1911 .45 help

**pakuakid** · Posted On: 3/01/2007 1:41pm

I just bought a RIA .45 and now need to clean it . The problem is that I have no idea how to. The instructions that come with the gun are vague for a first timer and i'm lacking the confidence to just tear into it. I've checked a few of the 1911 forums and have found some better instructions, but i don't want to get into it and have to take a bag of parts to a gunsmith. Am i making too much of this, do i need to stop being a nancy and just do it or should I pony up the 30 bucks to let a gunsmith do it? Any help is appreciated on this one.

**Nid** · Posted On: 3/01/2007 2:08pm

For God's sake don't pay someone to take it apart for cleaning.

http://www.1911forum.com/links.shtml

**Nid** · Posted On: 3/01/2007 2:31pm

Alrighty...

See that little circular thing? Press that down and turn the bushing (the thing it's held against) to the side. Be careful. It's spring loaded and could hurt your eye or ding the ceiling.

Ah-so...if you turn it like this, the bushing won't come out. That's fine.

Just turn it the other way:

At which point you can take out the spring, bushing, and spring retainer (the cylindrical thing you first pressed down)

The push the slide back til you see that little divet in the slide match up with the grippy part of the slide release:

Push out the slide release from the opposite side from where it protrudes:

Remove the slide and it's innards to the front:

Remove the guide rod out the back:

Remove the barrel out the front, and yer done for a basic strip for a routine post-shoot cleaning:

**HackingYodel** · Posted On: 3/01/2007 2:38pm

Relax, it's not that big of a deal once you understand what's going on. A 1911 filed strip really doesn't involve that many parts.

First read you instructions...

Next watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOWuJPFIDgw

or watch this video, it uses your RIA but is very dark/hard to see:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBI5C3DaCf8

See, easy as cake. Watch a few times if you need and then ask any questions you have here.

Some points:

**Make sure the gun is unloaded, and then do it again.
**Careful with the recoil spring. It's under pressure so point it in a safe direction while removing.
**Use the oil your user guide suggests or, if none specified, my favorite "Tetra Gun Grease".
**Make sure the slide stop shaft goes through the hole in the barrel link when reassembling.

**pakuakid** · Posted On: 3/02/2007 11:38am

Well it was messy and took me a long time but I managed to do it. Didn't even have a problem with getting the slide release back in. Kein and Yodel you two were a god send and the help you gave me was invaluable. Thank you.

**HackingYodel** · Posted On: 3/04/2007 2:37pm

Originally Posted by pakuakid

Well it was messy and took me a long time but I managed to do it. Didn't even have a problem with getting the slide release back in. Kein and Yodel you two were a god send and the help you gave me was invaluable. Thank you.

I use the little cardboard box from a case of Wal-Mart's bottled water as my pistol cleaning tray. It catches any dropped springs/parts, soaks up any spills and can be thrown away when it becomes too dirty.

You'll get quicker and more comfortable with the cleaning after a few more field strips, may even grow to like it. I'm at the point, now, that I'll strip and clean my firearms every month, whether I've shot them or not.

When you have a chance, please write us up a range report. The RIAs have become rather popular and I would love to hear how yours is running for you. If you are like most 1911 owners, the clock has already stated ticking until your NEXT 1911 purchase. Welcome to the club.