Springfield Armory 1911 A1 Instructions Manual

							SPRINGFIELD ARMORY®1911-A1 PISTOLS 
OPERATION AND SAFETY MANUAL
Important Safety Information Inside
Read this manual before handling this firearm.
Keep this manual with your pistol and review it before each
use. This manual was designed to fit in your shirt or jacket
pocket. Do not allow others to handle or fire your pistol until
they have read this manual. Transfer this manual with the
firearm upon ownership change.
Be a responsible gun owner. Use it safely, store it securely,
and always transfer a gun responsible and legally.
1
CONTENTS
Read and Understand this Manual  . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Know Your Gun  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Safety Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Loaded Chamber Indicator  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Springfield’s Integral Locking System (ILS)  . . . . . . .13
Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Firing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Unloading  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Hammer Lowering  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Malfunction Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Disassembly and Assembly
Section 1:Full-Size Models  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Section 2:TRP Operator Models  . . . . . . . . . .31
Section 3:V-12, V-16, and Long Slide Models  . .35 
Section 4: Micro-Compact, Ultra Compact,
V-10, Compact, and Champion Models  . . . . . .40Ported Barrel  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Exploded View & Parts List
Mil-Spec Models  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
“Loaded” Models  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
High Capacity Models  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Micro-Compact Models  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Point of Aim  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Care and Cleaning  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 & 61 
						

							2
This is an auto loading pistol. It is immediately
loaded and ready to fire again after each shot until all
shells loaded in magazine have been fired. The pistol is
able to fire both with and without the magazine in
place. Removing the magazine does not unload the
pistol nor engage the safety. The pistol is not unloaded
until the chamber is empty.
About your owners manual
This is an instruction booklet on how to operate this
firearm with some basic safe handling rules. It does not
attempt to provide information about using a gun to
defend yourself, how to hunt, or for competitive or target
shooting. It is important to get instruction from a
competent instructor prior to engaging in any of these
activities. The National Rifle Association, your local or
state authorities, or your gun dealer may provide
information regarding available instructors or training
courses. If you have a license to carry concealed, never
do so without prior instruction from a certified instructor.
Using a gun for self defense is a complex subject with
dangers and risks for which you must be properly trained.
Every safety rule has a reason behind it - read the rules
carefully and understand why each is important for safety.It is recommended that every person receive
instructions from a competent firearms instructor before
handling this or any other firearm.
Know and obey all gun laws. Do not give a gun to
someone who is not allowed to own a gun or who may
use it for a criminal purpose.
Used guns
If you purchased this firearm as a used gun have it
inspected and tested by a competent gunsmith before
you use it. Guns are sometimes altered and may
require repair before they can be used safely.
Store guns safely in the home
Store guns unloaded, locked and in a secure place.
Obey gun storage laws. Store guns and ammunition
separately. Because your children may be in other
homes where guns are stored, you should show them
what to do if they see or find a gun by showing them
the Eddie Eaglevideo available from the NRA by
calling (703) 267-1000.
BEFORE LOADING AND FIRING THIS PISTOL, 
READ AND UNDERSTAND THE INFORMATION IN THIS MANUAL.
2
KNOW YOUR GUN 
						

