SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 1911-A1 PISTOLS OPERATION AND SAFETY MANUAL ® Important Safety Information Inside Read this manual before handling this firearm. Keep this manual with your pistol and review it before each use. This manual was designed to fit in your shirt or jacket pocket. Do not allow others to handle or fire your pistol until they have read this manual. Transfer this manual with the firearm upon ownership change. Be a responsible gun owner.
BEFORE LOADING AND FIRING THIS PISTOL, READ AND UNDERSTAND THE INFORMATION IN THIS MANUAL. This is an auto loading pistol. It is immediately loaded and ready to fire again after each shot until all shells loaded in magazine have been fired. The pistol is able to fire both with and without the magazine in place. Removing the magazine does not unload the pistol nor engage the safety. The pistol is not unloaded until the chamber is empty.
SAFETY RULES READ AND UNDERSTAND THESE SAFETY RULES Be A Safe Shooter. ACCIDENT (ak´ si dent) N. 1. An unintentional or unexpected happening that is undesirable or unfortunate, especially one resulting in injury, damage, harm or loss. Don’t be the cause of an accident. A responsible gun owner is safety minded and always handles guns in a safe manner by following the basic rules of safe shooting and by using common sense in the handling of a firearm. Store firearms unloaded, locked, and in a secure place.
BE A SAFE SHOOTER! • Guns and alcohol or drugs do not mix. Do not take them before or during shooting activities. Your vision, coordination and judgment could be impaired, making gun handling unsafe. • When taking medication, seek a doctor’s advice to be sure you can operate and handle your firearm safely. • Get instructions from a competent firearms instructor before using any gun.
TREAT EVERY GUN AS IF IT IS LOADED...ALL THE TIME! • Many ammunition identifications sound similar. Make sure you use the right size ammunition in your gun. • If gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, keep it pointed at the target for at least 30 seconds before opening the action and removing the cartridge from the chamber. Sometimes slow primer ignition will cause a “hang fire” and the cartridge will go off after a short pause. • When group firing, always appoint someone to maintain safety control.
HANDLING We want you to be a safe, satisfied shooter. Before attempting to load this firearm with live ammunition, follow the sequence of operations shown here without ammunition or with dummy shells. By practicing operations without ammunition (or with dummy shells), you will become familiar with: • Safety features, • Trigger control (dry firing), • and handling of your firearm. As a result you will be a safer, more confident shooter when aiming at your first target.
SPRINGFIELD’S INTEGRAL LOCKING SYSTEM (ILS) Warning: Do not remove the mainspring housing before reading instructions and using eye protection. The ILS has parts under spring pressure. If improperly disassembled, the mainspring cap will be forceably ejected and could cause injury to you or a bystander. ILS switch Caution: The ILS is designed to lock the pistol when stored or left unattended. It is not intended to replace any of the existing safety features.
SPRINGFIELD’S INTEGRAL LOCKING SYSTEM (ILS) ➤ 4. Slowly and carefully release the pressure on the spring cap allowing it to move out of the mainspring housing. (Fig. 15-3) 5. After the spring cap has been removed, the mainspring and mainspring retainer can be removed. Caution: Do not turn the locking pin when the ILS is disassembled. The system may be reassembled only with the ILS pin deactivated (with the holes vertical or stacked).
SPRINGFIELD’S INTEGRAL LOCKING SYSTEM (ILS) Replacing the Mainspring Housing with ILS 1. Slide the mainspring housing into place and reinsert the mainspring housing retaining pin. 2. Cock the hammer to a full cock position. 3. Remove the takedown pin. 4. Remove the rubberband from the grip safety. 5. Lower the hammer to the full down position. The mainspring housing with ILS is now installed. 9 LOADING 1. Place the EMPTY magazine in the magazine well, located in bottom of pistol grip.
FIRING Point gun in a safe direction at all times. If you have never fired a gun before, practice without live ammunition before your first shot. Then load only one cartridge into the magazine for your first live ammunition firing. 1. Load shell into chamber from magazine and engage the thumb safety. 2. Grasp grip of pistol firmly. (A loose grip may cause the pistol to malfunction.) The pressure from the hand will disengage grip safety located at top of rear grip area. 3.
LD ARMO SPRINGFIEORY ARM FIE LD USA SPR INGESE O IL GEN 123 456 MM If slide is forward and hammer is cocked: 1. Point gun in safe direction. 2. Engage thumb safety. RY UNLOADING 3. Press magazine release button to remove magazine. 4. Disengage thumb safety. 5. Pull slide fully to rear to eject any cartridge remaining in chamber. 6. While holding slide in rearward (open) position, carefully inspect chamber making sure it is empty. 7. Slowly release slide, allowing it to return to forward position. 8.
