AUTOMATIC PISTOL, CAL. .45, M1911 AND M1911A1 ing on the muzzle end as on a fulcrum. When the slide and barrel reach their forward position they are positively locked together by the locking ribs on the barrel and their joint for- ward movement is arrested by the barrel lug encountering the pin on the slide top. The pistol is then ready for firing. c. When the hammer is cocked the hammer strut moves downward, compressing the mainspring, and the sear under action of the long leaf of the sear spring engages its nose in the notch on the hammer. In order that the pistol may be fired the following conditions must exist: (1) The grip safety must be pressed in, leaving the trigger free to move. (2) The slide must be in its forward position, properly inter° locked with the barrel so that the disconnector is held in the recess on the under side of the slide under the action of the sear spring, transmitting in this position any motion of the trigger to the sear. (3) The safety lock must be down in the unlocked position so that the sear will be unblocked and free to release the hammer and the slide will be free to move back. d. On squeezing the trigger, the sear is moved and the re- leased hammer strikes the firing pin which transmits the blow to the primer of the cartridge. The pressure of the gases generated in the barrel by the explosion of the powder in the cartridge is exerted in a forward direction against the bullet, driving it through the bore, and in a rearward direction against the face of the slide, driving the latter and the barrel to the rear together. The downward swinging movement of the barrel unlocks it from the slide and the barrel is then stopped in its lowest position. The slide con- tinues to move to the rear, opening the breech, cocking the hammer, extracting and ejecting the empty shell, and com- pressing the recoil spring until the slide reaches its rear- most position when another cartridge is raised in front of it and forced into the chamber of the barrel by the return movement of the slide under pressure of the recoil spring. e. The weight and consequently the inertia of the slide augmented by those of the barrel are so many times greater than the weight and inertia of the bullet that the latter has been given its maximum velocity and has been driven from the muzzle of the barrel before the slide and bah’el have re-

12-14 AUTOMATIC PISTOL, CAL. .45, M1911 AND M1911A1 safely at full cock and it is only necessary to press down the safety lock (which is located within easy reach of the thumb) when raising the pistol to the firing position. c. The grip safety is provided with an extending horn which not only serves as a guard to prevent the hand of the shooter from slipping upward and being struck or injured by the hammer, but also aids in accurate shooting by keeping the hand in the same position for each shot and, further- more, permits the lowering of the cocked hammer with one hand by automatically pressing in the grip safety when the hammer is drawn slightly beyond the cocked position. In order to release the hammer, the grip safety must be pressed in before the trigger is squeezed. • 13. SAFETY DEVICES.-a. It is impossible for the firing pin to discharge or even touch the primer except on receiving the full blow of the hammer. b. The pistol is provided with two automatic safety devices: (1) The disconnector, which positively prevents the release of the .hammer unless the slide and barrel are in the forward position and safely interlocked. This device also controls the firing and prevents more than one shot from following each squeeze of the trigger. (2) The grip safety which at all times locks the trigger unless the handle is firmly grasped and the grip safety pressed in. c. In addition, the pistol is provided with a safety lock by which the closed slide and the cocked hammer can be posi- tively locked in position. • 14. DETAILED FUNCTIONING.-a. The magazine may be charged with any number of cartridges from one to seven. b. The charged magazine is inserted in the receiver and the slide drawn once to the rear. This movement cocks the hammer, compresses the recoil spring, and when the slide reaches the rear position the magazine follower raises the upper cartridge into the path of the slide. The slide is then released and being forced forward by the recoil spring carries the first cartridge into the chamber of the barrel. As the slide approaches its forward position, it encounters the rear extension of the barrel and forces the barrel forward; the rear end of the barrel swings upward on the barrel link, turn=

AUTOMATIC PISTOL, CAL. .45, M1911 AND M1911A1 11-12 ture absorbed by the leather from the atmosphere, even though the holster may appear to be perfectly dry. If the holster is wet and the pistol must be carried therein, cover the pistol with a thick coat of oiL 1. The hammer should not be snapped when the pistol is partially disassembled. g. The trigger should be pulled with the forefinger. If the trigger Is pulled with the second finger, the forefinger extending along the aide of the receiver is apt to press against the projecting pin of the slide stop and cause a malfunction when the slide recoils. h. Pressure on the trigger must be released sufficiently after each shot to permit the trigger to reengage the sear. i. To remove cartridges not fired, disengage the magazine slightly and then extract the cartridge in the barrel by drawing back the slide. j. Care should be taken to see that the magazine is not dented or otherwise damaged. k. Care must be exercised in inserting the magazine to insure Its engaging with the magazine catch. Never insert the magazine and strike it smartly with the hand to force it home, as this may spring the base or the inturning lips at the top. It should be inserted by a quick continuous movement. SECTION IV FUNCTIONING • 12. METHOD OF OPERATION.-a. A loaded magazine is placed in the receiver and the slide drawn fully back and released, thus bringing the first cartridge into the chamber. (If the slide is open push down the slide stop to let the slide go for- ward.) The hammer is thus cocked and the pistol is ready for firing. b. If it is desired to make the pistol ready for instant use and for firing the maximum number of shots with the least possible delay, draw back the slide, insert a cartridge by hand into the chamber of the barrel, allow the slide to close, then lock the slide and the cocked hammer by pressing the safety lock upward and insert a loaded magazine. The slide and hammer being thus positively locked, the pistol may be carried