							3
Be A Safe Shooter.
ACCIDENT (ak´ si dent)N. 1. An unintentional or
unexpected happening that is undesirable or
unfortunate, especially one resulting in injury, damage,
harm or loss.
Don’t be the cause of an accident.
A responsible gun owner is safety minded and always
handles guns in a safe manner by following the basic
rules of safe shooting and by using common sense in
the handling of a firearm.
Store firearms unloaded, locked, and in a secure place.
Keep keys for locks separate from lock and in secure
place away from children. Keep firearms out of reach
of children. You are responsible for children’s safety.Be A Responsible Gun Owner.
•Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
•Never point a gun at any person or thing you do 
not intend to shoot.
•Do not drop your gun.If it falls, it may fire even 
with the safety on. If you do drop it, unload it and 
examine it to be sure it works correctly. Do not 
attempt to fire it again until you have completed this 
safety check.
•Never put your hand over the muzzle of the gun.
•Keep your finger(s) off the trigger and out of the 
trigger guard until you are actually aiming at your 
target, ready to shoot.
SAFETY RULES
READ AND UNDERSTAND THESE SAFETY RULES
TREAT EVERY GUN AS IF IT WAS LOADED...ALL THE TIME.
3
•Never rely on a gun’s “safety” to protect you from 
unsafe gun handling. A safety is only a mechanical 
device, not a substitute for common sense.
•When the gun is loaded and cocked, always keep 
the thumb safety on until you are ready to fire.
•Be sure of your target and backstop before you 
shoot. Ask yourself what your bullet will hit if it 
misses or goes through the target.
•Before shooting, be sure the barrel is clear of 
obstructions, including excessive oil and grease.
BE A RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNER!
•If anything does get into the barrel, remove 
cartridges, and clean bore immediately, before 
attempting to shoot. Obstructed barrels can burst and 
injure you or bystanders.
•Never let water, snow, mud or other materials enter 
the barrel.
•Never pull a gun toward you by the muzzle.
•Do not climb a tree, cross a fence or ditch, or jump 
over an object with a loaded gun.
•Always hold your gun so you control the direction of 
its muzzle in case you fall or stumble.
Model 1911-A1 Pistols are classified firearms and dangerous
weapons. Injury or death to you or others may result from
unsafe or improper use. 
						

							4
•Guns and alcohol or drugs do not mix. Do not take 
them before or during shooting activities. Your vision, 
coordination and judgment could be impaired, 
making gun handling unsafe.
•When taking medication, seek a doctor’s advice to be 
sure you can operate and handle your firearm safely.
•Get instructions from a competent firearms instructor 
before using any gun.
•Before attempting to shoot, practice operations by 
dry firing with the chamber empty, without 
ammunition, or with dummy shells. Become familiar 
with the safety features, trigger control, and handling 
of the firearm.
BE A SAFE SHOOTER!
•Always keep and carry your pistol with an empty 
chamber and with the hammer forward until you intend
to shoot, so your pistol cannot be fired unintentionally.
•Firearms should be unloaded when not in use. This 
means both the chamber and magazine are empty.
•When transferring a gun by hand, always ask the 
person receiving it to open the action and check that 
it is unloaded.
•Never take anyone’s word that a firearm is unloaded. 
When receiving a gun, always open the action and 
check that it is unloaded.
4
•Always load shells from the magazine and keep your
finger off the trigger.
•Load gun only when on range preparing to fire. 
Unload it before leaving range. 
•Treat every gun as if it is loaded...all the time!
•Load and unload with the gun pointed in a 
safe direction.
•Be certain gun is unloaded before cleaning.
•Completely unload your gun before storing, travelling,
standing it against an object, laying it down, entering
a house, car, truck, boat, RV/camper, building, or 
handing it to someone.
•Never leave a loaded gun unattended.
•Tragedy may result if a child finds your gun and plays
with it. Keep every gun secure. Children do not 
believe guns can kill.
READ THESE RULES!
•Store guns and ammunition separately. Both should 
be placed beyond children’s reach. 
•Obey all laws regarding the storage and security of 
guns in the home.
•Know and obey the laws regarding the 
transportation and carrying of firearms.
•Never carry any handgun in your pocket, purse or 
tucked in your belt or waistband. Use a pistol case 
or a proper holster with safety flap or strap.
•New non-defective brass is essential to ensure safe 
functioning of your gun.
•Old or reloaded ammunition may be dangerous. Use 
only clean, dry original, high-quality, commercially 
manufactured ammunition. Reloaded ammunition will 
void the warranty. 
						

