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M1911 Manual – Page 20

14-15 AUTOMATIC PISTOL, CAL..45, M1911 AND M1911A1 coiled to the point where the barrel commences its unlocking movement. This construct/on therefore delays the opening of the breech of the barrel until after the bullet has left the muzzle and therefore practically prevents the escape of any of the powder gases to the rear after the breech has been opened. This factor of safety is further Increased by the tension of the recoil spring and mainspring, both of which oppose the rearward movement of the slide. f. While the comparatively great weight of the slide of the pistol Insures safety against premature opening of the breech, it also insures operation of the pistol because at the point of the rearward opening movement where the barrel is un- locked and stopped the heavy slide has attained a momentum which is sufficient to carry it through its complete opening movement and makes the pistol ready for another shot. g. When the magazine has been emptied, the pawl-shaped slide stop is raised by the magazine follower under action of the magazine spring Into the front recess on the lower left side of the slide, thereby locking the slide in the open position and serving as an Indicator to remind the shooter that the empty magazine must be replaced by a loaded one before the firing can be continued. Pressure upon the maga- zine catch quickly releases the empty magazine from the receiver and permits the insertion of a loaded magazine. h. To release the slide from the open position, it is only necessary to press upon the thumbpiece of the slide stop, then the slide will go forward to its closed position, carrying a cartridge from the previously Inserted magazine into the barrel and making the pistol ready for firing again. SECTION V SPARE PARTS AND ACCESSORIES 15. SPARE PARTS.-In time certain parts of the pistol be- come unserviceable through breakage or wear resulting from continuous usage. For this reason spare parts are provided for replacement purposes. They should be kept clean and lightly oiled to prevent rust. They are divided into two groups; spare parts and basic spare parts. a. Spare parts.-These are extra parts provided with the pistol for replacement of the parts most likely to fail, for

M1911 Manual - Page 20
M1911 Manual - Page 20

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