MALFUNCTION WARNING! If cartridge hangs up, jams or binds when being chambered from magazine into chamber, do not attempt to force it into chamber by pushing or striking slide. 1. What to do: • Point gun in a safe direction. • Remove magazine. • Pull back on slide and allow cartridge to fall from gun. • If cartridge does not fall free, pull slide back and lock it back. • Carefully dislodge cartridge. • If cartridge cannot be removed, carefully store your gun and take it to a gunsmith. 2.
SECTION 1: DISASSEMBLY OF FULL-SIZE MODELS If you decide to disassemble your Springfield pistol, do so properly. Improper disassembly and assembly will create unsafe conditions that could result in injury or death or a gun that simply will not work. Don’t take chances. Do not attempt to disassemble this or any other firearm until you have received training and instructions from a competent gunsmith.
SECTION 1: DISASSEMBLY FULL-SIZE MODELS Step 3 Cautiously allow plug and recoil spring to move forward. Step 4 - Slide Stop Removal 1. Align disassembly notch on slide with slide stop. 2. Press slide stop shaft on right side of frame and remove slide stop by pulling it out of left side of frame. BE SAFE! Be sure pistol is unloaded before beginning disassembly! Wear eye protection, gun contains spring-loaded parts. Always wear eye and ear protection when using any firearm.
SECTION 1: DISASSEMBLY FULL-SIZE MODELS Note: There are many after-market or accessory items for 1911 style pistols. If you are not the original owner of your pistol or you are unclear on disassembling your pistol, call or write to Springfield Armory. Call Springfield Consumer Safety Department at (309) 944-5631 or write c/o: Springfield Inc. 420 West Main Street Geneseo, IL 61254 Improper disassembly may damage the firearm.
SECTION 2: DISASSEMBLY OF TRP OPERATOR MODELS If you decide to disassemble your Springfield pistol, do so properly. Improper disassembly and assembly will create unsafe conditions that could result in injury or death or a gun that simply will not work. Don’t take chances. Do not attempt to disassemble this or any other firearm until you have received training and instructions from a competent gunsmith. 16 SECTION 2: DISASSEMBLY TRP OPERATOR MODELS Improper disassembly may damage the firearm.
SECTION 2: DISASSEMBLY TRP OPERATOR MODELS Step 2 - Slide Stop Removal 1. Align disassembly notch on slide with slide stop. 2. Press slide stop shaft on right side of frame. Step 3 - Recoil Spring Assembly Removal 1. Push recoil spring assembly forward to expose a small, pin-sized hole. (Fig. 33-1) 2. Insert the provided pin (or cut a paper clip so that it extends 1/16” on both sides of guide rod) into pin hole. 3. Remove recoil spring housing from the rear of the slide. (Fig. 33-2) 4.
SECTION 3: DISASSEMBLY OF V-12, V-16, & LONG SLIDE MODELS If you decide to disassemble your Springfield pistol, do so properly. Improper disassembly and assembly will create unsafe conditions that could result in injury or death or a gun that simply will not work. Don’t take chances. Do not attempt to disassemble this or any other firearm until you have received training and instructions from a competent gunsmith.
SECTION 3: DISASSEMBLY V-12, V-16, & LONG SLIDE MODELS Step 2 - Full Length Guide Rod Removal V-series and Long Slide Models contain full-length guide rods. 1. Use a 5/32 Allen wrench to remove the front portion of the guide rod. Step 4 - Slide Removal Pull slide forward in its guides and remove slide. Barrel, recoil spring plug, recoil spring, and guide will come with it. Step 3 - Slide Stop Removal 1. Align disassembly notch with slide stop. 2.
SECTION 3: ASSEMBLY V-12, V-16, & LONG SLIDE MODELS Assemble by reversing the order of disassembly. Note: When replacing recoil assembly (Step 4), be certain barrel clearance cuts on recoil spring guide are aligned before inserting in slide. Be sure to flip barrel link forward before installing slide assembly. Note: 1911-A1 Ultra-Compact Pistols are designed to use standard pressure ball ammo and self defense loads. +P ammunition is not recommended in pistols shorter than 5 inches.
SECTION 4: DISASSEMBLY MICRO-COMPACT, ULTRA COMPACT, V-10, COMPACT, & CHAMPION MODELS SPRINGFIE GENESEOLD ARMORY MM123456IL USA SPRINGFIELD ARMORY Step 1 - Magazine Removal & Chamber Check Point gun in a safe direction. 1. Press magazine catch and remove magazine. 2. Pull slide backwards and check that no cartridge is in the chamber. 3. Release slide allowing it to go to forward position. WARNING: Point muzzle away from face to prevent injury in the event plug is ejected by spring.
ALTERNATE METHOD FOR DISASSEMBLY 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Retract slide to the takedown notch. Align disassembly notch on slide with slide stop. Remove slide stop and slowly remove slide from receiver keeping in mind that the slide is under spring pressure until it clears the receiver. With the bottom of the slide facing up, press the guide rod head forward until enough of the rod is exposed and firmly snap the takedown piece over the rod. (See fig.