AUTOMATIC PISTOL, CAL..45, M1911 AND M1911A1
CAUTION.-After firing do not oil the bore before cleaning.

c. Saturate a clean flannel patch with sperm off and swab the bore and chamber with the patch, making certain that the bore and all metal parts of the pistol are covered with a thin coat of o11. • 8. RULES FOR CARE OF PISTOL ON THE RANGE.–a. Always clean at the end of each day’s shooting. A pistol that has been fired should not be left over night without cleaning. b. Never fire a pistol with any dust, dirt, mud, or snow in the bore. c. Before loading the pistol make sure that no patch, rag, or other object has been left in the barrel. d. During range firing a noncommissioned officer will be placed in charge of the cleaning of pistols in the cleaning racks. • 9. Care During COLD WEATHER.-Use oil sparingly on the working parts. • 10. Care During Gas Attacks .-a. Pistols should be cleaned as soon as possible after a gas attack. b. Oil will prevent corrosion for about 12 hours. c. Clean all parts In boiling water containing a little soda, If available. d. All traces of gas must be removed from ammunition with a slightly oiled rag; then thoroughly dry the ammunition. e. Rust-preventive compound resists gas corrosion more than light oil. In many exposures, especially those of long duration, ammunition treated with sperm oil evidences more severe corrosion than unprotected cartridges. • 11. IMPORTANT POINTS TO BE OBSERVED.—a. After firing the pistol, never leave it uncleaned over night. The damage done is then irreparable. b. Keep the pistol clean and lightly lubricated, but do not let It become gummy with oil. c. Do not place the pistol on the ground where sand or dirt may enter the bore or mechanism. d. Do not plug the muzzle of the pistol with a patch or plug. One may forget to remove it before firing, in which case the discharge may bulge or burst the barrel at the muzzle. e. A pistol kept in a leather holster may rust due to mois-

AUTOMATIC PISTOL, CAL..45, M1911 AND M1911A1 6-7 b. Damp air and sweaty hands are great promoters of rust. The pistols should be cleaned and protected after every drill or handling. Special precautions are necessary when the pistols have been used on rainy days and after tours of guard duty. c. To clean the pistol rub it with a rag which has been lightly oiled and then clean with a perfectly dry rag. Swab the bore with an oily flannel patch and then with a per- fectly dry one. Dust out all crevices with a small, clean brush. d. Immediately after cleaning, to protect the pistol swab the bore thoroughly with a flannel patch saturated with sperm oil, wipe over all metal parts with an oily rag, apply- ing a few drops of light oil (sperm oil) to all cams and work- ing surfaces of the mechanism. e. After cleaning and protecting the pistol, place it in the pistol rack without any covering whatever. The use of can- vas or similar covers is prohibited, as they collect moisture and rust the metal parts. While barracks are being swept, pistol racks will be covered with a piece of canvas to protect the pistols from dust. • 7. CARE AND CLEANING AFTER FIRING.–a. When a pistol has been fired the bore will be cleaned thoroughly not later than the evening of the day on which it is fired. Thereafter it will be cleaned and oiled each day for at least the next three succeeding days. b. To clean the bore after firing, first remove the slide and barrel, insert the muzzle of the barrel in a vessel containing hot water and issue soap, hot water alone, or cold water; the cleaning rod with a cloth patch assembled ls inserted in the breech and moved forward and back for about 1 minute, pumping the water in and out of the bore. When the bore is wet, a brass or bronze wire brush, If available, should be run all the way through the bore, then all the way back three or four times. Water should again be pumped through the bore. Then wipe the cleaning rod dry, remove the barrel from the water, and using dry, clean flannel patches thoroughly swab the bore until it is perfectly dry and clean. Examine the bore carefully for metal fouling

AUTOMATIC PISTOL, CAL..45, M1911 AND M1911A1 connector in its hole in the receiver with the fiat face of the lower part of the disconnector resting against the yoke of the trigger. Then place the sear, lugs downward, so that
it straddles the disconnector. The sear pin is then inserted

in place so that it passes through both the disconnector and

the sear.

c. The sear, disconnector, and hammer being in place

and the hammer down, to replace the sear spring, locate

its lower end in the cut in the receiver with the end of the

long leaf resting on the sear; then insert the mainspring

housing until its lower end projects below the frame about

one-elghth inch, replace the grip safety, cock the hammer,

and replace the safety lock; then lower the cocked hammer,

push the mainspring housing home, and insert the main=

spring housing pin.

d. In assembling the safety lock to the receiver use the

tip of the magazine follower or the screw driver to press

the safety lock plunger home, thus allowing the seating of

the safety lock. It should be remembered that when as-

sembling the safety lock the hammer must be cocked.

e. When replacing the slide and barrel on the receiver

care must be taken that the barrel llnk is tilted forward as

far as possible and that the barrel link pin is in place.

