While leafing through some old armorer's manuals that I had lying around, I discovered that several of them had checklists that could be printed/copied and used as a checklist to inspect and test a gun that was in for service.
It occurred to me that while there are several how-to's for the 1911 on the net, there was not one comprehensive checklist such as this that I could find. So I decided to come up with one of my own.
The goal is to create a document that could be used by an owner doing maintenance on their pistol, or a prospective buyer inspecting a used gun. It is not intended to be an inspection how-to-guide, we have some good ones already here at M1911.org. Just a checklist to follow to make sure you don't miss anything.
I post it here (in three parts) for peer review. After I have finalized it I want to format it into a Word or PDF document that can be stored on the computer and printed out as needed. Please review it if you can, and let me know if I have left anything out or need to change anything.
All items are rated as pass/fail.
Heading: __________________
Manufacturer Name: ex. Colt
Model: ex. O1991 Government
Serial#: __________________
Date: _____________________
1. Bulged
2. Cracks at muzzle or chamber
3. Longitudinal cracks
4. Upper lug condition
5. Barrel feet condition
6. Link and pin hole
7. Condition of crown
B. Slide
1. Sights/Night sights
2. Serrations - condition
3. Barrel bushing
4. Cracks especially around ejection port
5. Barrel lugs
6. Slide stop notch
7. Brass deposits (excessive)
8. Extractor tension and hook condition
C. Frame
1. Mag catch
2. Receiver cracks
3. Ejector
4. Plunger Tube
5. Disconnector head
6. Frame rails
7. Grips & Screws
8. Barrel bed & Vertical impact surface
9. Feed ramp
10. Slide stop
D. Recoil spring assembly
1. Plug
2. Guide rod
3. Recoil Spring
1. Firing Pin Stop
2. Firing Pin assembly
a. Firing pin damaged/broken
b. Firing pin spring
c. Firing pin channel
3. Extractor
a. proper fit
b. overall condition
c. extractor tunnel
B. Frame
1. Thumb Safety
2. Plunger assembly
a. spring
b. plungers[indent]
3. Hammer Pin
4. Hammer Assembly[indent]a. hooks - condition
b. proper fit
c. hammer strut and pin
5. Mainspring Assembly
a. pins
b. spring
c. condition
6. Grip Safety
7. Sear spring
8. Sear Pin
9. Sear
a. hooks and condition
b. proper fit
10. Disconnector
11. Mag Catch Assembly
a. condition
b. spring
c. lock[indent]
12. Trigger[indent]
a. correct fit
b. wear
13. Firing Pin Safety (if equipped)
a. function
b. visual inspection
14. Magazines
a. tube/lips damaged
b. spring correct, undamaged
c. follower worn, cracked, broken