Springfield Armory 1911 A1 Instructions Manual

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If slide is forward and hammer is cocked: 
1.Point gun in safe direction.
2.Engage thumb safety.
3.Press magazine release button 
to remove magazine.
4.Disengage thumb safety.
5.Pull slide fully to rear to eject any 
cartridge remaining in chamber.
6.While holding slide in rearward (open) position, 
carefully inspect chamber making sure it is empty. 
7.Slowly release slide, allowing it to return 
to forward position.
8.Carefully lower hammer as described in 
HAMMER LOWERINGsection. (Page 22)
When magazine has been removed and when chamber is
empty, the ILS may be activated or a gun lock can be
installed. Pistol can now be safely stored in a secure place.
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GENESEO IL USA
MM123456
UNLOADING
Pistol is not empty or unloaded until the chamber is empty and the magazine removed.
Never touch the trigger when loading or unloading the pistol.
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1.Point gun in safe direction and ensure pistol 
is unloaded.
2.Firmly hold gun, depressing grip safety.
3.Using non-shooting hand, firmly grasp hammer 
with thumb and forefinger. 
4.Be prepared for hammer movement.
Squeeze trigger.
5.Slowlylower hammer with thumb and forefinger 
until it is fully forward.
6.Release trigger. (If the trigger is released early 
the gun may be on the Safety Stop.)
Note:Always keep and carry your pistol with an
empty chamber and with the hammer forward (down)
until you intend to shoot, so your pistol cannot be fired
unintentionally. 
Caution:If pistol is loaded, gun may
discharge if the hammer slips from your
grip during this procedure.
HAMMER LOWERING 
						

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1.What to do:
•Point gun in a safe direction.
•Remove magazine.
•Pull back on slide and allow cartridge to fall from gun.
•If cartridge does not fall free, pull slide back 
and lock it back.
•Carefully dislodge cartridge.
•If cartridge cannot be removed, carefully store 
your gun and take it to a gunsmith.
2.Most failures of cartridge to feed or chamber are the
result of a damaged magazine, improper gun 
handling or defective ammunition.
3.Whatever the cause, a jammed cartridge can be 
a dangerous situation. Should shell be discharged 
while out of chamber, cartridge will rupture and 
fragments will be blown out of pistol with sufficient 
force to cause injury.
MALFUNCTION WARNING!
If any information in this manual is not clear, 
call Springfield’s Consumer Safety Department 
at (309) 944-5631 for assistance. If cartridge hangs up, jams or binds when being chambered from magazine into chamber, 
do not attempt to force it into chamber by pushing or striking slide.
Always have gun pointed in a safe direction. 
Failure to obey safety information may result in injury to you or others.
Always wear eye and ear protection when
using any firearm. Safety and instruction
manuals are available from Springfield, Inc.
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1.Change type/brand of ammunition 
and/or magazine.
2.If changing to another type/brand of ammunition 
and/or magazine does not at once result in smooth 
feeding of cartridges from magazine to chamber, 
the following steps should be taken:
•Make certain chamber and magazine are 
unloaded. Magazine should be removed first. 
Check chamber to be sure it and magazine 
well are clear of cartridges.
•Thoroughly clean magazine, paying particular 
attention to removing accumulated grease. 
Thoroughly clean breech mechanism of pistol.  
Use a bristle brush and solvent to remove grease 
and fouling from breech face, extractor, chamber 
and feed ramp. (See CARE AND CLEANING
section for detailed instruction.)
TO ELIMINATE MALFUNCTIONS
•Check that magazine spring tension is adequate. 
The spring should hold the follower tightly against 
the lips of the magazine.
•Check that magazine lips are free of nicks 
and burrs and are not deformed.
•Remove excess oil and solvent from all cleaned 
components, load magazine and try pistol again.
Proceed slowly and exercise caution to prevent the discharge of a jammed cartridge.
The discharge of a jammed cartridge could cause serious injury to you or bystanders. 
						

