Manual

Loading the Pistol

Practice this important aspect of firearm handling with an unloaded handgun until

you can perform each of the steps described below. This procedure begins with an

empty handgun with the magazine out.

1. Be certain the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction.

2. Hold pistol grip with one hand. Keep other hand clear of ejection port and grasp

serrated finger grips on both sides of slide. Pull slide back approx. 1/4” and look in

chamber to ensure it is empty; allow slide to return fully forward. In the case of the

slide going fully to the rear, release cocked hammer by squeezing trigger after

ensuring chamber is empty.

3. Insert loaded magazine into magazine well with bullets pointing forward, and

push up until the magazine is fully seated. A click will be heard when this is done

properly as the magazine catch engages.

4. When you are ready to shoot, grip the slide as described in step 2 above and pull

it fully rearward to cock the hammer and then release. Do not “ride” the slide down

to the forward position. Allow the slide to snap forward under full tension of the

recoil spring. Keeping your hand on the slide may cause a misfeed or prevent the

slide from fully closing. Racking the slide back and releasing it will cock the ham-

mer, strip off the top round in the magazine and chamber it. The pistol is now

loaded, cocked and ready to fire.

5. Keep muzzle pointed in a safe direction and engage the thumb safety until you

are ready to shoot. Always unload immediately after use and before storage.

Conditions of Carry for the Auto-Ordnance 1911 Pistol

This pistol may be carried in any one of the following three conditions according to

your needs:

Condition One - Magazine empty, Chamber empty.

The pistol cannot be discharged in Condition One.

Use Condition One for storage, transporting, cleaning, repair, demonstrating and

dry practice.

Condition Two - Magazine loaded, chamber empty, hammer down.

The pistol cannot be fired until the slide is racked and the trigger is squeezed.

Use Condition Two when carrying the pistol ready for use.

NEVER LEAVE THE PISTOL COCKED AND READY TO FIRE, AS IN

STEP 4 ABOVE, AS THIS CONDITION IS EXTREMELY

DANGEROUS; THE PISTOL COULD EASILY BE ACCIDENTALLY

DISCHARGED, CAUSING INJURY, DEATH, OR DAMAGE TO

PROPERTY.