							5
•Many ammunition identifications sound similar. Make 
sure you use the right size ammunition in your gun.
•If gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, keep it 
pointed at the target for at least 30 seconds before 
opening the action and removing the cartridge from 
the chamber. Sometimes slow primer ignition will 
cause a “hang fire” and the cartridge will go off 
after a short pause.
•When group firing, always appoint someone to 
maintain safety control. Obey his/her commands 
immediately and completely.
•While shooter is loading, firing, and unloading, 
spectators should be at least 10 feet behind the shooter.•Always wear protective glasses when shooting.
•Always wear hearing protection when shooting.
•Never shoot at hard flat surfaces or water
...bullets will ricochet.
•Do not alter or modify your gun.
•Have your gun serviced regularly by a 
qualified gunsmith.
•Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, 
cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result 
in exposure to lead and other substances known to 
cause birth defects, reproductive harm, cancer and 
other serious physical injury. Have adequate ventilation
at all times. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.
TREAT EVERY GUN AS IF IT IS LOADED...ALL THE TIME!
Always wear eye and ear protection when
using any firearm. Safety and instruction
manuals are available from Springfield, Inc.
5
•Do not try to change your gun’s trigger pull, because 
alterations of trigger pull usually affect sear 
engagement and might cause accidental firing.
•Never disassemble the safety, it has been correctly 
designed, fitted and tested. Any mechanical device 
can fail, however, so never rely on the safety as an 
alternative to safe handling.
•Never use a gun that jams or fails to function 
properly. Should this occur, return to Springfield, Inc. 
for warranty/repair.
•If your shot sounds weak or underpowered, it could 
mean a bullet is in the chamber/bore. Gun should 
be immediately unloaded and the chamber/bore 
checked for obstructions before refiring.
•Do not “horseplay” with a gun. Your gun cannot 
think...but you can. Firearm safety depends on you 
and is the responsibility of the operator.
WARNING:When you squeeze the trigger, you must expect the gun to fire. You must
take full responsibility for firing it. Your care can avoid accidental discharge and thereby
avoid accidental injury and death.
CAUTION!
There is no safe way to discharge a pistol in a home or
apartment. Bullets will go through walls, floors, furniture,
and appliances and still cause serious injury or death 
to persons in the house, next-door, or outside. Accidental
discharges indoors always result in property damage or
personal injury.
Write or call us concerning any items you do not
understand and/or which might relate to your safety
and the safe operations of any of our products.
Springfield, Inc.
Consumer Safety Depar tment
420 West Main Street
Geneseo, IL 61254
(309) 944-5631
BE A SAFE SHOOTER! 
						

							6
We want you to be a safe, satisfied shooter.
Before attempting to load this firearm with live
ammunition, follow the sequence of operations shown
here without ammunition or with dummy shells.
By practicing operations without ammunition (or with
dummy shells), you will become familiar with: 
•Safety features, 
•Trigger control (dry firing), 
•and handling of your firearm.
As a result you will be a safer, more confident
shooter when aiming at your first target.Safety Stop on Hammer
The Safety Stop is a flat, shelf-like surface on the
hammer which functions automatically. It will engage the
sear in the unlikely event of primary sear notch failure. 
This will prevent the hammer from falling fully forward
unintentionally and will insure against uncontrolled
automatic fire. It also prevents the hammer from striking the
firing pin should your hand slip from the slide or hammer
while cocking the pistol, provided the hammer is rotated
past the Safety Stop. It is located such that when the sear
engages the Safety Stop, the sear can be disengaged by
squeezing the trigger. It falls because the sear slides over
the flat part of the safety stop to release the hammer. This 
is intentional but will not allow the pistol to fire. It will not
fire because the hammer is almost fully forward when it is
released from the sear. The Safety Stop is not a manual
safety and should not be engaged by hand. Do not carry
the gun while Safety Stop is engaged.
Caution:Control hammer with your thumb and always
point pistol in a safe direction when squeezing the trigger
to lower the hammer. This will avoid accidental injury in
the unlikely event of pistol discharge. Lowering the hammer
in this way should be done only when the chamber is empty.
HANDLING
6
Springfield pistols sold after January, 2001 have a
loaded chamber indicator. (See Figure 1.) The barrel
slot allows you to observe whether a shell is in the
chamber. When a shell is in the chamber the brass
case can be seen clearly.
LOADED CHAMBER INDICATOR
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY
GENESEO IL USA
T
R
P
45ACP
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY
➤
Figure 1
Caution! Even though the chamber is empty there may 
be shells in the magazine. The gun is not completely empty
until both the chamber and magazine are empty. 
						