CAUTION Never leave pistol cocked and ready to fire as the fire condition is extremely dangerous. Pistol could easily be accidentally discharged causing injury, death, or damage to property. A gun lock is provided with this gun. Follow the instructions for its use. Proper use will prevent the gun from being fired accidentally. No mechanical device is a substitute for safe gun handling. Every household member should be trained in safe gun handling practices.
PORTED BARREL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Ammunition Use only fresh factory ammunition such as Winchester or Federal. DO NOT use handloads, reloads, or remanufactured ammunition in your Springfield firearm. Only shoot cartridges of the caliber engraved on the barrel. DO NOT use shot cartridges or any ammunition which is loaded with a frangible projectile or any ultra-light weight projectile at elevated velocities, or any wooden or plastic projectile.
3c 3 2a 2c 2i 3a 2 3b 2d 2e 2b MOD E L 19 C A L 11 -A 1 .4 5 2h 1o 1n 2g 1m 2f 1j 1 1p 1w 1k 1z 1a 1l 1q 1h 1f 1b 1c 1x 1d 1y 1g 1r 1s 1i 1e 1h 5d 1v 1t 5c 4 1u 5b 5 5k 25 EXPLODED VIEW & PARTS LIST “LOADED” MODELS 1. 1a. 1b. 1c. 1d. 1e. 1f. 1g. 1h. 1i. 1j. 1k. 1l. 1m. 1n. 1o. 1p. 1q. 1r. 1s. 1t. 1u. 1v. 1w. 1x. 1y. 1z.
3c 3 2a 2i 2c 2h 3a 2 3b 2d 2e 2b MOD EL 1 C A L 9 1 1 -A 1 .4 5 2g 1o 1n 1m 1 1j 1p 2f 1k 1w 1l 1z 1a 1q 1h 1f 1c 1x 1y 1g 1r 1b 1d 1e 1s 1i 1h 5d 1v 1t 5c 4 1v 5b 5 5a 26 EXPLODED VIEW & PARTS LIST HIGH CAPACITY MODELS 1. 1a. 1b. 1c. 1d. 1e. 1f. 1g. 1h. 1i. 1j. 1k. 1l. 1m. 1n. 1o. 1p. 1q. 1r. 1s. 1t. 1u. 1v. 1w. 1x. 1y.
3c 3 2a 2c 2i 3a 2h 2 2d 2e 2b 3b MOD E L 19 C A L 11 -A 1 .4 5 1l 1 2f 1i 1o 1j 1v 1k 1a 1p 1y 1b 1c 1w 1d 1n 1m 2g 1f 1x 1q 1r 1h 1e 5d 1u 1s 5c 1t 5e 4 5b 5f 5 5a 27 EXPLODED VIEW & PARTS LIST “MICRO-COMPACT” MODELS 27 1. 1a. 1br. 1bl. 1c. 1d. 1e. 1f. 1g. 1h. 1i. 1j. 1k. 1l. 1m. 1n. 1o. 1p. 1q. 1r. 1s. 1t. 1u. 1v. 1w. 1x. 1y. 1z.
3 2a 2c 3a 2 2d 2b 3b 2e 2i 1o 2h 1n 2f 1 1j 1m 1k 1w 1p 1z 1a 1l 1q 1h 1f 1br 1r 1y 1g 1s 1c 1x 1bl 1d 1i 1e 1v 5d 1h 5c 4 1v 5b 1t 5a 5 28 POINT OF AIM Point of Impact Shooters may use a “point of aim” sight picture at 25 yards. This means that, at 25 yards the bullet should impact the target at the point visible at the top of the front sight. Shooters may also use a “6 o’clock” sight picture to strike the center of the target.
CARE & CLEANING Basic materials needed: • Cleaning rod of proper size with bristle bore brushes (fiber or brass) and tip into which cleaning patch can be inserted. • Cloth patches • Powder solvent • Lubricating oil • Small lint-free cloths for wiping and oiling • Bristle brush for scrubbing dirt off breech face, extractor, magazine lips, follower, etc. Use proper size bore brushes and patches - if they are too small they won’t do the job, and if they are too large they will bind inside bore.
PERIODIC CLEANING: EXTRACTOR Note: Once the slide is removed, the firing pin removal and cleaning can be done. Step 1 - Firing Pin Removal 1. If necessary, remove firing pin by pressing it with pin punch while simultaneously pushing firing pin tail past the firing pin stop, then pull firing pin stop downward from slide. Step 2 - Extractor Removal 1. Using pin punch, pull extractor by groove where firing pin stop runs. 2. Remove firing pin and its spring.
NOTICE: DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY SPRINGFIELD, INC. WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RESULTS OF CARELESS HANDLING, UNAUTHORIZED REPAIRS AND ADJUSTMENTS, CORROSION, NEGLECT, UNREASONABLE OR UNSAFE USE. SPRINGFIELD, INC. ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE AND/OR INJURY CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY HANDLOADED, RELOADED OR DEFECTIVE AMMUNITION. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL SPRINGFIELD, INC.
