How to Install the Small End of the 1911 Colt Recoil Spring
The Colt Model 1911 is one of the most recognized and iconic pieces of American firearms history. The first pistol came off the line in 1911, and the 1911 became the primary sidearm for all branches of the United States Military, until it was replaced in 1985 by the Beretta 92FS. One of the primary selling points of the Colt M1911 was the inherent simplicity of its design--the entire pistol is able to be field-stripped for cleaning using nothing more than one's hands. This comes in handy when a part--like a recoil spring, for instance--needs to be replaced. Installing a new recoil spring into your Colt 1911 is a relatively simple process.
Instructions
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1
Unload your Colt 1911 and rack the slide back to eject any bullet that might have been loaded into the firing chamber. This should always be your first step when working on a firearm of any kind.
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2
Look at the front of the pistol, just below the barrel, and locate the recoil spring plug.
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3
Press the recoil spring plug inwards with your finger. This will loosen the bushing--the teardrop-shaped metal piece that fits over both the barrel and the recoil spring plug.
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4
Turn the bushing to the side to allow you to remove the recoil spring plug. Be careful when removing the plug, as the recoil spring puts the plug under pressure, and if you are not careful will send the plug shooting out at high velocity.
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5
Pull the old recoil spring out of the M1911 and discard it.
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6
Place the new recoil spring into the now-empty recoil spring cavity. Make sure that the smaller end of the recoil spring--the end with the hooked bit of spring protruding--is the part that sticks out of the cavity.
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7
Place the recoil spring plug over the end of the recoil spring and press it back into the recoil spring cavity.
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8
Keep the pressure on the recoil spring plug and turn the bushing back down over the plug to secure it in place. Once this is done, the recoil spring will have been successfully installed.
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