How to Learn How to Disassemble a 1911

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For me, part of understanding a complex machine like a firearm includes knowing how to take it apart and put it back together. And I’m not talking about field stripping but the complete disassembly of every single part, pin, spring, and piece. When all the parts are laying on the table in front of me and I know how to put them all back together and have the gun work correctly, that’s a satisfying depth of knowledge. In fact, once I detail stripped a Glock, my understanding of, appreciation for, and confidence in its design grew immensely.

The next challenge: a 1911.

You can probably figure out how to disassemble a 1911 on YouTube or through experience. [For a great tutorial on field stripping a 1911, check out Roy’s Insider Tip!]

But, “Experience is a hard teacher,” as someone once said. “She gives the test first and the lesson afterward.” And YouTube of course can be hit or miss. Better, oh so much better, to have a qualified, experienced gunsmith show you how to do it, right in front of you.

So I’m enrolled in the American Gunsmithing Institute’s Certified 1911 Pistolsmith Course. Comprised of multiple sections of instruction, the course provides 27 hours of instruction via DVD, study notes, and a tough online exam. Total price for this comprehensive course: $1,297.

If this sounds like a serious commitment and hard work, it is. But remember how much easier school subjects were when you loved what you were studying? That’s true here.

I started with the The Complete Disassembly & Reassembly DVD for the 1911. On the video, a very friendly and easy-going Bob Dunlap guided me step by step in taking apart a 1911, explaining the nuances of various 1911 designs and providing clear and helpful close-ups of each step. He explained every part and its function, its relationship to the other parts, and what to be careful of as I worked on my 1911 along with him.

At one point I got ahead of Bob and worked a part free before he had actually done so in the video. I was rewarded with a spring flying across the room and a few minutes doing the gunsmith crawl. Classic newbie error but lesson learned.

The “mule” 1911 you see here is a Springfield Armory Mil-Spec. In the space of just under two hours I was able to properly disassemble and reassemble it, without damage to the gun, all the while learning part names and functions, plus a few handy tricks along the way. All from a professional, certified gunsmith. And even though I’ve only just begun, I have a new appreciation for and understanding of and confidence in the 1911 design.

I could have disassembled it on my own and maybe, just maybe, reassembled it, too. And that would be a form of knowledge but not necessarily a right understanding. Instead, with the AGI 1911 Pistolsmith course guiding me, I’m learning how to learn.