fluid shooting out of every hole in your firearm.
Note: You need to clean the frame rails and the slide rails after deep cleaning and oiling. No matter with the caliber, slide rails will get dirty over time. The dirt and grease can induce friction against the slide rails during operation which then cause a mis-feed or malfunctions of your firearm by leaving residues on the feed ramp inside your barrel bore. To prevent this from happening you have to keep surfaces free from gunk on these areas for smooth feeding action in your semiautomatic pistol or rifle weapon system throughout its lifetime.
Cleaning The Magazine
To clean 1911’s magazine well, you’ll need a small plastic bag and bore cleaning jag (or rod).
a. Insert the plastic bag into the magazine well of your 1911 handgun, pay special attention to affix the bore cleaning jag (or rod) to it.
b . Reach down inside of the magazine well and scrub away at any debris or fouling that may have built up over time; be sure to work around any obstructions like clip springs or guide rods.
c . Once everything within the mag well is clean, re-lubricate it with gun oil and insert brass brush back into action. Push it all the way to where it meets muzzle and release trigger once again; this will stop fluid shooting out of every hole in your handgun.
Note: Clean the breech by inserting a wet patch into your barrel and ramming it down, working from breech to muzzle with long strokes. repeat until patches come out free of debris or fouling. you’ll want to make sure that the patch doesn’t get stuck in any details of the gun’s design so don’t be afraid to use wearisome force on it if necessary; this helps remove all dirt and grime, preventing future issues like rusting as well as general bluing wear.
Reassembly
Now that your 1911 handgun is clean and free of debris, it’s time to reassemble it. Reassembling is just like the opposite actions of field-stripping.
1. Slide the barrel back onto the slide, making sure it fits snugly.
2. Tap the rear of the frame lightly with your palm to ensure that it is properly seated in the slide and barrel assembly.
3. Place your hand over both magazines, index finger on front strap and thumb on rear strap, and push them into place until they click into place (the ejector should be facing down).
4. Position your sights back onto their zero point by rotating them in the slide until they sit flush with the top of the frame.
5. Replace the slide stop and take note of how it sits in place- you’ll need to adjust it if necessary so that your sights remain perfectly aligned at all times.
6. Push down on both grip panels, inserting them into their recessed channels on each side of the frame (the rear grip panel should fit over a hole in sight rib and be held in by a screw).
7. Align and screw the front grip panel in place.
8. Snap the back strap into place on the frame behind the grips and screw it in from both sides.
9. Cycle your handgun a few times to ensure that all moving parts are working correctly (you can also press down on each grip panel to feel for any resistance). Everything should now function as it should!
10. You’re done!
Precautions
Keep the following points in mind before cleaning a 1911 handgun :
1. Make sure your gun is unloaded before field-stripping. There are moving parts that can be injured if not handled with proper care!
2. Pay close attention to remove the magazine. This will reduce the chance of damaging the gun in any way.
3. Always wear gloves & eye protection when cleaning your firearm. This will help prevent injury in the event of carried debris flying into eyes or other sensitive areas.
4. Use proper materials. All firearms must be cleaned and lubricated regularly to avoid damages; 1911 handguns are no exception. Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasives on any part of your handgun. They can damage the metal and reduce its lifespan. Only use safe, mild cleaners that are specifically designed for firearms.
5. Keep a bucket of clean water and soap nearby to wet down the entire firearm before cleaning. This will help remove any built up residue & dirt while taking less chance of chemicals coming into contact with the metal parts of your gun.
6. Avoid getting dirt, dust, oil or grease inside weapon’ s firing chamber- This will obstruct the weapon’s action and cause jams or malfunctions.
7. And be careful not to damage your handgun while cleaning it.
FAQ
Is a 1911 easy to clean?
A 1911 handgun is more easy to clean than Glock or .45 ACP Pistol. All of the moving parts are accessible and can be cleaned with a few tools and a bucket of water. Take care to avoid getting dirt, dust, oil or grease inside the weapon’s firing chamber- this will obstruct the weapon’s action and cause jams or malfunctions.
How often should I clean my 1911 handgun?
Cleaning a 1911 should be done regularly to avoid damages. Every 3-4 months is generally enough, but it depends on how often the gun is used.
How often should I oil my 1911?
An oiling job is generally recommended every 1000-2000 rounds. However, this will vary depending on how often the handgun/pistol is used and the type of ammunition used.
Is there any difference between gun oil and lube for my 1911 handgun?
There is no significant difference between gun oil and lube for a 1911 handgun. Both are designed to protect the metal parts of the weapon and help reduce friction.
Which oil should I use on my 1911 handgun?
There is no one definitive answer to this question. Many people prefer to use a light oil such as Mobil 1, Hoppe’s or Chevron, while others may prefer a heavier oil such as SAIGA 42. You can check the manual to find right cleaning products or cleaning supplies.
Can I use any type of solvent to clean my 1911 handgun?
Some solvents are approved for cleaning firearms, while others may be damaging to the metal parts of a handgun. Always consult the manufacturer regarding the proper lubrication of your firearm.
Do I need to remove the barrel or just the slide for cleaning purposes?
The barrel can be removed during field-stripping, but be careful not to damage it. The slide should only be cleaned with a soft rag and water.
