Any tips on the 1911 frame disassembly?

[1911crazy]

I want to disassemble my norinco frame to clean it and lube it so are there any tips or advise to follow to make it easy or what to avoid?

[Mikey]

Crazy - about the only thing to do is pull the hammer, trigger, sear assembly, mainspring and housing and the magazine release.  That's all there is. 

When you ask about 'advice to make it easy', I need to ask how far into a frame disassembly you have gone before.  If you have already pulled your trigger and moly-ed it up then you have already gone as far as you need to.  Just repeat the process. 

Let me know if I'm missing anything.  Mikey.

[1911crazy]

Once i pull the main spring housing and that tripple spring whats next to remove and how do i do it?  The book or video doesn't show the disassembly exactly. I did this years ago but i'm having brain fade or old age is creeping up on me.

I want to install a new adjustable trigger and moly it up. Plus it looks like its never been takin apart and cleaned.  I'm sure most 1911's have never been disassembled to clean and lube the frame inners properly.  The inside looks dry right now there's no lube at all.

With my last two purchases of the ruger MkII and Mk I semi auto 22lr pistols one of them was never takin aprt to be cleaned.  It was all leaded up inside.  It probably didn't function it was that bad.  It shoots great now that its been cleaned properly.

[rbwillnj]

With the hammer back, move the thumb safety up and jiggle it outwards until it comes out.  That will let you pull out the grip safety.  Then you can remove the pin that holds the hammer in as well as the pin that holds the sear and disconnector.   

To remove the magazine release, depress it most, but not all the way in, and rotate the screw about 1/4 turn counter clockwise.  You have to get the magazine release in just the right position, or you won't be able to turn the screw, but once its in the right position it should turn easily, but only about 1/4 turn....then the magazine release will just pop out.   

With the magazine release out, you will be able to slide the trigger out the back of the frame.

If you have an ambidextrous thumb safety, you will have to remove the grip panels and pull off the right side thumb safety before doing the first step above. 

[Flint]

note on rbwillins instructions:  After pulling the hammer and sear pins, tip the frame upward and shake it, the parts fall out.  Continue as he said to remove the mag release and hammer.  You may need instruction pictures on the relationship of the sear and disconnector when you reinstall them.  Get a book on the 1911.  Jerry Kuhnhausen's is one of the best.

[1911crazy]

I have Jerry's book and the armorers video but it doesn't show the disassembly exactly.  I got one book and maybe i need the other book too. I just don't want to pound on things not knowing.  I want more knowledge of the frame inners too.

After seeing the crap inside my two ruger Mk 22lr's i want to disassembly and clean and lube every gun now.  Even all my new ones too.  My norinco 1911 is pretty dirty inside too. Plus i want to upgrade it myself i like learning and doing my own work.  I jsut don't trust anyone with my guns from what i have heard about one local dealer.