SECTION III

CARE AND CLEANING

• 5. GENERAL.—a. Careful, conscientious work is required to

keep automatic pistols in a condition that will insure perfect

functioning of the mechanism and continued accuracy of

the barrel. It is essential that the entire mechanism is

kept cleaned and oiled to avoid jams.

b. The mechanism also requires care to prevent rust or

an accumulation of sand or dirt in the interior. Pistols are

easily disassembled for cleaning and oiling.

6. CARE AND CLEANING.—-a. Care and cleaning of the pistol

include the ordinary case of the pistol to preserve its condi-

tion and appearance in garrisons, posts, and camps, and in

campaign.

AUTOMATIC PISTOL, CAL..45, M1911 AND M1911A1 g. To remove the mainspring, mainspring cap, and housing pin retainer from the mainspring housing, compress the mainspring and push out the small mainspring cap pin. h. To remove the magazine catch from the receiver, its checkered left end must be pressed inward, when the right end of the magazine catch will project so far from the right side of the receiver that it may be rotated one-half turn. This movement will release the magazine-catch lock from its seat in the receiver, when the magazine catch, the magazine catch lock, and the magazine catch spring may be removed. i. With the improved design of magazine catch lock the operation of dismounting the magazine catch is simplified. When the magazine catch has been pressed inward the maga- zine catch lock is turned a quarter turn to the left by means of a screw driver, or the short leaf of the sear spring. The magazine catch with its contents can then be removed. The improved design will be recognized from the fact that the head of the magazine catch lock is slotted. j. The trigger can then be removed rearward from the receiver. k. The hammer strut or the long arm of the screw driver can be used to push out all the pins except the mainspring cap pin, lanyard loop pin, and ejector pin. l. The slide stop plunger, the safety lock plunger, and the plunger spring may be pushed to the rear out of the plunger tube. m. The magazine should not be disassembled except for cleaning or to replace the magazine follower or magazine spring. To disassemble proceed as follows: Push the mag- azine follower downward 8bout one-fourth inch; this com- presses the magazine spring. Insert the end of a drift through one of the small holes in the side of the magazine to hold the magazine spring, then slide out the magazine follower. Hold hand over end of the magazine before re- moving drift from hole to prevent magazine spring from Jumping away. 4. Assembling.—a. Proceed in the reverse order. b. It should be noted that the disconnector and sear are assembled as follows: Place the cylindrical part of the dis

AUTOMATIC PISTOL, CAL..45, M1911 AND M1911A1 of the recoil spring protrude from their seat, releasing the tension of the recoil spring. As the recoil spring plug is al- lowed to protrude from its seat, the finger or thumb should be kept over It so that it win not jump away and be lost or strike the operator. Draw the slide rearward until the smaller rear recess in its lower left edge stands above the projection on the thumbpiece of the slide stop; press gently against the end of the pin of the slide stop which protrudes from the right side of the receiver above the trigger guard and remove the slide stop. c. This releases the barrel link, allowing the barrel with the barrel link and the slide to be drawn forward together from the receiver, carrying with them the barrel bushing, recoil spring, recoil spring plug, and recoil spring guide. d. Remove these parts from the slide by withdrawing the recoil spring guide from the rear of the recoil spring and drawing the recoil spring plug and the recoil spring forward from the slide. Turn recoil spring plug to right to remove from recoil spring. Turn the barrel bushing to the left un- til it may be drawn forward from the slide. This releases the barrel which with the barrel link may be drawn forward from the slide, and by pushing out the barrel link pin the barrel link is released from the barrel. e. Press the rear end of the firing pin forward until It clears the firing pin stop which Is then drawn downward from Its seat in the slide; the firing pin, firing pin spring, and ex- tractor are then removed from the rear of the slide. f. The safety lock is readily withdrawn from the receiver by cocking the hammer and pushing from the right on the pin pert or pulling outward on the thumbpiece of the safety lock when It is midway between Its upper and lower posi- tions. The cocked hammer is then lowered and removed after removing the hammer pin from the left side of the receiver. The mainspring housing pin Is then pushed out from the right side of the receiver which allows the main- spring housing to be withdrawn downward and the grip safety rearward from the handle. The sear spring may then be removed. By pushing out the sear pin from the right to the left side of the receiver, the sear and the disconnector are released.