							7
Warning:Do not remove the mainspring housing
before reading instructions and using eye protection.
The ILS has parts under spring pressure. If improperly
disassembled, the mainspring cap will be forceably
ejected and could cause injury to you or a bystander.
Caution:The ILS is designed to lock the pistol when
stored or left unattended. It is not intended to replace
any of the existing safety features.
ILS Operation
Locate the ILS switch on your mainspring housing. 
(See Figure 13)
1.If the holes are vertical (stacked) the gun is not 
locked. (See Fig. 13-1) To activate the ILS and 
lock your gun, follow these steps. Point the gun 
in a safe direction. Unload the gun. (See page 20)
Fully lower the hammer (see page 22). Insert the 
key and turn clockwise until the holes are 
horizontal (side-by-side). The ILS is now activated
and the gun is locked. (See Fig. 13-2)
SPRINGFIELD’S INTEGRAL LOCKING SYSTEM (ILS)
2.If the holes are horizontal (side-by-side) the gun 
is locked. To unlock, follow these steps.
•Point the gun in a safe direction.
•Insert the key and 
turn counter-
clockwise until the
holes are vertical
or stacked. 
(see Fig. 13-3)
Before cocking the gun
make sure it is unloaded.
Note:The ILS requires firm pressure to operate, but do not over-torque.
ILS switch
Fig.13-1Fig.13-2Fig.13-3 Figure 13
7
Removing the Mainspring Housing with ILS
Caution:Always be sure the pistol is unloaded before
proceeding.
1.With the hammer full down, deactivate the ILS. 
The holes should be vertical (or stacked). (Fig. 13-1)
2.Wrap a heavy-duty rubber band around the grip 
safety until it is completely depressed. Doing so 
will maintain the alignment of the sear spring and
negate further disassembly of the pistol. (Fig. 14)
3.Cock the hammer to the full cocked position.
4.Insert takedown pin into takedown hole. (Fig. 14)
5.Slowly lower the hammer to the full-down 
(fired) position.
6.With a proper punch, drive out the mainspring 
housing retaining pin.
7.Remove the mainspring housing.
Caution:Do not remove the takedown pin until the
mainspring housing is reinstalled.
SPRINGFIELD’S INTEGRAL LOCKING SYSTEM (ILS)
S
P
R
IN
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F
IELD
 A
R
M
O
R
Y
G
E
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E
S
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O
 IL
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A
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1
62
3
65➤➤
Figure 14 
						

							8
Disassembly of the Mainspring Housing with ILS
Do not attempt this procedure unless you have
considerable experience in firearms disassembly.
1.Place mainspring housing in a vice.
2.With a suitable punch, depress the ILS spring 
cap and hold it down. (Figure 15-1)
3.While continuing to depress the ILS spring cap, 
remove the takedown pin. (Fig. 15-2)
4.Slowly and carefully release the pressure on 
the spring cap allowing it to move out of the 
mainspring housing. (Fig. 15-3)
5.After the spring cap has been removed, the main-
spring and mainspring retainer can be removed.
Caution:Do not turn the locking pin when the ILS is
disassembled. The system may be reassembled only
with the ILS pin deactivated (with the holes vertical or
stacked).
This procedure requires extreme caution. The ILS
spring cap is under extreme pressure and will be
ejected if you fail to perform the disassembly
properly. Use extreme care and wear eye protection.
SPRINGFIELD’S INTEGRAL LOCKING SYSTEM (ILS)
➤
➤
Fig. 15-1Fig. 15-2Fig. 15-3
8
Reassembly of the Mainspring Housing with ILS
1.Assemble the mainspring cap, mainspring, and 
mainspring retainer then insert into the 
mainspring housing. (See Figure 16)
2.Carefully depress the cap far enough to allow 
you to reinstall the takedown pin. (See Fig.16-1).
3.Carefully and slowly release the pressure on the 
spring cap until the takedown pin captures it.
SPRINGFIELD’S INTEGRAL LOCKING SYSTEM (ILS)
Figure 16-1Figure 16 
						

