The Browning 1911 is a short recoil operated tilting barrel firearm utilizing a toggling link in .45 ACP. When a round is fired, the barrel and slide assembly recoil together. The link pivots on both the bottom lugs of the barrel and the slide stop so its rearward travel pulls the chamber end of the barrel down, unlocking the top barre lugs from the cuts in the top of the slide, at which point the slide is free from the barrel and able to fully recoil. When the slide starts to recoil, it contacts the disconnector which is vertically oriented and passes through a hole in the frame. When the disconnector is pushed down, it disengages from the spring loaded sear which then returns to its original position against the hammer, ready to catch it as the slide cocks it upon recoil. The 1911 has several unique features, from the pivotin link delay, automatic grip safety, bushing for takedown, grip bushings instead of screwing directly to the frame, and a trigger that does not pivot like many handgun designs. To strip the 1911, the recoil spring cap is slightly despressed so the barrel bushing can be rotated, freeing the cap and spring. The bushing is then rotated the other way so its lug is directly under the barrel then pulled from the slide. The slide is them moved back to align the slide stop with the takedown notch, which is then removed. Now that the slide is free, it can be pulled from the front, and the barrel pulled from the front of the slide. The firing pin is depressed and the firing pin plate slide down, allowing the firing pin, spring, and extractor to be removed. The grip pannels then removed, allowing access to the main spring housing pin. Once removed, a small pin at the top of the housing is pushed out to free the plunger and hammer spring. With the hammer cocked and the safety engaged, it can be pulled out followed by the grip safety that it retains. With the main spring housing and grip safety removed, the leaf spring is free to be removed. The hammer and sear/disconnector axis pins are then slid out, removing those components. To extract the trigger, the safety must be desressed and the screw turned to bring its lug into the recess on the release, allowing it to be pushed clear of the frame.
Right Side:
Left Side:
Top:
Muzzle:
Slide Back - Barrel:
Slide Back - Chamber:
Slide Back:
Controlls - Slide Stop, Trigger, Magazine Release, Safety, and Grip Safety:
Barrel Bushing - Rotated for Stripping:
Barrel Bushing, Recoil Spring, and Cap Removed:
Slide Stop at Takedown Notch:
Slide Stop Removed:
Slide - Underside - Recoil Spring, Cap, and Bushing Removed:
Slide - Underside - Recoil Spring, Cap, Bushing Removed, and Barrel:
Slide - Underside Rear - Notice Engagement Surface for Disconnector at Rear:
Slide - Locking Lugs:
Barrel Assembly:
Barrel - Lower Lug, Link, and Link Pin:
Barrel Assembly, Stop, Buffer and Guide Rod, and Recoil Spring Assembled in Functional Position:
Frame - Top:
Frame - Disconnector and Ejector:
Grip Safety and Main Spring Housing:
Back of Magazine Release - Note Takedown Screw:
Plunger Tube with Detent Pins for Slide Stop and Safety:
Grip Bushing:
Main Spring Housing, Pin, Plunger and Spring, and Plunger Pin:
Frame - Main Spring Housing Removed:
Reverse Side of Safety:
Grip Safety:
Leaf Spring - Grip Safety, Trigger, and Sear Arms:
Hammer, Tail, and Axis Pin:
Safety, Detent, Spring, Detent, and Slide Stop in Functional Positions:
Sear and Disconnector - Connected:
Sear and Disconnector - Disconnected:
Sear, Disconnector, and Axis Pin:
Hammer, Sear, and Disconnector in Functional Position:
Magazine Release, Spring, and Retaining Pin:
Trigger:
Frame - Left - Stripped:
Frame - Right - Stripped:
Frame - Rear - Note Disconnector Hole:
Breech Face:
Extractor, Firing Pin, Firing Pin Spring, and Firing Pin Plate:
Magazine:
.45 ACP rounds:
