STI International 1911 Instructions Manual

							21
Safety Reference • Owner’s Manual • All Model 1911 Firearms
• The following disassembly procedure requires manual dexterity and
specific tools. Seek the service of a qualified gunsmith for assistance if
you are uncertain of your ability to perform the following disassembly
process.
• Contact STI International for further clarification or instructions should
any of the parts or assemblies shown in the disassembly process of this
manual appear different from those found on your STI model.
Tools and supplies:
Your STI handgun is a precision assembly. Only high-quality tools and
supplies should be used when working on it.
Safety goggles
5/32” Hex wrench
1/8” Dia. Steel punch
Lint-free cloths
Small non-marring hammer (optional)
HANDGUN MAINTENANCE - DISASSEMBLY
Outer Guide Rod Removal
1.Insert 5/32” Hex wrench into the hex head of Outer Guide Rod below
the muzzle. Loosen the Guide Rod by turning counter-clockwise.
2.Remove Outer Guide Rod from the handgun by pulling the Rod out
of the handgun towards the muzzle end.
Note: Most STI models have a
one piece guide rod assemble.
When holding the slide to the
rear, place a pin in the small hole
in the guide rod. Allow the slide
to slowly move forward until the
spring cap catches on the pin. The
guide rod assembly will be
captivated and will remove as one
unit. Be careful when handling
the unit as it is under spring
tension.
Note: See additional instructions for “LS” and “BLS” 
						

							22
Safety Reference • Owner’s Manual • All Model 1911 Firearms
HANDGUN MAINTENANCE - DISASSEMBLY
Slide stop removal
1.Holding the handgun by the grip with one hand, firmly grasp the
handgun’s slide at the rear and pull the slide back. Be careful not to
release pressure on the slide or allow the handgun to slip from your
grasp. Pull the slide back until the disassembly notch on the slide
(the second notch from the muzzle end) aligns with the rear of the
slide stop on the left-hand side of the handgun.
2.  While maintaining the
slide disassembly notch
alignment with the slide stop,
remove the slide stop by
pushing against the extended
portion of the stop, located
on the right-hand side of the
handgun.
TIP:  Maintain a
firm grasp on both
the slide and frame
to prevent any
movement. Pres-
sure can be re-
leased from the
slide once the slide
tops has been removed.
HANDGUN MAINTENANCE - DISASSEMBLY (continued) 
						

							23
Safety Reference • Owner’s Manual • All Model 1911 Firearms
Slide Assembly  Removal
CAUTION:
Wear eye protection! The next two steps require the removal of a
spring under compression.
1.Remove the slide assembly from the handgun frame while maintain-
ing a firm grip on the handgun.
2.Restrain the  recoil spring with the fingers of the hand holding the
slide to prevent the spring form
leaving the slide assembly. The recoil
spring will be exposed at the under-
side of the slide as the entire assembly
moves forward and off the frame
of the handgun. Set the handgun
frame aside after removing the slide
assembly.
Spring and Guide Rod Head Removal from Slide Assembly
1.Turn the slide assembly upside down, carefully restraining the recoil
spring under tension. Compress the recoil spring by grasping the
guide rod head and carefully withdraw both from the slide releasing
the spring tension. Lift the spring with the guide rod head from the
slide assembly using fingers to grasp the spring. Pull towards the
back of the slide to remove it from the handgun.
2.
TIP: Wo r k  slowly. This step
may require some practice. 
						

							24
Safety Reference • Owner’s Manual • All Model 1911 Firearms
Captive Reverse Plug Removal from Slide Assembly
1.  Push the captive
reverse plug from the
muzzle end of the slide
assembly far enough back
to be able to grasp the
reverse plug and remove
it from the slide assembly.
TIP: The reverse plug
may sometimes be seated
firmly, requiring assis-
tance from a light hammer and punch tool to release it from the slide
assembly. Tap lightly with the hammer and punch from the muzzle end
of the slide.
Barrel Removal
1.Hold the slide assembly
upside down and rotate the
barrel link to the forward
position.
Note: The barrel cannot be
removed from the slide
assembly without the barrel
link in the forward position.
Always do this procedure
before attempting to remove
the barrel, to prevent damage to the slide.
2.Continue holding the slide assembly upside down. Gently lift the
barrel with a finger through the ejection port and slide the barrel out
of the muzzle end. 
						