							9
Replacing the Mainspring Housing with ILS
1.Slide the mainspring housing into place and 
reinsert the mainspring housing retaining pin.
2.Cock the hammer to a full cock position.
3.Remove the takedown pin.
4.Remove the rubberband from the grip safety.
5.Lower the hammer to the full down position.
The mainspring housing with ILS is now installed.
SPRINGFIELD’S INTEGRAL LOCKING SYSTEM (ILS)
9
1.Place the EMPTY magazine in the magazine well, 
located in bottom of pistol grip. Push firmly enough 
on bottom of magazine to make sure it is properly 
seated. A distinctive “click” will confirm the 
magazine has been properly inserted. Pull the slide 
all the way to the rear, until it locks back.
2.Depress magazine release and 
remove magazine. Place rim of first 
cartridge on front of follower. Then 
push down on the follower and slide 
cartridge under the lips of the 
magazine and to the rear. Load 
successive rounds the same way. Use 
only clean, dry, original, high-quality, 
commercially manufactured ammunition.
3.Re-insert magazine into magazine well, located in 
bottom of pistol grip. Push firmly enough on bottom 
of magazine to make sure it is properly seated.
LOADING
Never touch the trigger when
loading or unloading the pistol.
4.Point gun in a safe direction and keep finger off 
trigger. Pull slide back and release slide smartly to 
allow slide to move forward and load a shell from 
the magazine into the chamber.
WARNING!Always load shells from the magazine
to prevent damage to trigger and sear. 
						

							10
If you have never fired a gun before, practice without
live ammunition before your first shot. Then load only
onecartridge into the magazine for your first live
ammunition firing.
1.Load shell into chamber from magazine and 
engage the thumb safety.
2.Grasp grip of pistol firmly. (A loose grip may 
cause the pistol to malfunction.) The pressure 
from the hand will disengage grip safety located 
at top of rear grip area.
3.Move thumb safety down taking gun off safety.
Caution:The gun is now ready to fire. Be 
prepared for noise and recoil when pistol fires.
4.Aim gun at target by aligning sights.
5.Lightly place finger on trigger, and slowly 
squeeze trigger. Spent cartridge is expelled up and 
to the right. 
Point gun in a safe direction at all times.FIRING
6.Pistol will automatically be ready to fire again after 
each shot until all cartridges loaded in magazine 
have been fired.
7.When last cartridge has been fired, slide will lock 
open and remain to rear.
WARNING!When releasing the slide on an empty
chamber or when loading a single round without the
magazine do not allow the slide to slam forward.
Doing so will destroy the hammer and sear
engagement on your trigger pull and create a
dangerous condition. It could also cause damage to the
other finely tuned parts of your pistol. TO PREVENT
DAMAGE AND FOR SAFETY REASONS ALWAYS
LOAD SHELLS FROM THE MAGAZINE.If you want
to carry your gun with a shell in the chamber and a full
magazine follow this procedure: Load a shell into the
chamber from the magazine. Then remove the
magazine, fully load it and insert it properly into the
gun.
10
If slide is already in “locked back” position: 
1.Point gun in safe direction.
2.Press magazine release button to 
remove magazine.
3.From top and rear, carefully inspect 
chamber to make sure it is empty.
4.Hold slide, disengage slide stop, 
ease slide forward.
Notice:The slide of a 1911-A1 pistol should never 
be released on an empty chamber; especially one 
which has had an action job. Releasing the slide on 
an empty chamber causes damage to the breech 
face on the barrel and undue stress on all action 
parts, including the hammer and the sear. This will 
ruin the action job performed on your pistol.
5.Carefully lower hammer as described in the 
HAMMER LOWERINGsection. (Page 22)
Pistol is not empty or unloaded until the chamber is empty and the magazine removed.
UNLOADING
SPRIN
GFIEL
D   A
RM
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RYSPRINGFIELD   ARMORY
GENESEO IL USA
MM123456