My first 1911A :)

CrazyIvan · 07-31-2007, 07:44 PM

Well, bucked up, bought my first 1911A .45 handgun. It is a Rock Island Armory. Was $445 new, they dropped the price to $400 for me cause I also bought a used .22lr Marlin removable barrel rifle for $150.

Anyhow, this handgun is great. It is an officers' model, so it is a bit smaller than the standard size, but I like it. I got a nice hogue grip for it.

I do have a question though.

I am trying to figure out how to get the barrel, barrel bushing and barrel bushing spring out. I looked at this:

Field Strip The 1911 Colt 45 - Bob Tuley

But, my gun doesnt have that forward most "C" shaped retainer. It seems the retainer is internal. I think I can press it out, but I don't want to if that is not how it should be done.

The manual even says to disassemble it as that website says, but that is not how the gun is built...blah. LOL.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Beer Forever · 07-31-2007, 07:51 PM

With the gun unloaded, you push the little round button at the end of the barrel in and slide the barrel bushing over the side. It will all pop out, assuming you removed the slide catch.

CrazyIvan · 07-31-2007, 08:10 PM

I dont know if it is just cause it is new, or if it doesnt work that way...but it doesn't seem to work like this.

rfc357 · 07-31-2007, 08:12 PM

Can you post a picture? The pistol may have been modified, so the stock instructions may no longer apply.

I had Wilson install a guide rod and spring plug in my Colt 1991 Compact. It no longer disassembles according to Colt's instructions.

You could go back to the shop that sold it to you. If you are lucky (very lucky) you may find someone who can help.

Have fun with your new pistol. The 1911 is a great pistol.

CrazyIvan · 07-31-2007, 08:14 PM

aha, got it, what a PITA, lol

Have to pull the retainer bushing down, slide it up a bit, then pull the rear of the spring tube out...

troy2000 · 07-31-2007, 08:32 PM

Now I want one of those, too.

Think one could learn to get along with all my Russian and Finnish guns?

Beer Forever · 07-31-2007, 08:33 PM

I knew you could do it, 1911s are easy to maintain. Just be care installing that spring, it can shoot out clear across the room.

billy · 07-31-2007, 08:38 PM

congrats! when i got my SA1911A1 it was like xmas!
i getting a reloading press just for it.

oh yeah...PHOTOS!

CrazyIvan · 07-31-2007, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troy2000

Now I want one of those, too.

Think one could learn to get along with all my Russian and Finnish guns?

1911's are all over made all over the place. RAI are actually made in the Phillipines. But, I read reviews and they all seemed to agree that it is a quality standard GI issue 1911, fires better than they expected and the action gets smoother as time goes on.

I haven't yet shot it, but maybe this week sometime.

Hogue grips are almost a must in my opinion. Although, the "G.I." stamped wood grips are cool looking.

I'll try to get pics, but I don't really have a good camera...

EDIT: Here is a stock photo of this gun. It does look nice.

Big Dog · 08-01-2007, 04:26 AM

My buddy has a full sized RIA, and he loves it. Works far better than his old faulty SA. Good shooter, and so far, totally reliable. Good deal for the price.

Beer Forever · 08-01-2007, 08:30 AM

The one and only thing that I heard you can't do with one of those RIA is shoot really hot loads like Hydrashock and Hornaday TAP.

hayseed69 · 08-03-2007, 09:37 PM

Crazy Ivan, I am new to this forum and i have a question for you and whoever else wants to add input. I have a 1945 Colt 1911A1 with a Remington Rand upper. It hasd been accurized with a match barrel and new barrel bushing as well as a match trigger. The guy who wants to sell it to me says 450.00 will buy me the gun, 5 mags, and 3 holsters, OR I can save up and buy a Taurus PT 1911 for 150.00 more. What are your thoughts? Hayseed69

CrazyIvan · 08-05-2007, 07:09 PM

Hayseed,

For collector's purposes, I'd buy the old one. For shootin' purposes, I'd buy the new one.

Depends on what you are using it for. Collecting or shooting? You can of course collect new guns too. But, used guns, especially that old, aren't meant to be carried or used regularly. They can be shot, but just to maintain them and be sure they work.

Dookiebutt · 08-06-2007, 07:10 AM

Hayseed: I'll buy the Colt/Rand pistol for $450, give you three of the five mages and two of the holsters. Then you can buy the Taurus and already have a rig.

hayseed69 · 08-12-2007, 11:15 PM

Dookiebutt, thanks but broke down and bought the Taurus. Reason being, I am looking for a good carry gun BESIDES the Glock 22 that I carry at work and I am pretty familiar with the 1911 set up. Thanks Ivan for the input. You echo the sentiments of most of the people I work with.

Deersniper · 08-18-2007, 11:53 AM

Hey that commander size looks good. It is a great gun, and you'll like the handling of a smaller gun. They like 185 Berry's.

CrazyIvan · 10-19-2007, 08:27 PM

Here's a pic of my actual gun, since I finally got a good camera...

JohnRaven.exe · 10-19-2007, 09:33 PM

Nice 1911..... Very nice. I bet that would make a great CCW gun!