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SECTION 1:
DISASSEMBLY OF FULL-SIZE MODELS
If you decide to disassemble your Springfield
pistol, do so properly. Improper disassembly
and assembly will create unsafe conditions
that could result in injury or death or a gun
that simply will not work. Don’t take chances.
Do not attempt to disassemble this or any
other firearm until you have received training
and instructions from a competent gunsmith.
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Step 1 - Magazine Removal & Chamber Check
Point gun in a safe direction.
1.Press magazine catch and remove magazine.
2.Pull slide backwards and check that no cartridge 
is in the chamber. 
3.Release slide allowing it to go to forward position.
SECTION 1: DISASSEMBLY
FULL-SIZE MODELS
WARNING:Point muzzle away from face to 
prevent injury in the event plug is ejected by spring.
Step 2 - Recoil Spring Removal
Point gun in a safe direction.
1.If your pistol contains a full length guide rod, use 
a 5/32 Allen wrench or a screwdriver to remove 
the front portion of guide rod. If your pistol does 
not contain a full length guide rod, skip to step 3.
2.Grip slide behind the front sight, resting pistol 
butt on top of your knee.
3.Move slide rearward, approximately 1/2 inch, 
grasp firmly to hold in place, and depress recoil 
spring plug with thumb.
4.Point muzzle away from face and rotate 
barrel bushing clockwise.
5.Do not rotate bushing off of plug unless you 
have control of plug and spring.
2.
3.
SPRINGFIELD   ARMORYSPRINGFIELD   ARMORY
GENESEO IL USA
MM123456 
						

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Step 3
Cautiously allow plug and recoil spring to move forward.
SECTION 1: DISASSEMBLY
FULL-SIZE MODELS
BE SAFE!Be sure pistol is unloaded before
beginning disassembly! Wear eye protection,
gun contains spring-loaded parts.
Step 4 - Slide Stop Removal
1.Align disassembly notch on slide with slide stop.
2.Press slide stop shaft on right side of frame 
and remove slide stop by pulling it out of left 
side of frame.
Always wear eye and ear protection when
using any firearm. Safety and instruction
manuals are available from Springfield, Inc.
14
Step 5 - Slide Removal 
Pull slide forward in its guides and remove slide. 
Barrel, barrel bushing, recoil spring plug, recoil 
spring and guide will come with it.
Step 6 - Recoil Spring Components Removal
Remove recoil spring and guide through back side.
SECTION 1: DISASSEMBLY
FULL-SIZE MODELS
Step 7 - Barrel Removal
1.Rotate barrel bushing to left of slide and remove 
it through the front.
2.Tilt barrel link forward and remove barrel 
from front of slide.
1
Step 7-1
Step 7-2 
						

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Note:There are many after-market or accessory items
for 1911 style pistols. If you are not the original owner
of your pistol or you are unclear on disassembling your
pistol, call or write to Springfield Armory. 
Call Springfield Consumer Safety Department at 
(309) 944-5631 
or write c/o: 
Springfield Inc.
420 West Main Street
Geneseo, IL 61254
SECTION 1: DISASSEMBLY
FULL-SIZE MODELS
Improper disassembly may damage the firearm.
Always consult an experienced gunsmith if you
experience any difficulty or have any questions
concerning assembly procedure.
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Assemble by reversing the order of disassembly.
Note:When replacing recoil assembly (Step 6), be
certain the recoil spring guide and recoil spring are 
aligned with the barrel before inserting in slide. Be 
sure to flip barrel link forward before installing slide 
assembly. Slide stop shaft mustgo through hole in 
barrel link.
SECTION 1: ASSEMBLY
FULL-SIZE MODELS
An improperly assembled firearm 
is dangerous and should not be fired.
Always consult an experienced gunsmith 
if you experience any difficulty or have any
questions concerning assembly procedure. 
						

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SECTION 2: DISASSEMBLY
OF TRP OPERATOR MODELS
If you decide to disassemble your Springfield
pistol, do so properly. Improper disassembly
and assembly will create unsafe conditions
that could result in injury or death or a gun
that simply will not work. Don’t take chances.
Do not attempt to disassemble this or any
other firearm until you have received training
and instructions from a competent gunsmith.
Step 1 - Magazine Removal & Chamber Check
Point gun in a safe direction.
1.Press magazine catch and remove magazine.
2.Pull slide backwards and check that no 
cartridge is in the chamber.
SPR
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FIELD   A
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RYSPRINGFIELD   ARMORY
GENESEO IL USA
MM123456
SECTION 2: DISASSEMBLY
TRP OPERATOR MODELS
Improper disassembly may damage the firearm.
Always consult an experienced gunsmith if you
experience any difficulty or have any questions
concerning assembly procedure.
16 
						