							25
Safety Reference • Owner’s Manual • All Model 1911 Firearms
Firing Pin Removal
CAUTION:
Wear eye protection! This step requires the removal of a spring
under compression. Before removing the firing pin and stop, position
the slide with the firing pin pointing in a safe direction. The firing
pin can eject from the slide unexpectedly and cause injury.
1.Firmly grasp the rear end of the slide and depress the end of the
firing pin with a 1/8” punch tool. Push down on the firing pin
sufficiently to release it from the hole in the firing pin stop. Place a
finger of the hand holding the slide over the firing pin to retain the
firing pin while removing the firing pin stop, to prevent the firing pin
from ejecting from the slide.
TIP: This can be done in one motion by rotating the punch tool within
the hole of the firing pin stop, using it to move the hole away from the
firing pin.
2.Remove the firing pin stop by sliding the stop off the slide rails
which retain it.
3.Slowly release pressure on the firing pin. The firing pin can be
removed, once all the pressure has been released. 
						

							26
Safety Reference • Owner’s Manual • All Model 1911 Firearms
4.  Remove the firing pin spring
from the firing pin by turning the
firing pin clockwise and pulling
off the spring.
Extractor Removal
1.Firmly grasp the back of the slide with the muzzle end towards you
and the underside of the slide facing up. Press firmly against the
front of the extractor using a 1/8” punch tool. Push the tip of the
extractor towards the side of the breach while depressing the extrac-
tor tip, until the extractor passes the extractor hold located at the
back of the breach face.
2.Turn the slide around so the rear of the slide faces up, exposing the
back end of the partially-removed extractor. Pull the extractor from
the back of the slide. Use the punch tool as required to assist in
releasing the extractor from its position. 
						

							27
Safety Reference • Owner’s Manual • All Model 1911 Firearms
HANDGUN MAINTENANCE - GENERAL CARE
The STI semi-automatic model handguns must be clean and properly
lubricated to function reliably and maintain optimum performance and
accuracy. Proper maintenance can provide smooth operation, minimize
the wear of parts, and prevent malfunctions.
Periodic maintenance of this family of STI handguns involve cleaning
and lubrication whenever any of the following conditions exist:
1.Before firing you STI handgun for the first time.
2.After disassembling the firearm. Disassembly removes lubrication
from the moving parts and requires that you properly apply a high-
quality lubricant intended for semi-automatic handguns upon reas-
sembly.
3.After shooting the firearm. Clean and lubricate the handgun to
prevent corrosion and reduce friction on moving parts caused by
powder deposits that accumulate during shooting.
4.Before and after storing the handgun for more that a month. Firearms
which have been stored for long periods of time accumulate deposits
of dust, dirt and sometimes rust and other corrosive actions caused
by the environment.
5.After the handgun becomes wet or dirty. Excessive moisture of dirt
within the firearm and around it can create obstructions, causing an
unsafe shooting condition.
WARNING!
Always empty a firearm before cleaning. Be certain to remove the
magazine and any ammunition in the firearm’s chamber before
cleaning. Note: STI model handguns must be checked first by remov-
ing that magazine from the firearm to prevent a round from entering
the chamber. 
						

