Manual

7
muzzle end of the housing. Be certain that the 1911 lower unit is in
full contact with the CCU housing when the ‘rails’ are in their correct
opening and only then push the lower forward. Assembly of the
1911 lower into the housing may be easier with the whole thing
upside-down. Be cautious to remember that unintentional release
of the CCU bolt during assembly can injure a finger!
A word here may be helpful as to senses of direction as used in
this manual. ‘Forward’ or to the ‘front’ means toward the muzzle
end of the CCU. ‘Pointing forward’ means in the same direction the
bullet flies. The opposite terms also apply to opposite directions.
The terms ‘up’ and ‘down’ are relative to the normal orientation of
the pistol or the CCU as are the terms ‘left’ and ‘right’.
With the 1911 lower unit correctly positioned in the appropriate
opening of the housing, the lower may be pushed forward relative
to the housing. The housing is designed with ‘rails’ which engage the
‘rails’ on the lower unit. Actually it may be best to understand the
lower unit as having grooves on the right and left sides into which
the housing ‘rails’ must enter.
Push forward the 1911 lower until it can go no farther. If all is well
the slide stop or take-down lever of the 1911 may be installed as it
normally would be. This action locks the lower to the CCU housing
and the unit is ready to use. When in a position to safely fire the
CCU a loaded 1911 magazine may be introduced into the 1911
lower. If the bolt is locked to the rear simply release the bolt rapidly
which action will chamber a round and the CCU is ready to fire. If
the bolt is closed when a loaded magazine is installed, pull the bolt
fully to the rear using the cocking handle and rapidly release it. This
will chamber a round making the CCU ready to fire.
There is a safety device designed into the CCU (Fig.9) which
prevents the installation of a lower unit into the CCU with the bolt in
the closed position. The reason for this device is to prevent an
accidental discharge in the event that a live round is in the chamber
at the time of assembly. Of course it is possible to defeat about
any mechanical device and therefore Mech-Tech stresses that the
rules of safety take first place. Earlier in these instructions is
stated the requirement to open and lock back the bolt be-
fore any assembly or disassembly activity begins. Follow the
safety rules and there won’t be a hole where one is not wanted!
Disassembly of the 1911 lower from the CCU is basically the
reverse of the foregoing. Make ceratin that all ammunition is re-
moved from the CCU.
8
Remove the magazine from the 1911 lower and lock the bolt in the
rearmost position. Locking the bolt to the rear performs two impor-
tant functions: 1) a round in the chamber will be removed if there is
one there; 2) the hammer of the 1911 lower will be cocked which is
necessary in order to totally remove the lower.
Remove the slide release (or take-down lever if you prefer) and
slide the 1911 lower to the rear untill it clears the CCU housing ‘rails’
and remove it from the CCU housing. Store the CCU with the bolt in
the closed position.
A word here is necessary regarding the various possible combi-
nations of 1911 lowers and Mech-Tech CCU uppers. At this writing
Mech-Tech manufactures CCU’s for all brands of 1911 pistols which
accurately conform to Colt 1911 dimensions. All calibers of 1911
lowers will mechanically fit into any 1911 CCU housing. This applies
to ‘Commander’ and ‘Officers’ size pistols as well as the full-size
pistols. All of this means that certain ‘cross-caliber’ combinations are
possible. For example, a .45 ACP lower will function properly with a
10mm CCU upper simply by using the correct magazine in the
lower. Also a 10mm or .40 S&W CCU upper will function properly
with a 9mm lower simply by using the appropriate magazine in the
9mm lower. This means that one can realize a functioning CCU of a
caliber different from that of the parent pistol which is the source of
the ‘lower’ unit. The advantage is probably obvious. A CCU unit
firing a 10mm round is significantly more powerful than a 9mm
1911. Again we stress safety - make certain that whatever combi-
nation is chosen uses the ammunition and magazine for which the
CCU upper is designed.
After correct installation of a lower into the CCU, the combination
will function the same as a semi-automatic pistol - one shot per
trigger pull. The last round slide lock-back function of the 1911 pistol
is
not available in the CCU. Safety cannot be overstressed - there is
nothing to indicate the condition of the CCU. No readily visible indi-
cation is given if the CCU is cocked, loaded and ready to fire. It is
the responsibility of the operator to be aware of the conditon of the
CCU at all times. The next shot is only a trigger pull away! (Tip:
when the bolt is closed, a portion of the rear of the cartridge case is
visible when the CCU chamber is loaded. Look carefully into the
ejection port opening right where the rear of the barrel meets the
breeck face. Try this with a ‘dummy’ round or an empty casing to
get used to where you should look.