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Step 2 - Slide Stop Removal
1.Align disassembly notch on slide with slide stop.
2.Press slide stop shaft on right side of frame. 
3.Remove slide stop from left side.
4.Pull slide assembly forward off frame.
Step 3 - Recoil Spring Assembly Removal
1.Push recoil spring assembly forward to expose 
a small, pin-sized hole. (Fig. 33-1)
2.Insert the provided pin (or cut a paper clip so 
that it extends 1/16” on both sides of guide 
rod) into pin hole.
3.Remove recoil spring housing from the rear 
of the slide. (Fig. 33-2)
4.Remove the barrel from the front of the slide.
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MODEL 1911-A1
CAL.45
SECTION 2: DISASSEMBLY
TRP OPERATOR MODELS
Figure 33-1
Figure 33-2
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Assemble by reversing the order of disassembly. 
Note:Be sure to flip barrel link forward before 
installing barrel into slide.
SECTION 2: ASSEMBLY
TRP OPERATOR MODELS
An improperly
assembled firearm
is dangerous and
should not be fired.
Always consult an experienced gunsmith if you
experience any difficulty or have any questions
concerning assembly procedure.
Model 1911-A1 Pistols are classified firearms and dangerous
weapons. Injury or death to you or others may result from
unsafe or improper use. 
						

							If you decide to disassemble your Springfield
pistol, do so properly. Improper disassembly
and assembly will create unsafe conditions
that could result in injury or death or a gun
that simply will not work. Don’t take chances.
Do not attempt to disassemble this or any
other firearm until you have received training
and instructions from a competent gunsmith.
SECTION 3: DISASSEMBLY OF V-12, V-16, & 
LONG SLIDE MODELS
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Step 1 - Magazine Removal & Chamber Check
Point gun in a safe direction.
1.Press magazine catch and remove magazine.
2.Pull slide backwards and check that no cartridge 
is in the chamber.
SECTION 3: DISASSEMBLY
V-12, V-16, & LONG SLIDE MODELS
An improperly assembled firearm is dangerous and should not be fired.
Always consult an experienced gunsmith if you experience any difficulty 
or have any questions concerning assembly procedure.
BE SAFE!Be sure pistol is unloaded before
beginning disassembly! Wear eye protection,
gun contains spring-loaded parts. 
						

							Step 2 - Full Length Guide Rod Removal
V-series and Long Slide Models contain full-length guide rods.
1.Use a 5/32 Allen wrench to remove the 
front portion of the guide rod.
Step 3 - Slide Stop Removal
1.Align disassembly notch with slide stop.
2.Press slide stop shaft on right side of slide 
and remove slide stop by pulling it out of 
left side of frame.
SECTION 3: DISASSEMBLY
V-12, V-16, & LONG SLIDE MODELS
Recoil spring guide could eject out from the side as slide is
removed. To keep the recoil spring from ejecting sideways,
hold fingers around slide while moving it forward.
Step 4 - Slide Removal
Pull slide forward in its guides and remove slide. 
Barrel, recoil spring plug, recoil spring, and guide 
will come with it.
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Step 4 - Recoil Spring Components Removal 
Remove guide, recoil spring, and its plug through 
back of slide.
SECTION 3: DISASSEMBLY
V-12, V-16, & LONG SLIDE MODELS
Step 5 - Barrel Removal
Tilt barrel link forward and remove barrel 
through front of slide. 
						

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Assemble by reversing the order of disassembly.
Note:When replacing recoil assembly (Step 4), be 
certain barrel clearance cuts on recoil spring guide 
are aligned before inserting in slide. Be sure to flip 
barrel link forward before installing slide assembly.
An improperly assembled firearm is 
dangerous and should not be fired.
Always consult an experienced gunsmith 
if you experience any difficulty or have any 
questions concerning assembly procedure.
SECTION 3: ASSEMBLY
V-12, V-16, & LONG SLIDE MODELS
Note:1911-A1 Ultra-Compact Pistols are designed 
to use standard pressure ball ammo and self defense
loads. +P ammunition is not recommended in pistols
shorter than 5 inches. Use only clean, dry, original,
high-quality, commercially manufactured ammunition.
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SECTION 4:
DISASSEMBLY of MICRO-COMPACT, 
ULTRA COMPACT, V-10, COMPACT, 
& CHAMPION MODELS
If you decide to disassemble your Springfield
pistol, do so properly. Improper disassembly
and assembly will create unsafe conditions
that could result in injury or death or a gun
that simply will not work. Don’t take chances.
Do not attempt to disassemble this or any
other firearm until you have received training
and instructions from a competent gunsmith.