							28
Safety Reference • Owner’s Manual • All Model 1911 Firearms
HANDGUN MAINTENANCE - CLEANING
Properly cleaning and lubricating firearms requires a basic set of tools
and supplies. Your STI handgun is a precision assembly. Only high-
quality tools and supplies should be used when working on it.
Tools:
• Bronze Bore-Cleaning Brush to remove heavy bore deposits from the
barrel
• Handgun Bore Cleaning Rod with Threaded End to receive Cleaning
Accessories
• Slotted Tip to hold Cleaning Patches
• Nylon Bristle Brush
Supplies:
• Cleaning Patches - 100% Cotton Flannel Cloth
• Cleaning Rags - 100% Cotton Flannel Cloth
• High-Quality Cleaning Solvent
• High-Quality Gun Oil * (available through STI International)
* Also required before shooting the handgun for the first time.
Procedure:
Cleaning your STI handgun should be done in the following manner.
1.Disassemble your STI handgun (Pages 22 through 30)
2.Clean and lubricate (Page 33)
3.Reassemble the handgun by reversing the disassembly procedure
(Pages 22 through 30)
HANDGUN MAINTENANCE
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
1.Clean slide using a nylon brush and cleaning solvent; scrub away any
powder residue, particularly on the slide rails. Wipe slide clean with
a lint-free cotton cloth. Inspect the slide for damage or signs of
unusual wear. 
						

							29
Safety Reference • Owner’s Manual • All Model 1911 Firearms
2.Clean frame with a nylon brush and cleaning solvent; scrub away
any powder residue, particularly on the frame rails. Wipe frame clean
with a lint-free cotton cloth. Inspect the frame for damage or signs of
unusual wear.
3.Saturate a cotton pad with cleaning solvent and attach it to the bore
cleaning rod; make several passes through the bore with the pad to
saturate and loosen metallic and powder residues. Allow the barrel to
soak for a few moments, then attach the bore brush to the bore
cleaning rod, saturate the bristles with cleaning solvent, and make
several passes through the bore with the bore brush. Inspect the bore
for residues and repeat cleaning with the bore brush as necessary.
Note: Always keep the bore brush saturated with cleaning solvent to
prevent damage to the bore and/or compensator, and make each pass
through the barrel a 
complete pass starting at the breach end of the
barrel and continuing until the entire bristle section of the bore brush
is outside the barrel or compensator – do not change directions when
the brush is inside the barrel or compensator. Once the bore is free of
residues, attach a clean cotton pad to the bore cleaning rod, saturate
it with cleaning solvent and make several passes though the bore.
Continue changing pads until the pad emerges clean. Finally, dry the
bore with a clean cotton pad, apply a very small amount of high-
quality lubricant to a clean cotton pad and make several passes
through the barrel to lubricate it.
4.Clean all springs, pins and other components with cleaning solvent
and wipe them dry with a lint-free cotton cloth. Inspect each part for
damage or signs of unusual wear.
5.Apply a light coating of high-quality lubricating oil to all moving
parts and reassemble the handgun. To reduce the possibility of
corrosion, apply a 
very light coating of lubricating oil to all external
steel parts.
Note: If any handgun components show signs of damage or unusual or
excessive wear, stop using the firearm immediately and contact your
gunsmith or STI International for assistance. 
						

							30
Safety Reference • Owner’s Manual • All Model 1911 Firearms
HANDGUN MAINTENANCE
FACTORY SERVICE
WARNING!
Always unload any firearm before packaging the firearm for repairs
or service. Note: STI model handguns must be checked by first
removing the ammunition magazine from the firearm to prevent a
round from entering the chamber. Never ship ammunition with any
firearm.
Requesting factory service…
Should your STI International handgun require service by the factory
technicians, please contact STI International and discuss that problem
you’re having. In the event you must return your handgun to the factory
for service, follow these shipping instructions.
1.Provide a written statement in as much detail as possible, describe
the apparent problem or need for which you wish to have service
rendered.
2.Carefully package your STI handgun, the written statement, and an
empty ammunition magazine inside a sturdy, plain cardboard carton.
Use quality protective packing as required to prevent damage to the
handgun and magazine from movement during shipping.
3.Tape the carton shut securely using quality shipping tape, or use
another acceptable method of sealing the carton, to prevent acciden-
tal opening during shipment.
4.Be certain to address that package clearly and include a return
address that can receive packages.
5.Insure the package to protect the contents from damage, loss or theft.
STI International cannot be held responsible for damage or loss
incurred during shipment.
6.Ship the package via a reputable carrier with package tracking. DO
NOT SHIP ANY FIREARM via US MAIL. It is unlawful.