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AR15.COM
5/23/2008 9:14:53 AM EDT
I just got my first 1911 (Dan Wesson Commander Bobtail). I cleaned it for the first time last and it's quite different from my HK.

So, when you clean your 1911, do you disassemble and clean the firing pin and extractor every time?

What cleaning solution do you use (just gun oil or something else)?

Any Tips for a 1911 newbie?

Thanks!
5/23/2008 10:40:59 AM EDT
[#1]
I only remove those parts for cleaning every about 600 rounds. During regular cleaning, I brush away any carbon from the extractor with a nylon cleaning brush.

Q-Tips and pipe cleaners will remove the gunk from the channels...
5/23/2008 10:56:57 AM EDT
[#2]
Hoppes #9
Q tips
nylon and maybe a brass brush.

I pull the FP and extractor maybe once every 1000 rounds.
5/23/2008 11:08:46 AM EDT
[#3]
FP-10 or Weapon Shield CLP

I try to get under the extrator hook with my patch, toothbrush, or whatever during my routine cleanings.  About every third or fourth cleaning, I'll pull the extractor out and clean it and the channel.
5/23/2008 11:15:49 AM EDT
[#4]
i use hoppes for the bore and then break free to lube.  Only take the firing pin out maybe twice a year. A got set of picks also comes in handy. I also use barbecue skewer sticks to pick away at carbon.
5/23/2008 12:43:01 PM EDT
[#5]
I, on the other hand, take out the firing pin and extractor every time. Why not?
5/23/2008 1:25:51 PM EDT
[#6]
I'm Anal, Mine go down to the bare frame after every shoot. But they are LB match guns and I just feel I need a surgically clean gun to remove any doubt about them failing to function.
5/23/2008 1:35:08 PM EDT
[#7]
Field strip and clean normally, use old toothbrush and "insert favorite cleaner/solvent" scrub breechface and extractor claw. Every couple of cleanings I take off the grips, field strip, remove extractor and FP/Spring, toss in oleum for a while, wait, slosh around a few times, let drain til almost dry, hose down with brake cleaner, blow off with compressed air, use spray lube [like CLP] on it, let sit a bit, wipe down well all over, put together, try pencil trick, ready to go.

I very seldom bother taking them all the way apart, it's just not needed and does more harm then good.
5/23/2008 3:21:29 PM EDT
[#8]
I disagree, no harm can come to your 1911 by stripping it down to the bare frame and slide. I alway check to ensure all parts, sear , hammer ETC are free from any nicks and damage in anyway. After all your life may depend on it someday. If you are going to depend on a tool to function in the utmost situation, you need the confidence through a regiment of inspection and cleaning that it will perform. You may only have one chance for that to happen. But then again I have only shot the 1911 for over 35 years.
5/23/2008 5:23:04 PM EDT
[#9]

Quoted:
I disagree, no harm can come to your 1911 by stripping it down to the bare frame and slide. I alway check to ensure all parts, sear , hammer ETC are free from any nicks and damage in anyway. After all your life may depend on it someday. If you are going to depend on a tool to function in the utmost situation, you need the confidence through a regiment of inspection and cleaning that it will perform. You may only have one chance for that to happen. But then again I have only shot the 1911 for over 35 years.


I absolutely disagree, few firearms are designed to be broken down to the last piece each and every time they are cleaned. They are designed to be broken down into subsections and cleaned at that level and occasionally taken down further to deep clean and inspect parts.

I've yet to speak with a revolver guy who will break down his entire DA or SA weapon [to include the sideplate] and clean every tiny piece. Truth is, most look for non dicked with screws when they look at used ones.



5/23/2008 5:53:15 PM EDT
[#10]

few firearms are designed to be broken down to the last piece each and every time they are cleaned. They are designed to be broken down into subsections and cleaned at that level and occasionally taken down further to deep clean and inspect parts




5/24/2008 12:04:12 AM EDT
[#11]
It takes another 20 seconds to remove the FP and Extractor, so why not?
5/24/2008 5:21:06 AM EDT
[#12]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I disagree, no harm can come to your 1911 by stripping it down to the bare frame and slide. I alway check to ensure all parts, sear , hammer ETC are free from any nicks and damage in anyway. After all your life may depend on it someday. If you are going to depend on a tool to function in the utmost situation, you need the confidence through a regiment of inspection and cleaning that it will perform. You may only have one chance for that to happen. But then again I have only shot the 1911 for over 35 years.


I absolutely disagree, few firearms are designed to be broken down to the last piece each and every time they are cleaned. They are designed to be broken down into subsections and cleaned at that level and occasionally taken down further to deep clean and inspect parts.

I've yet to speak with a revolver guy who will break down his entire DA or SA weapon [to include the sideplate] and clean every tiny piece. Truth is, most look for non dicked with screws when they look at used ones.






You can take the side plate off a Smith MANY times without dickin up the screws if you use the right size screwdriver.   Trust me.

With that being said, I don't completly disassemble my 1911's very often.  Maybe once every 1000 rounds, or less sometimes.  It just kinda depends on when I feel like it.  


AK
5/24/2008 7:09:13 AM EDT
[#13]
I consider cleaning the firing pin, extractor, and their respective channels, as part of a "routine cleaning" on a 1911. Never done it for a quick/field cleaning.

I don't detail strip them unless there's an issue (severe fouling, broken component) requiring it.
5/24/2008 7:24:41 AM EDT
[#14]
The problem is with the 1911 they are just to damn easy to take apart. I am glad we all have our opinions, beer, girls, cars and guns. It's what keeps us what we are. God Bless to all of you in harms way this weekend and to those who have gone before us.

Tom Bougie, USN Hospital Corpsman, Class 28, USNH San Diego 1970