07-31-2007, 07:44 PM	#1
CrazyIvan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 2,357	My first 1911A :) Well, bucked up, bought my first 1911A .45 handgun. It is a Rock Island Armory. Was $445 new, they dropped the price to $400 for me cause I also bought a used .22lr Marlin removable barrel rifle for $150. Anyhow, this handgun is great. It is an officers' model, so it is a bit smaller than the standard size, but I like it. I got a nice hogue grip for it. I do have a question though. I am trying to figure out how to get the barrel, barrel bushing and barrel bushing spring out. I looked at this: Field Strip The 1911 Colt 45 - Bob Tuley But, my gun doesnt have that forward most "C" shaped retainer. It seems the retainer is internal. I think I can press it out, but I don't want to if that is not how it should be done. The manual even says to disassemble it as that website says, but that is not how the gun is built...blah. LOL. Any ideas? Thanks. __________________ "Minimum wage, minimum effort." "Never underestimate the power of stupidity." ~Me Last edited by CrazyIvan; 07-31-2007 at 07:51 PM.

07-31-2007, 07:51 PM	#2
Beer Forever Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,714	With the gun unloaded, you push the little round button at the end of the barrel in and slide the barrel bushing over the side. It will all pop out, assuming you removed the slide catch. __________________ Paramedic sks forever

07-31-2007, 08:10 PM	#3
CrazyIvan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 2,357	I dont know if it is just cause it is new, or if it doesnt work that way...but it doesn't seem to work like this. __________________ "Minimum wage, minimum effort." "Never underestimate the power of stupidity." ~Me

07-31-2007, 08:14 PM	#5
CrazyIvan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 2,357	aha, got it, what a PITA, lol Have to pull the retainer bushing down, slide it up a bit, then pull the rear of the spring tube out... __________________ "Minimum wage, minimum effort." "Never underestimate the power of stupidity." ~Me Last edited by CrazyIvan; 07-31-2007 at 08:17 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

07-31-2007, 08:32 PM	#6
troy2000 Resident Armed Liberal Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 9,453 Images: 9	Now I want one of those, too. Think one could learn to get along with all my Russian and Finnish guns? __________________ If a million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing. -Anatole France

07-31-2007, 08:12 PM	#4
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 741	Can you post a picture? The pistol may have been modified, so the stock instructions may no longer apply. I had Wilson install a guide rod and spring plug in my Colt 1991 Compact. It no longer disassembles according to Colt's instructions. You could go back to the shop that sold it to you. If you are lucky (very lucky) you may find someone who can help. Have fun with your new pistol. The 1911 is a great pistol.

07-31-2007, 08:33 PM	#7
Beer Forever Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,714	I knew you could do it, 1911s are easy to maintain. Just be care installing that spring, it can shoot out clear across the room. __________________ Paramedic sks forever

07-31-2007, 08:38 PM	#8
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 12,108 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 146	congrats! when i got my SA1911A1 it was like xmas! i getting a reloading press just for it. oh yeah...PHOTOS! __________________ Last edited by billy; 07-31-2007 at 08:38 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

08-01-2007, 04:26 AM	#10
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,214	My buddy has a full sized RIA, and he loves it. Works far better than his old faulty SA. Good shooter, and so far, totally reliable. Good deal for the price. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

08-01-2007, 08:30 AM	#11
Beer Forever Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,714	The one and only thing that I heard you can't do with one of those RIA is shoot really hot loads like Hydrashock and Hornaday TAP. __________________ Paramedic sks forever

08-03-2007, 09:37 PM	#12
hayseed69 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cusick, WA Posts: 10	Crazy Ivan, I am new to this forum and i have a question for you and whoever else wants to add input. I have a 1945 Colt 1911A1 with a Remington Rand upper. It hasd been accurized with a match barrel and new barrel bushing as well as a match trigger. The guy who wants to sell it to me says 450.00 will buy me the gun, 5 mags, and 3 holsters, OR I can save up and buy a Taurus PT 1911 for 150.00 more. What are your thoughts? Hayseed69

08-05-2007, 07:09 PM	#13
CrazyIvan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 2,357	Hayseed, For collector's purposes, I'd buy the old one. For shootin' purposes, I'd buy the new one. Depends on what you are using it for. Collecting or shooting? You can of course collect new guns too. But, used guns, especially that old, aren't meant to be carried or used regularly. They can be shot, but just to maintain them and be sure they work. __________________ "Minimum wage, minimum effort." "Never underestimate the power of stupidity." ~Me

08-06-2007, 07:10 AM	#14
Dookiebutt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: America's North Coast Posts: 1,163	Hayseed: I'll buy the Colt/Rand pistol for $450, give you three of the five mages and two of the holsters. Then you can buy the Taurus and already have a rig.

08-12-2007, 11:15 PM	#15
hayseed69 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cusick, WA Posts: 10	Dookiebutt, thanks but broke down and bought the Taurus. Reason being, I am looking for a good carry gun BESIDES the Glock 22 that I carry at work and I am pretty familiar with the 1911 set up. Thanks Ivan for the input. You echo the sentiments of most of the people I work with.

08-18-2007, 11:53 AM	#16
Deersniper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,685	Ria Hey that commander size looks good. It is a great gun, and you'll like the handling of a smaller gun. They like 185 Berry's.

10-19-2007, 08:27 PM	#17
CrazyIvan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 2,357	Here's a pic of my actual gun, since I finally got a good camera... __________________ "Minimum wage, minimum effort." "Never underestimate the power of stupidity." ~Me Last edited by Chris; 10-19-2007 at 09:04 PM.

10-19-2007, 09:33 PM	#18
JohnRaven.exe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 219	Nice 1911..... Very nice. I bet that would make a great CCW gun! __________________ The right to own guns is the right to resist tyranny.